A la smart (From Free Press Series)

A la smart

A new food guide for Wales has confirmed what many people have thought for some time - you can't beat Monmouthshire and south Powys when it comes to the dining out experience.

A total of 18 restaurants and pubs in the region have starring roles in the 'Dining Out in Wales Guide', produced by True Taste Wales, the foodies' arm of the Welsh Development Agency.

It's the first ever accredited restaurant guide for Wales and it's no surprise that local establishments make up more than 10 per cent of the entire content.

In total, 150 dining venues are featured selected from more than 200 visited by a team of independent food experts.

There are 100 gold and silver entries and a further 50 bronze. At the top of the local pecking order (or should that be eating order?) are the Walnut Tree, Llandewi Skirrid, near Abergavenny and The Foxhunter at Nant-y-Derry which both claim gold awards, while 14 others claim Silver and two Bronze.

"Dining Out in Wales 2004" is available from local bookshops at £6.95, with tear-out readers' reports in back that can be mailed in to the WDA in Cardiff for us all to review for next year's edition. Now, that should be fun!

Gold

Walnut Tree, Llandewi Skirrid (01873 852797) Chef: Stefano Lodi-Rizzini

Foxhunter, Nant-y-Derry (01873 881101) Proprietors: Matt and Lisa Tebbutt Chef: Matt Tebbutt

Silver

Angel Hotel, Abergavenny (01873 857121) Manager: William Griffiths Chef: Mark Turton

Wye Knot, Chepstow (01291 622929) Chef/proprietor: Kevin Brookes

Bear, Crickhowell (01873 810408) Proprietors: Judy and Stephen Hindmarsh Chef: Brian Simmonds

Llanwenarth, Abergavenny (01873 810550) Proprietors: R Wallace and J West Chef: Jon West

Nantyffin Cider Mill, Crickhowell (01873 810775) Proprietors: Sean Gerrard, Glyn and Jessica Bridgeman Chef: Sean Gerrard

Llansantffraed Court, Llanvihangel Gobion (01873 840678) Proprietor: Mike Morgan Chef: Kurt Fleming

Bob's, Monmouth (01600 712600) Proprietor: Bob Evans Chef: Richard Lammas

Clytha Arms, Clytha near Abergavenny (01873 840206) Proprietors: Andrew and Beverley Canning Chefs: Andrew and Sarah Canning

Stonemill, Rockfield (01600 716273) Proprietor: Michelle De'Cloedt Chef: Simon Kealy

Bell, Skenfrith (01600 750235) Proprietors: William and Janet Hutchings Chef: Denis Guillemin

Newbridge, Tredunnock near Usk (01633 451000) Proprietor: Michael Obray Chef: Iain Sampson

Crown at Whitebrook, Whitebrook (01600 860254) Proprietors: Jonathan and Nicola Davies Chef: James Summerin

Tipple 'N' Tiffin, Theatr Brycheiniog, Canal Wharf, Brecon (01874 611866) Proprietors: Richard and Louise Gudsell Chef: Richard Gardner

Barn at Brynich, Brynich, Brecon (01874 623480) Proprietors: Catherine Maggs, Mark Jones and Julia Price Chef: Andrew Addis Fuller

Bronze

Black Bear, Bettws Newydd (01873 880701) Chef/proprietor: Steve Molyneux

Farmers Arms, Cwmdu near Crickhowell (01874 730464) Proprietors: Andrew and Susan Lawrence Chef: Andrew Lawrence