Pulling together fresh, simple, quality ingredients to create a menu that is unpretentious and accessible, Lussmanns restaurants take an imaginative direction, achieving a unique balance in contemporary dining. Combining the convenience and consistency of a restaurant brand without compromising on creativity, Andrei Lussmann and his dedicated team present plenty of style with the content to match.

The key to the success of the restaurants in Hertford and St Albans – a story set to continue with the opening of a further venue in Bishop’s Stortford – is serving food in an informal and informative way, while sourcing produce ethically, regionally and organically where possible as a matter of course. Expect sustainable fish like pollock, regional producers such as Luscombe and Chegworth, locally-reared meats from independent farmers and only the finest English free-range chicken.

The Hertford restaurant is located just a short walk from the castle and all of its attractions. The atmospherically-lit interior suggests dining with a buzz – although with 75 covers, there is every excuse to hold your celebration here. All three restaurants share the same fantastic menu, which changes on a regular basis and is complemented by a list of ever-developing specials. Starters range from the Western Isles grilled squid with fresh chilli and rocket, to the Lussmanns platter for two, which tempts with a cacophony of Mediterranean antipasti. If opting for the monthly specials menu, you can expect delights like Bedfordshire lamb steak served with Greek salad, and taste the freshness in every mouthful. To accompany your food, sip on the wares of England’s oldest independent wine merchant, slurp a glass of organic English fruit juice or savour a cup of Fairtrade tea or coffee. The St Albans Lussmanns, set over three floors of contemporary chic and with the added touch of an alfresco dining space, smacks of the continent and delivers a menu to match. The set menu for larger parties offers two courses for £16 or three for £20, serving up the likes of forest mushroom and goat’s cheese bruschetta followed by classic burger and frites, and allows you to make the most of the Minghellas luxury ice creams – they contain no artificial anything, and the taste is sheer luxury on a spoon. The team at the soon-to-be-opened Bishop’s Stortford Lussmanns are waiting in the wings to bring the folk of this market town more fantastic, ethically-produced food at value-for-money prices. Keep an eye on the website for the opening date and prioritise booking yourself a table.

The culmination of owners Andrei Lussmann and Tim Hope’s 30 years of experience is delivered in these three fantastic, value-driven restaurants. Accessible to all, the informality is refreshing, pulling back a huge band of regulars time and time again. The food is simple, devoid of anything artificial, and full of only the best ingredients. The dining experience as a whole? Deliciously uncomplicated.