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hand picked restaurants

The bark of a cinnamon tree is remarkable for its intense flavour and is an indispensable spice in South Asian kitchens; likewise much attention is also lavished on this vital condiment at its namesake restaurants in Treforest and Pontcana, and a buffet and takeaway location in Bridgend. In fact it's more than just cinnamon; their time-tested recipes are built around an impressive blend of aromatic spices and ingredients.

Although customary Indian fare is prominently featured, it's interesting to notice dishes like aag utt pakheeza - flaming ostrich steaks marinated in fresh herbs and spices, grilled in a tandoor and served sizzling in brandy flame, bringing a whiff of novelty to proceedings. So do braised turkey fillets with spicy mushroom bhuna and sometimes its wise to pay heed to what the chef's have to say in the section devoted to their recommended dishes like the fairly hot Goa green chicken and peshawari king prawns.

Buffets certainly make for interesting eating especially at Cinnamon Tree with a spread of over 20 dishes capturing flavours of the Middle East and the Indian sub-continent.

For some time I made the mistake of thinking that no group of restaurants in the region of 200 locations could hope to maintain the quality for which I was looking.

Then one day I decided to put my prejudices to the test, walked into Oxford Ask! and discovered that I could not have been more mistaken. Their claim to serve freshly prepared quality food in stylish and comfortable surroundings with friendly and efficient service proved to be absolutely spot on.

Since then I have also discovered that a degree of consistency seems to operate throughout their restaurants, and that certainly does take some achieving, implying a degree of management that is enviable. They are perfect places for an impromptu snack, a bit of culinary grazing, or the full works, and families are catered for particularly well.

Their trendy décor usually comprises tiled floors and black furniture with well set tables that sparkle with glass, silver and spotless linen. Ten starters include crostini and bruschetta, followed by a range of salads, pasta and al forno, oven baked pasta, some with chicken.

The pizzas are stone baked in the oven, creating a crisp, authentic and delicious flavour, and they all come topped with mozzarella and tomato. Calzone introduce a touch of opulence with a folded pizza baked in the oven and topped with garlic butter and melted grana padano, whilst inside expect to find chicken or a vegetarian mix.

Amongst the specials may I warmly, in every sense, recommend the polpette al forno, a popular Milanese dish of beef meatballs sautéed in garlic with fire roasted peppers, caramelised onions, chilli and pomodoro sauce, with penne pasta, topped with cheese and oven baked.

An enticing selection of desserts list banoffee pie and tiramisu amongst them, and the coffee tastes like coffee, which may sound banal, but I guess you know what I mean.

Thanks to a well selected wine list speculative drinking can offer handsome dividends, even with prices rarely crossing the £20 barrier.

The charming Fig Tree is a family-run restaurant and wine bar situated in the courtyard of a Grade II listed model farm on the Cawdor estate, by the River Towy and Dryslwyn Castle. The interior is beautifully contemporary and minimalist, making visits there a real treat to the senses as well as the appetite

Dining is on three different levels, while an upstairs bar allows for guests to relax and choose from the menu, fish and grill boards. The contemporary British menu changes daily, based on availability of produce locally and the Chef's fancy at the time.

Dinner could start with Thai king prawn salad with smoked salmon; or pigeon breast with a creme de cassis glaze, followed by an escalope of veal, and finished with dark Belgian chocolate mousse. Pork loin with garlic mushroom and leek sauce makes regular appearances, and four local lamb chops pan fried with rosemary and garlic butter really are the tops.

The food is supported by a list of almost 100 wines. The Fig Tree caters well for weddings and special occasions.

Set in the foothills of the Berwyn Mountains is this drovers' inn, dating from the 13th century, full of character, right down to the inglenooks. With owners who know how to make you welcome one feels well on the way to a good visit. For those who want something sustaining and no-frills there is a short bar menu with steaks, ploughman's and the like. Should you have more time to spare move through into the dining room where the fillet of Welsh lamb with a parcel of leeks and spinach, accompanied by a rosemary and garlic sauce is fairly typical of the delights that await you. A perfectly adequate wine list offers a good selection, much of it below £15, with three house wines at £11.50.