(Ipswich Road, Yaxley in St Johns Wood, United Kingdom)

Half-way between Ipswich and Norwich, Yaxley’s Auberge Restaurant and Hotel is a Suffolk success sto...ry with two AA Rosettes to its name. Family run and owned, the restaurant serves up daily-changing dishes that makes first-rate use of the freshest local ingredients. The menu is small but perfectly-formed: try smoked haddock chowder to start, or the silky-smooth chicken liver parfait with onion jam. The Norfolk fillet of beef has a buttery tenderness, set off by farmer’s sautéed potatoes and a sauce of girolle mushrooms and Madeira; the roast salmon is stuffed with crab and brown shrimp and with 24 hours’ notice you can be tucking into the famous seafood platter. Dessert could be bread and butter pudding with apricot sauce or a velvety chocolate cappuccino mousse. The restaurant is warm and intimate, and bowls of large fresh lemons on each table are a nice touch. Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 12pm - 2pm & 7pm - 9:30pm [moreless]

(Assington, Sudbury in St Johns Wood, United Kingdom)

The Kappes family took over The Case in 1986 when it was just a quiet Suffolk country establishment.... Ten years on, they’ve completely refurbished this Sudbury gem and transformed into a lovely modern restaurant with rooms. The beamed dining room has a wonderfully airy feel to it, and the high-backed leather chairs are anything if not comfortable. The food’s European and made with top notch local produce. The daily specials and fresh homemade bread are well worth ordering. Good value fixed price Sunday lunch. The Case is a nice stop if you’re exploring Gainsborough Country and the Deben Vale. Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 12pm - 2pm & 6:30pm - 9pmSun: 12pm - 2pm [moreless]

(9 Cursitor Street in London, United Kingdom)

Fans of The Clerkenwell Dining Room will be pleased to learn that owners, Andrew Thompson and Zak Jo...nes, have opened a second restaurant to rave reviews. A small corner site on Curistor Street, EC4 is now home to The Chancery, a super-chic space divided into two adjoining dining rooms. The Chancery tell us they aim to become one of the city's fine dining restaurants. Having only twelve tables, The Chancery has fast become a great venue for small intimate dinners as well as a fabulous romantic venue. Before settling down to a delicious dinner, have a cocktail or 2 in the intimate bar lounge area. Executive chef and proprietor Andrew Thompson has returned back to head the kitchen at The Chancery providing an innovative menu which changes every couple of months. The Chancery also offers an excellent value Du Jour menu, running Monday through Friday in the evenings. Please be aware that last orders for food are at 10pm every day. Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 12pm - 2:30pm & 6pm - 10:30pm Lots of well known faces including Cherie Blair and various Legal Eagles eat here. [moreless]

(Montague Hotel, 15 Montague Street in London, United Kingdom)

Step into the Montague Hotel in Bloomsbury and you'll find yourself stepping back into the gracious ...and elegant Edwardian era, and The Chef's Table is a delightful expression of the best of both that era and this. The intimate dining room is made cosy and traditional by the mahogany panelling, figured paper, heavy drapes, and antique-style furniture. The menu, however, is pleasing in a modern Euro/British way. Choose starter of ravioli of squab with wild mushroom and madeira sauce, and main course of fillet of beef with mustard soft crust, wild mushroom and red wine ice cream, and one of the modern nursery puds. In salubrious weather, you'll want a table in the sunny conservatory, while in winter you'll be happy dining in the candlelit interior. Opening hours: Mon - Thurs 12.30pm - 12 midnight, Fri 12.30pm - 1am, Sat 6pm - 1am and Sun 6pm - 12 midnight [moreless]

(69 - 73 St John Street in London, United Kingdom)

The Clerkenwell is definitely one for the little black book while in the City. The menu is modern Eu...ropean with occasional touches of 'Michelin'- style, mixed with gutsy flavours and combinations, recently awarded two AA Rosettes. The two owners are keen to maintain informality and affordability. The relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere means The Clerkenwell is suitable for both business meetings and casual meals. Before settling down to a delicious dinner, have a cocktail or two in the intimate bar lounge area. It's open from 12pm everyday for lunch, and then opens again at 6pm every evening until late. This bar is open to diners and non-diners and offers a full cocktail list, beers, wines and champagne. Opening hours: Mon - Fr: 12pm - 2:30pm & 6pm - 11pmSat 7pm - 11pm Recently spotted – Angus Deyton, Gilberto Silver, Ashley Cole. [moreless]

(The Cricketers' Arms, Rickling Green , Essex in near Saffron Walden, United Kingdom)

Overlooking the famous old cricket pitch at Rickling Green, one of Essex’s most attractive villages,... the 18th century Cricketer’s Arms ticks all the boxes of a country gastropub. Its two modern meets rustic dining rooms have lost little of the original charm. And the grub’s great. Light lunch dishes such as Italian stew and stirry egg noodles mostly double up as starters or mains. Dinner offers breast of duck served with bubble and squeak and a honey and orange jus, beef Wellington, and even grilled ostrich fillet. A suggested wine is listed with each dish; one of many nice touches. Credit Card details are required for bookings over 10 people. Cancellations within 24hrs of the booking will incur a £10 charge Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 12pm - 11pm The Japanese-style terraced garden opens in warmer months. [moreless]

(The Grand Hotel, Sea Front in Torquay, United Kingdom)

The spectacular Torquay sea front is the setting for your meal at Gainsborough Restaurant. Part of ...the imposing Victorian inspired Grand Hotel the restaurant is a large, bustling space whilst still retaining a relaxed holiday feel thanks to excellent service and, of course, those all important sea views. Bright, airy and comfortable this is certainly somewhere to relax and enjoy high quality food after a hard day on the English Riviera. The Gainsborough’s dining room features a daily changing menu overflowing with beautiful locally sourced ingredients with, of course, an excellent line in fresh fish. There is a 3% sur charge when paying with AMEX. Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 7pm - 10pm [moreless]

(Treen, Near Zennor, St Ives in St Johns Wood, United Kingdom)

The Gurnard’s Head is a fabulous old inn looking out to the Atlantic, round the corner from the farm...ing hamlet of Treen. Just 500 yards from the dramatic coastline, isolated, but within 15 minutes of Penzance and St Ives, this handsome hideout ticks every conceivable box. The sunshine is brought inside in the brightly decorated, comfortable dining room serving fresh, unbeatably good food from a menu that changes according to the catch of the day. Though the emphasis is on ease and honest enjoyment, there’s nothing relaxed about the quality and attention to detail given to the food, drink and service. Lunch is chosen from a chalk board, while the evening introduces the la carte which usually features local steak and hazelnut-crusted Megrim Sole. The best seats are the window ones overlooking the fields and ocean beyond. The bar is open: Mon - Sun: 11am - 11pm Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 12:30pm - 2:30pm & 6:30pm - 9:30pm The Gurnard's Head is the Good Pub Guide County Dining Pub of the Year. [moreless]

(91 Broughton Street in Edinburgh, United Kingdom)

Set on a busy corner where New Town meets boho Broughton, The Olive Branch Bistro is painted olive g...reen, just so you won't miss it. The ambience here is one that people truly enjoy, informal, relaxed, but also friendly and romantic. With exposed-brick walls, smart modern bistro seating and huge windows through which you can watch the world go by, The Olive Branch Bistro is a favourite not only for lunch and dinner, but also weekend brunch. The Mediterranean menu includes starter of charred smoked salmon with parmesan, rocket and balsamic vinegar, main course of Crombies sausages with sweet potato mash and red pepper sauce, although you can also opt for a great burger, and dessert of killer banoffee crepes. Very reasonable wines. Please note - on Saturday and Sunday lunchtimes this restaurant does not take bookings from toptable. Opening hours: Mon - Sat 10am - 11pmSun 10:30am - 10pm [moreless]

(72 Walton Road , Wavendon in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom)

The Plough restaurant in Wavendon, Milton Keynes, has a fast-growing reputation in the field of fine... dining. The 500-year-old building, once the Hogsty Inn and the village’s bakehouse, is a subtly glamourous space with cream walls and upholstery, elegant wooden floors and a few paintings dotted around the minimalist dining room. It’s an intimate, romantic spot for serious gastronomy. Award-winning chef Grant Hawthorne uses local produce to create the seasonally-changing menu in dishes like marinated yellowfin tuna with samphire, asparagus, picked ginger, soy sauce and plum wine. The Plough’s pre-theatre menu is a treat, and a seven-course testing menu and afternoon tea are on the way. Opening hours: Mon - Sat 12pm - 2:30pm & 5:30pm - 10:30pmSun 12:30pm - 4pm & 7pm - 9:30pm [moreless]