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hand picked restaurants

The Romans beat Combe Grove Manor to the site on the side of the delightfully named Brassknocker Hill, which only goes to prove the desire for a view, probably for different reasons, has been passed down the centuries.

Twelve miles away the Westbury White Horse is clearly visible, with the Limpley Stoke valley in between. The Romans would certainly have approved of the attention paid to the wellbeing of the human frame, high on the agenda of the Manor, with Jacuzzi baths, hydrospa beds and steam, and other little diversions to iron out the aches and creases.

Nor is the dining neglected. The dining room is a place of uninhibited luxury, starting perhaps with Cornish crab and ginger samosa with chilli lime jam. A whole roast baby seabass, with new season garlic and wild mushrooms makes for a blend of flavours, particularly as the garlic is treated with reserve.

The poached figs in ginger wine are an interesting completion to the meal, though this is when the pampering really starts as you move to the Grand Drawing Room for the supporting cast of cigars, vintage ports, fine brandies and some good malts.

Less formal arrangements can also be enjoyed in Eden where an essentially brasserie menu maintains the same standards. An elegant wine list keeps pace with everything else, house wine at £12.95.

The Richmond Arms is still very much a pub, and John and Marney Cunningham are determined to keep it that way, although minimalist décor and wooden floors do not immediately support this image. About a mile from the centre with a pretty south facing garden, the delicately spiced, well-presented food, produced by the kitchen presided over by Marney, represents probably the best value for money in relation to quality that you could find in the Bath area. There are slight downsides, as the bar can get a bit of the smoky side, and they do not take credit cards or admit children under fourteen. But with food that good - it is included in the main section of the 2003 Good Food Guide - at prices so sensible, make you quickly forget that. It can be accompanied with one of over 20 wines or 3 well kept real ales.

Tarr Farm is situated just above one of Britain's finest clapper bridges, 'Tarr Steps', since Elizabethan times and provides a tranquil setting, nestling in the middle of the Exmoor National Park, with beautiful landscapes and delightful walks. The Inn has a 5 star AA accommodation rating and a one Rosette restaurant with period features where you dine in a relaxed atmosphere.

From the faithfully modern British menu arrive starters of fillet of beef carpaccio, locally smoked salmon, pan-fried scallops with celeriac and truffle puree, and gruyere and leek tart. Hearty main course dishes include Red Ruby Devon rib eye, stuffed saddle of West Country lamb, and loin of outdoor reared pork. Banana and toffee soufflé, chocolate marquise and trio of rhubarb make for some enticing desserts.

For the adventurous, the options outside Tarr Farm are endless - shooting, mountain biking, and rock-climbing amongst others.

Things seem to move fast at Wagamama - the Asian inspired, noodle restaurant chain that was started in 1992. As soon as you decide what you want to eat, your order is taken via a PDA, and wirelessly networked to the kitchen, so it can be made fresh and served right after. The restaurant chain does not believe in taking reservations, and all customers are seated on a first come, first serve basis. In fact, be aware that most of the tables are long ones and you will often be asked to share them.

The restaurants are modelled on traditional Japanese ramen bars that have been popular for hundreds of years - ramen are Japanese style noodles, served in a meat-based broth, topped with pork, dried seaweed or even corn. Chilli beef ramen, made of noodles in a spicy pork and chicken soup topped with a marinated and grilled sirloin steak and fresh vegetables, is hearty and satisfying.

Apart from ramen, you could opt for the coconut soup based kare noodles or teppan, cooked on a hot, flat griddle. They also offer many rice dishes like katsu curry, chicken fillet deep-fried in panko breadcrumbs, served with a lightly spiced curry sauce and sticky white rice. Vegetarians are definitely not ignored, as they can opt for saien soba, made using whole-wheat noodles in a soup topped with stir-fried vegetables, seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil and garnished with sliced spring onion.

Meat and vegetable dumplings, skewered chicken, deep-fried prawns and raw salads double as both sides and starters. Steamed green soya-beans, called edamame, go well with drinks - hold them up to your mouth and squeeze the succulent beans from the pod. If you've noticed, Wagamama is more about eating healthy food fast and less about the order. Don't be surprised if you're served the main course before the side dish - order isn't important, the aim is, don't wait - just tuck in and share.

Wash down your meal with sake, plum wine or even a Japanese beer. Wind up your meal with coconut reika - three scoops of dairy coconut ice cream topped with a fresh, tangy mango sauce and toasted coconut flakes or the tamarind and chilli Pavlova, with a crunchy meringue base served with a raspberry and tamarind sauce.

At Wagamama, you can also shop for cookbooks, sauces, ramen bowls and t-shirts. The restaurant is all about enjoying genuine, reasonably priced, Pan-Asian cuisine in a sleek but informal setting.