Usk Inn, The

The Usk Inn is one of those hotels that came with the railway, in this case the Brecon to Merthyr line. Over the intervening years it has developed into a dining venue.

Food is offered in the bar or air conditioned restaurant and even al fresco on the odd day! The menu is influenced by the styles of the Med, but uses mainly local ingredients and influences picked up over the years, the menu content changes several times each year, and blackboards reflect more sudden changes both of whim and availability.

The restaurant relies strongly upon these closely sourced local ingredients; pork, for instance, comes from Caecrwn Farm at Battle, and prime Welsh Black beef is a frequent visitor to the menu. On Sundays the traditional roast lunch has a great following, and from Monday to Saturday wonderful value can be enjoyed from the 3-course table d'hote menu with choices at each course for only £10.

For starters the evening a la carte menu could offer salmon and haddock fishcakes with tartare veloute; a wonderful spinach, walnut, Gorgonzola and artichoke salad, gently dressed with olive oil or mussels traditionally cooked with white wine, garlic and herbs.

Main courses might really pull in the local touch with poached smoked haddock, on spiced rice with a poached egg all in a setting of cardamom creamed sauce, or the shank of Breconshire lamb, twice-cooked, with a minted red wine jus.

A simple wine list serves most needs, with house wine at £12.95. For more information, including details on their accommodation - their bedrooms are decorated individually with charming style and furnished with locally made pine furniture, all are ensuite.

The Usk Inn was the AA Inspectors choice as the PUB OF THE YEAR for Wales for 2005: "Successfully combining excellent food, comfortable accommodation, a great pub atmosphere, a warm welcome with high standard of management from hands on owners. Visits highlighted hospitality and a willingness to please from the whole team, even during busy periods."