A RURAL restaurant halfway between Monmouth and Abergavenny has been awarded the title of the Best with Rooms in Wales by the AA.

AA RatedTrips.com has already given the 1861 Restaurant on Old Ross Road, Cross Ash, five silver stars and two rosettes, and the latest accolade further boosts its appeal.

Named after the year it was built as a pub, Restaurant 1861 overlooks the peaceful rural peaks of the Black Mountains four miles west of Skenfrith.

Simon and Kate King’s remote property retains plenty of original features from its time as an old inn, down to the roaring log fire in winter and black and white timber-framed walls.

Simon began his career working for the Roux brothers at the 3 Michelin-starred Waterside Inn at Bray, and later moved on to become Martin Blunos’ right hand man at the 2 Michelin-starred Bristol and Bath restaurants of Lettonie before becoming head chef at Llansantffraed Court Hotel near Raglan, where he met wife Kate.

Their “flavour-packed seasonal cooking” sticks to classic techniques and prime local produce, with Kate’s dad growing most of the vegetables and ingredients from family foraging trips and the nearby family nursery.

The AA praised the “natural, hands-on hospitality”, the “excellent quality and comfort” of the bedrooms and (of course), the food, which “remains the heartbeat” of the 1861 Restaurant.

The inspector praised the fusion of old and new by describing the “Contemporary cooking in a rebooted Victorian pub”.

On their visit, the rooms were described as “charming... well furnished and well equipped” and there was special recognition for the guest lounge and the peaceful location.

With room for 40 people to sit inside and on-site parking available, “it is now easier than ever to make the experience last a little bit longer and stay the night”.

There are almost 80 different choices of wine on the menu which mixes modern British and European cuisine.