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Part of the Whitbread family, Table Table restaurants aim to bring great value tasty pub food to an ever increasing eating-out public who like well prepared and genuine food served by friendly staff in relaxing surroundings. If that sounds too much like a dream come true be assured that at Table Table they also walk the talk, and are pleased to have the chance to prove it.

Their well located restaurants are spread across a wide range of decors and styles, and all of them share a determination to provide comfort, warmth and relaxation. Their buffet menus for special occasions are remarkable value.

In keeping with modern trends they provide dishes to nibble or share as guests consider the spread of options on a menu that could be described as British with welcome incursions. So as you share long Italian flatbread, and dough balls and dips, or a sharing platter with an imaginative range of finger food starting with garlic and breaded mushrooms, it's time to think about the relative merits of aromatic duck parcels, a prawn cocktail, breaded Camembert or sticky chicken goujons to name but a few.

Many an innocent dish from the past has been hi-jacked in the best possible sense into becoming what is now called a 'pub classic'. Wiltshire cured ham with eggs is served with chunky chips and beef, mushroom and ale pie, or chicken and chips are all familiar with British tables, be they in the dining room or the kitchen. Now they have been added to by chicken fajitas, a sweet red pepper, crème fraiche and fennel tart, a leg of duck slowly cooked and served with a Bramley apple and cider sauce, or chilli con carne with basmati rice, sour cream and guacamole and nachos. So is the humble burger with six enticing toppings.

The point is they, and others, are all here at Table Table, well prepared with quality ingredients, and presented in a way that makes you hungry even if you thought you weren't.

Getting down to the more serious side of the table keep an eye open for the seafood pie, a delightful assembly of things fishy including crayfish, red snapper, prawns and clams. Many of their steaks are 28 days matured, including a 7oz fillet. All steaks are served with watercress, roasted cherry tomatoes, a flat mushroom and chunky chips. A choice from 4 sauces adds the final touch of enjoyment.

Pastas and salads embrace some well known and loved names, but for sheer enjoyment the hot smoked salmon salad takes some beating - flakes of hot smoked salmon mixed with a house salad and soy and ginger sauce. A real winner.

Snacks aplenty cover hot baguettes with the like of grilled pork loin and Bramley apple sauce, sandwiches filled with Cheddar cheese, or prawns and Marie Rose sauce, and jacket potatoes with such temptations as chilli con carne. Add a bowl of chips for only a little extra.

A well travelled wine list offers helpful advice for the uninitiated and there's an impressive choice of draught and bottled beers and lagers. All in all it would appear that Table Table are more than achieving their aims, providing the opportunity for people to eat out enjoyably, with excellent value for money. Long may they continue to do so.

For completely up to date information on menu changes and special offers do make a regular check on their lively Website.

The Beefeater Grill range of restaurants, owned by the well established firm of Whitbread has transformed over time into what is now predominantly a cooking platform for chargrill. The restaurants are warm, modern and stylish, with low lighting and contemporary artwork. A comfortable, cosy, mainly booth layout offers guests their own space with no feeling of being hurried at any point. Staff are friendly and helpful if need be - what a difference that can make to a good evening out.

Be it the wide open spaces of Argentina, the intimate setting of a French restaurant, or a busy grill in London's West End, there's no denying the popularity of chargrill. As the production of quality beef, chicken, fish and lamb has grown, prices have come down by comparison, and the simple and traditional art of minimally cooking dishes by chargrill, sealing in the flavours and tastes by intense heat has caught the public imagination.

All the steaks at Beefeater Grill are matured for a minimum of 28 days before being seasoned. Whether it be juicy rib eye, the classic sirloin, that emblem of the Sunday lunch, a tender fillet, or a delicious 7oz rump, all grilled to your own specification, you're never far away from perfection. Even beefburgers have shaken off their dubious image and the highly popular Beefeater burgers are made from 100% beef.

The popular sirloin with giant prawns offers a treat to those for whom an alliance between sea and pasture is a natural attraction, whilst a 16oz steak platter links rump, fillet, sirloin and rib eye into one mouth-watering dish served with chips, battered onion rings, grilled tomato, a flat mushroom and peppercorn and brandy sauce.

Many of us love rib meat, and the rack of ribs at a Beefeater Grill has a meaty rack smoky flavour; maple ribs of pork with a choice of three sauces, mojito, smoked caramel and apple glaze, or Bourbon and black BBQ. And if all else fails and you are totally baffled by the wealth of choices, ask to have a word with the Steakmaster who will help find what is right for you, together with the best cooking method. These guys leave nothing to chance.

On a menu that is a delight to read, let alone choose a meal from, expect to find smaller dishes such as traditional prawn cocktail, whitebait, chicken liver pâté and baked Camembert, or juicy lamb koftas served with yoghurt and mint dip. There's something about a good steak meal that always leaves a gap for a little temptation to sweeten up the scene and from amongst twelve options look for Belgian chocolate cheesecake, treacle sponge pudding or a caramel apple crumble pie.

Throughout the day a wide range of more general dishes are yours for the ordering, sandwiches, jackets, classic favourites like fish and chips, pasta, salads, and sharing dishes of nachos, potato shells and a Beefeater Grill combo. Next door to many of the restaurants are Premier Inns, so staying the night whatever the circumstances need not be a problem.

And what about wine? Endorsed by Matthew Jukes, wine writer in the Daily Mail and bon viveur in his own right, a wine list that marches with the menu completes an impressive and compelling invitation to enjoy whatever takes your fancy at the nearest Beefeater Grill.

Click on their Website for menu updates and special offers.

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.

The East Close Hotel is an impressive restoration of a Grade II listed eighteenth century mansion and is ideally situated on the edge of New Forest, along the A35 and close to local beaches. This warm country hotel combines inconspicuous grace with charismatically laid back and well-designed accommodation subtly suggesting the affability and magnificence of a bygone era.

History also floods into the Conqueror Inn, the adjoining gastro pub named after William the Conqueror who has strong links to the local area. The restaurant is matched by its all-embracing bar area, surrounded by leather sofas and a log fire.

The enticing menu features twenty five European and New World Wines, and an additional dozen sparkling wines, and champagnes. Try the seasonal dishes such as braised belly of port with cider sauce, and fillet of gilthead bream with pancetta, and some delectable desserts such as pear tartin with ginger ice cream, or chocolate marquise with raspberry sorbet.

A loving restoration has helped Waterford Lodge to blossom into a charming and stylish AA 3 Star hotel. It is situated close to Mudeford Quay, Highcliffe Castle and the medieval town of Christchurch, in its own tranquil grounds. The spacious ensuite bedrooms are on two floors and visitors can enjoy a view of the garden with its interesting display of conifers.

Relax in the lounge with an aperitif and consider the menu of the modern British restaurant that has been awarded a well deserved AA Rosette for culinary excellence. Among the starters is smooth chicken parfait, and pan seared scallops with tarragon butter and spinach. The use of good quality local produce is evident in mains of Braeburn apple rösti, roasted pepper, asparagus and sauce Jacqueline; paillard of chicken, basil and rosemary, and braised belly of pork. Desserts include a wonderful layered white and dark chocolate mousse.

Should you prefer, an extensive lounge menu is available for service in the bar lounge.

The Crooked Beam is believed to be one of the oldest restaurants in the Christchurch area with the building dating back to over 300 years. The history of its usage make interesting reading; however, our focus is now on the good, honest food that is on offer and the rustic interior.

The cooking is modern British and the kitchen constantly endeavours to raise the standard of fine dining in the area; their recently awarded AA Rosette bears testament to this. Look out for some inspiring starters of duck and pistachio pâté, lobster bisque and crab and prawn parcel wrapped in smoke salmon. If you thought vegetarians get a raw deal at restaurants, then think again because here there are plenty of choices such as mushroom stroganoff and smoked applewood soufflé amongst others. Meatier main courses include lamb rump, venison steak and beef Wellington and to finish go for the chocolate and amaretto torte or lemon cheesecake.

Located within the grounds of the Christchurch Harbour Hotel, The Jetty is a stylish restaurant, bar and grill sitting right on the water's edge looking across to Mudeford Quay. Run by owner and chef, Alex Aitken, the restaurant provides an unhindered view of the quay and the surrounding landscape where guests can enjoy some fresh and homemade food. Just like the outside, the interiors are also spacious, bright and elegant, with clean lines and simple décor. The menu is innovative and varies constantly with dishes created from the day's fresh catch of seafood, or fresh poultry and vegetables sourced from local markets.
 
The seasonally varying menu can include starters such as mixed fish kedgeree, with poached egg, chilli and mango salsa, chicken liver foie gras parfait with rhubarb chutney or salad of beetroot, goat's cheese, confit tomatoes & rocket. Mouth-watering mains include confit duck leg with sweet potatoes, sprouts, chestnuts and bacon, and sea bream with paella risotto.

Desserts of rhubarb and apple crumble with clotted cream jetty tiramisu and sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream satisfy those with a sweet tooth.

A traditional family run fish and chip shop, combining a takeaway and thirty seats with waitress service. Most popular on their menu is the 'Lunchtime/Evening Special' - Cod, chips and mushy peas served with a drink of your choice and a roll and butter. All for the set price of £5.25.