Restaurant-Guide.com
hand picked restaurants

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.

For those of you for whom the pangs (no pun intended) of longing for Chinese food whilst sunning yourselves in glorious Cornwall, are overwhelming, there is but one answer - whatever the distance or other trifling inconveniences, set forth for Grampound, having first carefully reserved yourself a berth, for the reputation is great and the tables few. Here amongst the delights of the English Riviera you can indulge your longings. The food is quite superb by almost any standard and you will probably do best on the a la carte. Furthermore, whatever your darkest feelings about Chinese food and fine wine, forget them for one evening and explore the delights of Mr Lau's wine list. After all the chances are you are on holiday and can afford to leave your prejudices at home, as well as your plastic balance.

With an unusual name reminiscent of what the Himalayan kingdom is famous for, Yak and Yeti is an authentic Nepalese restaurant that also serves Indian fare and is tucked away slightly off the beaten track on Church Road. Named after a famous five-star hotel in Kathmandu, the hotel has a carefully constructed menu that includes a twist on the usual while incorporating traditional and well known dishes. The interiors are inviting, with warm wooden floors, a relaxing bar and red and orange colour scheme. 

Prepared by Nepalese chefs, the food includes dishes of hariyali chicken; khasi bhutuwa, diced pieces of lamb leg cooked with green peppers, spring onions and Nepali spices; and seafood dishes of karahi king prawns and Goan fish curry. Specialties also include gurkhali chicken; pokhareli lamb and momos - Nepalese dumplings made with minced lamb. With vegetarian fare being so popular, the menu also includes dishes incorporating this very British preoccupation.

With an affordable wine list, guests can either choose their pick or settle for a cold Kathmandu beer to go with their meal. 

Nestled in the tiny hamlet of Ruan Lanihorne, a few miles outside Truro, The Kings Head reflects its beautiful location with a sophisticated menu put together by a devoted team of chefs. Owners Andrew and Nikki Law, with years of culinary experience behind them, have gone to great lengths to maintain the traditional warm country pub ambience that has locals and visitors gathering here all year round.

All things Cornish hold pride of place here, with locally reared beef and locally caught fish. For lunch, there's a choice of Cornwall brie with chorizo, garlic tiger prawns pan fried in Pernod, Cornish crab pâté and trio of local sausages with onion gravy and parsley mash. Side orders include a warm herb flavoured foccacia loaf. Dinner options run the gamut of chicken breast with Parma ham, roast fillet of pork with plum and ginger sauce, fricassee of wild mushroom linguini and prime Cornish sirloin, fillet or rump steak. The roast terras of ruan duckling, slow roasted and served with a pepper sauce, is the establishment's signature dish. Round off with a classic toffee and ginger pie or baked lemon cheesecake. Local beer from Skinners Brewery or a glass of wine adds to the pleasure.

The Lamplighter Restaurant brings delicious seafood and other dishes prepared from locally sourced produce at this 300 year old location, right in the middle of Probus, Truro. This family run restaurant is a charming and elegant dining destination where you can gather with friends or family for a lovely evening spent in delightful conversation and the promise of a fabulous dinner. The 2 AA Rosette restaurant uses only fresh ingredients and make ample use of the bounties of the West Country, be it fish, locally reared beef and lamb and seasonal vegetables and fruits.

An à la carte changes on a regular basis but could possibly begin with starters of Cornish crab with pink grapefruit on avocado guacamole salsa followed by a main course of slices of fillet steak on a rosti potato served with Dijon mustard and mushroom jus. For dessert, a rich chocolate tart with maple and pecan ice cream does full justification as it indulges your craving for something sweet.