Address: High Street, Crickhowell, Powys  NP8 1BW

Telephone: 01873 810408

Website: http://www.bearhotel.co.uk/

Date of visit: 7 January 2011

Costs:  Mainly under £20 for 2 courses

Wines and beer: Several different including Rev James from just over £3 a pint. Basic wine list.

Likes and dislikes: Cosy, old.

Cuisine: Traditional Pub food

Summary:

The Bear Hotel is sited in Crickhowell in The Becons – a walker’s paradise. Although the Inn is approximately 2 centuries old, part of the building dates back to 1400s. The Inn is listed in The Michelin Guide (for accommodation), in The Good Pub Guide (for beer) and in Sawday’s for everything.

I was here for a birthday party of an eminent equine epidemiologist. There were close to 50 of us.

To start with we had black pudding with scallops with a smear of green pea puree. It was exceptional for a banquet food. However, it could do with more oil/sauce as it was quite dry. The pea smear was more for effect than to act as a sauce.

Main course was roast Welsh lamb with roast potatoes, cabbage, carrots and cauliflower. The veg were bit over cooked but still had a bit of a bite – remarkable for a banquet. The lamb was excellent. The potatoes – bit soggy. For dessert, fruit crumble with custard.

Looking at the restaurant menu, it’s all very traditional, steak, sausages, fish and chips, lamb shank etc. The food here are all high energy as most of the clients are serious walkers that will burn off the calories.

After dinner, I started sampling the various bitters (all Welsh) and they were excellent – didn’t have the Rev James.

The next day, breakfast was a serious fry up, eggs, bacon, sausage, black pudding, mushrooms, tomatoes and fried bread. The coffee was good.

By the way, the rooms were pretty good although I struggled with the radiators.

E