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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.

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.

How often one hears of locally sourced ingredients, but there are, of course, degrees of locality. At Cors it would hardly be possible to go more local and the results are spectacularly good; black beef, saltmarsh-reared lamb and smoked salmon come to mind. Served, often by the chef himself, against a background of vital colours, which have brought this former vicarage to life, the results are particularly satisfying. A brief but very credible wine list offers outstanding value, mostly below £20, with three house wines at £10.95

No children under 12 years..

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.