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Nestling in the Monmouthshire hamlet of Bettws Newydd near the river Usk with beautiful views to Sugarloaf and the Black Mountains, The Black Bear Inn is tucked well away from the bustle of city life. Add to this a bill of fare featuring fish, game and hearty soups, and a selection of wine, spirits, cider and beer with cask ales from Wye Valley inclusive of Butty Bach.

Do not ask what is on the menu when you make your reservation as it changes everyday. But with a bit of luck you could be in line for garlic snails, grilled sardines or Black Bear mixed starter plate. Medallions of venison with red currants, port and cream could follow, or perhaps fillets of sole resting on a bed of tomato and pesto topped with garlic and melted cheese.

Other added attractions nearby include yew trees that are believed to be around 4000 years old.

With a shared passion for good food and warm service it was only natural for Simon and Kate King to open 1861 Restaurant and the rest, as they say, is history. Yes, there is history in evidence everywhere, for one the building, dating back to 1861, resembles a Victorian station and is surrounded by a white picket fence, and inside is simply decorated with wooden beams, whitewashed walls and dark-wood tables.

Each dish on the menu is a paean to the supplier and you are informed that lamb arrives from Park Farm, Llantillio Crossenny, free-range duck from Madgetts Farm, Chepstow and some vegetables from Kate's father's garden too! Dishes are well judged for balance of flavours and textures, and this is true of the amuse-bouche of tomato and chive jelly as well as the pressed pork terrine, fillet of sea bass in a champagne cream, and hot chocolate soufflé with Bailey's ice cream.

The jolly bubbles of a J M Gremillet N V Brut selection are undeniably the highlight in 1861's concise wine list.

Allt Yr Ynys is a well preserved 16th century manor house, located in the foothills of the Black Mountains. Its history is well recorded and has close connections with the Cecil family. Much of the oak panelling and other period features have survived making the house a wonderful place in which to stay.

First courses of pan fried whole Greenland Bay prawns with a lime butter and herb sauce or fusilli pasta with smoked local ham, Welsh cheese, garlic, herbs, tomatoes, white wine and cream make a good start to any meal. Main courses list wild boar steak on wild mushroom, orange and ginger confit with deep fried herbs, and griddled sirloin of natural fed local beef with a blue cheese and mushroom sauce.

A banana and caramel torte with coffee cream or traditional bread and butter pudding rounds the evening off pleasantly in this comfortable and homely place.

Located between Abergavenny and Crickhowell, Llanwenarth Hotel comes with more than its fair share of local vistas, with most of the bedrooms overlooking the River Usk. The in-house Riverside Restaurant with its floor-to-ceiling windows and beige furnishings bring in a convivial atmosphere and during summer months get closer to nature on their terrace area, designed in a Mediterranean style and taking in views of the valley beyond.

Starters of goats' cheese and olive salad, roasted red pepper and butternut squash soup, and carpaccio of beef with balsamic vinegar, olive oil and Parmesan could be followed by a main course of grilled rib eye, served to order, with a Stilton and peppercorn glaze, and escalope of salmon with baby garlic prawns and lemon garnish. Desserts may be hard to resist, especially the iced blackcurrant and biscuit parfait with fruit coulis and almond tuile, and warm pecan and maple sponge pudding with cardamom ice cream. 

A former coaching inn that has been thoroughly reinvented as a hotel for the 21st century, though managing to retain some of the old world charm. Outside the River Monnow adds to the scenic attraction provided by the gentle hills of Monmouthshire. Les Routiers Inn of the Year 2004.

The menu does not offer any great surprises although it attempts to veer towards the adventurous side of modern with some success. A whole globe artichoke with Hollandaise sauce is fine, though anyone who finds this delicacy slightly daunting might find solace in the asparagus done as a feuillete with more of the Hollandaise or the seared Scottish scallops.

No self-respecting Welsh Borders restaurant can afford not to serve Welsh Black steaks, and there they are, with plenty of chips and Bearnaise sauce. Nothing wrong with chips provided they're the best and these are good. The canon of lamb, formerly resident of the Usk Valley comes with mango chutney, olive crushed potato, smoked ratatouille and rosemary jus, a pleasant combination of flavours. The vegetarian option comes in the form of a roasted pepper and basil risotto with a poached egg and parmesan.

When the puddings come round you won't be disappointed. The range of Welsh cheeses are notable to the point of irresistibility. The Bower Farm clotted cream served with the bread and butter pudding is in a class of its own and nobody can say that the management is not utilising Welsh products to the full.

The wine list has a passport full of rubber stamps and there are some particularly interesting French reds. House wines from £10. Relaxing over coffee after the meal may induce an inclination towards Scotland and the relatively brief but selective list of single malts.

One wonders if the Chris Evans' pubs are country-chic bolthole, gastropub, or restaurant with rooms. As far as the Newbridge Inn is concerned, it's a combination of all three, housed within a traditional building. The stunning backdrop of the river and the breathtaking views of the valley set the right atmosphere, making it a perfect choice to celebrate any occasion.

The menu yields a good range of locally sourced produce and may open with moules mariniéres with white wine, parsley and garlic. Two steaks are lined up for main courses - a grilled 6 oz rib-eye and char-grilled 8 oz sirloin - with a host of sides like toasted ciabatta bread with whole grain mustard mayo, and horseradish mash. Finally do save space for delightful spoonfuls of chocolate parfait topped with whipped cream and strawberries.

A selection of wines from across the globe make refreshing accompaniments to the excellent food at The Newbridge Inn.