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hand picked restaurants

A welcoming hotel of great distinction in the pleasantly relaxed part of Wales that has avoided some of the worst maritime indiscretions that have been allowed to sprout elsewhere. Lindsey and Andrew Evans have worked hard for the last six years restoring and updating this well-placed clifftop hotel with great views and excellent facilities.

Substantial starters of haddock fillet on black pudding mash with pea puree, breast of woodpigeon on a salad of watercress, pancetta and sesame, or a very good carrot and coriander soup offer a pleasing range.

Main courses of fillet of red snapper, fillet of beef with 'posh' chips, fried egg and Béarnaise sauce, black sea bream on dill, or a whole Dover sole pan-fried with buttered carrots and cocotte potatoes are well supported, where required, by additional vegetables of the interesting variety.

Puddings stray gloriously on the side of exotic, with spiked cherries in a sweet pastry case topped with kirsch sabayon, or rich chocolate tart with crushed pistachios and lemon cream. Personally I have a weakness for liqueur coffees, and here there are eight from which to choose.

Exceptionally attractively located 200 year old seaside pub/restaurant right on the water's edge in the pretty village of Little Haven. It re-opened in summer 2007 under new ownership and after a major renovation project. It has all the rustic charm of a proper pub with oak tables, leather armchairs and log fires, but also an intimate ground floor restaurant and an elegant contemporary first floor dining room with lovely views over the bay.

In summer there is a raised terrace with seating for twenty. Food is modern British with a strong commitment to local and seasonal produce including Welsh rib eye steak, local diver caught scallops, St Brides Bay crab and Welsh cheese. The bar serves well kept ales and an interesting wine list with eight wines available by the glass. Children welcome (only until 8pm in the bar), and dogs are permitted in the bar.

Y Mochyn Drwg is a small family run restaurant in Newport, Pembrokeshire, where chef Alastair Vaan and his wife Louise provide a personal and informal dining experience. Alastair has a self-professed passion for food and spends hours searching out the highest quality local produce to use in his exciting dishes. Locally sourced foods such as rare breed meats, artisan cheese, fresh local seafood and much more form the building blocks for the rapidly changing short menus, which are accompanied by an interesting European wine list.

Each course is beautifully cooked and exquisitely presented, which should make your visit to Y Mochyn Drwg - Welsh for The Naughty Pig - a very special experience, examples might include smoked mackerel and leek tartlet to start, followed by braised blade and roasted sirloin of Longhorn beef, thyme and mustard carrots and dumplings and finishing with chocolate fondant with gorse flower ice cream.

Y Mochyn Drwg also runs events and food courses throughout the year, just contact the restaurant for details.