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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.

Tucked away in the village of Bentworth, Sun Inn is a charming little pub and its vine-enclosed, flower-bedecked façade grabs your attention right away. Inside, look out for log fires, brick and wooden floors, pine tables and candle lights. There are several hand-pumped real ales, from Timothy Taylor Landlord to Ringwood's Best and Old Thumper, the last two of which are locally brewed.

The cooking is characteristically British, so there could be creamy haddock chowder, beef stroganoff, minted lamb and braised steak in red wine and mushroom sauce. There also offer a range of meat and vegetarian curries alongside game dishes such as pheasant and venison cooked with Guiness accompanied by pickled walnuts. Desserts include the much-loved banoffee pie, sticky toffee pudding and Salcombe ice cream.

Those who prefer dining al fresco could grab a table outside by the quiet country road and there's also an attractive garden sheltered by tall hedges.

Anchor Inn's objective is to bring back the excitement and exhilaration of a bygone era and the well-appointed bedrooms and suites filled with books and photographs bear eloquent testimony to this. The cooking may seem formula British pub fare but being attuned to the seasons and local sourcing play a key role in elevating it to a higher level.

The menu kicks off with starters of chicken liver and foie gras parfait with shallot marmalade and sourdough toast, and devilled whitebait with tartare sauce, followed by Glamorgan sausages with tomato relish, Barnsley chop with crushed peas and mint sauce, or The Anchor steak sandwiches. Comforting British classics of spotted dick with custard feature in the dessert section alongside treacle tart with clotted cream and rhubarb crumble with vanilla ice cream.

Outdoor enthusiasts could try fly fishing on a number of rivers within a short drive from the Inn or a variety of country sports.

You could describe Truffles as a bit of a hidden gem in North Hampshire, as they offer fine modern European cuisine at sensible prices in a elegant setting, no wonder then that the AA has awarded them 2 Rosettes, a clear indication of the quality. The whole dining experience has been thought out with meticulous detail, you are automatically served with appetisers on arrival, given time to browse the extensive wine list and ponder the starters.

Scallops with pea purée, smoked bacon and sherry caramel should whet your appetite, or maybe saffron risotto with asparagus, shaved Parmesan, lemon and parsley. For your main course choose from the likes of slow-roast belly of pork with creamed Savoy cabbage, fondant potato and apple purée or grilled barramundi with crushed new potatoes, asparagus and citrus butter sauce - light yet indulgent.

Their food is decent value for money, with two courses for about £20 and three for a little more, so you might as well stay for dessert. With delights such as roasted almond pannacotta with blueberry compote and orange curd, you'd find it hard not to. Then let the attentive staff serve you coffee and petits fours as you wind down from your meal, feeling thoroughly at home in your warm, plush surroundings.

This solid Hampshire pub has a history going back well into the 1600s, and has responded well to the high-wired times in which we live. Nonetheless games of Victorian cricket are still held on The Butts Green in Alton, and where cricket is can the consumption of strong ale be far behind?

The ales and lagers on draught read like a litany of honour, with names like Ringwood Best Bitter, Butcombe Bitter, Fuller's London Pride and Hobgoblin hanging in the air. A skittles alley gives the lads a chance to work up a thirst, and those with more modern living on their minds will find the pub is a WiFi HotSpot.

A wide ranging menu carries conviction, start with a coarse Ardennes pate, served with red onion chutney and melba toast, before considering the relative merits of beef cobbler, twice baked pork belly, home made chilli or a delicious home made beef lasagne.

The steaks are legendary, but one of the most appealing menu items is their home made steak burger with bacon, cheddar, salad and chips. Children have their own menu, with such old favourites as bangers and mash, fish and chips, and scampi amongst the selection. Desserts follow much the same pattern of comfort food, with bread and butter brioche pudding, treacle sponge and custard, or a rich dark chocolate mousse regularly to be found.

An uncomplicated wine list never exceeds £30, yet manages to cover a sound range of interesting wines.

The Greyfriar is the kind of place where you might feel that time stands still; this 16th century coaching inn with low ceilings and original exposed beams captures the very essence of old English hospitality. Jane Austen, who lived opposite this building, would almost certainly have approved.

The daily changing menu prevents the palate from boredom so there could be bubbly battered prawns with The Greyfriar's famous sweet chilli dipping sauce and caramelised onion tart with melted goats' cheese. Main courses may include a sautéed corn fed chicken breast with a watercress and brie sauce and monkfish skewered with cherry tomatoes on a tomato and basil vinaigrette. Their speciality steaks come from Ballindalloch Castle Farms, home of the pure Aberdeen Angus cattle, so choose between a fine fillet and sirloin with a selection of garlic butter, creamy grainy mustard and horseradish sauce.

Enjoy a drink at the lovely pub garden or entertain your children at the park nearby.

This fascinating 18th century building was once the home of Reverend Gilbert White, author of Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne, the first English classical work on natural history. Today the rooms have been lovingly restored and the original manuscript of his book are on display while the museum exhibits focus on the escapades of Captain Oates, an English Antarctic explorer.

The dining area decorated in warm shades of light green and white create a beautiful setting to indulge in their speciality teas and homemade cakes. Stroll around the delightful gardens and if you still have a few more calories left to count walk up the famed Gilbert White zigzag path through the hanging beechwoods or just sit back and observe some of the wonderful views in this delightful part of the South of England.