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The original concept for All Bar One was developed by two enterprising ladies, who wanted a bar ideal for women to have a drink and something to eat without the intimidating confines of a traditional pub. Little wonder, that the place has huge glass frontage, open spaces and interiors that are bright and airy. The first outlet opened in Sutton in 1994, became a huge hit, and there has been no looking back since. Today there are close to forty outlets, including one in Cologne, Germany. Irrespective of location, they have identical wooden flooring, menu and service. Antique mirrors, natural colours and reclaimed wooden furniture combine classic and modern styles well.

The menu has tapas from different parts of the world, including the Mediterranean region, Italy and the East. One can also have a variety of burgers, sandwiches and salads. Baked goats' cheese parcels, flat mushroom and halloumi burgers are highlights of the menu, as is the All Bar One beef and coriander burger, a house speciality. With the emphasis being as much on drink as the food, many outlets display a wall of champagne and wines, with beers and spirits thrown in for good measure. The blackboards on the wall often flaunt the impressive selections.

The success formula of All Bar One has been faith in doing simple things well, and that is what they are best known for. A place that is hard to define, for it is not just a bar, restaurant, café or pub, but a special place where people can unwind alone or in company.

Slug and Lettuce has a chain of almost a hundred bars spread across the country sharing a common love of serving down to earth, undemanding food and drink.

The group prides itself on offering dishes prepared using quality ingredients, and you should be attended on by attentive staff in a safe, welcoming and cheerful environment. The Slugs have something for anyone - breakfast for a lively start to the day, lunch for busy people, family meals or even a relaxing glass of wine to bring a tiring day to an end - all in a variety of modern and stylish settings.

The menu features old time English favourites such as Gloucestershire Old Spot sausages in buttered mash or fish pie made with Dartmouth smokehouse haddock, in a Devon cream and leek sauce, although dishes look to Europe and further afield to Asia for inspiration. A good way to start the enjoyment is by sharing platters of Southern fried chicken breast pieces, crispy potato wedges, garlic ciabatta strips, half a rack of BBQ pork ribs, wasabi vegetables with onion rings or some Greek mezze

Hearty steak pies, Thai curry with sticky jasmine rice or butternut squash with goats' cheese lasagne are amongst the more popular main dishes. Sandwiches or wraps - warm tortilla with chicken and Parmesan or aromatic duck in plum sauce - provide for those who prefer something lighter. They also serve burgers as well as tempting salads like salmon, asparagus or tomato and mozzarella. For children they have good old British standby sausage and mash, or pepper pasta and ketchup among other choices, all of which never fail to delight, particularly as some of them seem to have come out of a certain celebrity chef's Book of Forbidden Dishes.

Desserts appear in the form of raspberry biscotti, hot chocolate pudding or a creamy strawberry cheesesake. The wine list is well compiled and substantial. There are not less than seven French, three from Italy and some from Spain, Chile, Australia as well as New Zealand. Slug and Lettuce can cater for events including birthday parties, fashion shows, hen nights, wedding parties or just an enjoyable night out with a few friends.

Most Indian restaurants in the UK offer customers a wide range of mealtime meat and vegetarian dishes. However, only a handful highlight the country's amazing hundred per cent vegetarian snacks and light bites that are enjoyed in almost every Indian home.

Through its à la carte and buffet menus, Sakonis introduces the English palate to an eclectic mix of home recipes that have been handed down over generations. Signature creations include spicy cottage cheese or paneer chilly, crispy bhajiyas, deep-fried fresh vegetables and gram flour dumplings, and chats or savoury snacks that are served at street carts in India, Pakistan and the rest of South Asia.

The eats section of the menu offers everyday snacks from all over India, ranging from the south Indian uttapa, idli and dosa pancakes, to curries and naan bread from the north. An interesting set of Indo-Chinese dishes embrace cauliflower Manchurian, sweet and sour chow mein, and sautéed babycorn.

Fresh juices and rare desserts such as srikhand, rice kheer, carrot halwa, and mohanthal help bring the experience to an end.

How times change! My early memories of a visit to a football ground, admittedly home to a team never likely to be in the same category as Leicester City, did not include one of the best restaurants in the East Midlands, with the capacity to accommodate in great comfort and style some 120 guests. Welcome to Fusions at the Walkers Stadium, where uncommonly good food is just as important as the quality of the immaculately kept turf that provides a pleasing backdrop to your enjoyment.

The menu serves the very best of modern British. Fusions is also available for exclusive use for every sort of celebration, social gathering or business occasion. A range of flexible dining options are designed to suit every need. Their current main menu embraces a selection of dishes that is designed to set the tone and lay the foundation for a meal that is worthy of the setting and the team in the kitchens.

The first Fat Cat Café Bar opened in Bangor, North Wales in 1992 and since then the group has been steadily expanding to meet the demands of the increasingly discerning customer. They run ten café bars in London, the Midlands, Wales and the North West, and are known to maintain high standards in food and service.

In order to remain at the forefront of café bar culture, a number of their sites have been refurbished during the past year. All outlets offer just the right environment to relax - with comfortable leather sofas and private booths. Large projection screens show live sporting events and wi-fi is available free of charge.

Food is served all day, seven days a week and menus change monthly with each outlet playing host to events and offers like ladies nights and set menus. Music policy depends on the time of day, ranging from classic background to uplifting dance at weekend nights.

The breakfast menu offers, among other choices, the typical English Fat Cat breakfast. The all day menu is extensive and has good choices, and is best known for sandwiches that include crispy chicken focaccia, smoked haddock rarebit and lamb tandoori naan.

Amongst the starters, expect to find grilled chorizo salad, potato skins and homemade fishcakes. If you like to keep it simple, the rustic chilli con carne is a good option - you could also add a bowl of nachos to it. Mains could offer beer battered haddock and chips, and favourites like bangers and mash, char-grilled salmon fillet or spinach and black olive gnocchi.

There are popular desserts like chocolate and apricot torte and Italian lemon cake for those wanting to give their meal a sweet end.

A large selection of wines, spirits, bottled products, cocktails and cask conditioned ales makes up their wine menu. The list also mentions liqueur coffees and non-alcoholic beverages.

If buffet is in your mind, then this Charles Street diner in Leicester could just be what you need; a celebration of six different cuisines - Indian, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Mexican - encompassing over ninety dishes. The stylish dining area is complete with trendy furnishings and lighting with soft music playing in the background.

The menu is easy to navigate and includes starters such as crispy aromatic duck, spicy chicken wings, fried pork and prawn dim sum, onion bhaji or tempura prawns. Main course treats include beef and mushrooms in a black bean sauce, chicken tikka masala, chilli con carne and Thai vegetable and tofu curry. Seekh kebabs and beef, chicken, duck and vegetable fajitas come straight off the hot counter while the wok tossed vegetable and noodle, cous cous and Greek salads are amongst their waist conscious offerings. Ice cream from a whippy machine and fresh crepes for dessert may help you reminisce your childhood days.

Frankie and Benny's combine classic American and Italian in both style and cuisine. They specialise in home style cooking 'just like Mamma used to make it'. This is a great place to take the entire family and represents excellent value for money. The restaurant and bar is suitable for any occasion, whether it's a leisurely lunch, a family meal or a fantastic evening with friends - they make sure you have a wonderful time.

Walking into the restaurant is like stepping back into 1950s New York, from the clatter and chatter of the open kitchen to the bottle lined bar. Walls with black and white family photographs showing life in Brooklyn's 'Little Italy' surround cosy booth seating and tables. Combined with the classic music of the fifties, a mix of American swing and beat, they definitely provide a fun and friendly atmosphere for all to enjoy.

Frankie and Benny's offers starters, main courses and delicious desserts, and favourites include char-grilled burgers, pizzas, pastas, steaks and house specialities such as chicken parmigiana, BBQ ribs, lamb shank and much more. The bar serves a wide range of beers, wines, spirits, cocktails and soft drinks.

Start with sticky wings, crispy coated chicken strips, tiger prawn skewer or Frankie's fried calamari and if you are dining in a group choose the giant sampler platter. The pastas, calzone and pizzas are all made freshly on order. An interesting dish on the menu is a the Boston 7 speciality pizza fully loaded with slices of pork meatballs, spicy pepperoni, ham, crispy bacon, chicken, peppers and red onion, served on a BBQ sauce base. They also serve a variety of sandwiches and burgers throughout the day.

A good value lunch menu is available on weekdays from 11am until 5pm offering a range of popular dishes from the main carte with one course at £5.95, two courses at £7.95 and three courses at £8.95.

For children up to the age of eleven, an all-inclusive menu features a selection of main courses, desserts and drinks starting at £3.95. As an added treat, they'll also receive an activity pack to entertain them whilst you eat.

Enjoy an American Italian meal at Frankie and Benny's with freshly prepared food and warm hospitality that makes you feel right at home.