Chez Maw

Alongside the River Severn in the historically important Ironbridge Gorge, the Valley Hotel makes a convenient watering hole after you retreat footsore and culturally overdosed from the world-renowned wonders of the cradle of Britain's Industrial Revolution.

The cuisine is not easy to define, beyond saying that it is broad to the point of being eclectic, without any over-fussiness. The á la carte menu offers a range of dishes with English and Continental influences, with a good selection of vegetarian dishes; honest, wholesome food is the order of the day and the support for the restaurant is not by any means confined to those who only seek the nearest refuge. The wine list is supportive with bins from the Old and New World.

A new individually priced menu has been introduced to enhance the whole experience, incorporating the best of local ingredients, as in pressed Wenlock Edge ham hock and field mushroom terrine, or Bing's Heath locally smoked salmon with wasabi ice cream, oatcakes and mixed cress. Not so local but just as appealing for those who like something honest and full bodied from the sea there is pan-seared fillet of sea bass with pine nut, mushroom, spinach and thyme risotto, finished with mascarpone and Parmesan cheese.

There is something tremendously reassuring about confident starters, removing any possible element of doubt about what comes next, leaving you free to anticipate with pleasure the rest of the meal, the company, the view over the Gorge, try to coincide your meal with an early summer sunset, and something exhilarating from the cellar.

Move on to a selection of main courses that would do credit to a menu in a stylish West End brasserie. Mercifully all braised blade of Welsh Black beef does not remain in Wales, and here it is served with sauté lyonnaise potatoes, spinach and bourguignon sauce.

Seared tuna steak, breast of Gressingham duck and orange and coriander scented pork fillet are all regular attenders on the menu, which finishes on a note of triumph with banana and date sponge pudding, or maybe a dark chocolate pannacotta with a light Bailey's sabayon and chocolate shavings.

Currently holding a 2 AA rosette award for high standard cuisine and service, this is most certainly one of the better restaurants in a part of Shropshire renowned for its outstanding scenery. The dining room, for instance, has the benefit of an adjoining bar and patio area, which overlooks award winning parkland and the River Severn, in the centre of this World Heritage site.

For more information, and details about staying at the Valley Hotel, do visit their Website.