MY partner Maria and I visited The Castle Inn at Usk late last Saturday to find the restaurant area full of customers.

Everyone there seemed to be enjoying the food and the relaxed, informal atmosphere. The menu has a wide selection and the wine list is also extensive and varied.

After much deliberation I decided to order slices of salmon drizzled with a peanut and basil dressing (£5.25) for starter while Maria chose filo pastry parcels of chicken and prawns in a fine leaf salad and mango coulis (£5.75).

Although the salmon was excellent I thought I had chosen the inferior dish because the pastry parcels were even better.

For main course I decided to have the prime fillet of beef topped with pate wrapped in bacon and oven-roasted with a rich port sauce (£15.95) while my partner had the medallions of peppered beef fillet in a rich port sauce topped with leeks (£13.95).

Both dishes were absolutely delicious with the beef cooked to perfection, the pate was exquisite and the sauce excellent.

We chose a bottle of Sancerre (£15.95) which was superb and I had a very nice glass of Rioja (£13.95 a bottle).

For dessert (£3.25 each) Maria chose the apple pie and cream while I had the profiteroles, both of which were very good.

The service was friendly and efficient.

It has a cosy and old-fashioned feel with the walls decorated with old adverts for beers and matches and had Van Morrison's soothing tones playing in the background.

On the evidence of this visit it was easy to see why The Castle Inn has built up such a fine reputation.

Iwan Davies