(Porca Quay in Aberdeen, United Kingdom)

Named after a local term for herring, Silver Darling makes the most of a superb spot at the entrance... of Aberdeen harbour. Built on the flat roof of the old customs house, the conservatory style restaurant commands panoramic views of the Dee estuary one side, and the length of the beach and headland the other (summer sunsets are priceless). A classic French menu is a triumph of superbly presented dishes, singing with flavour. Three courses at dinner could start with oysters marinated with lime and Granny Smiths, followed by pan-fried Atlantic sea bream in red wine, and the dessert du jour. Closed Dec 23rd - 8th Jan Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 12pm - 2:30pm & 6:30pm - 9pmSat: 6.30pm - 9pmSun: Closed [moreless]

(100 Strand, Charing Cross in London, United Kingdom)

Simpson’s is a stalwart English restaurant in the Strand that never fails to deliver. Eating in thei...r Grand Divan dining room is an experience to be savoured. Wood panelling and exquisite paintings are the order of the day.Choose a classic roast carved at your table or try the Knight’s cocktail bar for a cocktail, salad or burger.Please note the dress code is smart - no jeans, trainers or t-shirts. Please note the dress code is smart casual - no jeans, trainers or t-shirts Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 7:15am – 10:30am, 12:15pm – 2:30pm & 5:45pm – 10:45pm Sat: 12:15pm – 2:30pm & 5:45pm – 10:45pm Sun: 12:15pm – 3pm & 6pm – 9pm Mel Brooks, Richard and Judy, Earl Spencer have all visited recently. [moreless]

(25 Rue de la Régence in Brussels, Belgium)

Sister Act restaurant in the Sablon quarter of Brussels, neatly set between the Palais de Justice an...d the Place Royale, is the creation of some passionate amateurs who wanted to make a contemporary restaurant to their own taste and esthetic vision. It worked. Beautifully retrofitted into a 19th century building, Sister Act covers two spacious and comfortable stories, flooded with light and urban ambience in the day and full of cosy lounge ambience at night. The smart décor is themed in tones of paprika. Downstairs, an open fireplace beckons while upstairs the beckoning is the work of club armchairs – the two are linked by a stunning staircase. The cuisine is epicurian, seasonal and cosmopolitan. Menus divide into classics, seasonal, and changing menus. Dishes include starter of red tuna tartare, main of American minute steak with frites, and dessert of crème brûlée. The passionate amateur success also applies to the big international wine list. On arrival, please inform the restaurant that your booking was made via toptable. Opening hours: Mon - Sat 12pm - 2:30pm & 7:30pm - 11pm Sun: closed all day [moreless]

(146 Praed Street in London, United Kingdom)

Paddington’s Hilton Hotel, home to the Steam Bar, couldn’t be more in the centre of happening London... if it tried. Just moments from Paddington Station and a hop, skip and jump from the West End this smart hotel provides a welcome respite from all that’s going on around you. The light and airy Steam Bar has a real buzz thanks to fashionable clientele and a thoroughly contemporary, relaxed interior. Grab a stylish and thirst quenching cocktail from the never ending bar before sinking in to a cushy seat and looking over a menu of light bites to see you through to dinner. The cute Japanese Bento Boxes are a real favourite while finger foods and all day breakfasts are also on offer. Opening hours: Mon - Thurs: 12pm - 12amFri & Sat: 12pm - 3amSun & Bank Holdays: Closed [moreless]

(21 Jonge Roelensteeg in Amsterdam, Netherlands)

What? You haven’t heard of Supperclub? Well, now you have and welcome. Amsterdam’s Supperclub res...taurant, club, art venue is the founding venue of a slowing expanding family of Supperclubs in other hip locations. The vibe is provocative, sexy, even borderline surreal. Enter the minimal, entirely white dining room. Take off your shoes and recline on a bed to drink, eat and enjoy the show, which could be fashion, fire-eating, nude poetry reading, experimental video, live sculpture. Nothing is out of bounds here. A masseuse circulates among the diners. Or enjoy the entirely black Chambre Obscure, or the fabulous Bar Rouge. All are unparalleled for people-watching – the clientele is hip and gorgeous and sometimes includes a Jagger or similar. A superchilled, arty atmosphere is everywhere. You can’t retreat to familiarity in the menu department, either. Order the surprise five-course menu – dishes might include mustard soup with eel, black pepper and crème fraiche, roasted guinea fowl with mousseline of cauliflower, green asparagus and candied potato, parfait of amaretto with white chocolate mousse and orange dressing. Toilets are divided into hetero and homo and they feature art installations, too. PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS ONLY 1 SITTING AT SUPPERCLUB, and a unique 5 course meal is served for 80 Euros per person + supperclub's CD nr 1. Guests are expected to arrive at around 7:30, and dinner will be served at 8:00.On Fridays and Saturdays this restaurant does not accept bookings of 6 or more people. On arrival, please inform the restaurant that your booking was made via toptable. A credit card is required for bookings of 6 people or more, absolutely no money will be charged to your card, except in the case of late cancellations. A fee of 20€ per person will be charged for a cancellation within 24 hrs or for a no show The unique supperclub experience as you know it has recently been launched on the water! Supperclub cruise is a sailing reflection of the club in the city, and a wonderful venue for a memorable party! Opening hours: Sun - Thu 7pm - 1am Fri - Sat 7pm – 4amSitting time is 7:30pm [moreless]

(10 Avenida Litoral in Barcelona, Spain)

Restaurant Syrah in Barcelona next to the thriving Olympic Port is found in the outstandingly modern..., five star Hotel AB Skipper. One of several eateries in the hotel’s exciting glass interior, Restaurant Syrah is surprisingly cosy, with the highest quality contemporary décor. Chef Xavier Gruber uses every technique to create a cuisine that both honours the great traditions of Catalan cooking and expresses the daring creativity of the chef himself. Rice cap i pota (head and foot) with Norwegian lobster is a star among the starters. The seasonal menu features main course of suckling pig with cream and peaches and dessert of coconut soup with sizzling candy, strawberries and mint. This is an intimate space seating just 30 with superb service, excellent for business or romance. As is right for a restaurant named for one of the great grape varieties, more than 250 wines stud the wine list with old favourites and bold newcomers. If you’d like to entertain on a grander scale, private rooms at the hotel accommodate from 25 to 400 easily and the planning and service are spot on. Upon arrival, please inform the restaurant that your booking was made via toptable. Opening hours: Tue - Sat 1:30pm - 3:30pm & 8:30pm - 11pm Sun - Mon: closed all day [moreless]

(41 Rue Boissy d'Anglas in Paris, France)

In the heart of the magnificent boulevard district of Paris, rubbing shoulders with the grand Place ...de la Concorde and Galeries Lafayettes, Tante Louise has successfully nurtured the tradition of bourgeois cuisine. The dining room is vintage 1930's decor. There's a low-ceilinged mezzanine level from which you can observe the well-dressed clientele below. The hearty Burgundian menu is under the very able direction of Stephane Schermully, and dishes may include starter of foie gras de canard pan-fried with grapes, main course of signature fillet of sole on finely-chopped mushrooms, and pudding of tarte tatin of figs with balsamic vinegar sauce. Fine burgundies and professional service. Upon arrival, please inform the restaurant that your booking was made via toptable. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 12pm - 2:30pm & 7pm - 10:30pm Sat - Sun: closed all day [moreless]

(Quinta shopping, Loja 105, Quinta do Lago - 1st floor in Almancil, Portugal)

Located on the first floor of the chic Quinta shopping centre within the Quinta do Lago resort, Tara...ntinos is a chichi eatery serving up delicious food in ornate surrounds. Diners can choose from Tarantinos' Light or Big Bites menu as well as a selection of salads, pastas and grills, or just stop by for a tropical cocktail or three. The dining room is decorated with plush red seats, citrus coloured canvases and fresh flowers, and the menu is an eclectic mix of Mediterranean classics, Asian dishes and old British favourites, and we love the spaghetti al mare with prawns, black olives, tomatoes and fresh scallops; the duck spring rolls with a papaya and mango salad; and the traditional marmalade bread and butter pudding. Upon arrival, please inform the restaurant that your booking was made via toptable. Opening hours: Mon - Sun 7pm - 10pm [moreless]

(Main Street in Etwall, United Kingdom)

Set in the peaceful village of Etwall in Derbyshire, Blenheim House used to be a farmhouse before it...s transformation into a rather splendid small hotel, restaurant and pub. After a drink at the bar and a look at the critically-acclaimed menu, you’re shown to one of four intimate, comfortable dining rooms. This is where the enjoyment really begins because the Modern British food here is excellent. And there’s always something new wonderful to try. The prix fixe menu (£12.95 for two courses, £14.95 for three) changes weekly, and the a la carte once a month. A couple of classic comfort food dishes tend to always be on the menu due to popular demand - favourites being fillet of local beef with rosti potatoes, and the house pie, the prime ingredients of which change with the menu. Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 12pm - 2:30pm & 6pm - 9:30pmSun: 12pm - 3pm [moreless]

(Shottle Hall County House Hotel, White Lane in Shottle , United Kingdom)

Shottle Hall County House is a fabulous country house hotel in the grounds of the Peak District’s Ch...atsworth Estate. It solid oak furnishings, quarry tiles and seriously impressive paintings make a traditionally English backdrop to some great Modern European cooking. Start with a classic shrimp and tiger prawn cocktail, then move on to pan-roasted calves liver with champ potatoes and smoked local bacon, or a majestic grilled Dover sole with crayfish and cockle butter. A side dish of carrots, parsnip and swede is just like mother used to make, while creamed rice pudding with berry compote is (thankfully) rather better. Please note this venue only accepts bookings for 8 or more from toptable. Please give 24 hours notice of any cancellations. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 12pm - 2:30pm & 7pm - 10:30pmSat 7pm - 10.30pmClosed Sunday. [moreless]