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The original concept for All Bar One was developed by two enterprising ladies, who wanted a bar ideal for women to have a drink and something to eat without the intimidating confines of a traditional pub. Little wonder, that the place has huge glass frontage, open spaces and interiors that are bright and airy. The first outlet opened in Sutton in 1994, became a huge hit, and there has been no looking back since. Today there are close to forty outlets, including one in Cologne, Germany. Irrespective of location, they have identical wooden flooring, menu and service. Antique mirrors, natural colours and reclaimed wooden furniture combine classic and modern styles well.

The menu has tapas from different parts of the world, including the Mediterranean region, Italy and the East. One can also have a variety of burgers, sandwiches and salads. Baked goats' cheese parcels, flat mushroom and halloumi burgers are highlights of the menu, as is the All Bar One beef and coriander burger, a house speciality. With the emphasis being as much on drink as the food, many outlets display a wall of champagne and wines, with beers and spirits thrown in for good measure. The blackboards on the wall often flaunt the impressive selections.

The success formula of All Bar One has been faith in doing simple things well, and that is what they are best known for. A place that is hard to define, for it is not just a bar, restaurant, café or pub, but a special place where people can unwind alone or in company.

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.

Located in the Southsea area of Portsmouth - home of The Royal Navy and famous warships such as HMS Victory and the Mary Rose - 8 Kings Road can hardly fail to impress. It's not just about the interior, but the food that is really good, offering the best in British cooking and providing the epicurean trendies of Hampshire with a place to go, and be happy.

Starters of marinated tuna roll, or crispy belly of pork quickly set a standard that is maintained throughout the meal, where main courses of roast loin of venison or ballotine chicken do not allow themselves to be overshadowed by grilled rib eye steak.

Seated in such august surroundings more reminiscent of a stately home than even a very upmarket former bank you may feel inspired by thoughts of revenge for punitive overdrafts long past to splurge on the wine, a task that would not be difficult with some 250 bins from which to choose, but many at kindly prices that will make your day.

The lively La Tasca chain caters for parties, children's events and family gatherings in addition to anytime dining. These restaurants capture well the warm and vibrant spirit of Spain, and are best known for their tapas and traditional paellas.

Their star player is tapas, which can be had solo or in tandem with a meal. The calamares andaluza, deep-fried squid rings, served with roasted garlic mayonnaise and lemon, is great for sharing, while the chorizo frito al vino, spicy Spanish sausage flavoured with paprika, garlic and herbs, sautéed in red wine, offers a real treat. Chicken lovers order alitas de pollo, marinated chicken wings, or have skewers of chicken breast and pepper, marinated in paprika.

Valenciana is an interesting paella that combines seafood with chicken, and if you have a taste for trivia, you may be surprised to learn that 'la paella' actually refers to the utensil in which the dish is cooked.

Other than liqueurs and beer, there are wines from Spanish vineyards and sparkling cava. All of these, especially the dry rosé wines combine well with tapas. And you would be really getting into the spirit of things if you rounded off with the crema Catalana, traditional Spanish-style vanilla custard, topped with caramelised sugar.

La Tasca Spanish Tapas Restaurants and Bars today have over sixty outlets across the UK, so it is odds on there is a branch fairly close to your home.

Why Tiger Tiger is known by that name puzzles most people no end, it could perhaps be a passing reference to William Blake's wonderful lyric poem 'The Tyger', but when customers enter any of the group's nine outlets the mystery soon gives way to amazement. Designed in a stylish manner, the pace is more relaxed in the daytime whilst in the evening it's buzzing with happy party-goers, who are drawn in by the lively ambience at the club and bar.

The Tiger Tiger experience varies little across their venues, so you could head to the Moroccan styled Kazbar at Leeds, the Groovy Wonderland at Cardiff, or The Club at Manchester, for example.

The well balanced menu is a fusion of British and Mediterranean cuisine, all created from the freshest of ingredients. You could find dishes such as duck spring rolls, Southern fried chicken fillets, and Tiger Tiger mixed grill of sirloin steak, gammon, Cumberland sausage, char-grilled chicken breast and lamb cutlet. Indulge yourself in a Canadian shell on lobster or a juicy sirloin steak drizzled with garlic butter, while a favourite is the Cajun crusted tuna steak on sweet potato wedges served with guacamole.

The repertoire also includes some appealing char-grilled gourmet burgers, fajitas, pasta and salads. To end, an Eton mess of crushed meringues, strawberries and strawberry liquor, bound in whipped cream make for a perfect finish.