Reviews of Restaurants in Usk

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Reviews of Restaurants and Pubs in Usk

Review 6: Mariano's; Date visited: 01.08.08; Review submitted by The Web site Editor

Comments: This was the first time my wife and I have visited this recently re-opened restaurant (formerly Gemelli's). It advertises itself as offering Sicilian and traditional Italian cuisine and retains the up-market style initiated by Gemelli's two years ago. The decor is elegant, the lighting and ambience are pleasant and great attention to detail has obviously been paid. Mariano is charming, attentive and clearly well focused on giving his customers a good experience. The 4 waiters are all boys (looked about 14 or 15!) and are efficient, willing and eager; however, they appeared a bit nervous and tend to move too quickly. With a bit more experience I'm sure they will relax and look more comfortable.

The menu choice is excellent and there is a large selection of Italian wines, albeit mostly rather expensive. Whilst waiting for the first course, we were given typical Italian bread sticks, black olives and crusty bread. The starters and main dishes were delivered promptly, elegantly presented, hot, very appetising and of sufficient quantity. I particularly enjoyed my starter of mussels in a rich tomato and garlic sauce. The choice of desserts from a chilled cabinet which one gets up to browse all looked delicious and the two we tried were superb.

The only minor complaint we had was that the limoncello was not served chilled, as it always is in Italy. When I mentioned this to Mariano, he graciously waived the cost of these. Incidentally the measure was rather small.

All in all it was an extremely pleasant dining experience and we will definitely return! Prices are on the high side but not unreasonable for an establishment of this style and quality. If one wants something a bit special in a classy setting, this is the place to go in Usk. Given that Alfonso's and The Bush House have both closed, Mariano's should do well and certainly deserves to do so. Highly recommended!

Review 5: Alfonso's; Date visited: 10.11.06; Review submitted by The Web site Editor -

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALFONSO'S HAS SINCE CEASED TRADING.

Comments: Alfonso, whom one rarely sees, is Spanish but the menu does not particularly reflect his origin. This is a cosy, little restaurant which has been operating for many years and which we visit a few times each year. The menu is quite comprehensive and interesting. There is usually a good selection of fish dishes but we invariably go for the steak, which is always of superb quality.

This time for a starter we had fried monkfish with a spicy Thai sauce followed by fillet steak in a pepper sauce. As usual, the meat was extremely tender and delicious, though a larger portion would have been very welcome. However a substantial dish of sauté potatoes and onions ensured we didn't go hungry! A home-made apple pie finished off another very enjoyable meal. As always, we had a 1 litre bottle of red house wine which is very drinkable.

The only criticism was the price: £71.45 was not cheap by any means. However, we couldn't fault the meal at all!

Review 4: The Royal Hotel; Date visited: 26.09.06; Review submitted by Mandy

Comments: An excellent restaurant with high class food on offer. We went there for a 30th birthday party as a group of 6. The food all came out at the same time and boiling hot. I have also been out there for Sunday dinner which beats most restaurants by far. Even carvery restaurants could not supply food to this level of excellence. You must definitely give it a try, you won't be disappointed. Well done, Tony, keep up the good work.

Review 3: The Olway Inn Hotel; Date visited: 26.09.06; Review submitted by The Web site Editor

Comments: Since re-opening earlier this year, this pub hotel has become quite a popular place to eat, largely due to the exceptional value of its table d'hôte menu available on Monday to Thursday evenings. For only £10 one can have an interesting 3-course quality meal served in the smart dining room. Four choices are usually on offer for each course and portions are reasonable and sometimes even generous. This is the fourth time I have eaten here and each time the quality and service have been very good. On this occasion I had a bowl of home-made tomato and red pepper soup, a fish pie and a blackberry crumble. All the dishes were delicious and piping hot.

NB The 3-course £10 menu is unfortunately no longer available; some of the dishes on the à la carte menu are rather expensive.

Review 2: The Three Salmons; Date visited: 08.09.06; Review submitted by The Web site Editor

Comments: The hotel's restaurant is one of the most elegant places to dine in Usk (my wife and I avoid bar meals there as it's often smoky). As always, the choice of sophisticated dishes was wide and 6 main fish courses were available. I chose a guineafowl and bacon terrine to start with and this was very tasty and substantial. I followed this with pork medallions accompanied by rösti and a very rich Madeira-based sauce and cranberries; the dish was well cooked and delicious. A good selection of properly cooked vegetables was provided.

We chose an Argentinian Merlot rosé wine, and, though this was one of the cheaper wines on offer, it was simply superb. We were too full to want a dessert, so contented ourselves with cappuccino and one VSOP brandy. The service (mainly by the Spanish head waiter) was attentive and amusing.

The meal and service could not be faulted. However, the total bill came to £71, which frankly is too expensive. It seems to us that all main courses have increased by £2 or £3 since we were there earlier in the year.

Review 1: Gemelli's; Date visited: 01.09.06; Review submitted by Steven Price -

PLEASE NOTE THAT GEMELLI'S HAS SINCE CEASED TRADING.

Comments: Visited Gemelli's in Usk on recommendation and wasn't disappointed. The overall ambience was really good and the food possibly the best Italian we've had in the UK. Gemelli's desserts are fairly well known in the area and certainly lived up to their reputation. Two slight criticisms were fairly slow service, although the restaurant was very busy, and the main course was served in smallish portions. The bill was quite reasonable and overall I'd give it 8 out of 10. A very enjoyable night!

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