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A child of The Fat Duck, this relatively new and attractive place at Marina Bray aims to offer the unashamedly high standards of its parent to a wider audience - and so it does. The genius and skill which Heston Blumenthal has lavished upon Fat Duck for the last eight years has transferred, along with his former Head Chef of many years standing, Garrey Dawson, with a high degree of success, into humbler surroundings and at considerably lower prices. An interesting wine list offers a reasonable selection under £20 and there are very fair by-the-glass prices. No pipes or cigars in the dining room.

Tamil Nadu is popular for its hospitality and a deep belief that serving food to others is a service to humanity, Madras is the capital city of that state and was established in the seventeenth century by the British. Madras Currys is a recent and innovative addition to the Indian eating out scene in Reading offering guests the unusual aromas and flavours of the Tamil cuisine.

Podi uthappam - pancake topped with spicy special powder - and idiyappam, steamed rice noodles served with vegetable kurma or sambar, are a couple of interesting ideas for a different breakfast. For a lighter bite you could try masala vadai, spicy lentil patties flavoured with green chilli, curry leaves and ginger, or fresh squid deep fried with different spices. Specialities include dishes such as began bhartha - grilled aubergine made with coconut gravy - special boneless chicken in pepper sauce or fish in South Indian village style with a touch of tamarind and lemon rice.

It's quite possible to convert the nostalgia for your homeland into a flourishing business and Francesco's shows how, with their four highly successful restaurants and one more due to open soon. Italian cuisine with its flavoursome sauces and freshly baked breads, the delicious pastas and pizzas are all featured at Francesco's and the Mediterranean feel is quite apparent in the atmosphere, which helps make it a very festive and friendly dining destination.

Starters of chicken wings with sweet chilli glaze or tiger prawns sautéed in garlic butter with white wine set the tone for the meal and could lead to a main course of fettucine carbonara, bacon, egg and cheese in a creamy parmesan sauce. Pizzas, calzones and other dishes such as lasagne are also extremely popular while desserts include the ever popular tiramisu. There's a separate menu for the little ones and the wine list features typically Italian wines with a few exceptions to provide contrast.

The Winterbourne Arms is an idyllic country pub, housed in a building that dates back over 300 years.  Although recently refurbished, it retains much of its old-world charm and features a large dining area, simple wooden furniture, warm fireplaces and a bright and airy ambience. Located just a few minutes from Chieveley Services, on Arlington Lane, the restaurant serves both traditional and modern British style food with a contemporary twist. The menu varies constantly with all the dishes being prepared in-house, using fresh produce sourced locally.

Head chef Andrew Jones serves guests an extensive menu comprising starters of duckling liver and cognac terrine served with toasted bread; deep fried butterfly prawns with a sweet chilli sauce and salad garnish; and homemade soups with bread. This is followed by mains of classic char-grilled Scottish sirloin steak with vegetables; and pan fried calves liver served with bacon and vegetables. The food can be enjoyed either in the spacious dining area or al fresco overlooking the beautiful gardens.

The menu also has many delectable desserts and an extensive list of wines and other beverages that can be enjoyed with the meal.

Called 'standard' for reasons which escape me, this restaurant does indeed supply a standard in Reading and if you want to eat Indian you might feel that you would prefer to bring your custom to the Nepalese Tandoori. That is not to say that it aspires to any great peaks of the culinary world but it is consistently dependable, with pleasant staff and a good atmosphere.

Always an attractive place The Miller has been given an uplift which has not made a single visible sacrifice to its charm, yet has somehow increased its overall appeal. Nor has it been achieved by smoke and mirrors.

All too often one reads about village inns that have upgraded without sacrificing the interests of the locals, who nonetheless are conspicuous by their absence. Not here, and as likely as not you will find yourself sitting next to a local party, either in the bar or the handsome restaurant.

An a la carte menu draws heavily on the surrounding locality, starting with gravadlax of salmon and pickled cucumber, followed by The Miller style grilled sirloin of dry aged beef, with mushrooms, spinach and pont neuf potatoes, roasted Cornish turbot, or poached fillet of halibut with a nage of cockles, mussels and vegetables.

Pudding of raspberry shortbread and clotted cream or a dark chocolate tart pistachio ice cream are two good ways of concluding a well presented and prepared meal, and with a changing menu there's always something new to be enjoyed. This is a thoroughly recommended inn of great character.