(Church Street in Charlbury, United Kingdom)

The Bell Hotel at Charlbury is a lovely 16th century inn of Cotswold stone. In the restaurant, chef ...Pete Southey commands 2 AA rosettes and the hotel has a 3 Diamond accreditation from the English Tourist Board. Enjoy a pint of real ale by the log fire in the cosy stone-flagged bar before moving to the restaurant with its soft candlelight flickering on exposed beams and Cotswold walls. In the mood to share? Start with the boxed of baked camembert for two, fragrant with garlic, rosemary and thyme and served with crusty bread for dipping. Or try the highly original duck and chestnut ravioli on a bed of spinach with jerusalem artichoke –a complex, evocative mix that really works. Follow with loin of Cornbury venison with red wine, black pepper and thyme on braised red cabbage, but save room for the outrageously good chocolate and marshmallow tiffin. Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 12pm - 2:30pm & 6pm - 9:30pm [moreless]

(Preston Bagot, Claverdon in Solihull, United Kingdom)

The charming three hundred year old Tudor exterior of The Crabmill is inviting, if slightly mislead...ing, exterior for a buzzy, modern Italian restaurant. Inside, the restaurant has a Tuscan feel, and friendly atmosphere, provided by the mixed crowd of trendy locals and not so young proffesionals, warms the interior on even the dullest days. When the weather is kind, visit the garden and deck and the summer room with a bar. Clearly, this is a popular spot. What's cooking? Inventive starters include pizzette of smoked salmon with oven dried tomato and rosemary, or beef carpaccio with citrus crust, taboulleh and chickpea salad. Among the eclectic Italian mains, try rump of pork with fennel and chilli crust and arrabbiata sauce, or the whole sea bass en papillotte with lemon thyme, noilly prat and porcini risotto. Opening hours: Mon - Sat 12pm - 2pm & 6.30pm - 9.30pmClosed Sun [moreless]

(44 Frith Street in London, United Kingdom)

The heart of Soho tastes of curry. And masala. And coriander, yoghurt, and lots of secret spices. ... The Delhi Brasserie lies right off Soho Square and has been attracting a loyal clientele for absolute yonks. The décor is traditional and elegant with warm colours, comfy chairs and white table linens. The menu includes dishes like a starter of chicken kebab, many tandooris, lamb jhal frezi, madras or vindaloo, biryanis, and on and on. Superbly placed for pre- and post-theatre dinners, as it’s open seven days until midnight. Opening hours: Mon - Sun 12pm - Midnight, 365 days a year. [moreless]

(89 - 91 Chapel Market. in London, United Kingdom)

Good name, brilliant idea. Now a small national chain, The Elbow Room is an award-winning hybrid of ...bar, club and American-style pool hall and the kind of place that makes broadsheet journalists write things like: " I must have died and gone to heaven." Impressed? You will be. Big baize oblongs stretch into the dimly-lit distance; funky DJ-led music plays loudly; and an animated, unpretentious crowd create an unique, laidback ambience. Very cool and very cosy. With 11 tables, five screens, a VIP room and a lots of leather booths, Islington's Elbow Room is a mighty fine tribute to modern loafing. And a fantastic place to hold a pool party. Tables can be booked by the hour. Opening hours: Mon - Thurs 12pm - 2am, fri - Sat 12pm - 3am, Su 12pm - 12am [moreless]

(678 - 680 Fulham Road in London, United Kingdom)

The Fest restaurant and bar in Fulham brings a year-round Oktoberfest to London, with everything fro...m beer to bratwurst imported direct from the famous German beer festivals suppliers. Work up a thirst with the small but spicy snack salami, then tuck into the hearty pork knuckle: 900g of succulent pork on the bone, roasted till crisp and served with chips, sauerkraut and gravy. Meat-centric though it is, Fest takes care of vegetarians with a delicious wild mushroom and rice strudel filled with brandy sauce, also served with chips and gravy. But save room for the authentic apple strudel – it’s sehr gut! Please allow 24 hours for any cancellation. Opening hours: [moreless]

(The Galleon Hotel & Leisure Club, Wilmslow Road in Didsbury, United Kingdom)

Set on the banks of the River Mersey in Didsbury, just a few miles outside Manchester, the modern, o...pen-plan Waterside Hotel is home to the Galleon Café where all sizes of appetites are catered for. If you’re just after a snack, there are tasty wraps and rolls (chargrilled steak and caramelised onion ciabatta, chicken Caesar wrap) and small plates like satay chicken, Greek salad or nachos with cheese and Jalapenos. Hungrier guests can have a sturdy 8oz burger with fat chips or wild mushroom and leek fusilli. This is a good place for families, with some great “real food” for kids, from grilled breast of chicken with mash and peas to sliced seasonal melon with winter berries. There’s also a generously-portioned traditional Sunday lunch and unless you’re a member of the on-site Galleon Leisure Club, you needn’t feel under pressure to burn off the calories afterwards. Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 12pm - 2:30pm & 6:30pm - 9:30pmSun: 6:30pm - 9:30pm [moreless]

(41 Fore Street, Topsham in Exeter, United Kingdom)

Shiver me timbers! The harbour town of Topsham, just outside Exeter might be more likely to face an... assault of eager tourists than civil war naval assaults these days but Chef and Alternative Therapist Paul Da-Costa Greaves’ The Galley restaurant is keeping the nautical theme alive. With views across the harbour and an interior to make the hardiest of seadogs jealous – wicker seating, exposed brick, even sea themed murals on walls – the look is quirky and eclectic. Fresh fish from Exmouth or Brixham and traceable ingredients are prepared and cooked to order in a kitchen run under Zen principles. The inventive menu includes not only moreish fish dishes but a seductive dessert menu to excite your senses. Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 12pm - 1:30pm & 7pm - 9pm [moreless]

(St Margarets Lodge Hotel, Forest Road in Guernsey, United Kingdom)

The Garden is the restaurant of St Margaret’s Lodge, one of Guernsey’s longest-established hotels ju...st 3 miles from St Peter Port. The emphasis is on local fish and seafood, served simply so the freshness shines through. Start with fresh hand-picked crab with avocado or mussels with garlic and onion cream. Mains might be local lobster served hot or cold, fresh seabass on basil mash, or you could go all and have the stunning seafood platter groaning with scallops, king prawns and langoustines. If fish isn’t your thing there are plenty of other options, from glazed goat’s cheese salad with crispy bacon to mushroom stroganoff or strip loin of pork in peppered Calvados sauce. Look out for the “tennerfest” menu, with four choices of starter, mains and pudding for £10 – it’s fantastic value. Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 12pm - 2pm & 6pm - 9pm [moreless]

(Queens Road in Manchester, United Kingdom)

Feeling horrible? The Hellfire Club restaurant and bar in Manchester is the UK’s only horror-themed... restaurant, a magnet for Goths, gorefest flick-lovers, and paranormal groupies. And it’s also a fine restaurant with award-winning cuisine. Go figure. Set in a 19th century haunted building, The Hellfire Club has it all: creepy, dungeon-like décor, skeletons, goblets for your (blood) red wine, caskets, and scarlet lights. The menu, if that’s not too weird a transition, features seriously good steaks even if they do name them Kiss of the Vampire and Cannibal Holocaust. The Hellfire Club has a ridiculously fun ambience. Strap on your basque, unbuckle your scythe and enjoy! Please be aware that absolutely no children will be admitted after 8pm. Opening hours: Mon: ClosedTues - Thurs: 5pm - 11pmFri: 7pm - 12pm Sat: 5pm - 12pmSun: 1pm - 10pm [moreless]

(Ayr Road, Newton Mearns in Glasgow, United Kingdom)

Modern meets quaint at the New Malletsheugh Inn in the rather lovely countryside of Ayr Road in Newt...on Mearns. A regular stop among those who travel the A77/M77 corridor, the 19th century inn has been thoroughly modernized into a contemporary, family-friendly bar with glossy wood flooring and furniture, bright white walls, and countryside views on three sides. Malletsheugh Inn’s is not a shy menu, with 11 starters and many more mains, from salads, baked potatoes, pasta and pizza to more formal dishes such as braised lamb shank with rosemary and roasting juices, and breast of duck with black pudding mash and a red wine jus. A lounge/lunch menu is served until 5pm, and an a la carte until 9pm. Lovely, warm staff. A £20 Cancellation fee applies to all tables. Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 12pm - 9pm Carvery menu on Sundays only, 12.30 - 9pm. [moreless]