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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.

The vibrant setting with abstract art work on the walls and an international cuisine menu make dining at the Arts Brasserie at the Ramada Maidstone an interesting affair. Guests can also soak up the green field views where resident rabbits hop in the summer, perhaps thankful they are not on the menu.

Lunch or dinner here could include hearty steaks or catch-of-the-day specials. There is also a range of nibbles, sandwiches, starters and classic mains from which to choose. Deep fried coconut prawns with a sweet chilli dip or country pork pâté with tomato chutney, herb salad and Melba toast could flag off the meal nicely. Then proceed with griddled steak with oven roasted tomato, field mushroom and chips or pan fried fillet of sea bass on sauté potatoes, courgettes and cherry tomatoes. You might also like to consider Cantonese stir fry vegetables and noodles with prawn crackers and soy sauce or spicy chicken vindaloo with rice. Caramelised banana and toffee cheesecake or rich chocolate tart with vanilla cream concludes the meal with finesse.

Set in tranquil surroundings, overlooking the landscaped gardens and raised sun terraces, the Garden restaurant at The Russell Hotel is an ideal setting for a leisurely breakfast or romantic evening meal. Visitors can tour the globally renowned Bluewater retail centre, the motor sports centre at Brands Hatch and  Leeds Castle and return to relish international cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere.

Start with an oven roast breast of woodpigeon served on sauté wild mushrooms and glazed with a port reduction and pan-fried tiger prawns with sweet chilli dressing served on a bed of mixed leaf salad. To follow try the roast fillet of pork on a bed of cream mashed potatoes with Dijon mustard and white wine cream sauce and butternut squash risotto finished with fresh basil oil and fried herbs. A homemade sticky toffee pudding topped with warm butterscotch sauce and ice cream should round off the meal on a sweet note.