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Those who remember the old A1 in the days may recall sweeping through the little town of Aberford, passing a handsome double-bayed inn, which projected, importantly into the roadside. For some 400 years this building has offered rest and sustenance to travellers and just because they've moved the road they see no reason to stop. In the Cygnet Restaurant a vast array of starters awaits you, though you will be encouraged at every turn to make an advance booking. From a prawn cocktail in Marie Rose sauce, through three flavours of home made pate, we progress to spare ribs, crab, crepes and king prawns, a veritable harvest festival of starters. For a place not exactly close to the sea there is an equally generous choice of seafood dishes, of which the seafood mixed grill is one of the most intriguing. Duck and chicken feature in no less than thirteen manifestations and so it goes on. The food is good, the décor is warm, welcoming and oak with low ceiling. It's a great pity in some ways they are no longer on the road but the blessed relief to both villagers and diners must be enormous.

Located in an Asian neighbourhood, a short ride from the city centre in Leeds, Raja's Tandoor has been ruling the Indian restaurant scene for the last couple of decades. An unassuming façade, authentic Indian cuisine and sincerely warm service, have earned this restaurant its rightful spot as one of the top 10 Indian restaurants in the UK, according to The Times 2007 and 2008. The ambience is simple, warm and comfortable, unlike the loud Asian interiors that are part of so many new restaurants.

The curries at Raja's are often unequalled in authenticity, and with more than twenty years in the food business, it isn't that surprising. Begin with the prawn or fish pakoras and alu tikkis, followed by the classic tandoori chicken and lamb biriyani. If you'd like to deviate from the regulars, try dahi chicken which is chicken cooked with creamy yoghurt, malai kofta and onion kulchas. There are drinks on the menu as well - go for lassi, an Indian favourite, if you're feeling adventurous. Sumptuous meals, impeccable service and great value, set Raja's Tandoor apart from the pack.

Step in to La Cantina 44 and you are immediately enveloped by the casual atmosphere and the sight of people having a good time there will surely make you feel at ease. The dining area may be small, almost packed during busy times, but that only adds to the ambience of the place.

The menu is extensive and covers all bases of Italian-Mediterranean cuisine, so there could be the classic minestrone, chicken liver pâté or baked baby mushrooms in a creamy garlic sauce for starters. Main courses include beef stroganoff, slices of honey glazed duck breast and medallions of pork fillet wrapped in Parma ham.

If pizza and pasta is your idea of comfort food then there's plenty happening here; spaghetti tossed with New Zealand mussels and prosciutto and funghi. Little diners have their own dedicated menu and those who pop in early in the evening could avail themselves of a good value fixed price selection.

Pizza Express remains a hugely popular bedrock of casual eating. Its popularity is testimony to the fact that across the country, they have restaurants where you will always be guaranteed a good nosh, with children's tastes being well catered for.

Pizza Express has gone even more Roman, and following the success of that particular example of listening to their public have introduced Romana pizzas, including the scorching Etna and the hearty Siciliana.

These pizzas are now thinner, bigger and crispier, and if that sounds like a marketing line, it is. However, unlike many such lines, this one is true, and their quality is always consistent, though cleverly they have still managed to retain a homemade feel to their pizzas.

As an alternative to pizza, try their pollo pesto - cavatappi pasta with torn chicken breast, mushrooms, red onions and mozzarella in a creamy gruyere, parmesan and pesto sauce and finished with grana padano - or the niçoise salad with mixed leaves, yellowfin tuna, free range egg, green beans, potatoes and tomatoes with olives, anchovies, capers and house dressing.

Many of the big chains have come a long way, and Pizza Express is certainly amongst them. One of the first to be quoted on the Stock Exchange - in 1993 - Pizza Express is not a franchise operation and retains tight control through its own staff.

Their wine list - though short - contains some surprisingly good offerings, especially their intense Australian Chardonnay, and a big, full-bodied Merlot from Cusumano, Sicilia.

Formerly known to many under another name No 3 York Place has taken on a new role in life and is creating a pleasant stir in the city of Leeds, a place that is also renewing itself.

The young, but obviously going places, Head chef, Martel Smith is producing dishes that please and show great promise. Amongst the starters on the a la carte expect to find cream of cauliflower soup with a Yorkshire Blue cheese sabayon, warm salad of pan-fried lemon sole fillets and pickled vegetables, or ballotine of foie gras with rhubarb compote and ginger brioche.

Main courses in particular display great flair, particularly when offering a new approach to well-loved dishes, witness the belly pork braised in honey and five spice, with roast sea scallop and black pudding, or the baked fillet of cod with a soft mushroom crust, buttered spinach and black noodles.

Hot pistachio soufflé with chocolate sauce and pistachio ice cream is a reasonable conclusion to any meal, and just in case you disagree an assiette of deserts is available, perhaps to prove that I was right.

The wine list could well provide a ruinous end to the evening unless you are very firm with yourself and the sommelier. Or you could let his knowledge and your instincts form a happy alliance and worry about the ruin some other time. The choice is yours.