This was our splurge meal. It was also one of the best meals I had while in Wales…read more The food here is more about quality and less about quantity. If you are an American and reading this review, you will know what I'm talking about. We eat too much as a society. I'll admit it myself. I am used to getting and eating a lot of food. It is amazing I am not overweight. Anyway I went off on a tangent there. Sue and I read about this place in a travel book she had for Wales. We decided on the airplane that if we were going to have one really good meal while in Wales, it would be at the Walnut Tree. Not exactly around the corner from where we were staying in Barmouth, but we had plans to be down around this part of the country so it was a no brainer. We got here quite early on a weekday evening. The night was beautiful and we decided to secure a table outside. Before we left all of the tables were filled. Not sure if that was the case inside as well as the only time I was inside was when we initially walked in and asked if we could sit outside. Started out with a refreshing elderflower drink. We decided against alcoholic drinks as we were a distance away from our home base and had a long drive back to get there. The drink was the perfect drink for a warm summer night. After our drinks came, they also brought out a small fish cake to whet the whistle. A nice extra touch that was unexpected. Our food started out with a few appetizers. A Panzanella Salad along with monkfish with tomato, chilli and ginger. Good choices both on the starters. The monkfish (similar taste to lobster) was pretty damn amazing if I have to say so myself. I just did. For my main I had suckling pig, morcilla (blood sausage) and empanadilla. The suckling pig came bone in. It was fun getting every little piece of pig that I could get. Presentation was A+ and the quality was too. Nothing wrong with this meal at all. When it came time for dessert, our server (one of a few that took care of us on this night) asked if we had any room for "puddings". He pronounced it poo-dings. You have to love the Welsh accent. We did and made room for the orange and almond cake. A good palate cleanser. This was a 5 star meal if there ever was a 5 star meal. Again, you aren't going to get a ton of food here, but you will happily leave satisfied and you won't have a gut bomb to deal with. I highly recommend this restaurant.

The Walnut Tree is now under the management of reknowned chef Shaun Hill. He retired with several…read moreMichelin stars from the Merchant House in Ludlow, only to re-emerge at the Walnut Tree, presumably looking for a new challenge. I've eaten there 3 times in the past 12 months, two lunches and a dinner. All experiences have been outstandingly good and memorable. It has been voted best restaurant in the UK by Gourmet Britain recently and came 2nd to Hibsicus in another award ceremony. Rather than list what I ate, check out the menu on the website and see for yourself. I couldn't fault any of the dishes I had. The wine list is also superb. Here's a typical set lunch: plaice with shrimps and dill brawn with celeriac rémoulade confit fillet of salmon with creamed leeks grilled skirt of beef with dauphine potatoes and salsa verde buttermilk pudding with roasted figs Bakewell tart with vanilla ice cream The service is informal and friendly, and efficient. The outside loos didn't bother me that much...as it frees up more space for diners! The only suggestion I would make is that they need to improve wheelchair-access into the restaurant, which shouldn't be too difficult. The set lunch represents very good value - take a day off work, drive through beautiful countryside and treat yourself to a lovely 3 course meal for around £20.00

Delicious gastropub with all the classics and some moderns too. The Sunday welsh beef roast dinner…read morewas to die for and reasonably priced. Friendly and efficient bar staff. If you're anywhere near here, stop for a meal, especially on Sunday.

Decor 10 food 11 service on par .. parking is a challenge but worth the effort …read more Fab old world place. Worth traveling to Wales for. Very original feeling, great wine choices as well.

Poor quality food to match the poor quality service received for Sunday lunch…read more Children's meals were very overpriced for what they were, positive I was charged £5 for a couple of supermarket own brand fish fingers. Tried to charge me £5 for a couple slices of cheap white bread cut into triangles. Lamb dinner was tough, tasteless with boring veg. Would not have been out of place at a bad office Xmas dinner or your cheap cousins wedding. The atmosphere was terrible as we couldn't have a conversation because we were seated by the bar where the staff would gather to ignore the food ready bell and talk loudly about how bad other customers were. At one point the rude head waitress loudly complained that a "bunch of bikers" has just arrived.

Under new management since Nov 2007 but have retained the services of their excellent chef. This is…read moreprobably one of the best restaurants in the area and attracts diners from all over South Wales including local celebrities. IMO the food is more classy and sophisticated than The Bear at Crickhowell but it is also more expensive. Ideal for that special occasion. Separate restaurant can be busy esp. on Saturday evenings - advisable to book. Rev. James is the pick of the beers - also serve good range of wines + a draft cider.

The family took me to this pub as it's pretty local to them, great beer choices and great array of…read morechips to chose from. We did not have a meal due to the time, however the menu appeared to have lots of tasty options. This place is perfect for family and friends as they have two separate and large gardens, with one especially designed for kids. The parking lot is spacious so this is great for large groups as well if you plan to be outside. Inside has a pub side and dining side. Hope to be back again soon.

This is the local pub where you go if you want to meet the locals. Or if you want to have a great…read moremeal and a pint at affordable prices. Its noisy and dogs are allowed in. We like dogs so no problem for us there. We started off with a tapa, pork belly with black pudding and poched apple. Absolutely delicious but way too much, even for a full starter. The apples were sweet, as was the pork, with a crunchy skin. For mains we ordered the pie of the day, but they didn't have them. So we settled for the salmon with seaweed with blinis. Good choice! Never had such tasty salmon. Only the seaweed salad was bland. I would have served it with wacame or something. They gave us the tapa for free bc we couldnt have pie. All in all a great experience, socialising with the locals and great food.

We had booked a table for 14 at another well know restaurant for my husbands birthday and had…read morepeople traveling from around the UK, US, and Spain to attend. The morning of the dinner, the restaurant called to cancel due to power problems. Call it serendipity, but a local guy we met the night before was raving about 1861 (we had not heard of it) so I called, Spoke to Kate the owner, and after a quick conversation with her husband/chef Simon said they could give us a table. And we were so glad they did. It's a long drive from Crickhowell, but well worth it. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, Kate was extremely efficient in getting us all drinks as people met up and chatted. We were not rushed to get to our table, she appreciated this special event. The menu was wonderful, something for meat eater, fish lovers, and vegetarians alike. The food was divine - using locally sourced seasonal ingredients and I believe the vegetables come direct from Kate's dads farm. They actually tasted like the fresh vegetables from my childhood, picked from our back yard. My Scallop Ravioli was incredible and I'm told the beef and lamb were mouth watering. Keep space for the deserts - Rhubarb mouse is a must! Bravo to Kate and Simon for saving the day and creating a truly spectacular menu in less than a day.

Absolute gem of a restaurant run by husband (chef) and wife team. Simply first class in every…read moredepartment -- and the food was easily as good as a high-end London restaurant. The menu is highly creative and the wine list good, but definitely affordable. The service was also excellent.

Stopped here on a rainy day - early evening. Modern style pub, great for dogs (dog biscuits and…read morewater bowl offered) and kids, friendly staff. Food was usual pub affair with specials and kids menu. Very tasty!

Had a lovely meal here! Very enjoyable! The owners are lovely and obviously extremely passionate…read moreabout food. Would highly recommend a visit here! Great local feel with fantastic food and drink.

Lovely people delicious food and wonderful ambiance. Back room is really great for our family with…read morekids. Excellent and worth the drive

Is this the best restaurant in Wales?!? (And that's in the face of stiff competition in…read moreMonmouthshire) This is modern British at it's best - imaginative, fresh, well executed, generous - good service and a lovely setting. My scallop and salmon on cauliflower puree was superb, though Husband argued strongly for his ham hock and chorizo with caramelised fruits. I followed with the most sublime monkfish with pig cheek and black pudding terrine, whilst Husband took the lighter option with a perfect whole plaice with salsa verde. We finished off with a shared rhubarb, lychee and polenta crumble (tart enough to bite back) and gorgeous coffee - and staggered home replete and happy.