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Oozing with character and charm, Koh Thai Restaurant flaunts its artistic taste with dark wood flooring, exposed brickwork and deep orange hues that accentuate the beauty of the traditional Thai artwork and the modern murals covering the walls. Stylish in décor yet comfortable and relaxed in feel, Koh Thai makes for a fine casual dining alternative.

A buzzing kitchen brings to the table an inspiring range of Thai cooking in the tapas style that includes tofu and mushroom satay, mussels wrapped in bacon, and Thai grilled pork. Amongst dishes that go well with both noodles and steamed rice, Penang curry, rich peanut gravy with coriander and fine beans, infused with lemon grass and simmered in coconut milk, is a popular choice.

Amazing concoctions of premium ingredients, the freshest fruits and quality garnishes consequence into heavenly cocktails to enjoy.

Located in a quiet piece of a quiet county 'The Brace' satisfies the desires of those whose idea of a cosy pub with restaurant in deep English countryside, an old thatchedbuilding with log fires, oak beams and a minimum of formality. In fact it has it all, including an entry in the Michelin Guide.

Start with roast mushroom in vine leaves with a shaved fennel salad and grated goat's cheese, or spicy Portland crab cakes with sherry mayonnaise on a mixed leaf salad, followed by grilled spatchcock of poussin with a herb crust, served on an orange and watercress salad, or pan fried pheasant breasts with a caramelised orange and whisky sauce served with Dauphinoise potatoes.

Finish with one of their delicious homemade puddings. This is England how it used to be.

The Gaggle of Geese is a traditional village pub serving British food, sourced from its own farm and other local farms.  It is a popular meeting place for people from all walks of life.  There are five acres of grounds including an orchard, where sometimes you will find sheep grazing alongside chickens, goats and geese. During winter guests can relax on a sofa in front of the fire or play skittles while during summer they can unwind outside with a pint of local cider.

Start with roasted red pepper hummus with crudités and spinach and courgette soup with basil pesto. Move on to Pecker's pan fried pigeon breasts with crushed new potatoes, veg and red wine jus and beer battered haddock, triple cooked chips and mushy peas. To end your meal on a sweet note choose sherry trifle and scrumptious chocolate brownie with chocolate sauce and clotted cream.

A former townhouse, built in 1740 and now sympathetically converted into a comfortable hotel. Happily the extensive gardens have survived all the unpleasant things that can happen to gardens and on balmy summer evenings guests can wander at their will. Traditional English and Continental dishes flow with great skill from the stoves of Chef Justin White. There is an extensive and interesting wine list with house wine from £10.75.

Minimalist and contemporary, No 6 Restaurant is just a stone's throw away from the Corn Exchange and is situated in the heart of Dorchester. A lively ambiance and a relaxed al fresco seating makes it a preferred place to catch up with friends over coffee or meet a business associate over lunch.

A modern British menu with shades of French influences, intelligently designed by chef Christian Lohez is based on locally sourced quality ingredients. Amongst the curtain raisers Cornish sardines cooked in Portuguese style and homemade coarse pork paté served with gherkins and port jellies are two local favourites. Follow these with a marinated Dorset lamb or a chicken breast with chorizo. A variety of pastas, salads and roasted vegetables are available on request. Desserts take in classics such as crème brûlée, rich chocolate torte with double cream and raspberry cheese cake.

A globe trotting wine list accompanies.

For those looking for that somewhere a trifle different, The Beach Café at Lulworth Cove has much to commend it. First the location which is pretty breathtaking, secondly the atmosphere which could be described as 'waterside offbeat', and finally a menu that is remarkably good. The latter is less surprising when you learn that the Café is owned by the nearby Lulworth Cove Beach Hotel.

Daytime sees the Café offering a never-ending supply of snacks and sandwiches to those who come to admire the many facets of Lulworth Cove's natural beauty, but at weekends in the evenings the pace slows, the menu assumes a more sophisticated air and such delicacies as scallops wrapped in bacon with a delicate chilli sauce, or sea bream stuffed with feta and peppers emerge. The menu is brief, but to the point, with the catch of the day generally taking centre stage. There is no license, so BYO, or nip to the hotel where they are accustomed to dealing with such requests. A corkage charge of £2 is levied.

This is not somewhere to bring those who expect an attentive maitre d' and other similar accoutrements, but it is a place where, when the madding crowd has headed for home, you can have an enjoyable and atmospheric evening, either a deux or en masse.

Named after the legendary writer Oscar Wilde. Oscars is a relaxed yet formal dining restaurant. The service is very professional yet not intrusive, which is a refreshing change from some of London's finer eateries. The Edwardian décor carries on the spirit of the hotel and you can imagine Oscar Wilde ruminating over the tomes in this former library.