restaurant openings

Tiffinbites, London

This is the fourth fast-food outlet to open in the capital serving Indian street food in tiffin boxes (traditional Indian lunch boxes). Buy your tiffin box from the chilled section and get it heated up by the staff in three minutes. Look out for the low-carb options.

Opened: 26 January 2004, Average spend: £4.50, Owners: Jamal Hirani and Jonathan Marks

Address: 22-23 Liverpool Street, London EC2M 7PD, Tel: 0800 505 3059

The Cricketers, Saffron Walden, Essex

The second opening from Spice Inns is situated in the quintessentially English village of Rickling Green. Set in an 18th-century building overlooking the local cricket pitch, it will combine a modern British bar and restaurant with 10 rooms. If the group's first opening, the Hillside in Hertford, is anything to go by, this is worth the trip.

Opening: 5 February, Average spend: £30 (including wine), Owners: Barry Hilton and Michael Meaney (formerly at Whitbread and Zuma)

Address: The Inn on the Green, Rickling Green, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 3YG, Tel: 01799 543210

Brodie's, London

London City wine bar company Brodie's has just opened its fifth venue, this time next to St Paul's with views over Paternoster Square and the cathedral.

Opened: 12 January, Average: £20 (with wine), Owner: Jeremy Brodie

Address: Christchurch Court, Rose Street, Paternoster Square, London EC4M 7DQ, Tel: 020 7600 5500

The Greyhound, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire

This new collaboration aims to bring fine dining to Beaconsfield with a little help from renowned international chef John Vanderboorn. With 15 years' experience, cooking as far afield as Cairo, Moscow and Mallorca, Vanderboorn promises a multicultural culinary experience in this sleepy Buckinghamshire town. His past customers include the Queen, as well as presidents and film star Eddie Murphy, which should keep the customers of this local pub satisfied.

Opened: 14 January, Average spend: £22,

Address: Windsor End, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire HP9 2JN, Tel: 01494 672 823

Ash, Inverness

From the ancient Sanskrit, the term ash translates as the need to live life to its fullest, without compromise; and this is the paradigm behind the newly opened concept restaurant in the Royal Highland hotel. It boasts a pan-European menu that aims to provide something for everyone among opulent surroundings.

Opened: 20 December, Chef: Steve Tebb, Average spend: £20-£24

Address: The Royal Highland hotel, Station Square, Academy Street, Inverness IV1 1LG, Tel: 01463 232403