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Another, and spectacular, addition to the waterside scene at Poole, with breathtaking views of the beach as you sit and savour your pan fired scallops or Thai green seafood curry (some of the best ever). Service is relaxed, as befits the style, without being sloppy. House wine at £12.25 starts a useful list.

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.

Built on the southernmost point of the Sandbanks Peninsula (how long did it take to get hands on this, let alone obtain planning permission) the views from La Roche restaurant across Poole Bay cannot be overstated. In fact it is almost worth going for the view alone, but it just so happens that the food is pretty good too. As you gaze across the sea's surface at a very special sunset you could reflect that what you are eating may recently have been out there too, for the menu leans very heavily towards the fruits of those self same waters. Exotic desserts number Guinness ice cream amongst their delights. With house wine at an incredible £10.50 almost everything is possible.

Da Vinci's Restaurant sits on Poole Quay with stunning views over the glistening waters of Poole Harbour, and there's plenty of original woodwork and antique charm to bolster the imagination. Just head for the lifting bridge and walk a few yards down the Quay.

Furniture, fittings and décor all combine to create a feeling of permanence and solid confidence that provides a fitting backcloth to dining out in the waterside setting of a harbour that has charmed millions of people over the years.

Da Vinci's is an informal venue that's perfect for a quick lunch or leisurely dinner, and the kitchen team pay much attention to fresh, seasonal ingredients. It's not uncommon to see diners get off the boat and pop in for a meal in a very relaxed atmosphere. The daily specials feature locally caught, wild sea fish and Italian specialties. There's a bar at the rear where you could sit outside and enjoy a bowl of mussels while watching the boats; and at the front is a tiny takeaway shop with harbourside tables where guests enjoy some delicious homemade Italian pizza and pasta.

Slug and Lettuce has a chain of almost a hundred bars spread across the country sharing a common love of serving down to earth, undemanding food and drink.

The group prides itself on offering dishes prepared using quality ingredients, and you should be attended on by attentive staff in a safe, welcoming and cheerful environment. The Slugs have something for anyone - breakfast for a lively start to the day, lunch for busy people, family meals or even a relaxing glass of wine to bring a tiring day to an end - all in a variety of modern and stylish settings.

The menu features old time English favourites such as Gloucestershire Old Spot sausages in buttered mash or fish pie made with Dartmouth smokehouse haddock, in a Devon cream and leek sauce, although dishes look to Europe and further afield to Asia for inspiration. A good way to start the enjoyment is by sharing platters of Southern fried chicken breast pieces, crispy potato wedges, garlic ciabatta strips, half a rack of BBQ pork ribs, wasabi vegetables with onion rings or some Greek mezze

Hearty steak pies, Thai curry with sticky jasmine rice or butternut squash with goats' cheese lasagne are amongst the more popular main dishes. Sandwiches or wraps - warm tortilla with chicken and Parmesan or aromatic duck in plum sauce - provide for those who prefer something lighter. They also serve burgers as well as tempting salads like salmon, asparagus or tomato and mozzarella. For children they have good old British standby sausage and mash, or pepper pasta and ketchup among other choices, all of which never fail to delight, particularly as some of them seem to have come out of a certain celebrity chef's Book of Forbidden Dishes.

Desserts appear in the form of raspberry biscotti, hot chocolate pudding or a creamy strawberry cheesesake. The wine list is well compiled and substantial. There are not less than seven French, three from Italy and some from Spain, Chile, Australia as well as New Zealand. Slug and Lettuce can cater for events including birthday parties, fashion shows, hen nights, wedding parties or just an enjoyable night out with a few friends.