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The Bean Tree probably derives its name from its namesake standing stoically in the walled terrace garden providing a beautiful setting for lunch during summer time. Starting life as stable block in the late 18th century and then its gradual transformation into a cottage, this place has managed to retain its original charm over the years.

The kitchen looks to France for inspiration with occasional modern touches, so you may find seared foie gras accompanied by celeriac remoulade, pan fried banana brioche and Madeira wine jus or Scottish partridge with caramelised celeriac and butternut squash. Seafood choices include Devon brill with parsnip puree, mustard puy lentils and watercress sauce, and monkfish tail with aubergine caviar, cumin essence, baby asparagus and red wine jus.

The 300-bin wine list is thoughtfully divided by region to encourage diners to be more exploratory. The Bean Tree is open for private hire and will be happy to cater for your upcoming special event.

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.

When I asked them if they had a website address they said "no, we're too old fashioned for that", and the last surviving remains of my Luddite tendencies quickened a notch or two. Actually it's rather like walking into a massive bush when you make for the door and realise that the whole of this quite small cottage is choked not by holly, but wisteria.

Inside it's a completely different story, everything immaculate and ship-shape, with Ray Taylor and his team in complete charge of a retro on second-half-of-the-20th-century pub food. So be prepared for smoked salmon sandwiches, baked potatoes filled with a narrow variety of stuffings, and by way of a big nod to the future as it then was, chilli con carne, but say it in carefully hushed tones lest the deeply seasoned locals become agitated. Trouble was I found myself thinking that all of these look pretty tasty to me, even if I did draw the line at the prawn sandwiches with Marie Rose sauce, which suggests that Methuselah and I are not unacquainted.

One of the high spots of the Holly Bush is the beer, best bitter from Fullers of Chiswick, and what better to drown a rampant chilli con carne than a few pints of London Pride, or in extreme cases the ESB. This is a pub for connoisseurs, and those of a certain age and inclinations will feel entirely comfortable in this haven - or should that read 'heaven'?

And please - no overworked jokes about why the potter crouched - they've heard them all.