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Russells have two restaurants in the historic city of York. One is in Coppergate and is a spacious area offering everything from morning coffee to the last liqueur of the evening. The other is an elegant and beautifully decorated Victorian building in Stonegate close to York's inspirational Minster, and it houses amongst other things the Carvery for which Russells is so popular.

A meal in the evening as the setting sun warms the stonework of the Minster is an experience not to be missed. Around 15 starters could include hot smoked mackerel with horseradish, a skillet of large shell-on-prawn tails sautéed in garlic butter, hot and spicy chicken wings or spicy potato wedges and dips. A salad platter offers a serve yourself range of leaves and other salad items.

Main courses revolve round the roast table. A choice of roast meats awaits your approval. Vegetarians need not feel left out - there is a nut roast, cooked in a rich red wine sauce. Expect also to find pork Veronique, steak in a copper pot, tuna steaks, and poached fillet of Scottish salmon, all cooked to order and served with vegetables of the season or salad.

A majestic list of hot and cold desserts is there to seduce your appetite, starting with home made sherry trifle, never out of fashion, chocolate fudge cake, sticky toffee meringue sundae and passion cake. Never forget that Yorkshire has some very fine cheeses, and a cheese platter there is worthy of close consideration.

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.

Middlethorpe Hall is a splendid Georgian mansion, redolent of all that was good in that era, in particular the oak panelled restaurant is an absolute delight. It overlooks the gardens and the imaginative food of Head Chef Nicholas Evans, much praised in all guide books, follows the hotel's theme of traditional excellence.

The skilfully executed modern British menu, features first courses like: lobster ravioli with baby gem, shellfish and lemongrass sauce or roast quail with lentils du Puy, rösti, asparagus.

Followed by main courses, of which typical examples might include roast monkfish with tomato couscous, aubergine caviar and crispy pancetta or fillet of beef served with a cep custard, baby leek and red wine sauce.

The scrumptious assiette of Middlethorpe puddings include a selection of every single pudding on the menu; while a large selection of vegetarian dishes is also available.

The comfortable and individually decorated bedrooms are both in the house and in the attractively restored 18th century courtyard next to it. There are two rooms available for private luncheon and dinner parties together with a small conference centre, ideal for meetings, receptions, exhibitions and private entertaining.

Gentlemen should plan to wear a jacket and tie in the evening, but the atmosphere is unstuffy and relaxed.

Middlethorpe's Restaurant has been awarded 2 AA Rosettes by the Automobile Association.

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.

A well-established Victorian conversion in York with a split level approach offering informality on the ground floor and just a little more panache upstairs. The highly rated food, however, is in evidence on both, depending upon quality produce and a high degree of technical expertise in the kitchens. There is great attention to detail, the sort of things that stick in people's minds and bring them back, such as home-made cheese biscuits and innovative canapés. The wine list is sheer joy as it wends its way round the world and there are helpful suggestions matching wines with menu items.

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.