THE Bear Hotel, Crickhowell, has quite a reputation for fine dining in a friendly atmosphere. And I am here to tell you that it is all completely justified.

From the moment you enter the downstairs bar until you are seated in the "front room" upstairs, the service is welcoming.

And unlike some establishments famed for the quality of their food, the atmosphere in the exposed-stone restaurant is never stuffy.

There is a wide range of reasonably-priced starters available, but we chose to bypass them having been told of the superb puddings which awaited us. Main courses included monkfish, salmon and duck.

But I opted for a delicious ragout of wild mushrooms and spinach underneath a crisp pastry cap, at an affordable £11.50, while my dining companion chose a sirloin steak in Diane sauce, which arrived cooked to a perfect pink and cost £16.25.

A good range of vegetables was also served with the main courses, cooked al dente. The hotel boasts an extensive range of fine wines, but those on a budget can try out the smooth Cabernet Sauvignon served by the glass.

The more adventurous and affluent can pick up a bottle of vintage port at £60 to enjoy with their cheeseboards.

But on to the pudding, and a mouth-watering choice. The house speciality is a bread and butter pudding made with bananas, raisins and served flambd dramatically in blazing rum. Accompanied by brown bread ice cream for £4.50, this has to be one of the best buys the restaurant offers.

Or there was a Chocoholics Anonymous cake for the same price which beat even my chocolate-loving companion.

A two course meal with wine and coffee came to just over £52 - which is an affordable treat for a special occasion. Maria Williams