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In an area which is not exactly short on restaurants of a high standard, Les Bouviers comes out well in the upper echelons. Located in five acres of landscaped gardens with a lake, weeping willow and wooden footbridge, guests can stay in one of their elegantly furnished bedrooms, enjoy a cream tea on the terrace or explore the delights of their restaurant.

The food, drawn from carefully selected and genuinely fresh local ingredients, sets the tone. The Menu Gourmand from which the evening's offerings are selected features for instance an individual boned quail filled with poultry farce served with marinated sauterne grapes and sauterne sauce. After a sorbet thoughts might turn to a pan-fried fillet of West Coast brill nestled on a tomato and courgette confit, braised fennel and tomato oil. To finish, perhaps the tangy passion fruit tart with clotted cream? A lively wine list does ample justice to the food.

Whilst the 42 Loch Fyne restaurants have a shared background there is a welcome degree of individuality encouraged throughout the group, which makes for customer interest. If you like wholesome, fresh and reliable seafood caught and reared under carefully controlled conditions, well presented in unfussy surroundings, and you enjoy being well looked after by pleasant staff, Loch Fyne is for you.

There is an increasing awareness of other food staples with an extended choice of meat dishes, but it is the original fare upon which their success was created that prevails. Loch Fyne kippers, a fine bouillabaisse, braden rost, kiln-roasted salmon fillet, and the toothsome oysters on ice, with a selection of accompaniments, all are to be found throughout the various restaurants, as well as Glen Fyne 21 day aged rib-eye steak and Scottish smoked venison. There is invariably a well-travelled wine list available which is sensible, both in content and prices.

Loch Fyne's greatest achievement has been to prove to a sceptical populace that chains or conglomerates can be made to work in the eating-out public's best interests.

Built in the 1920's Habour Heights has been upgraded to a contemporary hotel of elegance and comfort, with stunning views across the estuary, and a mere two hours from London. The HarBar Brasserie in particular makes the most of the scenery, as well as providing a laid back and informal setting for some very fine cooking.

Open up with a Cabernet Sauvignon vinegar double baked soufflé of baby spinach and West Country cheddar and chive butter sauce. Then perhaps a tornedo of wild salmon, with salad of Jersey potatoes, wild asparagus salad and a lemon ginger butter sauce.

Pudding echoes the mildly Rhode Island flavour of the dining room décor if you follow the crisp nougatine Florida lime tart with a cassis sorbet route. And why not - we pass this way but once; it's just that some pass more quickly than others.

Located discreetly away from the hurly burly of the old quay in a little side street, this handsome Georgian building with its creeper-clad brick and gold-topped railings resembles more a National Trust property waiting to receive visitors than an hotel with a handsome Regency dining room, home to some fine cooking amidst impeccable taste. Either is a compliment. Seafood features strongly but carnivores are not neglected and roast guinea fowl vies with rack of lamb to give the fillet of beef a run for its money. Service more than matches the faultless charm. House wine is £12.95.

The cosy ambience and locally sourced food make The Canteen in Poole High Street a delightful place to dine in near the quay. They take great pride in the fact that everything is homemade, from the bread, corned beef, sausages, ice cream to the desserts. It's a wonderful place to visit with friends and family whether you're popping in for lunch, snacks, coffee or even a special dinner.

The kitchen makes the most of seasonal ingredients, specialising in both British and European cuisines. During summer the emphasis is on fish, oysters and crabs from Poole, and at wintertime expect to find whole Dorset organic Longhorn beef, rose veal, lamb and wild deer. So look out for some inspiring dishes from the evening menu such as home cured ham croquette,
poached skate wing and chicken breast with spinach, grape and Blue Vinney stuffing. Desserts could include a chocolate and orange mousse and Bailey's crème brûlée. The drinks list at The Canteen features an exciting range of wines from across the world.