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Nestled in the beautiful Brechfa forest, Ty Mawr presents a taste of old Wales, yet is only 30 minutes from Carmarthen. The dining area of this ancient house is wrapped in a pleasing old world package with thick stone walls and oak beams.

The menu could open with starters of Penclawdd cockle, laverbread and chive tartlet, or warm home smoked duck breast and quails egg salad. No self-respecting hotel in Wales could do without some Welsh beef and their organic Fferm Tyllwyd black fillet steak may be served with mushroom and red wine sauce. Fillet of Cardigan Bay sea bass on cauliflower puree offers strong competition, whilst vegetarians will rejoice at the roasted Mediterranean vegetables and smoked Cilowen cheese en croute with roasted red pepper sauce.

A decent wine list covers most eventualities. The atmosphere is relaxed to the point of restfulness and returning to the real world later could be a bit of a challenge.

Pizza Express remains a hugely popular bedrock of casual eating. Its popularity is testimony to the fact that across the country, they have restaurants where you will always be guaranteed a good nosh, with children's tastes being well catered for.

Pizza Express has gone even more Roman, and following the success of that particular example of listening to their public have introduced Romana pizzas, including the scorching Etna and the hearty Siciliana.

These pizzas are now thinner, bigger and crispier, and if that sounds like a marketing line, it is. However, unlike many such lines, this one is true, and their quality is always consistent, though cleverly they have still managed to retain a homemade feel to their pizzas.

As an alternative to pizza, try their pollo pesto - cavatappi pasta with torn chicken breast, mushrooms, red onions and mozzarella in a creamy gruyere, parmesan and pesto sauce and finished with grana padano - or the niçoise salad with mixed leaves, yellowfin tuna, free range egg, green beans, potatoes and tomatoes with olives, anchovies, capers and house dressing.

Many of the big chains have come a long way, and Pizza Express is certainly amongst them. One of the first to be quoted on the Stock Exchange - in 1993 - Pizza Express is not a franchise operation and retains tight control through its own staff.

Their wine list - though short - contains some surprisingly good offerings, especially their intense Australian Chardonnay, and a big, full-bodied Merlot from Cusumano, Sicilia.

Frankie and Benny's combine classic American and Italian in both style and cuisine. They specialise in home style cooking 'just like Mamma used to make it'. This is a great place to take the entire family and represents excellent value for money. The restaurant and bar is suitable for any occasion, whether it's a leisurely lunch, a family meal or a fantastic evening with friends - they make sure you have a wonderful time.

Walking into the restaurant is like stepping back into 1950s New York, from the clatter and chatter of the open kitchen to the bottle lined bar. Walls with black and white family photographs showing life in Brooklyn's 'Little Italy' surround cosy booth seating and tables. Combined with the classic music of the fifties, a mix of American swing and beat, they definitely provide a fun and friendly atmosphere for all to enjoy.

Frankie and Benny's offers starters, main courses and delicious desserts, and favourites include char-grilled burgers, pizzas, pastas, steaks and house specialities such as chicken parmigiana, BBQ ribs, lamb shank and much more. The bar serves a wide range of beers, wines, spirits, cocktails and soft drinks.

Start with sticky wings, crispy coated chicken strips, tiger prawn skewer or Frankie's fried calamari and if you are dining in a group choose the giant sampler platter. The pastas, calzone and pizzas are all made freshly on order. An interesting dish on the menu is a the Boston 7 speciality pizza fully loaded with slices of pork meatballs, spicy pepperoni, ham, crispy bacon, chicken, peppers and red onion, served on a BBQ sauce base. They also serve a variety of sandwiches and burgers throughout the day.

A good value lunch menu is available on weekdays from 11am until 5pm offering a range of popular dishes from the main carte with one course at £5.95, two courses at £7.95 and three courses at £8.95.

For children up to the age of eleven, an all-inclusive menu features a selection of main courses, desserts and drinks starting at £3.95. As an added treat, they'll also receive an activity pack to entertain them whilst you eat.

Enjoy an American Italian meal at Frankie and Benny's with freshly prepared food and warm hospitality that makes you feel right at home.

A visit to the historic town of Carmarthen is enriched with a stop over at Hamilton's, an enterprise passed down from one generation to another, which provides foodies with a reason to rejoice at its unique brand of food and hospitality. A welcoming atmosphere generated by soft lighting and a subtle mix of contemporary and traditional décor greets you there. The restaurant is styled to accommodate small and large gatherings and is an ideal venue for occasions such as wedding receptions, office parties, birthdays, family get-togethers or candle-lit romantic dinners.

The menu is international and includes hand cut steaks, local fresh fish and also the traditional Sunday carvery. Try the local mussels in white wine and garlic, and the large fillets of sea bass lightly baked with a lemon butter sauce to get a peek into the gastronomic treasures hidden there. The food is complimented with wines ranging from New World Chardonnay to classic Bordeaux.

Situated in the town centre on Spilman Street, Spilman Hotel wears a new look post-refurbishment, but it still retains an aura of comfort and warmth, providing for a 'home away from home' experience for guests. Start off with a pre-dinner drink at the lounge bar and then head to the restaurant for a relaxed meal.

A meal could open with starters of grilled goats' cheese with toasted bread and red onion marmalade, and king prawns sautéed with ginger, chilli and garlic, drizzled with coriander dressing and served with buttered samphire. The cooking bears the stamp of international influences in an otherwise British-Welsh menu and main courses are a happy proof of that, here a confit of pork belly with creamy mash, savoy cabbage, apple and cider sauce is accompanied by pea and parmesan risotto. Summer fruit pudding and apple and cinnamon crumble with traditional creamy custard are a gentle reminder that simple desserts are sometimes the best way to finish.

Located in the centre of the picturesque Welsh town of Carmarthen, within easy walking distance of the town's shopping and business areas, The Falcon Hotel and Restaurant is a family owned establishment that is popular with tourists and locals alike. Housed within it is a small and intimate dining space that serves a good variety of local Welsh cuisine made from freshly caught fish, local meats and quality vegetables.

The a la carte menu features starters of prawn and tomato salad with smoked salmon and pesto dressing, and smoked duck salad with balsamic dressing. Main courses include loin of pork with wild mushroom sauce, salmon fillet with basmati rice and fish velouté sauce, and rump of lamb with port wine sauce and couscous. There are also speciality dishes of rump of Towy valley lamb with rosemary and redcurrant jus and seasonal specials of pheasant breast in a rich Madeira sauce. Mouth-watering desserts of raspberry and white chocolate cheesecake and meringue with fresh strawberry and ice cream will satisfy those with a sweet tooth.

The hotel can also cater for special occasions and can accommodate up to 90 seated guests in the restaurant and function room.