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Prezzo has been delighting diners for over eight years, and this Italian restaurant chain has since been able to expand throughout large parts of England and Scotland with some 141 outlets.

Interestingly, the company seeks to restore either impressive buildings or ones of local interest. The conversion of the Newbury library and other listed buildings, such as those in Salisbury, Romsey and Mayfair, are all welcome examples of 'new use'. Their trendy and sophisticated décor usually consists of tiled or wooden floors with delicate lights and colourful paintings, along with wooden furniture and sparkling cutlery, creating a setting that is suitable for a relaxed lunch, a family meal or an evening out with friends.

The restaurants are of particular appeal to those who like genuine Italian cuisine, and they use only the best seasonal products, many of which are imported directly from Italy. The menu includes pizza, pasta, risotto, grilled meats, fresh salads and frequently changing specials.

The freshly baked breads, like the garlic bread with mozzarella cheese, are perfect for sharing and give you adequate breathing space to order starters to follow. Crab cakes served with garlic mayonnaise or grilled goat's cheese with plum tomatoes and caramelised onions on foccacia bread with a balsamic glaze set the tone for a hearty meal. Best fun is to order an antipasto platter to share made up from seven well loved Italian nibbles.

Find pastas such as the unusual penne con salmone, with oak-roasted salmon, broccoli and fresh chillies in a red pesto and cream sauce, or firm favourites like spaghetti with meatballs, spaghetti Bolognese, and fusilli al pesto, asparagus spears with field mushrooms and roasted peppers in a basil pesto sauce.

Amongst the special pastas, the pollo mariano, seasoned chicken, pepperoni sausage, roasted peppers and fusilli in tomato sauce, is interesting and different. Italian menus would be incomplete without risotto, like tiger prawns with petits pois in a creamy saffron sauce.

Classic pizzas embrace, among a wide selection, the popular napoletana, topped with yellowfin tuna, tomato, white anchovies, capers, red onion, mozzarella and marinated olives, and the much loved quattro stagioni - pepperoni sausage, prosciutto ham, artichoke, field mushrooms, capers, marinated olives, mozzarella and tomato.

Specials could include the pollo Siciliana, char-grilled chicken breast, prosciutto ham and plum tomato slices, baked with their blend of cheese, only one example from the many tempting offerings that come out from the Prezzo kitchens.

You can accompany the food with a variety of tipples, though for many, Italian food requires Italian wines to be enjoyed to the full, ranging from house wine through Morellino di Scansano and Prosecco to liqueurs and beer, and there is espresso or fresh ground coffee to wind up an enjoyable meal, in company with a glass of grappa or sambuca.

This is Italian food at its attractive best, convincing and bringing together the traditional with the modern twist or two against a background of excellent value.

Prezzo is a lively group and opportunities to improve and update are never left on the table for long. Keep up to date with a quick click on their Website.

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.

For a tasty Indian meal in a convivial setting, savvy Maidenhead residents know that Bouchra Indian Restaurant is probably one of the best options they have for an altogether satisfying dining experience. The contemporary decor and friendly service creates a wonderful environment in which to savour the delicious and authentic fare that emerges from the kitchen. A large garden and play area ensures the little ones are kept entertained suitably, leaving the adults to enjoy their meal and conversation in peace.

From the menu, sheek kebab, minced lamb with onions, herbs and spices, roasted on skewers makes a tantalising beginning, followed by dishes such as lamb pasanda, a mild curry of lamb with almond and cream. Some other options could include green masala chicken, cooked in a hot and tangy sauce prepared with a puree of fresh herbs, green chillies and lime juice. Biryani and naan breads are perfect accompaniments and a choice of local ales and fine wines at Bouchra ensures that the spice levels get moderated favourably.

A traditional English alehouse and restaurant in the heart of the pretty Berkshire village of Holyport, The Belgian Arms offers traditional British food, using the best quality ingredients, locally sourced wherever possible. Housed in a 200-year old building, guests can expect to be welcomed with a roaring log fire in winter and a beautiful garden overlooking the village pond in summer.

The Belgian Arms uses Label Anglais chicken and Casterbridge West Country grass and grain fed beef in its seasonally changing menu. Diners can look forward to classic dishes such as goat's cheese soufflé, Devon crab thermidor, steak and kidney pudding, fish and chips, slow roasted pulled pork 'farmers' pie, ploughman's platter and roast breast of duck in a quince and red wine sauce. If there's space left over, then consider apple crumble with custard, sticky toffee pudding or rice pudding with apricot compote, or a cheese board with Cropwell Bishop Stilton, Celtic Promise and Hereford Hop. A glass of French, Italian or Spanish wine adds greatly to the pleasure.

Boulters Restaurant occupies an iconic spot on the River Thames, and while its location on Boulters Lock Island is enough to draw people, it is nevertheless the fresh modern British food prepared there with consummate skill, which appeals largely. Diners are offered sparkling river views along with deliciously prepared meals in the downstairs restaurant while the terrace is delightful and provides a homey atmosphere with rustic pub classics.

The menu features such dishes as cod brandade mousse with hand dived Scottish scallops and caviar amongst starters, followed by pan roasted breast of Telmara farm duck with creamed Savoy cabbage and Morteaux sausage for a main course. From the selection of desserts, the white chocolate bavarois with pistachio ice cream and crystallised flowers stands out eminently. The bar offers dishes such as scotch quail eggs, Brixham fish pie with smoked haddock and salmon topped with creamed potatoes and a good selection of ice creams and sorbets. Wines at Boulters are carefully selected to complement the diverse and seasonal menu.

The Bull Inn is a well-known restaurant in Bisham Village, quite close to Bisham Abbey and for the past decade or more they have been responsible for bringing a little bit of France to this side of England. Comfortable seating options looking out into the pretty garden, which is also perfect for al fresco dining, warm welcome from the staff and the anticipation of numerous gastronomic delights makes this lovely restaurant extremely popular amongst the local clientele as well as those who happen to visit.

Typically French, the cuisine runs the whole gamut of choices from fish, poultry, grills and even delightful flambées. For appetisers, there could be a cold crab salad or frog's legs sautéed with tomatoes, garlic and onions and entrées might include a fillet steak topped with pate and Madeira wine sauce on a crouton base. The dessert trolley offers numerous delectable choices and the wine list is extensive, featuring some fine selections from the house cellar.