We alternate between good casual meals and fancy restaurants. The Indian fad now in England is for Balti, a Pakistani style in which you are served food in the cast-iron bowls in which it was cooked. Indian food in England is as good as in India, maybe better. When we do feel like a fancy meal we consult at least two guides and also seek the advice of people we trust. In Wales, for example, we ate at the famous Walnut Tree Inn near Abergavenny which is recommend in AA and was the favorite of Elizabeth David, the great English food writer.
Prices are higher than for similar quality in North America.
Likewise for accommodations. We look for small hotels or the nicer Bed and Breakfasts. The best meal of all on this trip was at Aubergine in London - French, expensive but very special food.