IF like me you have often driven past The Lion Hotel at Gilwern while travelling along the Heads of the Valleys Road and not thought about stopping to investigate this roadside establishment, think again. We discovered what many local people must already known - that the Lion Hotel offers very good quality meals at reasonable prices.

We received a warm welcome and enjoyed a drink from the extensive choice of beers and wines in the cosy bar while looking through the menu.

My partner, a vegetarian, chose the soup of the day to start which was carrot (£2.95) and mushroom risotto with parmesan cheese with salad and baked potato for her main course at £5.95.

I chose fried brie with cranberry, (£3.75) for my starter and a mixed grill with baked potato and salad for my main course, priced £7.95. The mixed grill consisted of steak, gammon, lamb chop and sausage and I chose a mushroom sauce to accompany it at £2.50.

The comfortable restaurant area has a wonderful relaxed ambience. The soup was excellent, creamy and full of flavour, the fried brie and cranberry superb. Our main courses where very good, the risotto was just right and my partner thoroughly enjoyed it. My mixed grill was very good and the mushroom sauce complemented it perfectly.

My partner could not manage dessert but I indulged in strawberry gateau with cream (£2.95) and a coffee at £1. The gateau was delicious and the coffee good and strong. Service was first class and we felt totally relaxed throughout the meal, not feeling rushed at any time.

So the next time you travel along the A465 make time to stop at The Lion Hotel, at Gilwern, pop in and explore what this fine establishment has to offer. You won't be disappointed. Steve Phillips

l In celebration of the launch of our bigger and better Mono the Lion Hotel at Gilwern will give a meal to the tune of £30 (excluding drinks) to one lucky reader. For the chance to win all you have to do is answer the following question.

Q: What did our restaurant reviewer choose for his main course? Answers on a postcard should be addressed to Chris Evans, Meal Competition, South Wales Argus, Cardiff Road, Maesglas, Newport, NP20 3QN. Closing date for entries is Thursday, April 3.