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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.

Castleman is a popular neighbourhood restaurant that serves dinner every evening and Sunday lunch, though they are happy to open for lunches on any other day for parties of twenty or more. Chefs Barbara Garnsworthy and Richard Morris cook varied, seasonal menus with the emphasis on enjoyment rather than fashion. Front of house Edward Bourke and Brendan Garnsworthy offer friendly, relaxed and professional service. It is a former dower house, which, though a hotel in the full sense, majors strongly on the dining department, with excellent results.

The approach is British in style and includes good local ingredients such as the meat from the butcher with his own abattoir in a nearby village, lots of garden produce, wild mushrooms and air-dried ham. Choices could include roulade of poached and smoked Loch Fyne salmon with dill mayonnaise; crab, prawn and lobster bisque or sautéed chicken livers on a potato pancake with pancetta and crème fraiche to commence with.

Followed by fillet steak with pate and red wine sauce; grilled sea bass on roasted vegetables in warm balsamic vinegar dressing or roast partridge with bacon and red wine sauce served with sloe and apple jelly, and finishing with blackberry and apple crumble with chilled vanilla custard; dark chocolate marquise with raspberries and cream or pear frangipane tart with caramel ice cream. The wine list tops out at about 50 bins and repays earnest attention.

Situated in the picturesque Dorset village of Iwerne Minster, close to Gillingham and Blandford, The Talbot Pub is a beautiful Mock Tudor building with large picture windows and a warm and welcoming interior. Guests can choose to have their food either in the spacious dining space with its rustic wooden tables or outside in the large and beautiful gardens.
 
Prepared from organic and natural ingredients, the pub's menu changes to reflect seasonal produce with ingredients sourced from local suppliers wherever possible. Sample dishes could include Gloucester old spot pork, apricot and hazelnut terrine or smoked pheasant breast served with beetroot salad for starters. With daily deliveries of meat and fish main courses include grilled sea bass fillet, or roast Barbary duck breast with vegetarian options such as New Forest pea and green bean risotto also changing on a seasonal basis.

Desserts are varied and delectable, with New Forest strawberry meringue, dark chocolate brownie and assorted Barford Farm ice creams and sorbets to tempt those with a sweet tooth.