The Walnut Tree

I don't know why I'm not giving this meal 10 out of 10 but to do so for my first review would seem slightly weak-willed!! I went for lunch this week and had a fabulous time. Extremely attentive, polite and friendly service in a simple, elegant and comfortable restaurant. The food was fantastic. Skate wing with shrimps and a creamy dill sauce and cod fillet with braised peas, new potatoes and lardons both showed that sometimes the most ‘simple’ food can be the most memorable. The apple and blackberry pudding with clotted cream was one of the best desserts I've eaten in recent memory – summer pudding on steroids. With a lovely glass of wine, a really good coffee, some delicious petit fours and change from £40 in my pocket, I left with a huge smile on my face and will be returning as soon as I find myself in Abergavenny again. If you can, book today – I'm sure you won't be disappointed!!!

We went to the Walnut Tree for a Friday night dinner on a walking weekend in Wales. We booked at the last minute and were lucky to get a table – the Walnut Tree clearly has a great name locally and it was full and very buzzy when we were there. Unfortunately I was wearing my “stylish” walking gear – the rest of the ladies looked suitably glamorous. Next time I'll have to dress for the occasion.

We had a drink in the bar on arrival, along with a tasty appetiser (home made cheese & sesame biscuits and a warm spinach and goats cheese parcel) we had a very nice carafe of crisp Alsace pinot gris. The wine list by the glass or carafe is pretty good here – good news for drivers as it's in the middle of nowhere. The wine list is broken into three categories to help diners choose whether to try something unusual or stick with the classics.

We just had mains and dessert; I had seabass, potato cake with anchovy and green vegetables (leeks, samphire and green beans) and he had skirt of beef. The seabass was lovely and fresh in a light buttery rosemary sauce, but unfortunately the potato cake was over-salted and I couldn't finish it. The beef was melt-in-your-mouth soft and beautifully cooked.

For dessert we shared the chocolate marjolaine, which was utterly decadent, with coffee and petit fours.

We were very pleased that when the waitress noticed my potato cake wasn't eaten that she asked why. She came back from the kitchen shortly afterwards to say that they had tasted it and it was over-salted. Our dessert and coffee was on the house, which we appreciated.

We would definitely go back or recommend the Walnut Tree to friends.