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We hear a great deal about recycling these days - du Vin recycles attractive but often 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 Henley-on-Thames, du Vin has taken on the façade of the former Brakspears Brewery, a handsome brick-built structure in the best style of such buildings, strategically placed in the heart of the historic town centre, yet only 50 yards from the riverside moorings. Within and around a unique luxury boutique hotel has been constructed. For instance the former fermentation room and old malt house have jointly provided the location for one of the three private dining rooms.

Forty three exquisite bedrooms and magnificent suites have been created in the old buildings encircling the old brewery yard, and this also houses the hallmark du Vin bistro.

Head Chef, Neil Falzon presides over the kitchen of this 2AA Rosette bistro servicing a menu of 'simple classics' supplemented by his own selections, depending overall on a European cuisine with a contemporary edge. Starters of soused herrings with beetroot carpaccio and celeriac rémoulade, poached duck egg with chorizo, tomato and chick peas, or Uist Lodge smoked salmon with Spanish caper berries set a firm tone before choosing from either the simple classic or main courses, or both.

The Hotel du Vin fish pie says all that is good about this wonderful dish, good for lunch or dinner, capable of many different forms. Moving to the main courses, from a choice of seven, in season the roast Yorkshire grouse, with fondant potato, crisp ham and orange jus, or a smoked haddock brandade with poached hen's egg and hollandaise is recommended.

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 Stephane Sanchez, 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 Trout at Lower Wolvercote has a strong literary heritage and has been immortalised in Colin Dexter's Inspector Morse novels. This connection runs much deeper with writers of the calibre of Lewis Carroll and CS Lewis, having sat on the banks of the Thames, inspired by the relentlessly moving waters. Truly, pubs such as The Trout are part of the very fabric of British life.

The wonderful setting by the bridge opens out into a large terrace overlooking the banks of the river. Taking a stroll alongside up to Point Meadow is a great way to spend an idyllic afternoon. The interiors too are not to be outdone and after being restored, the exquisite country pub has combined the traditional with the modern, stone fired ovens and real log fires vibe well with deep leather seating and teak furnishing to create a comfortable haven. The willow trees provide nature's umbrellas, giving shelter for al fresco dining.

Contemporary inns such as these usually share a number of characteristics. An important feature is space, preferably a restaurant where you are comfortable, not over-awed, and not sharing elbow space with the next table, however sociable they may be. Good, too, to have a roomy and well stocked bar where you can actually get served without undue delay. After all, drinking should be taken seriously. If a pub offers all of these, and is in a good location, there is little reason in today's economic climate why it should not flourish. The Warren, a real country pub dating from the 1850s, just outside Wokingham on the Forest Road, provides ample evidence that this is true.

But of course there are other factors, not least of which is the food and drink. The term 'gastropub' covers a multitude of blessings, and it is possible to see influences of brasserie, bistro, restaurant and even café at work within the great gastro umbrella. So expect to find no one single cuisine, but a blend designed to provide something for everybody, no matter what their treat may be. To catch the right note of contemporary sociability there are sharing plates, antipasti of Italian meats with dolcelatte, stuffed peppers, marinated vegetables and warm stone-baked flatbreads, or Mediterranean mezze of hummus, roasted vegetables, fregola, tzatziki, feta, spinach and ricotta pâté with warm flatbreads.

Amongst the appetisers there is always freshly made soup, lamb koftas, mint yoghurt, kohlrabi, cumin and carrot salad, or spiced crab with avocado, prawns, ginger and pink grapefruit. Look, too, for scallops of the day. The salads - sorry, that should read 'leaves' - offer pang pang chicken with pak choi, satay, cashew nuts and cucumber; for the seafood fiends some prawn, avocado, pecans, mango, bacon with orange and pomegranate vinaigrette are a real treat.

These days no self-respecting gastropub can afford to be without its pizza range; expect to find a classic margherita of pomodoro, mozzarella, oregano and basil, the rustica with roasted Mediterranean vegetables, goats' cheese and cherry tomatoes, or the piccante with pepperoni, chorizo, tomato and jalapeños. Pastas include bucatini with salmon, chilli, almonds, red pepper pesto, pecorino and rocket, or tagliatelle with slow cooked Bolognaise and parmesan.

The rotisserie dishes for hearty eaters are worth trying and choices include spit chicken, calves liver, rib-eye steak or fillet steak. These are all served with a choice from amongst frites, aioli, black pudding, cracked black pepper, béarnaise or red wine and shallot jus among others. For the big event the roast rump of lamb with sauce soubise, asparagus, pancetta, button onions and baby potatoes measures up well to any occasion. The smoked haddock fishcakes with curry Hollandaise, mango, tomato, coriander and red onion salad is popular, a sign of the times and improving taste in eating.

A wide range of supporting dishes includes Belgium chips and mayo, and cabbage, leeks and peas. From a list of attractive desserts choose between a Eton mess or apple, blackcurrant crumble and vanilla custard. There is also a selection of cheeses to please the gourmets.

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

If familiarity is the sine qua non of a popular neighbourhood pub, The Red Lion admirably combines it with innovation to deliver a premium dining experience in the heart of Oxford. Boasting a high quality modern British cuisine menu with a Mediterranean touch, it is ideal for a quick meal for customers attending a show at the Burton Taylor Studio Theatre or the Oxford Playhouse, both of which are just a stone's throw away. If the weather?s fine, al fresco dining is an also an option in the pub's spacious courtyard.

A relaxed ambience is made even more inviting with a crackling log fire in winter, while large windows let the light flood in and numerous sofas and chairs actively encourage customers to unwind at leisure. Add to all this, a warm welcome and superb service, special offers each day of the week and plenty of options on the à la carte, it soon becomes obvious what gives The Red Lion the edge over more run of the mill gastro pubs.

Guests can relish a range of British classics as well as pizzas and pastas, not to mention daily specials, all made with the freshest seasonal ingredients including locally sourced fish and meat. Sharing plates of mezze with rustic breads; Romana white onion soup with cheese croute and tiger prawn, chorizo and crab linguine offer a wonderful slice of the Mediterranean. While crispy duck salad with mooli, carrots, hoisin and plum sauce or fruit de mer pizza with tuna, prawns, anchovies and pineapple salsa incorporate influences from farther afield.

There's no escaping the well-loved aromas of classic British specialities at The Red Lion. Be it freshly battered fish and chips with minted mushy peas or calves liver with champ potatoes, crispy shallots and red wine jus, these time tested favourites satisfy the appetite. Steak and Wine Supper Wednesdays with the best steaks and a whopping 50% off on a bottle of red wine is indeed an offer too tempting to resist. Fish and seafood lovers get their own deal on Fridays with chef's fresh fish and shellfish specials and white wine at half the price.
 
The Sunday selection pleases with its succulent roasts with all the trimmings. Fine food and drink come together with the Supper Club menu for two which offers a bottle of the celebrated Rothschild wine with a two-course menu. A prix fixe menu is also available for a quick lunch or early dinner.

Tempting desserts of apple and blackcurrant crumble with vanilla custard, a choux bun with fresh cream, espresso and chocolate sauce or white chocolate crème brûlée brings the meal to a fitting end. A cheese plate with Colliers Cheddar, camembert and gorgonzola could be equally satisfying.

The stylish bar is the perfect place to drop by for a quick drink or linger on for a meal from the bar menu. An extensive selection of delicious aperitifs and digestifs as well as cask ales, chilled draught beers and an expertly chosen wine list offer a multitude of reasons to stay a while longer.

You might also want to consider visiting nearby sister pub The Trout Inn.

More information can be found on their Website.

In the heart of the University city, a stone's throw from the Odeon Cinema and the New Theatre, Fire & Stone Oxford offers a range of flavourful stone-baked pizzas in a relaxed modern setting. Located on George Street, nestled among other restaurants and shops, Fire & Stone is spread over two levels with seating for 217 people.

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 starters includes grilled bruschetta with Parma ham, melted brie, caramelized onion jam and pesto; a Mediterranean board with mixed olives, Italian breadsticks, taramasalata and houmous; crisp fried calamari served with tartare sauce and spicy mixed nuts.

Fire & Stone's signature Pembroke pizza combines the classic flavours of roast lamb with butternut squash, grated mozzarella, roast potatoes and leeks on a red wine gravy base, topped off with a piquant mint sauce. Other classic pizzas include the Naples with mozzarella, tomato sauce and fresh basil and the San Sebastian with mozzarella, tomato sauce, spicy chorizo sausage, garlic and rosemary roast potatoes, roasted red peppers, topped with aioli and chives.

Going further east, there's the Cairo topped with fire roasted red and yellow peppers, courgettes, aubergines, balsamic roasted red onions, mozzarella and tomato sauce topped with crumbled goat's cheese and pine nuts. Lombok has Indonesian flavours with garlic marinated prawns, Chinese hoi sin sauce, fire roasted red peppers, sliced spring onions and mozzarella, drizzled with chilli oil.
 
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 a creamy grain mustard vinaigrette.

If you prefer a pasta there's spaghetti primavera with broccoli, courgettes, peas, broad beans, garlic, sugar snaps, white wine, parmesan and double cream; spicy sausage rigatoni with tomato sauce, chorizo sausage, pepperoni, black olives, chilli and oregano and penne with chicken tossed in a tomato and mascarpone sauce with courgettes, butternut squash, red chilli and topped with pumpkin seeds.

Finish with tempting dessert of rich chocolate brownie with Madagascan vanilla ice cream, vanilla pannacotta with mixed berry compote or a sweet slider with banoffee pizza, rich chocolate brownie, almond biscotti, nut Florentines and honeycomb ice cream, perfect for sharing.

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

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

The Malmaison group of hotels has established throughout Britain a collection of centres of excellence where nothing but the best will do. As a concept alone this is exciting, but the reality is brilliant, so that at last there is a hotel group where uniformity of standards is of the same high calibre.

If you draw up outside Malmaison Oxford and feel a certain sense of familiarity it could just be because you have stayed there as an involuntary guest of Her Majesty in an earlier life. It was once a Victorian prison, now converted into a lavish, glamorous, hotel.

And lest you are worrying already about getting out, rest assured the ninety-four rooms and suites are all that one would expect from a hotel that has genuine regard for its guests and is concerned with every aspect of their wellbeing; after all you are given the key.

Cells, coolers and dwellings for the governor and custodians alike have all been thrown into the designer's pot, emerging in varying manifestations, some little changed for those who fancy a spot of chastisement, others barely recognisable in the new found glory. The Visitors Room is ideal for up to 100 people. Featuring high ceilings, comfy lounge style seating, Champagne Bar and plasma screen TV, it's a unique location in a truly distinctive building.

Amidst elegant surroundings, with spotless gleaming glassware and shining cutlery, an essentially brasserie menu is offered. Lovers of seafood will be delighted to note at once that their particular needs are well heeded, starting with steamed mussels, white wine cream and garlic, or the hot smoked salmon.

Other starters that seldom fail to please include jabugo iberico ham 'gran reserve', twice baked French cheese soufflé, and the rabbit, ham hock and foie gras terrine with pickles.

An inspired choice is the roasted fillet of black bream, with confit belly of pork served with champ mash and sauce diable. For those seeking by this time a slightly more carnivorous approach look no further than  the - wait for it - Mal burger, a 250 gram burger made from ground beef tucked into a floured bap to join bacon and gruyere, served with homemade relish and some fries.

Over the years the number of outriders surrounding a good honest steak has grown to unacceptable dimensions. At Malmaison the thought and care is centred on the dry-aged bone rump and that's it - except for the chips. If you want all the rest go for the side dishes, but steak and chips on its own takes some beating. Vegetarians are well looked after - the pumpkin and gorgonzola filled gnocchi sounds appealing.

Heading the puddings is the sticky toffee pudding, supported by other choices amongst which expect to find orange and Grand Marnier parfait, or the splendid nougat glaces.

The wine list is a symphony of its kind, clearly compiled by an enthusiast who knows his wines well enough not to take refuge in a world of hyperbole when describing them.

Their Website is a wealth of information that will, I predict, only serve to increase your resolve to make Malmaison your next stop in Oxford - voluntarily. It is worth noting that you can also make reservations Online on their Website.

With all the charm and attractiveness that comes with so many riverside pubs, this particular version has an added extra, called The Regatta. It seems that only if you display plenty of foresight, your chances of getting a worthwhile view - unless of course you are competing in which case you have a different set of problems - is to book very well in advance.

On days when it's storm force Force 9 blowing down the river, the place still has plenty to offer. A quick dash from the car to the door will admit you to a very different world, one of log fires and cocooned warmth. Talking of which, fire also features in the open kitchens and stone fired ovens, now very much a talking point.

To set the right note of fashionable sociability there are sharing plates, box baked Camembert with red onion jam and rustic bread and Greek mezze of taramasalata with red pepper hummus, tzatziki, feta and flatbreads.

Amongst the starters, there is freshly made soup, smoked mackerel pâté, seared pigeon breast, or a red onion tart. The salads - sorry, that should read 'leaves' - offer Persian chicken kebabs, fattoush salad, yoghurt and mint dressing, and for the seafood fiends some smoked trout, prawn, pancetta, horseradish dressing, watercress, spinach and baby potatoes.

These days no self-respecting gastropub can afford to be without its pizza range; expect to find a classic Margherita of tomato, mozzarella, oregano and basil, another with pepperoni, chorizo, tomato and jalapeños. Pastas include rigatoni, pork, veal and oregano meatballs with arrabiata sauce, and smoked haddock risotto.

The grills for hearty eaters are worth trying and choices include pork chops and salmon among others. These are all served with frites, garlic butter, brandy peppercorn sauce, béarnaise, burnt tomato and onion salsa or mango and chilli. For the big event there is always a fish of the day on request.

For the big event, there is always a fish of the day on request. The spit chicken with roast garlic, lemon, thyme, aioli and frites is worth trying too. The classic burger, which has risen from the confines of fast food chains, carves a niche for itself on the menu and comes with onion, gherkin, mustard mayo, cheese and bacon. For hearty eaters there is a five spice duck confit, or lamb rack with a spiced dukkah crust.

A wide range of supporting dishes includes Belgian frites and mayo, and cabbage, leeks and peas. Desserts are some of the best you'll encounter with apple and frangipane gallette and Cognac ice cream, and there is also a selection of local cheeses to set the buffs alight.

A well travelled wine list does the business well with a list that, whilst fairly modest covers most eventualities at prices that don't break the bank, and are described under such cost headings as 'vibrant and soft or luxurious and rich' - just like people.

For up to date information click on their well set out Website  - and don't forget to book for the Regatta. Please note that the E-Mail Contact is for enquiries only, not for bookings.

Situated in the thriving Oxfordshire town of Banbury, Veritas Wine Bar and Bistro has brought a new concept of relaxation and pleasure to the town, with food and drink that attracts as well as satisfies in surroundings that are a tribute to good taste and style. No matter whether you are in a state of semi collapse after too much shopping, or looking for the right environment in which to entertain, this is the place for you.

A WiFi connection may strike you as a dubious blessing - once inside Veritas your aim would probably be to stay out of touch, but there are always some for whom it is indispensable.

The role of Veritas as a haven of escape is interpreted in many different ways. They are promoting a fabulous Monday to Friday Working Lunch Specials that change weekly. Wine tastings and dinners are organised regularly so there really is no excuse for not increasing your knowledge of one of life's greatest pleasures. Veritas also holds regular Sunday lunch music festivals.

The food is designed to suit the occasion, whether it be a choice from the lunch menu or the dinner á la carte, as you contemplate the day of rest, a romantic evening, or a family celebration when time matters not.

Dinner service is available from 6pm with a full à la carte menu that might offer haddock fish cakes with baby spinach, poached egg and hollandaise sauce to start, or blue cheese tartlet with red onion marmalade and poached pear.

Mains tread carefully between the traditional course content with choices such as homemade beef lasagne served with garlic bread; mussels with white wine, garlic cream sauce and hand cut chips; lamb shank with red wine sauce, roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables; roast salmon with mussel chowder and potato rosti; pigeon breast with peas in French style, wholegrain mustard sauce, or pan seared scallops with artichoke, pancetta, clam and herb dressing.

If you fancy a nibble with your glass of wine in the evening, enjoy a selection of farmhouse cheeses with chutney, honey roasted figs and oat biscuits, or a charcuterie board of cured meats, gherkins, sun-dried tomatoes and crusty bread.

Bring the meal to a telling close with homemade crème brûlée, or pear and frangipane tart. Is it any wonder that with menus like these, executed with skill and panache, Veritas has become an extremely popular place? To top it all, much of the menu changes monthly so you?ll never get bored!

But the food is only part of the pleasure, and a wine list that would melt the steeliest heart travels the world. It's a spirited gallop through some pleasantly familiar names which appear as though some of the top bottles on offer have been spared traditional mark-ups.

Veritas has an excellent Website that will keep you up to speed with their attractive programme of events and seasonal menu changes, which are de rigueur.

Maxwell's at Oxford has been around for quite some time and its popularity is as great now as it was when it first opened, probably more so. Many of our political and celebrity figureheads of today cut their drinking teeth there, in company with a menu that hovers between straight American and a British twist. The decor speaks of wood and glass with space, there is a cutting edge cocktail bar and their pricing policies are equally keen and imaginative.

Late night dancing and entertainment may attract those who want to throw off academic boredom, as well as a wider public; either way, the place is always buzzing. Amongst the starters look out for sharing plates of crispy baked hand scooped potato skins with smoked bacon, duck spring rolls with plum sauce, and smoked Buffalo chicken wings with a choice of mild or spicy sauce.

To leave this restaurant without having come to grips with one of their famous hamburgers is unthinkable. Said to be a sure cure for hangover or heartbreak, possibly both even, they come with French fries, a crisp mixed salad, choices of dressing, and the relish tray.

A full rack of tender baby back ribs St. Louis style is smothered in their tangy sweet barbecue sauce and served with French fries and coleslaw. To follow, think New York cheesecake or Maxwell's sundae, followed by copious quantities of coffee that tastes very positively of the bean.

Let's assume the day is still comparatively young and the cocktail bar beckons. Manned by eager, amusing and knowledgeable staff you can in the fullness of time, become more stoned than those dreaming spires outside, fuelled by such potent creations as the Mai-Tai, a blend of gold, white and dark rums mixed together with orange curacao, apricot brandy and pineapple juice. The sinner Clements is another classic drink with a kick - Beefeater gin, Absolut citron, orange extract and bitter lemon. Have a care; you'll be back next day for more hamburgers.

Watch out for a dress code that makes it clear not just everyone is admitted, enjoy the after midnight closing times and live music - this is Oxford with a difference. It is worth noting their daily happy hours between 17.30 and 19.30 and from 21.00 till close.

The first Browns opened in 1973 at Brighton, with one simple guiding belief, that classic food, well delivered in a stylish environment, would be a recipe for success. The only thing that has changed since then is the number of Browns, now running at fourteen, of which six are in London, all prospering with the same theme.

Some of their buildings are particularly legendary in style, sometimes listed and always interesting. The second Browns to open was here at Oxford, in an old Morris garage, now an archetypal British brasserie. Inside the large windows open on to the street in summer and attract a mixed clientele that include students, families, businessmen and tourists.

A plate of appetisers to share comes in either vegetarian or seafood antipasti form. Try also the flatbreads with a range of interesting toppings. In amongst the thirteen starters expect to come across baked Scottish langoustine with spinach, cream and Emmental, served with crusty bread. The fish and salad choices include fish and chips tempura battered cod with minted mushy peas and tartar sauce and seared beef fillet salad with chilli, garlic, soy and spring onions.

The same theme of comfortable food, well-cooked and presented, continues throughout the mains course with grilled chicken topped with prosciutto and taleggio cheese with Hollandaise and chips, and calf's liver and bacon with mashed potato and a green peppercorn sauce. Their fantastic selection of cheesecakes arrives in interesting flavours such as baked vanilla, blueberry and banoffee. Brown's afternoon tea is served from 2 to 5.30 pm.

By the way their breakfast and brunch menu is just one of the best. There is also a prix fixe menu, served from 4 to 6.30pm and 9.30 to 10.30 pm and you are not interrogated as to whether you are actually attending the theatre.

The wine list is masterfully compiled but not over long, sometimes a great relief to those who find it difficult to navigate their way through a lengthier list, however many are available by the glass. Helpfully each group of wines is classified under headings such as white, red and rose with house recommendations, New and Old World wines under them.

Browns at Oxford are well able to deal with groups, and have special menus to look after their particular interests. Click on their excellent Website for further details and menu changes.

Only a couple of minutes from the Botley Road or the southbound A34, The Fishes is a hidden gem. Quite a big gem too. The Fishes is an imposing Victorian building set in 3 acres of wooded grounds leading down to the banks of Seacourt Stream. On sunny days the gardens are dotted with picnickers, enjoying a picnic basket ordered from the bar, whilst the deck that wraps around the conservatory offers one of the few opportunities in land-locked Oxford to dine outside with an idyllic view. Fans of Sophie Grigson, a regular at The Fishes, are likely to have opportunities to pay homage.

Head chef, Charlie Barr, gained her chef's whites by 'accident', as she reckons, when her holiday waitressing job came to an end as the head chef asked her to work in the kitchen. There was no looking back ever since. After her training at the Birmingham College of Food, Tourism and Creative Studies, she spent a year working at Rick Stein's seafood empire at Padstow. After her stint at the Michelin-starred Simpsons in Edgbaston, Barr is now running the show at The Fishes where she's putting her experience to good use.

À la carte offers everything from deli board with starters, nibbles or sharing dishes all a possibility, taken from cheeses, cold cuts, fish, veggie and a favourite board. On their menu, you will find the very best quality fresh ingredients - fantastic sausages; free range chicken; pan-fried sea bass and seafood; 28 day dry-aged Aberdeenshire bavette steak - sourced from producers who take pride in their products and an ethical stance in their production.

The Fishes always makes the most of seasonal ingredients, this ensures they avoid air-freighting and keeps us in touch with the cycle of the year, while combining the best of great British cooking and influences from around the world that are now part of our culture.

The à la carte menu is served every day of the week. If that does not appeal, does a Sunday roast picnic hamper hit the button - all you have to do is ask?

Everyday picnic hampers can be made up on the spot and transported out to the site of your choice in the garden. The choices are impressive and a well-mannered wine list is a credit to this attractive place whether taken in or outside.

Their Website is equally praiseworthy, and packed with useful information including seasonal changes of menu. See also The Thatch in Thame and The Fleece in Witney, local sister pubs to The Fishes.