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Stylish contemporary interiors and a vibrant atmosphere with live music and entertainment, on selected evenings, has helped Fratello's Bar and Restaurant at the Holiday Inn Newcastle-Jesmond make its mark. Watch the world go by from its floor-to-ceiling windows while relaxing in an airy spacious setting with booth seating. Serving authentic Italian cuisine with a modern twist, this 75-cover venue is where you can head for an intimate meal for two, a lite bite during the day or enjoyable evening dinner with family and friends. 
 
The restaurant's glass fronted kitchen offers guests a view of the chefs at work. It's à la carte menu features an extensive and varied choice of freshly prepared dishes, including wood-fired pizzas, created with the best ingredients. Starters include Italian favourites such as aubergine parmigianino, chargrilled aubergine drizzled with olive oil and baked in tomato sauce with basil and parmesan; calamari frito, fried squid with lemon mayonnaise and wilted rocket leaves, and salad of buffalo mozzarella with sun blush tomato and pesto-dressed leaves. Pizzas and pasta dishes have been given a modern slant with locally sourced ingredients like crab, salmon, scallops and prawns partnering the traditional Italian flavours of basil, plum tomatoes and parmesan.
 
Main course meat dishes include char grilled, matured sirloin steak from the Wallington Hall Estate in Northumberland in a cream and peppercorn sauce with chips as well as pork fillet wrapped in pancetta and served with crushed new potatoes, a tian of vegetables and a balsamic reduction. Fish lovers can enjoy sea bass served with borlotti beans, wilted spinach and pancetta lardons. An express lunch menu on weekdays offers more options.
 
Round off the delicious meal with a tempting selection of puddings including white chocolate and Amaretto mousse served with Beckleberry's raspberry ice cream and fresh fruit salad accompanied by cinnamon syrup and thick cream from a dairy in Durham.
 
Special offers include dinner for two with a bottle of wine for £29. Enjoy a fruity cocktail, glass of wine or favourite brand of beer in the relaxed terrace bar. Pre and post theatre as well as takeaway menus are available. For that party you are planning, it's possible to hire the whole restaurant and celebrate in style. Click on their Website for further information.

The Red Hot World Buffet family keeps on growing and this time it's the people of Leeds, in the Light building, who can now feast themselves upon this amazing world dining experience for one fixed price, whether it's Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Tex mex, Cajun, Thai or English cuisine.

As befits a buffet restaurant with such international credentials, dishes are created at live cooking stations by some of the best chefs from around the world who, along with the guests, enjoy the buzzing atmosphere. For one set price Red Hot offers you the world on a plate.

From World starters be prepared for pepperoni or ham and apple pizza, chicken tikka or chick pea masala, chilli con carne or nachos with a salsa bar, or pork spare ribs with an alternative of crab claws. There is certainly no lack of choice from any country at any stage of the meal.

A salad and seafood bar offers a fine selection of sushi, and chilli and garlic flavoured mussels provide a balanced flavour that retains its fresh from the sea staple. Ham, salami and chicken come in various manifestations, and assorted breads provide contrast and enlightenment. No less that fourteen salads inevitably yields unusual pairings, with fennel and mango dressed with citrus, mini savoury tartlets with glacé cherry and Philadelphia cheese, or broccoli and snow peas with garlic flakes. Whichever you choose it arrives at table with condiments and dressings.

On the live counters prepare for conflict. A made to order pasta station serves five types of pasta with nine sauces from which to choose, including Bolognaise, Carbonara and Americana. The noodle bar is busy with several types to marry up with a choice of four meats, four sauces and a good array of vegetables. Think glass noodles with shrimp, chilli Ramen, bamboo shoot and scallion.

Made to order Chinese stir fry has choices that could keep the average diner on their toes for a month or more, provided they were not deflected by the chargrill where the choice may be less but the enjoyment factor guaranteed. Amongst the main courses five cuisines parade their best, with yellow beef curry, egg noodle, lamb Rogan Josh, chicken tikka masala and Mexican chilli pork amongst those dishes jostling for attention.

By now you can well imagine the feeding frenzy presented by the desserts. To make matters even more scintillating if you really have the creative urge you make your own fruit compote with a different liqueur, or nip a cross to the sundae counter where DIY is positively encouraged.

A visit to Red Hot is a time to let your hair down and become participatory. Try saying that when you've done a little research on the cocktails, mocktails and shooters, linked your meal with a choice from amongst the international wine list, or embarked on an in depth study of some of the vast collection of world beers. If it's a party, pitchers of your preferred beverage can ensure that the party continues until late in the evening.

Eating is one of life's pleasures; eating under the panoply of fun and zing factor offered by Red Hot Buffet ensures it will be even more fun. Their Website says it all.

Walk into The Copper Horse and it is hard to imagine that you are not entering some theatrical pub in the heart of London's show-business spread. Fact is that if you were to translate The Horse by some Dr Who techniques to London theatreland, it would be mobbed.

There are wonderful brasserie touches, dark red velvet drapes, brass and gold, to which the background is a superb collection of theatre memorabilia of stage and screen going back to the 1950s. To find all this in a pretty village near Scarborough where the hint of the sea is never too far away, particularly when the wind is in the east, makes a first class pub restaurant into a rare find indeed.

Originally a farmhouse going back to the 17th century, The Copper Horse has plenty of room in which to expand, and outside its sturdy construction has a rugged charm that has been emphasised by a coat of white that shines spectrally in the North Yorkshire moonlight.

As they would certainly say in the locality there's not too much space give to 'fancy stuff', and meals follow a robust but well prepared and presented range of dishes that speak of England and its rich diversity of home grown ingredients. Look for smoked salmon set on a beetroot and potato rösti and finished with a lemon and dill dressing or for sheer pungency look no further than black pudding on garlic and thyme roasted field mushroom topped with prosciutto ham.

Excellent seafood is a pretty fair bet with Whitby not so far away and Copper Horse classic prawn cocktail served with Marie Rose or Bloody Mary dressing is more than likely to please. Pudding is another respected product of Yorkshire, and combined with slow roast brisket of beef served with onion gravy and horseradish mash represents a compelling dish for many.

Yorkshire could be said to be the spiritual home of Pollock and pea fishcakes, well supported by wilted spinach with a shellfish bisque and new potatoes, while the mouthwatering crispy roast duck does not pre-empt you attention. There are other dishes such as slow braised lamb shank set on mashed potato with minted gravy. Both are only too readily available at The Copper Horse. Or take a closer look at the harissa glazed chicken fillet served on honey roast squash and sweet potato.

Talking of which a well selected wine list hovers at your elbow, many with large or small glass options, all designed to march in hand with the menu.

Those looking for somewhere special to have their wedding breakfast, a family celebration or a corporate boondoggle will find a willing participant in the form of the team at The Horse who put together and manage the event according to the clients' wishes. From the wine to the final details, all can be taken care of efficiently and with discretion.

Their Website tells you more. Meanwhile note this delightful combination of theatre and good dining into your places for the future.

Located shrewdly on the outskirts of York, The Tanglewood had been much refurbished, not only in the customary fashion but with some major theatrical input. The result is somewhere that glistens and beckons as you chug along the ever busy A64. No matter, The Tanglewood is open every day to ease the pain, lunch from 12pm and dinner from 5.30pm with modern British food on offer.

In the restaurant and bar the walls and ceiling are covered in theatre memorabilia of stage and screen from the 1950s onwards and there's plenty of red and gold drapes around to give a constant reminder of the gift of drama in all its manifestations.

The talented team of chefs work mainly from an à la carte and lunch menus that introduce a strong feeling of the brasserie, entirely appropriate in a restaurant so devoted to the stage, and paying attention to the seasons and rich choice of ingredients to be had regionally. Slow roast pork belly is served with sage and onion stuffing, thyme jus, caramelised apple puree and mashed potatoes while crispy roasted duck served with a zesty orange sauce and roast potatoes never fails to please.

Our choice of food has increased so dramatically that few non-specialist menus nowadays dare to show themselves without a hint of Asian influence; vegetable spring rolls are served with a plum dipping sauce, whilst steak and ale pie slowly braised and topped with homemade short crust pastry moves closer to home.

The burger, that culinary pariah of the '70s, now treated with respect, especially when homemade as they are here, arrives in the traditional bun topped with cheddar cheese and bacon, served in toasted ciabatta with relish, accompanied by chips and coleslaw. Somehow the steak sandwich has never seemed the same since the burger went upmarket.

A sensible and diverse wine list offers well over a dozen by the glass with an assembly of choices that has a direct connection with the menus, and for celebration after a good day at Wetherby Races there is Laurent-Perrier Brut.

Positioned as it is The Tanglewood makes an excellent venue to which to bring a function, with seating for 160, plenty of parking and staff who are accustomed dealing with the special requirements of family celebrations, corporate functions or a wedding 'breakfast'.

Their Website, as colourful as any stage set might wish to be, will tell you more about The Tanglewood, its changing menus, latest news and special offers. They have a gluten free menu and large free car park.

Fisherman's Lodge has recently undergone a change of ownership and is now in the capable hands of award winning North East chef patron, Alan O'Kane and backer Jamie Howell. Fisherman's Lodge is a mystical and tranquil rural idyll surrounded by the bustling city of Newcastle. It is hard to believe that the city centre is a mere five minutes away.

Lord Armstrong, Victorian manufacturer of very large whizz-bangs, public benefactor, inventor and the man who introduced electricity to Newcastle, used the Lodge to house the estate manager at Jesmond Dene and the stables, whilst his later country mansion at Cragside was the first house in the world to be lit by hydroelectric power.

Today Fisherman's Lodge, tucked away in its leafy woodland gorge in Jesmond Park, serves as a select haven for those who like their earthly pleasures, notably food, drink and good company, in surroundings that in themselves are a source of relaxation and understated comfort. The Victorian structure remains, but its formerly sombre interior has been replaced by a light and airy chic that draws on contemporary design, presenting a riot of vibrant colours, red sofas, black and gold wallpaper and banquette seating in Chinese blue.

Turning to matters of dining the emphasis is firmly on seafood and fish alongside fine Northumberland meat and fresh local produce. Seasonal game also features on the menu from time to time. The character of the man, in this case Alan O'Kane, is such that he prefers simplicity and his zest for flair and flourish is likely to merit a warm response from a wider clientele for whom good eating is a matter of enjoyment without fuss and a recognition of integrity in sourcing and preparation.

Amongst the dishes likely to appeal are starters of white onion and parmesan soup with foie gras ravioli, twice baked soufflé Suisse, and pan fried scallops with Iberico chorizo, tomato jam and ricotta gnocchi. Follow with 'plain and simple' fish of the day, seasonal vegetables and ratte potatoes, or Blagdon Farm duck breast, duck leg pastia, duck scratchings and sour cherry jus. For the connoisseur a sous vide fillet of turbot is likely to appeal, accompanied by mussel clam chowder and crisp Serrano ham. On the lunch and early evening menu coq au vin is making a popular resurgence along with fish (again, of the day) and chips and other traditional dishes.

Happy indeed is the restaurant where the sommelier, here Leon Battaglia, is also an expert in the selection and serving of cheese. With house wine starting at a pleasing £15 a bottle the list finds its way through a wide range of choices drawn mainly from the newer regions where value and quality meet.

A range of menus includes lunch and dinner, with an early evening menu available from Monday to Friday, the ideal place to start an evening out amidst the wide ranging entertainment spectrum within the city. On Sundays a traditional lunch is served. The restaurant is also pioneering a chic brunch menu, to be launched in 'The Terrace at Fisherman's Lodge' at weekends - a new feature designed to provide for more relaxed al fresco style dining - by covering in the terraced patio. The reputation for fine dining remains and the scope will open even further to meet the challenge of the times and changing habits in eating out.

With such a superb location it is hardly surprising that a forte at Fisherman's Lodge is the succession of private parties and business meetings. The Lodge is licensed for wedding ceremonies, and an extensive car park ensures no problems in that direction. Newcastle is fortunate indeed that such a fine asset for public entertainment and pleasure is located at its heart.

For up to date developments and news a click on their Website will prove informative.

Chris Murphy of the Yorkshire Evening Post described the place perfectly in November 2004. 'The Corner Cafe - an institution beloved of curry lovers across Leeds - has re-opened to a wave of nostalgic emotion.' It is 10 years since owner Karim Ghauri concocted his last round of bhunas, shimlas and massalas. But he's back to a loud chorus of approval from fans of Indian food and of the original laid-back atmosphere that has always complimented the cuisine.

Karim, along with his wife Kate Ghauri-Moore, has also maintained his old approach to alcohol, where customers can wander in with a pint of ale or glass of wine from the Queens Arms pub from across the road or even bring their own. After refurbishment, a mezzanine floor has been built according to the trend in recent times. "It's been fantastic so far," Karim told the YEP.

"We've no pretensions here and aren't trying to be something we're not - we just love cooking, as well as the people and the atmosphere of the place. People who used to come in 10 years ago have been back already because they had heard we'd re-opened, and customers have been bumping into people they haven't seen since we were last open. There used to be such a great mix of people.

We'd have a couple on one table who were still in their overalls having been decorating all day and at the other end a bunch of musicians in dickie bows and dinner jackets - and all of them would feel equally at home."

The first Corner Cafe, on Buslingthorpe Lane in Leeds, was opened in 1976 by Karim's father Muzamil and became a legend in its own lunchtime. Originally a transport cafe it changed when Muzamil started injecting his own authentic Asian cuisine into dishes churning out countless curried shepherd's pies and kebab sandwiches, alongside more traditional truckers fare such as bacon butties.

In the mid 1980s the family opened Corner Cafe on Burley Road which drew a cosmopolitan mix of students, young professionals, families and the odd celebrity guest, such as former YEP reporter turned rock star Mark Knopfler.

After leasing the building 11 years ago the couple decided to give it another go when it came up for renewal earlier this year. The menu shows a wide variety of sub-continent treats including an extensive vegetarian choice, and many of the old recipes created by Karim's dad. "We're not here to conquer the world or set up 10 more Corner Cafes, we're just happy doing what we are doing now," added Karim.

Two minutes from the centre of Harrogate, but a million miles from the average restaurant, Villu Toots is truly different; its classic, yet stunningly contemporary, minimalist decor provides a chic, stylish setting to accentuate the individuality of its customers. Large enough to seat up to 70 people in spacious comfort and yet maintain an intimate and friendly atmosphere.

A very contemporary menu embraces both the traditional and the unexpected, and delights those who not only appreciate excellence but also prize value. Starters could be: carpaccio of peppered tuna with a fennel, papaya, radish, lemon and coriander salad; a warm tartlet of tomato, basil and glazed goat?s cheese with a rocket and red onion salad and a vintage balsamic vinaigrette or cheddar cheese soup finished with leeks, tomato and fresh chervil and homemade cheddar and chive bread.

Then those might be followed by a choice of seared calf?s liver with blue cheese dumplings, Irish cabbage and a light mustard sauce; grilled langoustines and red mullet fillets coated in a bouillabaisse style sauce, Gruyere cheese, rouille and herb sippets; fillet of turbot with scallops, baby leeks and wild mushrooms or pesto linguini topped with char-grilled Mediterranean vegetable kebab with fresh parmesan.

Desserts are no less tempting, who could resist a dark chocolate torte, seared fruits, mint and champagne syrup; crispy baked apple, sultana and armagnac samosas, cinnamon mascarpone cream or iced blood orange and Grand Marnier 'glace' souffle, confit of pineapple? The wine list is equally diverse, with fine vintages rubbing shoulders with more youthful newcomers, and throughout your meal Villu Toots's lively convivial staff provide informal but attentive service.

For further details, do have a look at their attractively presented Website, which also has their full menu.

If you are too tired after dinner to drive home, you can even opt to stay overnight at The Balmoral Hotel in one of their sumptuous bedrooms, which helped them to win The Which? Good Hotel Guide Hotel of the Year in 2002, or call them on +44 (0)1423 508208.

The Angel at Hetton, near to Skipton, sets a remarkably hearty pace as an example for British pubs, which are aiming to fashion a unique experience, to follow. The Angel Inn was the creation of Denis Watkins, who sadly died in July 2004, he was a delightful man, an extremely able chef and always full of bubbling enthusiasm. The Angel has gained almost too many awards to be able to mention, but one highlight was when Denis was given the Catey from Caterer and Hotelkeeper, a tribute from his chosen profession, in 1998.

However, it has been a stalwart fixture of the Good Food Guide for many years, and in 1991 they won the Good Pub Guide's 'All Round Dining Pub of the Year', as well as the AA's 'Best Newcomer' in 1992. In the past years, it has become, above all, a place to enjoy the finest of food, good real ales and a wine list hand picked of extraordinary length and surprising value. All oak beams, separate rooms, nook and crannies, it is a hotch potch of contrasting styles and features, which come together to create an authentic atmosphere reminiscent of a more relaxed and bygone age. In the summer you can dine al fresco on the flagged forecourt overlooking Cracoe Fell.

The restaurant offers an early bird and an á la carte menu Monday to Thursday. On Friday they serve an early bird and a fish á la carte menu. A fixed price menu is served for Saturday dinner at £38.50 for four courses and coffee and Sunday lunch at £26.25 for three courses and coffee. Opening times given are for the restaurant. There is a wide choice of dishes and a specialisation in fresh fish. More informal food, with no necessity to book can be found in the Bar Brasserie, which is open for lunch and dinner every day.

The Angel is most famous for its food. Not the usual 'bought in' reheated fare, so often termed 'Pub Grub', but everything is absolutely fresh, of the finest quality, prepared by a dedicated and highly skilled kitchen team under the direction of their Head Chef.

The style of the food is Modern British, reflecting British origins but influenced by the cultures and cuisine of many countries, not least France and Italy. Wherever possible, raw products are sourced locally, meat and game from the Dales and Lancashire, sausages and cheese from Lancashire. Fish is delivered daily from the East and West coasts and herbs are from their own garden. All recipes are authentic and whilst the colour of a dish is important, it is the flavour that should live in the memory.

A typical dinner could begin with a choice of Glasshouses smoked trout fillet with beetroot jelly and horseradish cream; mini courgette and broccoli crumble; a little 'moneybag' of seafood baked in crispy pastry, served with lobster sauce, or carpaccio of Yorkshire beef.

Following on with a duo of Bolton Abbey mutton with liver, onion and bacon pie, roasted loin, courgette puree, sun-dried tomato, basil potato and rosemary sauce; and char-grilled fillet of Waterford House beef with foie gras, spinach and wild mushroom fricassée, baby vegetables, chateau potatoes and périgueux sauce. But leave room for their wonderful desserts, like sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce; a selection of sorbets and fresh berries, and croissant and butter pudding with apricot compote.

There are five luxury suites and a Wine Cave over the road in the Angel Barn Lodgings. The Wine Cave is an atmospheric homage to a wine producer's cellar, with exposed stone walls, wood beams, stone flagged floor and nooks and crannies. It also makes for an intimate wedding venue and hosts 'The Angel Auberge', a private dining experience with a rustic farmhouse style of service. One long table seats up to 24 guests and hearty plates of charcuterie could be followed by big bowls of cassoulet, beef bourguignon, fondue Savoyard or chicken chasseur.

All studios and suites have been individually furnished to a high standard and decorated to compliment the natural beauty, stone and beams of the ancient building. For residents' convenience all rooms are equipped with mini bars, electric hair dryers, safes and tea and coffee making facilities.

For details of specials on their menu and other information visit their Website.

Arts is Leeds's original Café Bar. Opened in September 1994, really the first of its genre in Leeds, it has become a popular destination for the local diners and drinkers, with a choice that ranges from a daytime sandwich or coffee, to their full 'à la carte' menu options available both day and night.

Offering around 50 covers, Arts has built a reputation on offering exceptionally high quality and interesting cuisine in a relaxed and friendly environment, at affordable prices where you can always be assured of attentive and welcoming service. The atmosphere is complemented by regular 6-weekly exhibitions of artwork by local and regional artists on the walls.

The wide range of lunch plates and sandwiches make this restaurant well worth considering for a splendid mid day meal. The Yorkshire plate with its Wilson's pork pie, 'Yorkshire tasty' cheese, pork and apple terrine, pickles and root vegetable coleslaw, served with salad and bread does not disappoint on any count.

Some of the inventive starters on their full à la carte include crab and cockle chowder with 'salt and vinegar' samphire and gribiche croute; little game pie in a puff pastry with red onion jam, and deep fried Somerset brie with roast beetroot and red chard salad with balsamic reduction.

Further down the menu, there's pan roasted hake fillet with saffron mash, spicy chicken wings, red pepper and chorizo salsa, or artichoke and leek risotto with white truffle oil, parmesan and fried herbs. For those who love the quintessential steak, there's the char-grilled rib-eye steak with green peppercorn, roast garlic and tomato relish, hand cut chips and English mustard mayonnaise.

Skipping dessert would not be a wise option, especially when you are confronted with choices such as warm Yorkshire parkin with vanilla ice cream, ginger and caramel; lemon and thyme bavarois, and black forest pot with layers of chocolate sponge, ganache, white chocolate and cherry brandy mousse with berry compote.

In addition to the a la carte menu, which you can view on their Website, Arts offers an extensive wine list, beers and ales as well as a large selection of non-alcoholic drinks including a full range of coffees, teas, smoothies, juices, and non-alcoholic cocktails.

Arts Cafe Bar Restaurant continues to go from strength to strength; why not take the opportunity to visit them and enjoy the unique atmosphere and experience?

In 1985, Krimo and Karen opened Krimo's Restaurant at Seaton Carew, the resort side of Hartlepool. They had £250, supported by 'bucketfuls of enthusiasm', and by the following year they were listed in the Michelin Guide and have been ever since.

Krimo's is a celebration of the cuisines of the Mediterranean and everything you ever associated with that wonderful combination, including the romantic and imaginative décor. For those of you who hitherto had perhaps associated Hartlepool with North Eastern dourness and its former MP, now Lord Mandelson, pleasant surprises are in store. The sun shines, there is a lively community spirit and the new Marina has widened the town's horizons.

But let's turn to more immediately important advantages, the wonderfully fresh fish and seafood readily available year round, the years of experience of Krimo and his loyal staff, and a fine location amongst the action on Hartlepool seafront. Taking lunch as an example, from amongst seven or so starters expect to find Thai fishcakes with a stimulating red coconut curry sauce, creamy garlic mushrooms flavoured with tarragon and served on a toasted brioche, or a prawn salad with seafood sauce.

A tasty Algerian lamb tagine is only one interpretation of this great traditional dish (you should try it with goat sometime), and a fish of the day course never fails to please. One of the real classics is beef bourguignon, served here with mushrooms, onions and red wine, or to the north Med for penne carbonara with bacon and cream.

The carte menu is an ever changing range of culinary delights that chase the seasons and the markets. Try the seared pigeon breast on a bed of braised red cabbage and apple, or pan fried chicken breast with tarragon in a wild mushroom sauce. Algerian boureks are filo pastry parcels with minced beef inside, excellent as tapas or starters. Sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream and toffee sauce could, perhaps, make for the ideal close.

On Sundays Krimo makes a bold step out of the Med and acknowledges local loyalties with the traditional roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, though warmer climes are never far away and there's no obligation to depart from what Krimo's is all about - interesting, well prepared and sourced dishes that speak of easy warmth and a range of cultures.

An early bird two course meal is served between 5.30-6.30pm Tuesday to Friday, and is extraordinarily good value. A set two course dinner follows, but it has to be said that it is within the à la carte that the true measure of what is offered at this attractive restaurant can be best enjoyed. Combine this with a wine list that draws largely from the same geographical sweep as the food, and a jolly, relaxed atmosphere and you can see how well deserved is their title of Winner of the 2009 Hartlepool Business Award for Tourism and Leisure.

Krimo is an excellent communicator - click on the attractive Website to catch up with their latest news and views.