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Reeling from what might best be described as a salutary culinary experience the previous evening, we poled up at the New Inn for lunch after a tip-off from a friendly sympathiser. Despite the fact that it was the 1st of April and one of the red-tops carried a picture of Her Majesty piloting the corgis towards the door of the Knightsbridge branch of a well-known bookmakers, we ignored the possibility of a set up, and went for it.

If ever faith was justified this was the occasion. After some initial fun and games parking the car (tip: for trouble-free access both before and after, take a cab) we entered this simple, no-nonsense, simply decorated, honest pub, awash with decent beer (always four distinguished guests in residence) and excellent wines, and populated by cheerful persons of all ages and - I should hazard a guess - callings.

The place is lined with blackboards, all clearly written in white chalk only, announcing a wide array of dishes with a heavy influence towards seafood. Notwithstanding I decided to give the local venison a canter and served smoked with green fig chutney it more than lived up to expectations. The shell on prawns with a garlic dip were plump, and the taste of the sea clung to them.

My feelings about crab are well chronicled within the family but it took me until this occasion to meet the daddy of them all. He frowned at me from the plate, astride an interesting salad and surrounded by the necessary implements to bring about his dismememberment. Ample soft brown, nutty bread came in a basket, outside the sun shone, everything was as it should be, and the stage was set for twenty minutes of unalloyed joy.

Opposite me a seabass, clearly closely associated with the sea until very recently, was being eyed with delight, and so we fell to. Both of us enjoyed that satisfaction that comes with knowing there really is no better way to offer what graces the plate before you. A pint of Pedigree provided the ideal robust foil for my late crustacean friend and the Chablis which accompanied the seabass on its last voyage was recorded as perfect.

In one corner a large family party enjoyed their tucker, their dog beneath the table giving the lie to those timid souls who ban our canine friends from their premises on spurious grounds of health and safety. Next time - and may it be soon - our Jack Russell will not sit outside in the car. The whole place smacked of genuine enjoyment created by total competence.

Slug and Lettuce has a chain of almost a hundred bars spread across the country sharing a common love of serving down to earth, undemanding food and drink.

The group prides itself on offering dishes prepared using quality ingredients, and you should be attended on by attentive staff in a safe, welcoming and cheerful environment. The Slugs have something for anyone - breakfast for a lively start to the day, lunch for busy people, family meals or even a relaxing glass of wine to bring a tiring day to an end - all in a variety of modern and stylish settings.

The menu features old time English favourites such as Gloucestershire Old Spot sausages in buttered mash or fish pie made with Dartmouth smokehouse haddock, in a Devon cream and leek sauce, although dishes look to Europe and further afield to Asia for inspiration. A good way to start the enjoyment is by sharing platters of Southern fried chicken breast pieces, crispy potato wedges, garlic ciabatta strips, half a rack of BBQ pork ribs, wasabi vegetables with onion rings or some Greek mezze

Hearty steak pies, Thai curry with sticky jasmine rice or butternut squash with goats' cheese lasagne are amongst the more popular main dishes. Sandwiches or wraps - warm tortilla with chicken and Parmesan or aromatic duck in plum sauce - provide for those who prefer something lighter. They also serve burgers as well as tempting salads like salmon, asparagus or tomato and mozzarella. For children they have good old British standby sausage and mash, or pepper pasta and ketchup among other choices, all of which never fail to delight, particularly as some of them seem to have come out of a certain celebrity chef's Book of Forbidden Dishes.

Desserts appear in the form of raspberry biscotti, hot chocolate pudding or a creamy strawberry cheesesake. The wine list is well compiled and substantial. There are not less than seven French, three from Italy and some from Spain, Chile, Australia as well as New Zealand. Slug and Lettuce can cater for events including birthday parties, fashion shows, hen nights, wedding parties or just an enjoyable night out with a few friends.

The bistro-like setting at Arts Restaurant echoes the modern design that abounds at The Ramada Plaza, Gatwick. Walls adorned with photographs and a dining area filled with dark wood furniture contrasting with the pastel coloured walls set the tone for this stylish and trendy place.

On the food side the menu kicks off with starters like sweet chilli chicken filo parcels with a chilli and crème fraîche dip and Suffolk ham hock terrine with mustard piccalilli. For main courses try the roasted rump of lamb with braised potato, creamed Savoy cabbage and glazed carrots, while the Shanghai beef noodles in a rich sweet and spicy sauce add an Oriental touch.

Fruits of the sea encompass deep fried haddock with mushy peas and chips, and freshly grilled salmon served with a green salad and new potatoes. Pasta lovers need not feel ignored as the menu features lasagne with garlic bread, and bacon and mushroom cream sauce linguine.

If you are looking for an ideal venue in Winchester for socializing with friends or family then you might fancy La Place Bistro and Froggies Bar. The place is French in its appeal with a few international flavours added to the menu and the hosts, Gael and Seb, ensure an enjoyable time is had by all. The Bar at the street level offers coffee and spirits whilst the dining area on the first floor, with enchanting views of the cathedral, serves delectable fare.

The menu changes frequently, examples for mains might include roasted rabbit coated in mustard with horseradish mash and green beans, also pan-fried hake served with ratatouille and new potatoes. Amongst starters you could choose a sun blushed tomatoes and cheese soufflé. A passion fruit terrine with mango compote for dessert could provide a sweet ending.

The wine list comprises Old and New World bins, which are carefully selected to complement the food.

Built in 1887, the 4 star Rhinefield House situated amongst the tall conifers and pines of the New Forest National Park is a beautiful blend of Tudor and Gothic style architecture. The in-house Armada Restaurant's palpable sense of grandeur is manifest in the magnificent oak carving of the Armada set near the fireplace, which took nine years to complete, and the ornate chandeliers and pillars.

An innovative outlook to British cuisine brings in starters ranging from tempura of monkfish with braised pak choi and Oriental broth and carpaccio of Scotch beef with rocket and aioli. Mains take in the breast of corn fed chicken with wild mushroom and tarragon risotto and parmesan sauce, and New Forest saddle of venison accompanied by smoked ox tongue, celeriac puree, cabbage faggot and quince syrup. Here's one for the lover of puddings; there's vanilla rice, tapioca, sticky toffee and crème brûlée in the dessert list.

Lainston House is a charming 17th century William and Mary country house that has been turned into a luxurious hotel, all situated in the beautiful setting of 63 acres of Hampshire parkland. You can feel yourself start to relax as you wend you way up the winding drive and first glimpse the hotel.

For the leisure traveller, it is perfectly situated only minutes away from the historic city of Winchester and only a short drive from Salisbury, Stonehenge and the New Forest. It is a perfect location from which to explore all the delights of the area from historic homes to beautiful gardens.

In addition to a fully equipped gymnasium there are tennis courts and trout fishing on the nearby river Test. Alternatively, you could always opt to stay in bed and order a DVD and room service from reception.

The restaurant at Lainston House offers stunning views of the spectacular avenue - from which it takes its name - of lime trees and inspires those who treasure tranquil Hampshire life. Thoughtfully prepared dishes offer an ideal blend of traditional cooking with simplicity, freshness and purity; the extensive menu is ostensibly British.

The culinary talents of the Executive Chef, Andy Mackenzie, are put to good order with a very special tasting menu. nine courses, using fresh local produce, which are prepared to tempt the palate. This runs parallel to the extensive a la carte menu which is also available seven nights a week. They also have - during the week - a two course evening menu at £34.

Lunch times also enjoy a seasonal influence, changing with month, taking the best freshest products from the market and cooking them simply. The set two course lunch menu is £22 from Monday to Saturday, and £35 for 4 course Sunday lunch.