The Corn Exchange, Gilwern

AN empty stomach is advisable before you eat at the Corn Exchange, because their portions are very generous.

Licensees Jeff and Rhian Trott only arrived just over a year ago and have continued the pub's reputation for fine food.

We had a range of starters from which to choose, all roughly the same price, so my partner had the prawn cocktail and I had the Chinese spring roll (£2.90) which was delicious.

He has a hearty appetite, but even he was beaten by the size of the mixed grill (£12.95) which included a generous piece of steak as well as the usual variety of meats.

Although he ordered a side dish of chips he was unable to eat them all, and would have been better concentrating on the enormous plate of meat.

I opted for the gammon steak (£5.95) which was served on a very hot metal platter which left the steak sizzling hot for about 20 minutes.

There was a choice of jacket potato, chips or saut potatoes and I chose the latter and they came in a separate dish - an over-generous portion again.

Thankfully there was a pleasant gap between finishing our main course and being offered dessert, so we managed to consume the banoffee pie and the double chocolate gateaux which were both divine.

The service was extremely pleasant and nothing was too much trouble for the young waitress who turned out to be one of the licensee's daughters.

A very pleasant and relaxed atmosphere so we are sure to return, perhaps for their Sunday lunch which is extremely popular with the locals.

Total bill was £35.