‘Va Bene’…….roughly translated means, ‘ok’. Somehow this seems a rather inappropriate name for this Italian restaurant, as it’s more than ‘ok’. Va Bene in Brewer Street, Soho, typifies what people fundamentally love about Italian dining – charm, character and warm hospitality, with homemade pasta like your Mamma used to make…….

One of the best things about living in London is that there’s always something new to discover, and last week, behind the old Barkers building, we found Kensington Square, a little haven on tranquility, yet within sight of the ever-busy High Street. We were charmed at once.

There’s a parade of rickety cutesy and authentic Vietnamese restaurants clustered down the Shoreditch end of Kingsland Road in London’s Hackney. They’re cheap, run by Vietnamese people – many originally refugees – and functional. Shoreditch’s fashion pack use them to chow down before drinking or just as a reminder of their hols to far off lands. But round the corner, in the beautiful Grade II listed Shoreditch Town Hall, Monsieur M is mounting a challenge to them all.

Chilli Chutney has three branches; the mothership in Streatham, one next to the London Eye and another one in Croydon. They seem to me to be serious about what they are doing and keen to succeed. It’s not just my desire to see Streatham rise in the rankings, although a house price boom would be very handy, that makes me say that Chili Chutney is worth checking out if you’re looking for an above average local curry house to be your regular.

From minimalistic canteens, Wagamama and Busaba Eathai, to artisan bakery Princi and this chic teahouse, Alan Yau OBE has proved himself the archetypal, architect restaurateur. It’s tempting to call him the Asian ‘Conran’. But unlike Sir Terence, he’s an ace at collaborating revolutionary restaurant design with pristine plates; marrying a satisfying palette with a gratifying palate…

The Pear Tree pretty much epitomises the archetypal ‘local’. This early Victorian pub stands out, surrounded as it is by somewhat more modern flats and houses. It is true to say that it is a work in progress, with its continuing restorative work. The place is already a popular haunt for locals and I can see that developing, as well as the prospect of attracting those further afield.

Covent Garden isn’t all about jugglers and tourist traps you know, there are some pleasant surprises along the way if you wander for long enough.The Forge is not only a smart, grown up restaurant with chef Andrew Barber at the helm,but it also boasts one of London’s most impressive wine lists. So, go there thirsty, with plenty of time on your hands……..

Tucked away behind Oxford Circus, we brave the horrendous downpour of heavy rain on a grim Saturday afternoon to visit Pho, serving Vietnamese ‘street food’. The menu here is simple and a few of the really interesting sounding dishes are only available in the evening, which is a bit of a drag.

The Avenue is an impressive place, its long bar with comfortable seating opposite draws you in to the main restaurant area. Clever use of mirrored walls makes this already substantial and spacious restaurant look enormous. Our meal there was excellent and we would highly recommend it.

Opus is located in the heart of Birmingham city centre’s business district and the ambience is perhaps slightly more suited to corporate hospitality rather than intimate romantic liaisons. Nevertheless, the powerful combination of excellent food and fine wine should be enough to satisfy those who are dining as a twosome. The most important reason for choosing Opus is the quality of the food.