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Prezzo has been delighting diners for over seven 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 tomatoes 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 carry firm favourites like spaghetti with meatballs, spaghetti bolognese, and fusilli al paesto, asparagus spears with field mushrooms and toasted peppers.

Amongst the special pastas, the crespolina porcini, rolled crepes filled with mushrooms and ricotta, cooked with parmesan and mushrooms in a cream 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 tuna, tomato, anchovies, capers and marinated olives, and the much loved quattro stagioni - pepperoni sausage, prosciutto ham, artichoke, capers, marinated olives, mozarella, field mushrooms, mozarella and tomato.

Specials could include the pollo Siciliana, chargrilled butterflied chicken breast, smoked bacon rashers and beef tomato slices, baked in the oven with melted cheese and served with gratinated potatoes, 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.

On a stunning viewpoint overlooking Swanpool Nature Reserve and Beach which - important information this - is one of only eleven brackish lagoons in Britain, a fact mentioned only to draw attention to the contrast provided by the Indaba on the Beach which would not look out of place alongside Bonzi Beach. In the nicest possible way this is an ideal haunt for beach bums, but without the poverty. You can have a few beers, maybe a sandwich, bowl of chowder or you can push the boat out and have lunch between 12.00-2.30 and in the evenings meals are served between 6.30-9.30.

The menu carries heavy overtones of the sea with International influences, so think grilled fillet of mackerel served on a bed of hern infused couscous with homemade pesto, pan roasted Cornish scallops with pea puree, Spanish morcilla and apple jelly or poached rolled fillet of lemon sole served on orange glazed fennel and butter.

The food is supported by a good range of beers and wines, there are tapas all the time, and the decking is sandy and user-friendly, like the livin'.

The endless picture postcard vista of blue sky and water, warm welcome and informal ambience sets the stage for a relaxing, hearty meal. Located in Arwenack Street, step into Harbour View for a change of pace during the day or a cheery start to the day. Choose to dine inside or outside on the spacious deck.

A quick look at the brunch menu reassures that old favourites still find mention. Order cinnamon toast, bacon eggs benedict or smoked kipper with lemon. Alternately, opt for the full Harbour breakfast of sausage, hog's pudding, bacon, fried egg, vine tomato, mushrooms and toast. For lunch, there a choice of Falmouth Bay mussels with parsley, cider and cream, grilled Geverick goat's cheese or Cajun chicken Caesar salad.

The evening menu features home cured salmon, confit duck presse, grilled devilled mackerel, seared ribeye steak, pepper and tomato ragout and more. Dessert options include poached rhubarb with burnt Cornish cream, and fudge and caramelised nut meringue. Harbour View's Good Green Room espresso is a blend of six globally sourced coffees. Luscombe Organic Drinks are also on offer along with bottled lager and white and red wines.

An attractive and deservedly popular country inn in beautiful natural surroundings serving, amongst other things, the best of Cornish. The brûlée of ewe's cheese with wild mushrooms, the brûlée made from the Devon Vulscombe cheese, makes an admirable starter. Follow with the fillets of local sea bass, grilled and served on a smoked mussel broth. Then die happy in the knowledge that at least before you went you relished the chocolate fondant, a baked chocolate cake with a gooey centre, accompanied by glazed banana and rum and raisin sauce. No wonder people beat a path to their door. A good wine list with house wine from £10.70.

At Bistro Weigela you get a glimpse of what is on offer even before you step in. The boards outside on Arwenack Street list the day's specials and who will not be intrigued at the mention of Cornish teacakes, goulash soup or German style cucumber salad with sour cream?

The evening menu is devoted to bistro delights such as calamari, tomato and mozzarella cheese and Ardennes pâté with toast, followed by salmon, sweet potato and coriander fish cakes, and grilled butterfly chicken breast. Fondues are arguably the best of the bunch, so choose between cheese simple, Swiss, chicken and broth or meat mix for two to share. 'On Stones' section merits attention as well, with sirloin or fillet of beef and tuna, salmon and swordfish served with salad, potato wedges, dips and herbs.

The day menu at Bistro Weighla wears the European tag with dishes like strammer Max, Weiner schnitzel and Bavarian bretzel.