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.

Oryza Sushi is a stylish restaurant offering freshly made sushi, salad and hot noodle soups in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. It is an ideal spot for an intimate meal with your partner or a grab-and-go lunch. The interior features an open kitchen plan, bright colours and is well lit.

Start with fish roe thin maki, smoked salmon nigiri, mixed seafood and vegetable soup. For main course consider the quick break set which consists of mixed roll selection, pieces of maki or soup, and a soft drink or green tea. For dinner consider lemon drop sushi, inside-out crab stick roll covered with a layer of salmon slice and drizzled with lemon juice, and tuan roll, and stir fried teriyaki chicken and vegetable with noodles or rice. End with Oryza dark choc roll, and green tea cake with adzuki bean.

Holiday makers who chance upon Forres, Morayshire in North Scotland are enchanted by this beautiful town, renowned for its golf courses. The Cluny Bank Hotel is well established in a listed, historical building and like many others of its ilk, retains the old world charm while providing the best of modern amenities to its guests.

Franklin's, their restaurant, has been in the news lately for winning an award for innovative use of local produce. An interesting if frequently changing menu has peeled black tiger prawns, pan fried with garlic and okra among the starters. For mains, the Aberdeen Angus fillet steak with a roasted echalion shallot and a sherry jus makes an excellent dish, while the seared goose breast with a sage and onion dumpling and light apple gravy is equally acceptable. The selection of desserts is homemade and announced by the chef at the table, to help you make your choice. A wide range of cognacs, ports and liqueurs are there to accompany the coffee.

Located in the centre of Aberdeen in a quiet little street linking two busy thoroughfares, Blue Moon 2 is well placed for providing an interesting option for lovers of quality Indian food, their two course lunch - even including coffee - at only £6.95 provides excellent value, while their full menu is more enterprising than in your average Indian.

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.