(146 Praed Street in London, United Kingdom)

Brasserie Restaurant in Hilton’s London Paddington Hotel is a prime site for cross-continental nosh ...just a few snappy strides from Paddington’s platforms via the footbridge. Add fifteen minutes and you’re at Heathrow. The sprawling dining room is decorated in modern style with wood flooring, white walls, rust-coloured banquettes and upholstery. The Brasserie Restaurant’s intriguing menu features dishes based in modern European cuisine suffused with the spices and ingredients of the Orient. Start your meal with fried clams with rice noodles and roasted chilli paste, then try baked sea bass with lemongrass mash and steamed green beans. For puds the menu reverts to nursery fare, thank heaven, like orange and ginger hot sponge pudding with syrup. Feeling traditional? Enjoy the carvery buffet instead. Oh, and keep the date: Wednesday night is curry night. Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 6:30am - 11pm Hotel originally designed by Thomas Cubitt, the man who brought you Belgravia. [moreless]

(Best Western Dean Court Hotel, Duncombe Place in York, United Kingdom)

The Court Bistro restaurant in York’s Dean Court Hotel, practically touching York Minster, is a fab ...new concept in dining. In this smart, modern bistro you can choose to sprawl and graze on squashy sofas and low tables, relax in stylish club chairs, or dine properly at table. The menu features both light bites and more substantial dishes overseen by head chef Andrew Bingham, with Sticky Fingers at the top of the charts, a platter of bbq-spiced spare ribs, chilli chicken winglets, lamb koftas, garlic bread and coleslaw. The Court Bistro’s special coeliac menu is an absolute hit, too. Drinks include more than twenty wines by the glass, local microbrews and international beers. Spiffy service, too. Opening hours: Mon: 9:30am - 6:30pmTues - Sat: 9:30am - 10pmSun: 10am - 10pm [moreless]