WITH the EU referendum looming this month, I went in search of some new food for thought with a European-themed restaurant tour of Westbourne.

Thanks to Westbourne Foodies, a Coastal BID funded marketing campaign, this thriving area of Bournemouth, now boasts some of the best places to eat and drink in Dorset.

To kick off the tour I started with Britain's national dish, and where better than Chez Fred - Dorset's award-winning fish and chip shop established in 1989 by Fred and his dad Peter.

The 75-seater restaurant, next door to the take-away, was jam packed on a Tuesday night. Service was friendly and efficient and everything is cooked to order. I chose a regular portion of line caught haddock (£8.50) which was succulent and fresh, encased in a light and crispy batter, served with an unlimited supply of freshly fried chips, mushy peas (£1.30) a warm bread roll and a bottle of house rosé (£11). Without doubt one of the best examples of a traditional British chippy you will find anywhere.

A week later we ventured across the Med, well Poole Road to be precise, to Baffi - a trendy pizzeria with exposed brick walls, an eclectic mix of wooden tables and chairs and an open kitchen at the back with a large wood fired pizza oven.

The menu is simple - you have a choice of small plates, salads and Neapolitan-style pizzas. I had a Spicy Pork and Fennel Meatballs Pizza (£9.50) on a thin, 12-inch crispy base. We rounded off the night by sharing a Nutella Pizza (£6) with vanilla mascarpone, hazelnuts and fresh strawberries. Decadent but delicious!

Next stop, the following Saturday lunchtime, was Spanish Taste. We managed to get one of the tables outside so we could watch the world go by.

Run by husband and wife team Alejandro and Beatriz who hail from Madrid (Alejandro is front of house and his wife is the cook), it feels as if you are visiting old friends and its very reasonably priced.

You can get four tapas and two glasses of wine or beer for £15. It's no frills, home-cooked, authentic Spanish food. We has a selection of tapas and a seafood paella before rounding off the meal with a slice of wonderful homemade almond cake.

Our fourth stop was Someretto, The Arcade's first restaurant, serving a range of Mediterranean food. We had the place to ourselves at first, but it filled up as the evening went on. The mood lighting and candlelit tables, instrumental background music helps to create a lovely, intimate atmosphere.

My husband's roast beef tenderloin (£19.95) covered the whole plate and my chef's grilled sea bass (£14.95) was served with a spinach and roasted walnut stuffing with lemon butter dressing which was a sublime combination.

Last but by no means least, we headed to Renoufs run by the charismatic Trevor Ayling who has a passion for fine wine and good cheeses and can talk with expertise about a certain vintage or charcuterie.

The atmosphere is cosy and friendly. We had the Ultimate Sharing Platter £29.95 (you have the choice of three different cheeses and meats) and included a delicious chicken and chorizo pate, houmous, beef, chorizo, stuffed peppers, blue cheese, Gouda, chutney, grapes, sun dried tomatoes, spinach leaves dressed with a balsamic glaze and a basket of bread (from Le Petit Prince next door) crackers and bread sticks.

To accompany our platter we had a flight of white wine (three 50ml glasses for £6.50) which is a wonderful way to try a new vintage.

So no matter what the outcome of the vote on June 23, one thing that can't be disputed is that the Brits have clearly embraced European cuisine if Westbourne's restaurant scene is anything to go by. Bon appetit!

PANEL PIECE

Foodie Heaven is funded by the Coastal Business Improvement District (BID) and delivered by Discover Westbourne.

There are some 50 venues where visitors can dine, snack or drink in Westbourne. During the month participating businesses will be enticing new and existing customers with their special menus, exclusive offer and events.

There will also ve a host of competitions with numerous opportunities for participants to win a whole range of food and drink related prizes.

One of the headline prizes will be fish and chips each week for two people for a year at the popular Chez Fred restaurant in Westbourne! Other prizes will include food vouchers, meals for 2 and much more.

Westbourne lovers are being urged to keep a close look out on the lively community facebook page www.facebook.com/discoverwestbourne and the web site www.discoverwestbourne.co.uk for details of special Foodie Heaven menus, offers, events and competitions.

A unique speed dating event, entitled ‘Date or Plate’ will be taking place at Plates & Co Restaurant which is situated in the former church on Poole Road. Singletons who are hungry for love are advised to keep a close eye out on the web site for further details.

Paul Clarke, Coastal BID Chairman and General Manager of the Bournemouth Hallmark West Cliff Hotel said: “Westbourne’s food and drink sector is continually developing and has a superb reputation as a relaxed evening destination which attracts a mix of visitors including both locals and tourists. There really is something for everyone here with our diverse selection of eateries where visitors can enjoy some excellent food.”

Kate Shaw of Discover Westbourne added: “We would urge people to come along and enjoy a few hours in Westbourne and find out just why we have the foodie heaven reputation that we do.”

For more information, visit discoverwestbourne.co.uk/foodieheaven.