Olway Inn Hotel, Old Chepstow Road, Usk

SMALL and cosy is the best way to describe the Olway, a country inn outside Usk, close to the A446.

It is traditional both in appearance and in the food served, although among the family favourites of cottage pie and fish and chips, there are also a few tasty surprises.

My companion started with a flavoursome vegetable soup (£3.25) and I had potato skins with a cheese filling (£3.95). And filling they were.

For the main course I had pan-fried chicken in orange and honey sauce (£7.95), which was quite tangy and is recommended.

My companion had sirloin steak (£8.95), which was well done, as requested. The meat was beautifully tender for both meals.

The potato choice was wide - chips, mashed, boiled new or jacket were offered.

We went for mashed and new potatoes and both meals were served with a colourful array of vegetables including red cabbage, carrots and cauliflower.

There was a good selection of desserts and I opted for the crme brule which was smooth and thankfully without any tooth-shattering toffee topping.

My companion went for the banoffee pie which she said was creamy and delicious. They were £3.95 each.

The service was friendly and efficient, with the time between courses being long enough to allow your food to go down, but not so long you grew impatient waiting.

With drinks, including coffee and wine, the meal came to £46.