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Things seem to move fast at Wagamama - the Asian inspired, noodle restaurant chain that was started in 1992. As soon as you decide what you want to eat, your order is taken via a PDA, and wirelessly networked to the kitchen, so it can be made fresh and served right after. The restaurant chain does not believe in taking reservations, and all customers are seated on a first come, first serve basis. In fact, be aware that most of the tables are long ones and you will often be asked to share them.

The restaurants are modelled on traditional Japanese ramen bars that have been popular for hundreds of years - ramen are Japanese style noodles, served in a meat-based broth, topped with pork, dried seaweed or even corn. Chilli beef ramen, made of noodles in a spicy pork and chicken soup topped with a marinated and grilled sirloin steak and fresh vegetables, is hearty and satisfying.

Apart from ramen, you could opt for the coconut soup based kare noodles or teppan, cooked on a hot, flat griddle. They also offer many rice dishes like katsu curry, chicken fillet deep-fried in panko breadcrumbs, served with a lightly spiced curry sauce and sticky white rice. Vegetarians are definitely not ignored, as they can opt for saien soba, made using whole-wheat noodles in a soup topped with stir-fried vegetables, seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil and garnished with sliced spring onion.

Meat and vegetable dumplings, skewered chicken, deep-fried prawns and raw salads double as both sides and starters. Steamed green soya-beans, called edamame, go well with drinks - hold them up to your mouth and squeeze the succulent beans from the pod. If you've noticed, Wagamama is more about eating healthy food fast and less about the order. Don't be surprised if you're served the main course before the side dish - order isn't important, the aim is, don't wait - just tuck in and share.

Wash down your meal with sake, plum wine or even a Japanese beer. Wind up your meal with coconut reika - three scoops of dairy coconut ice cream topped with a fresh, tangy mango sauce and toasted coconut flakes or the tamarind and chilli Pavlova, with a crunchy meringue base served with a raspberry and tamarind sauce.

At Wagamama, you can also shop for cookbooks, sauces, ramen bowls and t-shirts. The restaurant is all about enjoying genuine, reasonably priced, Pan-Asian cuisine in a sleek but informal setting.

Modernity has its merits and at the Crowne Plaza it is evident in the fluidity of form present in the structure which keeps it very far from becoming an unwelcome distraction in the beautiful Buckinghamshire countryside of Marlow. Comfortable and luxurious, this hotel offers a respite from the pressures of life with rooms that are furnished with every thought given to convenience. Excellent conference facilities ensure that it's a good option for business meetings while its stunning lakeside location makes it a wonderful venue for weddings and other such events.

The contemporary décor of the restaurant is highlighted by the floor to ceiling windows that offer fabulous views of the countryside. The menu could include dishes such as smooth chicken liver pate with red onion chilli jam for starters, followed by a main course of salmon fishcakes with chickpeas, smoked paprika and garlic mayonnaise. For dessert, you could opt for the sticky toffee pudding with double cream.

The Kings Hotel in High Wycombe is a spectacular boutique hotel offering the latest comforts in the historic setting of a 16th century coaching inn. Chic and stylish décor dominates the interior with dark woods and sleek furnishings while the laidback ambience helps you relax with ease. Contemporary dark chocolate coloured leather furniture in the restaurant stands out by virtue of its elegance, while the free wi-fi throughout the bars, lounge and dining room ensures that you are never too far from the internet.

The innovative menus employ only the freshest ingredients where you could enjoy smoked haddock and Welsh rarebit from the light bites section or opt for a char grilled steak baguette with crispy onion rings. More elaborate dishes follow in the form of braised shoulder of lamb, mash and rosemary jus or calves liver with sage crust and confit of garlic. Don't miss their cocktails or the exquisite champagnes and wines that are available by the bottle or the glass.

The Cape Grand Café located on Station Road is a stylish restaurant in Beaconsfield that is a part of The Cape etc, a chain of deli-cafes spread throughout the UK. Serving food that is a blend of South African cuisine with touches of French and Italian influences, the restaurant is a regular haunt for locals as well as the discerning food connoisseur. The food served is fresh, with delicate infusion of herbs and spices, and made from ingredients sourced locally.

Starting with dishes of minted pea soup with goat's cheese tortellini; and duck terrine, pear chutney served with the Capes toasted brioche, guests can move onto mains of confit of duck with barley, lentil and chorizo with caramelised apple; and chicken breast with truffled butternut squash puree, caramelised fennel and a lemon dressing. There are also vegetarian options with dishes of pasta with chilli coriander, char grilled corn and gorgonzola.

Desserts are delectable and consist of capes 'Malva' pudding served with Italian ice cream; cape mess served with rhubarb, berries and cream and a selection of cheeses with cape gooseberry, raisin chutney and biscuits.