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Prezzo has been delighting diners for over eight years, and this Italian restaurant chain has since been able to expand throughout large parts of England and Scotland with some 141 outlets.

Interestingly, the company seeks to restore either impressive buildings or ones of local interest. The conversion of the Newbury library and other listed buildings, such as those in Salisbury, Romsey and Mayfair, are all welcome examples of 'new use'. Their trendy and sophisticated décor usually consists of tiled or wooden floors with delicate lights and colourful paintings, along with wooden furniture and sparkling cutlery, creating a setting that is suitable for a relaxed lunch, a family meal or an evening out with friends.

The restaurants are of particular appeal to those who like genuine Italian cuisine, and they use only the best seasonal products, many of which are imported directly from Italy. The menu includes pizza, pasta, risotto, grilled meats, fresh salads and frequently changing specials.

The freshly baked breads, like the garlic bread with mozzarella cheese, are perfect for sharing and give you adequate breathing space to order starters to follow. Crab cakes served with garlic mayonnaise or grilled goat's cheese with plum tomatoes and caramelised onions on foccacia bread with a balsamic glaze set the tone for a hearty meal. Best fun is to order an antipasto platter to share made up from seven well loved Italian nibbles.

Find pastas such as the unusual penne con salmone, with oak-roasted salmon, broccoli and fresh chillies in a red pesto and cream sauce, or firm favourites like spaghetti with meatballs, spaghetti Bolognese, and fusilli al pesto, asparagus spears with field mushrooms and roasted peppers in a basil pesto sauce.

Amongst the special pastas, the pollo mariano, seasoned chicken, pepperoni sausage, roasted peppers and fusilli in tomato sauce, is interesting and different. Italian menus would be incomplete without risotto, like tiger prawns with petits pois in a creamy saffron sauce.

Classic pizzas embrace, among a wide selection, the popular napoletana, topped with yellowfin tuna, tomato, white anchovies, capers, red onion, mozzarella and marinated olives, and the much loved quattro stagioni - pepperoni sausage, prosciutto ham, artichoke, field mushrooms, capers, marinated olives, mozzarella and tomato.

Specials could include the pollo Siciliana, char-grilled chicken breast, prosciutto ham and plum tomato slices, baked with their blend of cheese, only one example from the many tempting offerings that come out from the Prezzo kitchens.

You can accompany the food with a variety of tipples, though for many, Italian food requires Italian wines to be enjoyed to the full, ranging from house wine through Morellino di Scansano and Prosecco to liqueurs and beer, and there is espresso or fresh ground coffee to wind up an enjoyable meal, in company with a glass of grappa or sambuca.

This is Italian food at its attractive best, convincing and bringing together the traditional with the modern twist or two against a background of excellent value.

Prezzo is a lively group and opportunities to improve and update are never left on the table for long. Keep up to date with a quick click on their Website.

In the heart of this North London suburb, Caffe Uno Enfield offers a hearty Mediterranean menu in a bright and airy setting with back-lit cabinets displaying a tempting variety of wines. Located just a stone's throw from Enfield Town Rail Station, Caffe Uno is also close to Cineworld Cinemas and Palace Gardens Shopping Centre.
 
Nestling among the shops, pubs and bars on Silver Street, Caffe Uno is the perfect place to unwind with family and friends in relaxed, contemporary surroundings. Begin the day with a wholesome breakfast, drop in for a quick lunch or enjoy a delicious dinner after taking in a movie at the Cineworld Cinema nearby.

A sumptuous main menu offers a wide range of dishes including starters of chilli tiger prawns with garlic, parsley, lemon and mixed leaves; grilled chorizo and halloumi with salad garnish and lemon dressing or a quesadilla with chicken, salsa and served with garlic mayonnaise. Alternatively, try the tempting traditional antipasto platter with prosciutto ham, salami Milano, bresaola beef, marinated olives, fresh rocket and ciabatta bread.

The grill's meaty selections include a succulent rib eye steak with béarnaise or green peppercorn sauce, flame grilled piri piri chicken and char grilled chicken and field mushrooms with baby spinach in a Marsala wine with your choice of side order. Equally satisfying could be seafood dishes of paella with tiger prawns, mussels, chicken breast, chorizo sausage, onions, and peas cooked with Spanish rice or salmon fillet baked in a creamy saffron sauce with new potatoes, broccoli and green beans.

There are also a number of tempting pizzas with a host of tempting toppings such as the Bianca which pairs goat's cheese with grilled courgettes, semi-dried tomatoes and mozzarella, or a classic meat feast of chicken, spicy beef, pepperoni, pancetta bacon, mozzarella and tomato. Hearty pasta dishes include penne with Italian sausage in a spicy tomato sauce; spaghetti with meatballs and tagliatelle with tiger prawns.

Vegetarians are also well-catered for with dishes that could include aubergine parmigiana with parmesan cheese; broad bean risotto and a baked goat's cheese salad with toasted walnuts and grapes and a rocket and spinach salad. Caffe Uno also offers separate lunch and children's menus.
 
Sweet temptations in the form of white chocolate and pistachio cheesecake with raspberry coulee; espresso chocolate tart; lemon and raspberry sorbet and mini desserts of hazelnut marsala semi fredo, coffee cream latte semi fredo or Belgian milk chocolate semi fredo will round off any meal nicely.

Caffe Uno also sells its own products, many of which are used in the dishes served in the restaurant, including extra virgin olive oil, Modena balsamic vinegar, Italian rocket and almond pesto and Cuneesi chocolates.

To gain further information, just visit their extremely comprehensive Website.

Prezzo has been delighting diners for over eight years, and this Italian restaurant chain has since been able to expand throughout large parts of England and Scotland with some 141 outlets.

Interestingly, the company seeks to restore either impressive buildings or ones of local interest. The conversion of the Newbury library and other listed buildings, such as those in Salisbury, Romsey and Mayfair, are all welcome examples of 'new use'. Their trendy and sophisticated décor usually consists of tiled or wooden floors with delicate lights and colourful paintings, along with wooden furniture and sparkling cutlery, creating a setting that is suitable for a relaxed lunch, a family meal or an evening out with friends.

The restaurants are of particular appeal to those who like genuine Italian cuisine, and they use only the best seasonal products, many of which are imported directly from Italy. The menu includes pizza, pasta, risotto, grilled meats, fresh salads and frequently changing specials.

The freshly baked breads, like the garlic bread with mozzarella cheese, are perfect for sharing and give you adequate breathing space to order starters to follow. Crab cakes served with garlic mayonnaise or grilled goat's cheese with plum tomatoes and caramelised onions on foccacia bread with a balsamic glaze set the tone for a hearty meal. Best fun is to order an antipasto platter to share made up from seven well loved Italian nibbles.

Find pastas such as the unusual penne con salmone, with oak-roasted salmon, broccoli and fresh chillies in a red pesto and cream sauce, or firm favourites like spaghetti with meatballs, spaghetti Bolognese, and fusilli al pesto, asparagus spears with field mushrooms and roasted peppers in a basil pesto sauce.

Amongst the special pastas, the pollo mariano, seasoned chicken, pepperoni sausage, roasted peppers and fusilli in tomato sauce, is interesting and different. Italian menus would be incomplete without risotto, like tiger prawns with petits pois in a creamy saffron sauce.

Classic pizzas embrace, among a wide selection, the popular napoletana, topped with yellowfin tuna, tomato, white anchovies, capers, red onion, mozzarella and marinated olives, and the much loved quattro stagioni - pepperoni sausage, prosciutto ham, artichoke, field mushrooms, capers, marinated olives, mozzarella and tomato.

Specials could include the pollo Siciliana, char-grilled chicken breast, prosciutto ham and plum tomato slices, baked with their blend of cheese, only one example from the many tempting offerings that come out from the Prezzo kitchens.

You can accompany the food with a variety of tipples, though for many, Italian food requires Italian wines to be enjoyed to the full, ranging from house wine through Morellino di Scansano and Prosecco to liqueurs and beer, and there is espresso or fresh ground coffee to wind up an enjoyable meal, in company with a glass of grappa or sambuca.

This is Italian food at its attractive best, convincing and bringing together the traditional with the modern twist or two against a background of excellent value.

Prezzo is a lively group and opportunities to improve and update are never left on the table for long. Keep up to date with a quick click on their Website.

Karahi Express is situated in Hounslow West, West London; it is a particularly favoured diner for Asians of all ages - always a good sign - and is normally packed all week round. In fact, to get a table on a Friday or Saturday night you would have to book beforehand or be extremely lucky when you turn up.

As you walk in, on the left you can see the cooks preparing meals through a window, providing an excellent view of what you are going to be eating and how it's made. Favourite dishes include lamb chops, chilli paneer and the butter chicken; portions are a very decent size, and, if you want more you won't have to wait long as the dishes are served really quickly.

Another plus point is that you can bring your own alcoholic drinks. The place is always lively and do expect some noise owing to the fast pace of the restaurant.

L'Orient is an intimate Asian restaurant in High Street, Pinner focussing on the varied delicacies from the Orient, be it Chinese, Thai or Japanese cuisine. The menus are flexible so diners can mix and match and create their own meal based on what they prefer. Chefs there excel in providing wholesome food, without the usual additives that can mar your enjoyment, and conjure delicious meals from fresh ingredients using traditional recipes and refined culinary skills. Attentive service, a warm atmosphere and exquisite decor combine to create a memorable dining experience whether you're with friends, family or business associates

Dishes on the menus are grouped according to regions but diners are free to choose, so typically you could start with deep fried succulent pork ribs flavoured with Oriental spices, followed by wok tossed chicken chunks and cashewnuts in yellow bean sauce.  From a Malaysian coconut infused lamb curry to stone baked salmon with teriyaki sauce, the choices seem endless and vegetarians will be enthralled by their Green Cuisine which offers tasty meat free options.

Chinese food in India has a life of its own, coloured by the many instinctive inspirations of chefs across the sub continent and reflecting this unusual contrast is the Blue Ginger restaurant in Harrow. Those new to this cuisine might be surprised by the liberties taken with dishes from the Orient, but the end result is surprisingly satisfying and all is forgiven. This classy restaurant is divided into different sections, a sporty bar, whisky lounge for business occasions, dining lounge on a raised platform as well as a more formal hall with a waterfall to add an element of exotica.

The menu also caters to those who do not want to stray from true Indian dishes and there might be starters of pan fried tilapia marinated with fresh ginger and ground pepper followed by spicy minced lamb. From the Chinese menu, there's sesame coated honey glazed chicken and a main course of shredded lamb in black pepper sauce. Imaginative cocktails, wines and liqueurs make up the drinks list.