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The Oat Sheaf located in Fleet, is the sort of place that gives gastropubs a good name. With its welcoming and well presented exterior as an immediate invitation, inside it is a delight of carefully chosen colours that stroke the psyche of its customers and create the relaxation and pleasure that go with good taste and hands on management.

Plenty of wood and leather creates warmth and luxury, and nothing is neglected, be it tasteful menu holders or well balanced lighting. This is a gastropub that is created for the convenience and enjoyment of its guests as a primary objective.

With a menu that is predominantly modern British, a Mediterranean influence can also be detected , and all dishes are seasonally motivated. Choices are impressive and a large range carries the conviction that is not always a part of extensive menus.

The Oat Sheaf is all about sociability and sharing plates are an indispensable aid in boosting this amiable quality; look for the antipasti of stuffed peppers, salamis, rocket, green chillies and warm stone-baked flatbread as you consider the menu, sip a cocktail or two and generally unwind.

Warm Mediterranean trends exert their presence with asparagus, Serrano ham and crispy poached egg, and Goan chicken and bacon skewers with onion and coconut salad is superb. A Stilton and spiced pear tart with rocket, red wine and hazelnut vinaigrette, or duck rillette with rhubarb and ginger chutney and wholemeal toast are early indications of skills at work in the kitchen.

Fancy a stonebaked pizza? No problem, choose from six options that includes smoked salmon, or a gamberetti full of the flavour of the sea. Nor are salads forgotten, there are choices and seared beef with beetroot, orange, fresh horseradish and watercress with shaved parmesan can be taken either as a starter or main course, as can many other pre-dishes.

Let's assume you bypass the linguini, one of four selections from the pasta list, before moving on to a truly generous array of main dishes where lamb rack with chorizo, peas, bacon, spinach and minted potatoes competes with roasted salmon with cauliflower and coriander fritter and pineapple salsa, beer battered haddock and River Exe mussels and clams marinière amongst others. An impressive harvest of side dishes make the most of field and garden.

A galaxy of puddings goes for the jugular with sticky toffee pudding, a spiced apple caramel crumble, or a plum and frangipane tart with lemon mascarpone; farmhouse cheeses abound and there's a Warre?s Optima 10 years old tawny port to go with it, if the spirit moves that way.

The Great British Roast makes an impressive appearance on Sundays, accompanied by log fires in season, Sunday newspapers, Bloody Marys and leather sofas. Just bliss. However the weekend starts early at The Oat Sheaf - Thursday to be precise, when all day they offer crisp, fresh Prosecco and house champagne at unbelievably bargain prices. Not for nothing is it referred to as Sparkling Thursday.

On weekdays a great value prix fixe menu is available lunch and early evening until 7pm, Monday to Friday, with a choice of two or three courses.

The wine list has been selected to inspire and excites even the most experienced topers. Try the Chassagne Montrachet, Premier Cru Burgundy or a rather striking Bodegas VQ Merlot Rose, from Spain.

Should you not be convinced by now that we are impressed with The Oat Sheaf, check on their Website for further information - but there's nothing like firsthand experience? Please note that the E-Mail Contact is for enquiries only, not for bookings.

Looking out to sea with a timber deck set with white parasols and steel pillars, Fire & Stone Portsmouth offers guests the feeling of being on a cruise liner, perfect for dining al fresco. Situated on Gunwharf Quays, close to the Vue Cinema, the restaurant is perfect for a meal before or after a movie.
 
Fire and Stone's stone-baked pizzas are made from fresh ingredients and cooked in a wood-fired oven. Inspired by flavours of the world, the pizzas are grouped into classic, Africa, Asia, Americas, Australasia and Europe. A party menu, kids menu and special offers are also available.

The range of delicious starters includes grilled bruschetta with Parma ham, melted brie, caramelized onion jam and pesto; crisp fried calamari served with tartare sauce and a charcuterie board with Parma ham, Napoli salami, garlic and fennel salami, smoked ham, houmous, taramasalata, Kalamata olives, cornichons and grilled pitta bread.

Fire & Stone's classic pizza range includes the Florence with mozzarella, tomato sauce, spicy pepperoni, Italian garlic and fennel salami, sun blushed tomatoes and marinated black olives and Athena with roasted red pepper sauce, mozzarella, tomatoes, spinach, barrel-aged Greek feta cheese and pine nuts, all drizzled with pesto sauce. For something more exotic try a Marrakech with mint yoghurt sauce, mozzarella, cumin spiced ground lamb, olives, red onions, topped with mint and cucumber yoghurt, raisins and chilli oil.
 
Going further east, there's the Peking pizza with Chinese hoi sin sauce, shredded aromatic duck, mozzarella and spring onions topped with cucumber ribbons or the Bombay with roast tandoori marinated chicken, spiced tandoori yoghurt base, broccoli, sliced red onion, mozzarella topped with spiced mango chutney, cucumber and mint yoghurt.

For New World flavours try an Acapulco with mozzarella, tomato sauce, slow cooked ground chilli beef, jalapenos, sliced red onions, topped with sour cream and guacamole or, from the Australasia section you could opt for the Byron Bay topped with basil pesto, mozzarella, field mushrooms, cumin roasted sweet potato, cherry tomatoes, green olives, topped with crushed macadamia nuts.

The salads section offers a refreshing choice of chicken Caesar salad with roast chicken breast, cos lettuce, parmesan, rustic croutons and classic Caesar salad dressing; Israeli cous cous salad with mixed peppers, roasted aubergine, whole roast chicken breast, coriander, tzatziki and spicy harissa and spinach, bacon, avocado and artichoke salad tossed with creamy grain mustard vinaigrette.

If you prefer pasta there's a choice of sumptuous smoked bacon and mushroom penne with mixed field mushrooms, white wine, smoked bacon, double cream and parsley or vegetarian rigatoni alla arrabiatta with giant rigatoni tossed in a classic North African chilli, garlic and tomato sauce with added roasted red peppers.

Finish with tempting dessert of tarte au citron with crème Chantilly and raspberry coulis, banoffee pizza; a sweet pizza base with banoffee sauce, freshly sliced bananas and vanilla ice cream or a selection of Marshfield Cotswold ice cream.

The drinks menu includes a selection of wines, beers, spirits, cocktails, smoothies and shakes..

To gain further information, just visit their extremely comprehensive Website.

This pub has been an attractive part of Chilworth's history since the 19th century. It is located close to the New Forest and a short drive from the sandy beaches of Bournemouth. An extensive refurbishment has transformed it into a comfortable place with warm log fires in the winter, and a large al fresco patio and garden for finer weather. They serve tasty food, beers, a range of wines and fresh juices.

There are gourmet pizzas perfect for an early weekday evening out, to a range of fine aged steaks and fresh fish for that ultimate treat. The menu is full of traditional pub classics, many with a slight Italian twist. Plenty of pastas, salads and lighter dishes for those who don't want to over-indulge are always there.

The wine list has an even balance of New and Old World wines with a variety of styles to choose from. There is also a range of continental beers to enjoy. Food is served all day from the bar menu, containing lighter bites to a full set of options.

To set the right note of fashionable sociability there are sharing plates, antipasti of dolcelatte, Italian meats, marinated vegetables and warm stone-baked flatbreads, or Mediterranean mezze of hummus, roasted vegetables, fregola, tzatziki, feta, spinach and ricotta pâté with flatbreads.

Amongst the appetisers there is freshly made soup; smoked salmon, pomegranate molasses, fennel and micro herb salad, or gambas with rocket, garlic aioli and rustic bread. Look, too, for scallops in the specials section.

The salads offer chargrilled chicken, courgette, fennel, apple, asparagus, hazelnut and balsamic dressing, and for the seafood fiends some prawn and avocado with pecans, mango, bacon, orange and pomegranate vinaigrette appeal.

These days no self-respecting gastropub can afford to be without its pizza range; expect to find a classic margherita of pomodoro, mozzarella, basil and cherry tomatoes, the rustica with roasted Mediterranean vegetables, goats' cheese and cherry tomatoes, or the piccante with pepperoni, chorizo, tomato and jalapeños.

Pastas include linguini with tiger prawns, crab, chorizo, chilli, tomato and white wine, or tagliatelle with slow cooked Bolognaise and parmesan. For the big event there is always a spit chicken with lemon, garlic, thyme and frites. The roast rump of lamb with sauce soubise, asparagus, pancetta, button onions and baby potatoes is popular, a sign of the times and improving taste in eating. Salmon, crab and chorizo fishcakes, roasted sweetcorn, cherry tomato salsa is worth trying too. For hearty eaters there are rib eye and fillet steaks or battered haddock with frites, tartare sauce and minted mushy peas.

A wide range of supporting dishes includes carrot, cumin, orange and chilli salad, and cabbage, leeks and peas. For desserts choose between an apple, blackcurrant crumble and vanilla custard and, sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream. There is also a selection of cheeses to set the buffs alight.

More information, including full menus, is available on their Website. Please note that the E-Mail Contact is for enquiries only, not for bookings.

We hear a great deal about recycling these days - du Vin recycles attractive but occasionally un-loved buildings to restore real gems in the best tradition of British understated style.

Complement that with all that is best in the French bistro ethos, bars that reach out to please, and you have a setting that provides an inspirational background for people to meet, do business, get married, provide a base for golf or fishing, somewhere you can call your own for a private celebration, a spa or - most engagingly - a wine school that breaks the mould.

Think quintessential British style - elegant and unpretentious. Combine this with a great spirit, wit, and an unquestionable devotion to wine, and you have captured the essence of Hotel du Vin.

In Winchester, Hotel du Vin is a unique luxury boutique hotel set in the heart of this historic capital of ancient Wessex. Housed in the distinctive architecture of one of Winchester's most notable Georgian buildings dating back to 1715, it is also the smallest and original du Vin, first opened in 1994, with 24 exquisite bedrooms and suites. Every room has handsprung mattresses, fine Egyptian linen, deep baths, power showers and high speed wireless internet access.

The 2 AA Rosette bistro is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner and offers a menu rooted in classic European cuisine with a contemporary edge. Their Head Chef introduces notes of originality by adding his own selections daily, all supporting the overall philosophy of using the finest and freshest local produce, cooked simply and priced sensibly.

From a choice of six starters expect to find devil lamb kidneys on brioche, roasted quail with mushroom duxelle and cep sauce, crayfish and dill crouton with basil dressing or fillet of mackerel with slow roast cherry tomatoes and aged balsamic. The simple classics menu embraces both starters and main courses; for the former look also for Uig Lodge smoked salmon, or the ever faithful moules marinières. Amongst the main courses cast an eye for the classic fish pie, a real juicy beauty, moist but packed with goodness and topped off with crisp cheese.

Other main courses delight customers with a whole plaice and beurre noisette, roast loin of cod with bok choi and prawn bisque, or braised ham hock with pea puree and cider velouté.

Whilst one might argue that the whole point of being in a du Vin is to snuggle up to the wine list, this list is designed to march with the food and can only be described as superb. With a team of three sommeliers, headed here by Yohann Jousselin, there is no room for anything but the best. Service is telepathic in the best possible sense.

Click on their Website for full information and rates. Hotel du Vin, with fourteen options throughout Britain, awaits your call.

The Marriott Hotel at Portsmouth has recently been further enlivened by the refurbishment of its restaurant and lounge with a modern, contemporary and stylish twist, Solent Chic. The new Sealevel restaurant and lounge has been transformed into a series of comfortable spaces where the travellers of today can mingle and eat, drink, work, meet and enjoy some private relaxation. The AA have recognised the quality of its cuisine with the award of its first rosette.

Portsmouth, with its strong maritime associations and still one of the premier Royal Naval ports of Britain, has a salty chirpiness about it that brings people from all over the world. Amongst its attractions are Henry VIII's warship, the Mary Rose, The Naval Dockyard with Nelson's flagship, HMS Victory, the oldest commissioned ship in the Royal Navy, amongst many others.

Accommodation at the hotel is of the same high standard that one expects to find from Marriott the world over with newly renovated and spacious air-conditioned rooms with a king or two queen beds making them specially suitable for families. Bedding is luxury in style and content and rooms are fitted with wireless high speed internet throughout the hotel, large desk and chair, voice mail, and mini-bar. Expect to find Cable TV, 24 hours news and pay per view movies, hair dryer, iron/board, laptop safe and trouser press. 24 hour service is available.

As with any hotel decent food and drink is high on everybody's list, both for guests and those who provide and proximity to the sea tends to sharpen the appetite and cultivate a menu that is strong on seafood and fish. Clam chowder with smoked pancetta or London cured smoked salmon strike the right note and the sealevel fish pie with smoked haddock and salmon cooked in a cream sauce topped with mashed potato, celery, carrots, leeks, peas and cheddar cheese should most certainly not be missed.

Executive Head Chef Jaap Schep works from a sophisticated à la carte menu with new dishes galore supported by some of the classics such as poached salmon fillet with baby leeks, poached duck egg, Hollandaise sauce and a good sturdy 10z sirloin steak with sea salt and served with watercress, grilled tomato, butter and fries. Apple crumble and cinnamon custard and bakewell tart with warm, clotted cream takes some beating and so does the inspired cheese board which corners some of the best cheeses to be had in the UK.

A spacious wine list certainly keeps pace with the menu, giving plenty of choice, reasonable prices and some twenty or so by the glass, making sensible and enjoyable drinking perfectly possible.

With the daytime popularity as it is, there are very good reasons for offering a fast and attractive lounge menu where eating and drinking can be enjoyed but not allowed to dominate. As might be expected there is more than a whiff of brasserie comfort with dishes that are familiar and filling such as beer battered cod fillet, potato, leek and cheddar dheese pie with plum tomato and red onion salad, and from the grill, 8oz rump steak with butter, roasted tomato, field mushrooms and fries.

Champagne tea is served from 2 till 5 pm which in some ways rather typifies the character of the Portsmouth Marriott, which never forgets that it's a four star hotel but does not hesitate to enjoy itself in the process. The result is a cheerful, relaxed atmosphere, willing staff and a recommendation rate that is a credit not only to this hotel but Marriott Hotels worldwide as well.

Their Website is full of useful information, shorn of boastful claims and likely to answer all your queries with ease.

Boasting stunning views over the Marina, Chimichanga Port Solent delivers excellent Mexican cuisine in a lively, family friendly atmosphere. Close to the Odeon Cinema, the restaurant is the perfect spot for a meal before a movie and with plenty of parking, and easy access to the M27, it's just a short drive from the heart of Portsmouth city centre.

Chimichanga's extensive à la carte caters to a variety of palates. A wide range of delicious appetisers includes crab cakes, Buffalo chicken wings and empanadas, a traditional crispy pastry filled with a choice of chicken or chorizo sausage with cheese and served with sour cream. Other choices include piri piri prawns, Cajun chicken with chilli sauce and jalapeno bullets, a dish of deep fried jalapeno peppers with cream cheese and chilli sauce. Appetisers to share include chicken nachos or taquitos, crispy flour tortilla tubes with a range of fillings including cheese and black beans, chicken, cheese and salsa and chorizo and cheese.

Light bites include a range of tortilla wraps including a classic fajita wrap with a choice of char grilled fajita steak or chicken served with peppers and onions in a tortilla with Jack cheese. Vegetarians are catered for with the delicious courgette and Portobello mushroom wraps which comes with chipotle chilli sauce and jack cheese. There's also a number of tempting salad options such as blackened tuna salad with tuna steak coated in a special blend of Cajun spices, blacked on a hot skillet and served over a bed of mixed leaves with roasted peppers, cherry tomatoes and cucumber.
 
For something more filling diners could opt for a tortilla burger, made from 100 per cent fully traceable prime Scottish beef wrapped in a flour tortilla with mayonnaise and served with changa chips.

The char grill section's succulent offerings include barbecue baby back ribs served with change chips and jalapeno coleslaw; sirloin mojo rojo, a centre cut sirloin steak marinated in chilli, garlic and coriander and served with beer battered onion rings and change chips, Santa Fe chicken with rice, black beans and guacamole or flame grilled piri piri chicken.

Sumptuous Mexican specialities naturally include chimichanga, a flour tortilla fried golden brown with Jack cheese and served with your choice of filling ? either chunky beef chilli con carne, BBQ pulled pork or bean chilli - sautéed onions and peppers and garnished with sour cream, chives, guacamole and tortilla croutons, as well as a variety of burritos, enchiladas and tostadas. There are also chipotle meatballs, Mexican paella, chilli de la casa and south-western crab cakes. The grande quesadilla is a baked flour tortilla sandwich with your choice of filling and drizzled with sour cream and served with Mexican rice and chipotle chilli sauce.

The lunch menu offers a choice of two or three courses while a children's menu caters to the tastes of the little ones.

Round off the satisfying meal with scrumptious dessert of giant Mexican profiterole, chocolate fudge brownie or honeycomb smash cheesecake. Alternatively, end with a speciality coffee or liqueur. Chimichanga offers a variety of wines, beers, cocktails, margheritas, sangria and soft drinks to quench the thirst.

More information can be found on their Website

The Duke's Head in Crawley offers guests a menu filled with British pub classics as well as contemporary Mediterranean dishes. Whether you are dropping in for a bite, quick lunch or leisurely dinner with family and friends a warm welcome, exceptional food and a premium drinks list awaits you. Set in the heart of the Sussex Weald, The Duke's Head is easily accessible from the M23 and just a short drive from Gatwick as well as the nearby towns of Horsham, Dorking, and Hayward's Heath.

A striking mock-Tudor building on Church Walk, minutes away from Crawley Rail Station, The Duke's Head's large windows lend a bright airy ambience while the warm colour scheme, cosy corners, wood floors and the crackling log fire offer the perfect antidote to winter weather.

Refreshing Mediterranean flavours fill the à la carte and are evident in dishes such as grilled goats cheese crostini served with roast sweet potatoes and borlotti beans or pasta of braised rabbit in Aspall's Cyder with mushrooms, spinach, cream and pangrattato. The pizza's are equally excellent, alongside classic Margherita and pepperoni varieties are more inventive toppings such as tiger prawns and char grilled courgettes with chilli, tomato, gremolata and basil.

The mains selection is a mix of hearty offerings from the grill including a black and blue burger with dolcelatte, mushroom and chips; calves liver with champ potatoes, crispy shallots and red wine jus; spit chicken with lemon, garlic, thyme and chips and the enduringly popular freshly battered haddock with chips, tartare sauce and minted mushy peas.

A number of specials and offers are offered each day of the week, notably the Steak and Wine Supper every Wednesday which offers a wide range of superb steaks along with a bottle of red wine at a whopping 50% discount, while fish and seafood lovers can look forward to Fabulous Fish Fridays. Sparkling Thursdays delivers a variety of fine sparkling wines and champagnes at special rates, and the Duke's Head lays out a delectable spread on Sundays with a variety of mouth watering roasts with lashings of delicious gravy and seasonal vegetables.

A two-course prix fixe menu, available for a weekday lunch or an early dinner, is most convenient if you are in a hurry. If you want to order a lite bite or mains to go with your drink, look no further than the bar menu which offers such dishes as trio of mini burgers ? spiced lamb burger with tzatziki, beef burger with tomato salsa and pork and chorizo burger, fennel crusted calamari with sweet chilli sauce and freshly battered haddock with chips, tartare sauce and minted mushy peas.

Wine is taken seriously at The Duke's Head and a carefully compiled wine list, in association with experts, offers a variety of classic Mediterranean white and red wines as well as examples from the rest of the world including the best of the wine producing regions of South Africa, Chile, Argentina and California. The pub also hosts regular wine tasting evenings.

More information can be found on their Website.

The Beefeater Grill range of restaurants, owned by the well established firm of Whitbread has transformed over time into what is now predominantly a cooking platform for chargrill. The restaurants are warm, modern and stylish, with low lighting and contemporary artwork. A comfortable, cosy, mainly booth layout offers guests their own space with no feeling of being hurried at any point. Staff are friendly and helpful if need be - what a difference that can make to a good evening out.

Be it the wide open spaces of Argentina, the intimate setting of a French restaurant, or a busy grill in London's West End, there's no denying the popularity of chargrill. As the production of quality beef, chicken, fish and lamb has grown, prices have come down by comparison, and the simple and traditional art of minimally cooking dishes by chargrill, sealing in the flavours and tastes by intense heat has caught the public imagination.

All the steaks at Beefeater Grill are matured for a minimum of 28 days before being seasoned. Whether it be juicy rib eye, the classic sirloin, that emblem of the Sunday lunch, a tender fillet, or a delicious 7oz rump, all grilled to your own specification, you're never far away from perfection. Even beefburgers have shaken off their dubious image and the highly popular Beefeater burgers are made from 100% beef.

The popular sirloin with giant prawns offers a treat to those for whom an alliance between sea and pasture is a natural attraction, whilst a 16oz steak platter links rump, fillet, sirloin and rib eye into one mouth-watering dish served with chips, battered onion rings, grilled tomato, a flat mushroom and peppercorn and brandy sauce.

Many of us love rib meat, and the rack of ribs at a Beefeater Grill has a meaty rack smoky flavour; maple ribs of pork with a choice of three sauces, mojito, smoked caramel and apple glaze, or Bourbon and black BBQ. And if all else fails and you are totally baffled by the wealth of choices, ask to have a word with the Steakmaster who will help find what is right for you, together with the best cooking method. These guys leave nothing to chance.

On a menu that is a delight to read, let alone choose a meal from, expect to find smaller dishes such as traditional prawn cocktail, whitebait, chicken liver pâté and baked Camembert, or juicy lamb koftas served with yoghurt and mint dip. There's something about a good steak meal that always leaves a gap for a little temptation to sweeten up the scene and from amongst twelve options look for Belgian chocolate cheesecake, treacle sponge pudding or a caramel apple crumble pie.

Throughout the day a wide range of more general dishes are yours for the ordering, sandwiches, jackets, classic favourites like fish and chips, pasta, salads, and sharing dishes of nachos, potato shells and a Beefeater Grill combo. Next door to many of the restaurants are Premier Inns, so staying the night whatever the circumstances need not be a problem.

And what about wine? Endorsed by Matthew Jukes, wine writer in the Daily Mail and bon viveur in his own right, a wine list that marches with the menu completes an impressive and compelling invitation to enjoy whatever takes your fancy at the nearest Beefeater Grill.

Click on their Website for menu updates and special offers.

Located in the old part of town, close to the War Memorial Park, Zizzi Basingstoke delivers a selection of delicious Italian dishes in a bright, spacious setting. The modern interior offers views of the bustling open kitchen and a private function room for parties and business meetings.

Close to the shops and bars on the Market Place, Zizzi is also under a 10-minute walk from the vibrant Festival Place Shopping Centre.

The bustling open kitchen at Zizzi turns out freshly prepared, tasty fare. The extensive à la carte offers distinct sections of antipasti, salads, pizza and calzone, pasta, risottos and mains of seasonally changing meat and fish dishes with a variety of tempting desserts to finish.

Zizzi's special antipasti platter has mixed Italian meats with buffalo milk mozzarella, marinated sun-dried tomatoes, mixed olives and red onion focaccia bread. There's also choice of arancini, crispy risotto balls stuffed with mozzarella and peas and served with a tomato chilli sauce as well as gnocchi gorgonzola, potato dumplings in a creamy gorgonzola and spinach sauce seasoned with nutmeg and black pepper, setting the tone for a hearty meal.

For a delicious pasta or risotto choose between penne vodka, king prawns, chilli, peas and Grana Padano in a creamy tomato and vodka sauce; ravioli di capra, goat's cheese and spinach ravioli served with tomato sauce and topped with pesto and pine nuts; zucca e pancetta, pumpkin, pancetta, spinach, sage and Grana Padano topped with mascarpone and rigatoni con pollo e funghi, chicken in a tomato, onion, rosemary and mushroom sauce. Gluten-free pasta is also available on request.

If you prefer a pizza, then you could try Zizzi's speciality pizza rustica, which couples extra thin and crispy bases with a range of toppings such as bufala, buffalo mozzarella with sunblush tomatoes, basil, rocket and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or mare e monti, one half topped with tiger prawn, courgette and mozzarella and the other with spicy sausage, tomato sauce and chilli, all finished off with a rocket and crème fraîche. The carne piccante calzone has marinated chicken, meatballs, Bolognese sauce, mushrooms, chillies, tomato and mozzarella while the clarissa version, has aubergine, and red pepper caponata, olives, goats' cheese, rocket, pine nuts, tomato and mozzarella. Zizzi's calzon'pizzas, half calzone and half pizza, add an interesting twist to the meal.
 
Sumptuous mains include agnello con peperonata, roasted lamb shank served with basil, roasted vegetables and a little pot of potatoes with tomato, red onion and Grana Padano; duck arrosto, slow roasted whole duck leg in a balsamic, olive and pancetta reduction served with Tuscan potatoes and green beans; and sea bass al vino, sea bass pan fried with wine, garlic and baby plum tomatoes and served with herby potatoes.

The scrumptious dessert list offers torta cioccolata with its thick hazelnut chocolate base topped with rich chocolate torte and served with vanilla mascarpone; homemade tiramisu' creamy vanilla pannacotta with fruit compote and torta Zizzi, an almond-based plum and fig tart topped with pistachios and icing sugar and served with gelato.

The wine list is dominated by a range of Italian wines from regions such as Veneto, Lazio, Sicily, Tuscany and Lombardy. Also on offer is an assortment of beers, and spirits as well as a range of soft and hot drinks.

More information can be found on their Website.

Brewer's Fayre restaurants offer a warm welcome to those who want a reliably tasty meal in pleasant surroundings, with plenty of choice, minimal fuss and friendly service. With a reputation going back 25 years they should have a fair chance of doing that, but don't take our word for it. Give them a try and see if you agree that this is how good quality pub food should be served.

Whether it's snacks, grills, pub classics, fish, Sunday roasts or side dishes they think their way through the options, talk to their guests, and then come up with the goods. Not everybody wants a full meal so they've considered the needs of those who want to keep the gap filled and the children contented, perhaps on a journey or a day out.

Hot filled baguettes are always popular be it sausage and red onion or a classic chicken club sandwich. Jacket potatoes are good on their own but filled with mature cheddar cheese and beans they take on a new dimension.

More paced occasions demand a wide menu, perhaps with starters of breaded butterfly prawns, chicken goujons or breaded camembert bites. Grills are there for the hungry and whole rack of meaty BBQ pork ribs served with extra sauce, chips and coleslaw can be very welcome. The days of the mixed grill are back - or did they ever go away - a 4oz rump steak, two pork sausages, and a gammon steak topped with a fried egg served with all the trimmings will remind you if they did.

Salmon and prawn fishcakes are served with buttered new potatoes, tartare sauce and a lightly dressed salad. A combination of sea and land comes with a rump steak, whole grilled chicken breast and breaded breaded butterfly prawns, served with chips and a side salad or garden peas.

The rise of eating out in pubs has brought into our daily lives a whole legion of what might be termed 'pub classics'. Many of them have their roots in what used to be called 'good home cooking' and include such dishes as sausage, egg and chips, beef and ale pie, chicken and mushroom pie and for the very daring a beef lasagne. Well, all of them and many more are on the menu at Brewer's Fayre, supplemented by such new regulars as vegetable Goan chicken curry, pork chop, chilli con carne and grilled chicken and bacon salad.

It has often been said that chicken tikka masala is now the most popular dish in Britain. Some may not really want to believe that, much as they love curry, but travel, population movement and other factors have widened our scope and they are probably pretty keen on fish and chips in Timbuktu.

What is certain is that the great British Sunday roast is exclusive to these islands, though copied maybe elsewhere or in ex-pat outposts. No surprise therefore that it's on the Brewer's Fayre menu. A trade of three roasts with an opportunity to trade up to a mega roast for a modest sum. With it come two Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes, fresh seasonal vegetables and that important element - gravy.

A fine list of immensely tempting desserts may well bring the most ardent weight-watcher to their knees. A short but well thought out wine list offers all choices, except champagne, by the glass. Staying the night - check to see if there's a Premier Inn next door - chances are you'll be lucky.

A quick click on their Website is always worth while. The only thing that stays still permanently is the quality which is helped by a changing menu, and some very special offers.