Restaurant-Guide.com
hand picked restaurants

Do not go here if you are seeking a cosy a deux. If, however, you have the family and their families' families with you this is the place. It stops short of being conveyor belt but there is nonetheless a feeling closely bordering on over-organisation. That said the ambience and decor is evocative of heady nights in Madrid and you are left in no doubt about the direction of the exercise. You select your table, and then it's off to the chilled cabinets for whatever you wish to have chargrilled, including suckling pig and a good range of fresh seafood. No problem over vegetables - baked potato or chips. The Spanish wines do justice to the food and there is a selection of six house wines at £10.25.

On Parkhill, Swansea, you will come across this uniquely designed restaurant which features extensive use of rosewood and sapele, creating a warm and inviting ambience for a simple, yet luxurious dining experience that is complemented by the attentive but discreet service. Guests can enjoy an aperitif at the cosy bar whilst choosing from the extensive menu.

Indulge in confit belly of Welsh pork with white pudding and celeriac remoulade and charlotte of grilled aubergine with Gawn cheese, sun-blush tomatoes, roast pepper coulis and tomato chutney at the beginning of your meal. Move on to pan fried fillet of homemade salt cod, plaki vegetables and herb oil and smoked pancetta of wrapped breast of corn-fed chicken. Don't overlook the digestifs suggested as you order dessert which include chilled mascarpone and espresso mousse with chocolate cake and limoncello and pistachio crème brûlée with vanilla parfait and nutty tuille.

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.

A unique and contemporary style defines each of Cosmo's restaurants, be it in Wednesfield, Swindon, Romford, Coventry, Hastings, Chatham, Tunbridge Wells or Cardiff. At Swansea, it's no different. Located on the ground floor of the 'Pavilion' at the heart of historic Clifton, Cosmo here boasts six live cooking stations, including a teppanyaki hotplate, yakatori barbecue grill, dim sum bar, noodle bar and a freshly prepared sushi counter.

At Cosmos, pan-Asian cuisine is on offer and traditional recipes from China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Mongolia, Singapore, Vietnam and even India are put to good use. Teppanyaki, Japanese sushi, barbeque and desserts are the speciality here. The likes of beef and mushrooms in oyster sauce, Thai green curry chicken and king prawn in garlic butter sauce are some dishes that also make an appearance. There's also a tandoori and curry bar that serves chicken masala and aloo gobi with a variety of Indian breads.

Close with some healthy options that include mixed fresh fruit salad and cantaloupe melon, grape and orange.

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.

A charming eighteenth-century house of style and distinction, set in twenty-four acres of grounds that feature mature woodland, a trout stream and a beautiful lake, Fairyhill is a very special hotel where a genuine welcome awaits, and where good food and the finest wines can be enjoyed without formality. Situated on the Gower peninsula, Britain's first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, lives a place where the finest traditions of hospitality meet modern creature comfort.

A casual air runs through public areas that extend from a warming, well-stocked bar to a sumptuously-appointed lounge, while all eight bedrooms are furnished to the highest standards of Comfort. The restaurant provides a relaxed end to the day, confirming an ever-present commitment to quality.

Its inspiring restaurant menus making good use of fresh local produce. Typical examples might include seared scallops with black fettucine, a warm salad of skate and dry cured bacon, a filo tart of vine tomatoes with local goat's cheese and basil oil, sea bass with a butter sauce, a fillet of prime beef with rosti potato and tomato and herb salsa or a rack of lamb with a sauté of liver, kidneys, garlic and parsley. Finish with banana crème brûlée or apple and tarragon tart.