I WOULD love to be telling you about the food served at Ye Olde Bull, Caerleon, which is where we were supposed to be eating, but I can't. Despite phoning ahead to check whether or not we needed to book a table, when we arrived we were told food was not being served that night.

Never one to quit easily, we instead opted for the nearby Priory, which is arguably Gwent's most stylish hotel and restaurant - with food to match. This gourmet, award-winning restaurant served up a meal which started with deliciously tender scallops in a white wine sauce.

This was followed by a huge blackened bream, cooked to perfection, with an equally massive, in size, not quantity, side order of asparagus.

But why only three spears for £2.75, guys? I could have bought three bundles of the stuff for that price, though admittedly not with four-foot long stems.

The fries that went alongside in the separate vegetable tray looked positively Ronnie Corbett-sized in comparison.

Mouthfuls of the delicate white fish were regularly supplemented by offerings from my wife's plateful of expertly-cooked tuna steak and her bowlful of salad buffet from the front counter which, be warned, does cost extra if you choose salad over jacket, chipped or new potatoes with your main course.

The house wine was fine, as were the coffees. All in all, an enjoyable meal which came in at around the £50 mark. Andrew Downie