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The bohemian outlook is inspiring. Makes you want to jump right ahead and get all set for a party. At Ortega it's possible, because the atmosphere is festive and buzzy with a hip, young crowd and a very determined attitude towards fun. Brightly painted walls, wooden floors and funky décor create the magic of a cantina, making it the perfect choice for an evening out with friends.

Tapas options are plenty and are ideal for sharing. Choices include crunchy croquettes stuffed with chorizo and ham and grilled chicken skewers with red pepper and onion. There are also more substantial main courses such as roasted salmon fillet with warmed tomato salsa and herb potatoes and of course, the delicious paella.

Finish the meal with a tasty tempting treat from Catalonia, a light custard with crispy caramel top. Drinking options include numerous Spanish wines and beers such as San Miguel while sangria and cocktails are always available to raise the mood to a new high.

El Boncena, located in the heart of Chalfont St Peter, focuses on enthralling diners with an exciting and intriguing fusion of Spanish tapas and Greek meze. An informal and lively atmosphere combines with a modest, yet gracefully designed, interior with vibrant abstract paintings hung on soft pastel hued walls and sunken ceiling lights that add character to the restaurant.

The cooking draws on authentic Spanish and Greek ingredients combined with a selection of local fresh produce to create an applause worthy selection of hot and cold tapas and meze to begin with a good variety of dishes to follow. Think traditional Spanish omelette with potatoes, peppers and onion; Greek Loukanika pork sausages, or pita bread with hummus followed by meat balls in a spicy tomato sauce or grilled whole sardines. Ring down the curtain on your meal with Marquesa de chocolate or the Catalonian styled vanilla flan, topped with caramelised sugar.

The Three Horseshoes offers fine dining served either in their comfortable restaurant or on the garden terrace, overlooking the pond that is home to their own Aylesbury ducks. Lunch can be chosen from a bar menu which offers a range of meals, or for a more formal three course lunch their party menu for eight or more people is priced at £22.50. Specialties include chorizo and scallop salad, chocolate fondant, and bread and butter pudding with marmalade ice cream. All dishes are changed regularly and they use as much locally sourced produce as possible. As a Free House there are real cask ales from all regions of England, these alter monthly.

The Three Horseshoes kitchen is under the supervision of Simon Crawshaw. He started his career at the prestigious Connaught Hotel in London, spending ten years with his mentor Maitre Cuisinier Michel Bourdin, Simon worked his way up there from apprentice to sous chef. Simon also spent a year at both the Gavroche with Michel Roux, Jnr and at Chez Nico under three Michelin starred chef Nico Ladenis. He worked at the famous J. Sheekeys in the theatre district of London as well. Before acquiring The Three Horseshoes he spent six years at The Sloane Club in Chelsea, where he honed his skills. Simon has cooked for many dignitaries including The Queen of England and The Maharaja of Jodphur at his palaces in India.

A measure of his success since he took over is the Bib Gourmand award in 2008 Michelin Guide, whilst The Three Horseshoes was included in 100 Finest Places to Stay in England by The Sunday Times and 50 Best Summer Pubs and Bars in The Observer Food Monthly.

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.

Villa D'Este in Lake Como is an epitome of peace and tranquillity with acres of parkland, fountains and landscaped gardens; closer to home its namesake restaurant on Chapel Street in Marlow may not exactly match its Italian counterpart, but it's still a sought after place with an elegant and mellow interior of closely packed tables, neutral tones on the walls and interesting water features.

Then there's the food that is reliably authentic starting with endive and chicory salad with mature goats' cheese and walnuts with an Italian dressing and wild boar ham dressed with melon. Next to arrive could be plates of slow roasted shank of lamb in red wine, sweet balsamic glaze and rosemary sauce, and salmon fillet in sweet chilli marinade with roasted mixed peppers. The simplicity of a pasta dish is undeniable with the organic wrinkled pasta with smoked chicken, belly pork, sun-dried tomatoes and peas.

The concise wine menu at Villa D'Este draws from both the Old and New World with three non-vintage white, red and rosé on the house list.

One of the greatest pleasures in life for celebrity chef Raymond Blanc is sharing a good meal with family and friends. He achieves this through Brasserie Blanc, where his team take great joy in serving authentic French cuisine in a modern, brasserie atmosphere. All their dishes use the finest ingredients, sustainable freedom foods, free range and natural or wild produce.

With eight outlets, the brasserie retains the individuality of each of the locations, while maintaining a uniform standard of food and service. The menu has several signature dishes like Maman Blanc's miscellany of salads, Loch Fyne mussels and Burgundy snails in garlic herb butter.

Some interesting mains are Cumberland sausages with bubble and squeak, Aberdeenshire rump steak and chips, Dutch calf's liver served with bacon, sage and smooth mash, and of course, Raymond's smoked haddock, leek and gruyère fish cake. There is a healthy selection of children's options also.

The wine list is French in concept, but includes New World wines, and offers over forty-five varieties, ensuring there is something for everyone. In addition to a range of French cheeses, selected by the Premier Cheese Company, you could settle for their favourite dessert, baked Alaska with flaming Grand Marnier, to end the meal on a sweet note.