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The Red Lion, in the picturesque Sussex village of Handcross, is the perfect blend of idyllic country retreat and contemporary gastro pub, and is ideal for a quick lunchtime bite, an intimate dinner or a leisurely Sunday lunch. Close to the well-heeled commuter towns of Haywards Heath and Horsham, between London and Brighton, it is no surprise to learn that the pub was once a coaching inn and has played host to Admiral Horatio Nelson himself.
 
Beautifully refurbished, the pub's striking interior continues the mélange of rustic and modern as original timber beams and wooden floors rub shoulders with banquette seating, faux animal skin barstools and framed modern art prints.

This unwavering attention to detail is also discernible in the Red Lion's modern British menu which offers a range of traditional pub favourites, freshly made pizzas and pasta dishes as well as daily specials which showcase the culinary passion of the kitchen team. This pursuit of excellence is a seam that runs through everything they do from the menu of seasonal dishes, made with market fresh locally sourced produce, to the drinks menu which boasts 'the best Gin and Tonic in the World' and tempting aperitivos such as a Flirtini or Frisky Bison.

Suitably enlivened diners can then head through to the light and airy restaurant area to enjoy starters that could include a mouth-watering button mushroom bourguignon with stirata Romana rustic bread or a homemade pork rilette with pear, balsamic and date chutney and toast also whets the appetite. Alternatively indulge in sharing plates such as a classic Mediterranean mezze of hummus, roasted vegetables, fregola, tzatziki, taramasalata and flatbreads.

The Red Lion confounds expectations once more with a pizza range that sees tried and true classic stone-baked margheritas or Sicilianas sharing the page with more exotic toppings such as luganega sausage with spinach, goat's cheese and pine nuts; or luxurious smoked salmon and prawn with courgette, lemon crème fraiche, horseradish and rocket.

Comforting pub favourites include fillet steak garni, freshly battered fish and chips or classic burgers with a host of extras including chorizo, bacon or flat mushroom. But this is not standard pub grub and guests can also choose to go Mediterranean with gastronomic delights such as tiger prawn linguini with crab and chorizo or slow roasted pork lasagne. The international flavours don't end there either with globe-trotting dishes of chicken and chorizo in a piri piri sauce or crispy duck in a hoisin and plum sauce.

Desserts are some of the best you'll encounter with marmalade and orange blossom mascarpone; bourbon and raisin pudding with vanilla ice cream, banana cheesecake with toffee sauce and chocolate ice cream and warm brownie with vanilla ice cream and dark chocolate sauce. Alternatively there is a selection of local cheeses to set the buffs alight.

The Red Lion delights going over and above the standards you'd expect to find in your common or garden gastropub, yes you'll find locally sourced produce on the menu and dishes prepared with passion and attention to detail. But go beyond the admittedly excellent a la carte menu and the pub really shows its mettle.

Enjoy a whopping 50% off a bottle of red wine when you order a 21-day old steak as part of the weekly Steak and Wine Supper night every Wednesday. Sparkling Thursdays bring a discount on bubbly (and a complementary glass of Pimms Royale) and the Rothschild Supper Club offers two diners two courses and a bottle of prestigious Rothschild champagne for just £40.

More information can be found on their Website.

Borde Hill Gardens are one of the great tourist attractions of Sussex, and, apart from being a wonderful dendrological experience, they also play host to Jeremy's Restaurant, benefiting from the classy modern European food that Jeremy's offers, while the restaurant gains with a dramatic setting. Described on their website as, 'its light and airy interior and expanse of outside terracing overlooking the Victorian walled garden, is a rare find' there are few who would disagree.

Jeremy and Vera Ashpool have gathered many thousands of loyal and appreciative customers over the years. The opening of Jeremy's at Borde Hill is an exciting step in their restaurant's evolution, which has led from a tiny bistro many years ago to today's national recognition and awards. Much of the success in the kitchen comes from the choice of produce and materials and the regular use of French and Spanish techniques keeps boredom at bay.

The food has a lot to recommend it, both in terms of range and quality, and typical starters could consist of cured mackerel with apple, smoked trout and horseradish salad; risotto of local game and mushrooms; tea smoked duck breast, plum relish and micro salad, and blue cheese mousse with walnut salad and garden grape dressing.

Their local signature dishes include roast loin of suet pudding of Balcombe venison with pomme Anna, hispy cabbage and red wine jus, and pan-fried rump of South Down lamb served alongside mini shepherd's pie, runner beans and rosemary jus.

Mains might well consist of roast South Coast sea bass, oyster beignet, homemade linguine, buttered spinach and a vanilla clam sauce; roast breast of ballotine of guinea fowl, organic kale, fondant potato and roasted plum sauce, or spiced roast pumpkin, split peas and sweet chilli dressing.

Outstanding amongst the array of puddings are blackcurrant and almond tart with blackcurrant and crème de cassis sorbet, and sticky toffee pudding with hot toffee sauce. House wines start from £16 for the white or red, and there is a good choice beyond in addition to a specially chosen selection each month to complement the seasonal dishes on the carte.

For more information, why not visit their Website for events and menus or even find details on planning your wedding at Jeremy's, a speciality of theirs.

Housed within a former brewery in the heart of this Essex county town, Zizzi Chelmsford serves a wide range of traditional Italian dishes in a vibrant contemporary atmosphere. The restaurant's rustic interior is complete with retro radio touches and turn of the century photography which reflect the town's history as the birthplace of the radio.

Conveniently located between the High Chelmer and Meadows Shopping Centres, Zizzi is the perfect place to recharge your batteries after a busy shopping trip, while Chelmsford Cathedral is only a short walk away.

The bustling open kitchen at Zizzi turns out freshly prepared, tasty fare. The extensive à la carte offers distinct sections of antipasti, salads, pizza and calzone, pasta, risottos and mains of seasonally changing meat and fish dishes with a variety of tempting desserts to finish.
 
Zizzi's special antipasti platter has mixed Italian meats with buffalo milk mozzarella, marinated sun-dried tomatoes, mixed olives and red onion focaccia bread. There's also choice of arancini, crispy risotto balls stuffed with mozzarella and peas and served with a tomato chilli sauce as well as gnocchi gorgonzola, potato dumplings in a creamy gorgonzola and spinach sauce seasoned with nutmeg and black pepper, setting the tone for a hearty meal.

For a delicious pasta or risotto choose between penne vodka, king prawns, chilli, peas and Grana Padano in a creamy tomato and vodka sauce; ravioli di capra, goat's cheese and spinach ravioli served with tomato sauce and topped with pesto and pine nuts; zucca e pancetta, pumpkin, pancetta, spinach, sage and Grana Padano topped with mascarpone and rigatoni con pollo e funghi, chicken in a tomato, onion, rosemary and mushroom sauce. Gluten-free pasta is also available on request.

If you prefer a pizza, then you could try Zizzi's speciality pizza rustica, which couples extra thin and crispy bases with a range of toppings such as bufala, buffalo mozzarella with sunblush tomatoes, basil, rocket and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or mare e monti, one half topped with tiger prawn, courgette and mozzarella and the other with spicy sausage, tomato sauce and chilli, all finished off with a rocket and crème fraîche. The carne piccante calzone has marinated chicken, meatballs, Bolognese sauce, mushrooms, chillies, tomato and mozzarella while the clarissa version, has aubergine, and red pepper caponata, olives, goats' cheese, rocket, pine nuts, tomato and mozzarella. Zizzi's calzon'pizzas, half calzone and half pizza, add an interesting twist to the meal.

Sumptuous mains include agnello con peperonata, roasted lamb shank served with basil, roasted vegetables and a little pot of potatoes with tomato, red onion and Grana Padano; duck arrosto, slow roasted whole duck leg in a balsamic, olive and pancetta reduction served with Tuscan potatoes and green beans; and sea bass al vino, sea bass pan fried with wine, garlic and baby plum tomatoes and served with herby potatoes.

The scrumptious dessert list offers torta cioccolata with its thick hazelnut chocolate base topped with rich chocolate torte and served with vanilla mascarpone; homemade tiramisu; creamy vanilla pannacotta with fruit compote and torta Zizzi, an almond-based plum and fig tart topped with pistachios and icing sugar and served with gelato.

The wine list is dominated by a range of Italian wines from regions such as Veneto, Lazio, Sicily, Tuscany and Lombardy. Also on offer is an assortment of beers, and spirits as well as a range of soft and hot drinks.

More information can be found on their Website.

Prezzo has been delighting diners for over eight years, and this Italian restaurant chain has since been able to expand throughout large parts of England and Scotland with some 141 outlets.

Interestingly, the company seeks to restore either impressive buildings or ones of local interest. The conversion of the Newbury library and other listed buildings, such as those in Salisbury, Romsey and Mayfair, are all welcome examples of 'new use'. Their trendy and sophisticated décor usually consists of tiled or wooden floors with delicate lights and colourful paintings, along with wooden furniture and sparkling cutlery, creating a setting that is suitable for a relaxed lunch, a family meal or an evening out with friends.

The restaurants are of particular appeal to those who like genuine Italian cuisine, and they use only the best seasonal products, many of which are imported directly from Italy. The menu includes pizza, pasta, risotto, grilled meats, fresh salads and frequently changing specials.

The freshly baked breads, like the garlic bread with mozzarella cheese, are perfect for sharing and give you adequate breathing space to order starters to follow. Crab cakes served with garlic mayonnaise or grilled goat's cheese with plum tomatoes and caramelised onions on foccacia bread with a balsamic glaze set the tone for a hearty meal. Best fun is to order an antipasto platter to share made up from seven well loved Italian nibbles.

Find pastas such as the unusual penne con salmone, with oak-roasted salmon, broccoli and fresh chillies in a red pesto and cream sauce, or firm favourites like spaghetti with meatballs, spaghetti Bolognese, and fusilli al pesto, asparagus spears with field mushrooms and roasted peppers in a basil pesto sauce.

Amongst the special pastas, the pollo mariano, seasoned chicken, pepperoni sausage, roasted peppers and fusilli in tomato sauce, is interesting and different. Italian menus would be incomplete without risotto, like tiger prawns with petits pois in a creamy saffron sauce.

Classic pizzas embrace, among a wide selection, the popular napoletana, topped with yellowfin tuna, tomato, white anchovies, capers, red onion, mozzarella and marinated olives, and the much loved quattro stagioni - pepperoni sausage, prosciutto ham, artichoke, field mushrooms, capers, marinated olives, mozzarella and tomato.

Specials could include the pollo Siciliana, char-grilled chicken breast, prosciutto ham and plum tomato slices, baked with their blend of cheese, only one example from the many tempting offerings that come out from the Prezzo kitchens.

You can accompany the food with a variety of tipples, though for many, Italian food requires Italian wines to be enjoyed to the full, ranging from house wine through Morellino di Scansano and Prosecco to liqueurs and beer, and there is espresso or fresh ground coffee to wind up an enjoyable meal, in company with a glass of grappa or sambuca.

This is Italian food at its attractive best, convincing and bringing together the traditional with the modern twist or two against a background of excellent value.

Prezzo is a lively group and opportunities to improve and update are never left on the table for long. Keep up to date with a quick click on their Website.

Café Rouge has over one hundred branches throughout Britain all offering a wide range of dishes drawn from the French cuisine. Slightly less than half their branches are in or close to London. Almost inevitably the décor and design of each restaurant differs from the others, but there is a general curtsy towards La France.

Many restaurants do an excellent breakfast, or shall we say petit dejeuner, at which such delights as scrambled eggs and smoked salmon on toasted brioche, croque Madame, croissants and pain au chocolat make welcome appearances, and to their credit the English traditional gets top billing.

An array of small dishes takes in pulled pork pâté with French bread, and spicy beef and lamb sausage with harissa mayonnaise. Salads and pasta feature largely, as do baguettes and croques. Quick dishes, ideal for lunch, include slices of saucisson and cured pork loin with French bread.

Moving on to more serious stuff we find steaks, an 8oz bavette and thin cut rib eye, with a choice of béarnaise or peppercorn sauce. No French menu would be complete without the poulet jaune grille, pan-roasted breast of corn-fed chicken served on a warm taboulé of bulgar wheat and a medley of roasted vegetables with minted crème fraîche, or a steak frites before moving on to the crème brûlée, or the tart tatin. Almost invariably the coffee tastes like coffee should, something that sadly can all too often still not be said of our English restaurants, who depend too much upon technology and too little on the acquisition of a certain flair for this important conclusion to a meal.

By now we all know that the French, despite their distinctive habits when it comes to matters of satisfying the inner man, maintain a miraculous longevity of life. This is generally attributed to a number of causes, of which a measured consumption of decent wine is foremost. Café Rouge, you may be pleased to hear, encourages this with a well-chosen selection of French wines. Their prix fixe lunch and meals for children, both at a very reasonable figure, also offer excellent value.

Their Website will keep you updated on menu changes, news and other competitions and offers from the Café Society.

Pizza Express remains a hugely popular bedrock of casual eating. Its popularity is testimony to the fact that across the country, they have restaurants where you will always be guaranteed a good nosh, with children's tastes being well catered for.

Pizza Express has gone even more Roman, and following the success of that particular example of listening to their public have introduced Romana pizzas, including the scorching Etna and the hearty Siciliana.

These pizzas are now thinner, bigger and crispier, and if that sounds like a marketing line, it is. However, unlike many such lines, this one is true, and their quality is always consistent, though cleverly they have still managed to retain a homemade feel to their pizzas.

As an alternative to pizza, try their pollo pesto - cavatappi pasta with torn chicken breast, mushrooms, red onions and mozzarella in a creamy gruyere, parmesan and pesto sauce and finished with grana padano - or the niçoise salad with mixed leaves, yellowfin tuna, free range egg, green beans, potatoes and tomatoes with olives, anchovies, capers and house dressing.

Many of the big chains have come a long way, and Pizza Express is certainly amongst them. One of the first to be quoted on the Stock Exchange - in 1993 - Pizza Express is not a franchise operation and retains tight control through its own staff.

Their wine list - though short - contains some surprisingly good offerings, especially their intense Australian Chardonnay, and a big, full-bodied Merlot from Cusumano, Sicilia.