1. Pampa Grill
London
I like steak and am never disappointed here. The owner is always in the restaurant and is a real host: fun, caring and knowledgeable. The steaks are Argentinian - excellent, in other words. The starters are simple and tasty and the steak cuts are rump, sirloin, or fillet, plain or with two fried eggs. They do great steamed courgettes and broccoli and good chips. Inexpensive, with butcher's-block tables.
2. Kew Grill
Richmond, Surrey
The Kew Grill is an Antony Worrall Thompson restaurant and some may be prejudiced against it because of this, but don't be. Woz likes his meat, grows his own Gloucester and Tamworth pigs, and gets in great beef. The secret of the Kew Grill is its simplicity; they have the confidence not to be fussy with a quality steak, lamb chop, or piece of tender pork.
3. The Ship Inn
Wincle, Cheshire
Many a pub takes the time to search out great and good ingredients, while others rest on their laurels - but the hosts at the Ship Inn do not. A great pub, on a beautiful river walk, supplied with beef, lamb, rabbit, black pudding, chicken and pork by local farmers. The menu is ever-changing, and in summer you might get a lucky seat outside.
4. The Village Pub
Barnsley, Gloucestershire
Despite exposed beams and stone walls, this is not really a village pub, because the focus is on the food side of the business. But who cares, when they cook the best of British so well? It is honest, straightforward food, like the leek and potato soup. Some of it is more complicated, like, say, duck breast on Puy lentils with a 'forest-fruit jus'. Good honest beer, too, all served in an unpretentious environment.
5. Oloroso
Edinburgh
If you have never seen the Northern Lights, head to Edinburgh at the end of summer and sit on Oloroso's terrace. Let the sky entertain you while you tuck into beef cooked by Scottish Sikh Tony Singh. He also goes for in-season game, and serves lovely accompaniments like roast shallots, and Dauphinoise potatoes
Pampa Grill, 60 Battersea Rise, London SW11, 020 7924 4774
Kew Grill, 10b Kew Green, Richmond, Surrey, 020 8948 4433
The Ship Inn, Barlow Hill, Wincle, Cheshire, 01260 227217
The Village Pub, Barnsley, Cirencester, Glos, 01285 740421
Oloroso, 33 Castle St, Edinburgh, 0131 226 7614
