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Another popular Oxford ethnic eatery in Central Oxford and responsible for reducing many a good grant by a few quids over the years. The setting is homely and the furniture particularly impressive with that sturdy sort of furniture which somehow always manages to retain an elegance. The range of dishes is not that wide but there's something for everyone and if you are out looking for somewhere to go with your friends and have a long leisurely evening, as well as a good choice of puddings, Bangkok House is worthy of your attention.

For some time I made the mistake of thinking that no group of restaurants in the region of 200 locations could hope to maintain the quality for which I was looking.

Then one day I decided to put my prejudices to the test, walked into Oxford Ask! and discovered that I could not have been more mistaken. Their claim to serve freshly prepared quality food in stylish and comfortable surroundings with friendly and efficient service proved to be absolutely spot on.

Since then I have also discovered that a degree of consistency seems to operate throughout their restaurants, and that certainly does take some achieving, implying a degree of management that is enviable. They are perfect places for an impromptu snack, a bit of culinary grazing, or the full works, and families are catered for particularly well.

Their trendy décor usually comprises tiled floors and black furniture with well set tables that sparkle with glass, silver and spotless linen. Ten starters include crostini and bruschetta, followed by a range of salads, pasta and al forno, oven baked pasta, some with chicken.

The pizzas are stone baked in the oven, creating a crisp, authentic and delicious flavour, and they all come topped with mozzarella and tomato. Calzone introduce a touch of opulence with a folded pizza baked in the oven and topped with garlic butter and melted grana padano, whilst inside expect to find chicken or a vegetarian mix.

Amongst the specials may I warmly, in every sense, recommend the polpette al forno, a popular Milanese dish of beef meatballs sautéed in garlic with fire roasted peppers, caramelised onions, chilli and pomodoro sauce, with penne pasta, topped with cheese and oven baked.

An enticing selection of desserts list banoffee pie and tiramisu amongst them, and the coffee tastes like coffee, which may sound banal, but I guess you know what I mean.

Thanks to a well selected wine list speculative drinking can offer handsome dividends, even with prices rarely crossing the £20 barrier.

The First Floor is a new Cowley Road buffet restaurant that brings together Indian, Chinese, Thai and continental halal cuisine in the form of an appealing Pan-Asian fusion. So rest assured you will find something to delight even those that are the hardest to please!

The ambiance is modern and open plan and the dishes are all available for a set price. The service is warm and attentive, and the staff always attend to you with a smile.

A variety of starters, salads, main courses, and homemade desserts are created by an experienced team of chefs. Simply take a plate and choose from the huge selection of dishes on display. Expect to find stir-fried vegetables, spicy wings, deep-fried tempura, curries, rice, noodles, and pizza and pasta.

Coffee is served all day and the drinks list is packed with an impressive selection of wines, classic and non-alcoholic cocktails, spirits, beer, and cider.

It has always seemed amazing that there are so few restaurants with a view out over our premier river in Great Britain - the River Thames - and the River Room Restaurant at the Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel is one of the few outside London.

As well as the 'a la carte' the River Room restaurant has set menus, presenting excellent value, at both lunch and dinner, and on Sundays there is a carvery at lunchtime, with jazz to keep their patrons happy. Starters could run from smoked trout terrine or warm red onion and crabmeat tartlet to crispy prawn dim sum.

Whilst mains include simple dishes like fillet steak or pan-fried tuna topped garlic and fresh herb butter, to the more complicated monkfish wrapped in pancetta or noisettes of pork tenderloin with a cider, apple and tarragon sauce. Leave room for puddings though, with choices like lemon torte with balsamic roasted fig compote or chocolate and kumquat truffle.

For more informal eating, lighter meals are available in the Crusader Bar and Lounge situated in one of the medieval barns, while in the summer the beautiful sandstone courtyards and the river view terrace come into their own.

YO! Sushi Oxford is a vital gastronomic experience rather than simply a place to eat sushi. This exciting and visually appealing Japanese delicacy, almost a cuisine in itself and going back to the 4th century BC, is fast rising in popularity for reasons of both taste and health, as well as its companionable setting. The restaurants offer a range of delectable nibbles that are attractively presented and revolve on a gently moving belt in front of customers, allowing them to sample a real wealth of varieties and eat just what they like best as often as they wish.

Contrary to many people's perception of sushi as raw fish, it comes in many forms drawing heavily on rice, fish, vegetables and seafood but the great variety arises chiefly from the different fillings and toppings, condiments, and the way these are combined. Often the same ingredients may be assembled in a traditional or a contemporary way, yet creating widely differing tastes.

Some of the most popular types are sashimi rolls, made from raw or seared slices of salmon and tuna and meant to be eaten within a couple of hours of being put together. Other options include cones of seaweed with rice and fillings and the little boat shaped parcels called gunkans. Miso soups, salads and nigiri sushi made of rice with toppings all add to its strong visual appeal.

Great beers like Asahi Super Dry and Sapporo support the food superbly, as well as hot and cold sake for those who want to sustain the Japanese experience. The menu also has non-alcoholic drinks and a limited list of wines and champagne. For dessert try the dorayaki, mochi or settle for fresh fruit.

The experience of having a meal at YO! Sushi is enriched by the unique array that appears as if by magic before the diner, with its unique colour coded pricing system. But the real pull is the fresh, healthy and tasty food that keeps people returning to their outlets across the UK.