PizzaExpress is an international restaurant chain based in the United Kingdom that is owned by a consortium of bondholders. It operates approximately 470 restaurants in the United Kingdom, as well as 100 across Europe, Hong Kong, China, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia. Peter Boizot created it in 1965. In 2015, PizzaExpress celebrated its 50th anniversary. The company was taken over by its bondholders in July 2020 as part of a debt-for-equity swap with former owner Hony Capital. Hony Capital exited the firm in November 2020, and the group reorganization was completed, reducing the casual dining chain's debt by more than £400 million.

Russell Norman has sampled the greatest Neapolitan sourdough pizza and the most sought-after Roman al taglio slice, but he readily confesses that 'there are moments when I have a bit of a yearning for Pizza Express pizza.' He is perplexed by foodies who dismiss chain restaurants out of hand: 'They have a black and white, "chains evil, independents excellent" mentality, yet there is a place for chains that give consistent excellence.

Price: Starters from £3.75, mains from £8.45

Website: https://www.pizzaexpress.com

Kavi Thakrar is one of the founders of Dishoom, a London-based chain of three informal all-day Indian restaurants. The most recent of these homages to Bombay's Irani cafés may be seen at King's Cross.

After five years of being spoilt with fantastic burgers, Kavi Thakrar had just returned to London in 2008, and Byron was a godsend: 'I enjoy the basic menu, the quality sourcing, and the attention paid to the meat: it's not overdone, it feels fresh and juicy.' There aren't hundreds of toppings on the burger - the burger is the star, after all – and the bread isn't too sweet, not too sour, and just the right size. It's all about the meat-to-bun ratio.' For Kavi, Byron has also been quite excellent at building restaurants that seem unique - he uses the Hoxton Square location near his workplace and also Westfield with his family. ‘ They're quite good at it.

Customers love the approach to service, too. It’s laidback. You don’t feel rushed. But at the same time you feel very looked after.’ In terms of the menu, Kavi loves the classic cheeseburger, the chilli queen with chipotle mayonnaise, and the courgette fries.

Price: Burger meals from £9.70

Website: https://www.byron.co.uk

Joycelyn Neve runs the Seafood Pub Company, a small group of upmarket, individual dining pubs in Lancashire. Its newest site is Aughton’s Town Green Brasserie. Joycelyn Neve has been a semi-regular at Wagamama since she was in her late teens, when she and her friends would go to the Printworks location in Manchester. It remains the best, fast, urban refueling alternative for her. 'You wouldn't go for a romantic lunch or a particular event, but I adore Japanese and pan-Asian food, and the quality is constant and the price is reasonable.' You'll be comfortable as a solitary diner or with a group of pals in there; the ambiance is constantly lively and it's quite user-friendly. For example, if there is a line, they can tell you how long it will be as soon as you walk through the door.'

Unlike many chains, Joycelyn observes, Wagamama's menu is diverse and changed on a regular basis. It's not like we're reinventing the wheel, but there is always an option. 'Use Wagamama for what it's intended for, and there's nothing to hate,' Joycelyn adds, 'unless you've got a particularly noisy eater sitting next to you, but you can't really prevent that!'

Price: Sides/starters from £3.50, mains from £7.75
Website: https://www.wagamama.com

Carluccio's was founded in 1991 by Antonio and Priscilla, who wanted to offer the best quality regional Italian food to London. They meticulously hand-wrote each label and traveled the length and width of Italy in search of the greatest ingredients. They launched the first Carluccio's Caffè in Market Place in 1999, a genuine Italian restaurant in the best meaning of the word and a continuation of their popular food business.

Their goal was to give top quality, genuine Italian food at reasonable costs, as well as to provide our guests with informal yet exceptional service. That goal is still the same now. They cook according to Antonio's mantra, MOF MOF. The utmost in flavor with the least amount of bother. They have 30 locations in the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as a franchise company in the Middle East.

Price: starters from £4.95, mains from £8.25

Website: https://www.carluccios.com

Simon Kim, a Korean-American restaurateur, owns and operates COTE Korean Steakhouse. The original restaurant, in New York City's Flatiron District, debuted in 2017 and has since received one Michelin star as well as multiple distinctions from the James Beard Foundation. COTE is the world's only Michelin-starred Korean BBQ restaurant. COTE's second facility, in the Miami Design District, will open in February 2021.

COTE New York received its first Michelin star within a year of its establishment. The Michelin Guide praised the restaurant's "very fascinating wine list." COTE has garnered multiple James Beard Foundation awards, including Best New Restaurant in 2018, Outstanding Wine Program in 2019, and Outstanding Wine Program in 2020. COTE Korean Restaurant is the first Korean steakhouse in New York with a dry aging chamber, and it dry ages steaks in-house.

Under the helm of executive chef David Shim, COTE’s signature menu items include 45-day, USDA prime dry-aged beef; nutrient and probiotic-rich side dishes; a Butcher’s Feast® featuring chef’s favorite four selected cuts of meat served with an assortment of Korean accompaniments; and an elevated Steak Omakase™ experience.

Price: Starters from £4.95, mains from £11.95

Website: https://www.cote.co.uk