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The Beefeater Grill range of restaurants, owned by the well established firm of Whitbread has transformed over time into what is now predominantly a cooking platform for chargrill. The restaurants are warm, modern and stylish, with low lighting and contemporary artwork. A comfortable, cosy, mainly booth layout offers guests their own space with no feeling of being hurried at any point. Staff are friendly and helpful if need be - what a difference that can make to a good evening out.

Be it the wide open spaces of Argentina, the intimate setting of a French restaurant, or a busy grill in London's West End, there's no denying the popularity of chargrill. As the production of quality beef, chicken, fish and lamb has grown, prices have come down by comparison, and the simple and traditional art of minimally cooking dishes by chargrill, sealing in the flavours and tastes by intense heat has caught the public imagination.

All the steaks at Beefeater Grill are matured for a minimum of 28 days before being seasoned. Whether it be juicy rib eye, the classic sirloin, that emblem of the Sunday lunch, a tender fillet, or a delicious 7oz rump, all grilled to your own specification, you're never far away from perfection. Even beefburgers have shaken off their dubious image and the highly popular Beefeater burgers are made from 100% beef.

The popular sirloin with giant prawns offers a treat to those for whom an alliance between sea and pasture is a natural attraction, whilst a 16oz steak platter links rump, fillet, sirloin and rib eye into one mouth-watering dish served with chips, battered onion rings, grilled tomato, a flat mushroom and peppercorn and brandy sauce.

Many of us love rib meat, and the rack of ribs at a Beefeater Grill has a meaty rack smoky flavour; maple ribs of pork with a choice of three sauces, mojito, smoked caramel and apple glaze, or Bourbon and black BBQ. And if all else fails and you are totally baffled by the wealth of choices, ask to have a word with the Steakmaster who will help find what is right for you, together with the best cooking method. These guys leave nothing to chance.

On a menu that is a delight to read, let alone choose a meal from, expect to find smaller dishes such as traditional prawn cocktail, whitebait, chicken liver pâté and baked Camembert, or juicy lamb koftas served with yoghurt and mint dip. There's something about a good steak meal that always leaves a gap for a little temptation to sweeten up the scene and from amongst twelve options look for Belgian chocolate cheesecake, treacle sponge pudding or a caramel apple crumble pie.

Throughout the day a wide range of more general dishes are yours for the ordering, sandwiches, jackets, classic favourites like fish and chips, pasta, salads, and sharing dishes of nachos, potato shells and a Beefeater Grill combo. Next door to many of the restaurants are Premier Inns, so staying the night whatever the circumstances need not be a problem.

And what about wine? Endorsed by Matthew Jukes, wine writer in the Daily Mail and bon viveur in his own right, a wine list that marches with the menu completes an impressive and compelling invitation to enjoy whatever takes your fancy at the nearest Beefeater Grill.

Click on their Website for menu updates and special offers.

Located in Dunstable's High Street North is Graziano, a family run Italian restaurant which has been consistently serving delicious food to its loyal patrons from the past three decades. Perfect for romantic dinners or just family occasions, this intimate eatery focuses on using only the best quality ingredients to create an imaginative à la carte menu with plenty of flair. A warm welcome and courteous service add to an impeccable dining experience.

Amongst the starters, the fresh mussels cooked with cream or tomato sauce reign supreme and leads on to dishes such as sea bass fillet sautéed with garlic and fresh rosemary and white wine. Pastas, salads, chicken dishes and steaks are also interesting choices while few can resist the veal saltimbocca, topped with Parma ham and butter sautéed sage leaves. Choices amongst desserts include the irresistible tiramisu, and the drinks list offers a wide selection of Italian wines by the glass or bottle.

The Black Horse is a family run late 17th century inn situated just outside Shefford, and a short drive from the towns of Bedford, Luton and Stevenage. The venue was recently refurbished and extended in a contemporary style but continues to retain its character and charm as they kept the original beams and inglenook fireplaces.

You could stay there and spend a couple of days relaxing in the attractive surroundings or visit them for a delicious traditional English meal. The two distinct dining areas offer guests their own unique styles and atmosphere with a garden or courtyard outlook in which to enjoy a meal or a drink.

Twice baked Brixham crab soufflé with lemon marmalade and herb leaf salad or venison and thyme sausage accompanied by crisps of Bury black pudding, roasted oranges and shallot jus could get your meal off to a great start. Specialities there include dishes such as pan fried duck breast served on sage creamed potatoes, chestnut mushrooms, braised fennel or the red pepper risotto.

Their Sunday lunch is extremely popular with the locals when you could enjoy a salad of goats' cheese, fennel and pink grapefruit or a simple roast sirloin of beef with homemade Yorkshire pudding.

You could choose from the extensive wine list or the large selection of bottled, local real ales and draught beers to relax with in the modern, yet cosy, bar.

Whilst the 42 Loch Fyne restaurants have a shared background there is a welcome degree of individuality encouraged throughout the group, which makes for customer interest. If you like wholesome, fresh and reliable seafood caught and reared under carefully controlled conditions, well presented in unfussy surroundings, and you enjoy being well looked after by pleasant staff, Loch Fyne is for you.

There is an increasing awareness of other food staples with an extended choice of meat dishes, but it is the original fare upon which their success was created that prevails. Loch Fyne kippers, a fine bouillabaisse, braden rost, kiln-roasted salmon fillet, and the toothsome oysters on ice, with a selection of accompaniments, all are to be found throughout the various restaurants, as well as Glen Fyne 21 day aged rib-eye steak and Scottish smoked venison. There is invariably a well-travelled wine list available which is sensible, both in content and prices.

Loch Fyne's greatest achievement has been to prove to a sceptical populace that chains or conglomerates can be made to work in the eating-out public's best interests.

The latest acquisition by Elite Hotels is one of the more exceptional former stately homes in England. Luton Hoo changed hands in 1999 but such has been the scale of preparation that work did not start until 2005. Now complete, the hotel opened in October 2007 and is a masterpiece of what can be done in such a potentially sensitive situation.

There are two restaurants, the Adams Brasserie and the Wernher Restaurant. The latter is all set for three rosettes with Chef Ian Penn, formerly of London's Jumeirah Carlton Tower.

The table d'hote menu could include ham and parsley terrine with Dijon mustard emulsion and celeriac remoulade, followed by pave of salmon wrapped in pancetta, spring onion mash and red wine sauce. For sheer indulgence head for a dessert of white chocolate torte with brandy poached cherries.

The surroundings are sumptuous without being overpowering, but both HM The Queen and Winston Churchill are noted for selectivity in staying away from home, and they, with many Heads of State have savoured this outstanding house's charms. Some £60m has been spent in ensuring that it has regained its former panache, the Victorian golf course has had an update, and there is the now almost obligatory spa.

Box End Park in Bedfordshire is one hundred acres of thrilling leisure activities for sports enthusiasts and their Corner 5 bar and restaurant is the ideal place to chill out after an adrenaline filled day. The lakeside setting of this contemporary restaurant with its remarkable modern British cuisine makes it popular with anyone who loves nature in all its splendour. Panoramic windows offer lovely glimpses of the water outside, while the hardwood floor and interior lends a classy edge.

Lunch time offerings include starters of warm ploughman's tart followed by some delicious steaks or pastas. Sandwiches and wraps for those looking for lighter meals are aplenty and fillings include smoked chicken or creamy French brie. Evening meals begin with calamari and citrus crab aioli progressing to seared duck breast with five spice potato puree, and ending with white chocolate orange cheesecake. Do try their range of specialty coffees, liqueurs, whiskies and brandies.