Restaurant-Guide.com
hand picked restaurants

For some time I made the mistake of thinking that no group of restaurants in the region of 200 locations could hope to maintain the quality for which I was looking.

Then one day I decided to put my prejudices to the test, walked into Oxford Ask! and discovered that I could not have been more mistaken. Their claim to serve freshly prepared quality food in stylish and comfortable surroundings with friendly and efficient service proved to be absolutely spot on.

Since then I have also discovered that a degree of consistency seems to operate throughout their restaurants, and that certainly does take some achieving, implying a degree of management that is enviable. They are perfect places for an impromptu snack, a bit of culinary grazing, or the full works, and families are catered for particularly well.

Their trendy décor usually comprises tiled floors and black furniture with well set tables that sparkle with glass, silver and spotless linen. Ten starters include crostini and bruschetta, followed by a range of salads, pasta and al forno, oven baked pasta, some with chicken.

The pizzas are stone baked in the oven, creating a crisp, authentic and delicious flavour, and they all come topped with mozzarella and tomato. Calzone introduce a touch of opulence with a folded pizza baked in the oven and topped with garlic butter and melted grana padano, whilst inside expect to find chicken or a vegetarian mix.

Amongst the specials may I warmly, in every sense, recommend the polpette al forno, a popular Milanese dish of beef meatballs sautéed in garlic with fire roasted peppers, caramelised onions, chilli and pomodoro sauce, with penne pasta, topped with cheese and oven baked.

An enticing selection of desserts list banoffee pie and tiramisu amongst them, and the coffee tastes like coffee, which may sound banal, but I guess you know what I mean.

Thanks to a well selected wine list speculative drinking can offer handsome dividends, even with prices rarely crossing the £20 barrier.

This is an unlikely find in somewhere like Malvern Wells. Is this part of the relentless spread of ethnic cuisines westwards from the Midlands? Be that as it may here in an inoffensive white painted old house is this well-rated south-east Asian restaurant offering attractive dishes from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Singapore. The flavours are distinctive and well defined, nor are any liberties taken with the integrity of the more classic dishes. There is a good wine list, some 40 strong.

Saffrons is an independently run bistro located in the heart of Worcester's New Street. The fact that they have been around for over thirteen years suggests they are a firm favourite among locals. They encourage an informal style of dining and seek to appeal to people of all ages who want to enjoy freshly produced food in a relaxed atmosphere.

While the building retains its original features, the décor is minimalist and the unpretentious members of staff add to the convivial feel. Guests can enjoy a pre or after dinner drink in the upstairs lounge bar, which is accessorised in a homely manner. The dining area can accommodate up to twenty-six guests and their set menu makes ordering easier. The private party room can be hired out for events while the bar and the dining area play host to informal buffets.

With spectacular views over the Abberley Hills, in the beautiful Worcestershire countryside, The Granary Restaurant has an idyllic setting, well worth a detour. The décor is a modern warm minimalist style with Lloyd Loom furniture and crisp table linen whilst the ambiance is of sheer calm and relaxation that makes diners linger on for a long while after the plates have been cleared. It should not be a surprise therefore that the AA has awarded them 2 rosettes.

The kitchen is truly passionate about food miles and uses the freshest ingredients of the season from their own market garden, combined with locally sourced meat, poultry and sea catches to create the likes of slow cooked belly pork, sautéed chicken supreme and salmon and smoked mackerel fish cakes. A separate fish menu, available from Monday to Saturday, is the result of Executive Chef Tom Court's specialised expertise in fresh fish.

A good selection of classic desserts completes the picture.