NESTLED on the mountainside between Blaenavon and Abergavenny, the Cordell Country Inn near Govilon is located in the midst of the countryside made famous in Alexander Cordell's novel Rape of the Fair Country.

It is an ideal spot to stop and eat if you are exploring this area once famous for its ironworks and quarry workings.

The cosy restaurant is located on the ground floor of the establishment which also boasts a bar area with a good choice of beers and wines and caters for bed and breakfast.

My dining partner chose to start with farmhouse pate with toast triangles (£3.25) which he found very good. I chose a Tex-Mex combo (£3.50)which was an assortment of onion rings, battered baby sweetcorn and potato wedges with delicious dips.

For our main courses we chose Cordell Country minted lamb (£7.95) which was diced in a creamy mint sauce served with with fresh vegetables.

My dining partner found the lamb excellent and the vegetables were indeed fresh and full of flavour.

I chose chicken in a leek and stilton sauce (£8.95) with fresh vegetables which was full of flavour and very enjoyable.

For dessert we chose a light and creamy lemon parfait and mango and raspberry gateaux. Both were delicious.

Service was very good, with ample time left between courses, and the atmosphere was relaxed.

With food as enjoyable as the view over Cordell Country, I'm sure Mr Cordell himself would have enjoyed a bite to eat here during his travels. Steve Phillips