the Hardwick – best food in Wales

I’ve been here at Litts for some nine months and I’ve tried most of the restaurants within 30 miles but the Hardwick stands out. Last night was my third visit in five weeks, I had the ham and pea soup. Of course it wasn’t called that, something more descriptive, relating to geography and no doubt meant to make your mouth water but they needed have bothered….the soup spoke for itself, it was truly porky and pea-taste infused; better than my Mum’s or my grandmother’s.

We arrived at 7pm after a pint at the Cyltha Arms, the first to be there out of 15 guests expected. The Hardwick has replaced a pub called the Horse and Jockey where my father drank with his mates. It’s now modernised, all tan, slate floor and wooden tables and chairs not cold, just clean and tidy, as we say in Wales. The restaurant was founded by its chef, Stephen Terry, whose food graced tables at sadly shaded and now largely forgotten Walnut Tree. He and his wife Joanna have obviously put their hearts into it. We’re always asked here at Litts: where do I stay? Where do eat? So we’ve decided to go into print to tell our customers: Stay at the Celtic Manor; eat at the Hardwick!

Main course was shin of beef, not a dish you see a lot but you have got to try it. It’s like the finest braised beef you’ve had, succulent, full of flavour. The red cabbage, spinach and perfectly made gnocchi complemented the beef perfectly. My guest had Gloucester Old Spot sausages and mash. This was rated has highly as my beef. You just cannot find better food around here. My previous visit was venison stew. I know, venison’s got little flavour and can be tough….not Stephen Terry’s; it was all we could have hoped for and more than we could eat. I’ve never managed dessert on any visit, the two courses preceding are always just too good to leave any room for it.

Stephen takes great pride in selecting his food, being knowledgeable about its antecedents. This attitude reflects ours here in the gun room at Litts. We have more fine English and continental guns in stock than anywhere in the UK. Here’s just what I can see around me while writing this:

• Purdey: 20b o/u; 3 x 12b o/u; 10b sbs; 4 x 12b sbs
• Boss: 12b o/u; 3 x 12b sbs; 12b hammer gun
• Holland: 20b o/u; pair 12b o/u
• Asprey: pair 20b o/u
• Lingard: pair 12b o/u

Plus a wonderful range of provincial guns and boxlocks. Lots of Luciano Bosis, Perrazi and Custom Brownings. Litt’s gun stocks are just so extensive currently over £6 million. You cannot get a better deal on a Perrazi or Custom Browning.

So, visit us and go eat at the Hardwick call 01873 854220, say Roger sent you. It’s on the Old Raglan Road, Abergavenny, NP7 9AA or email them at info@the hardwick.co.uk

If you have stay over, stay at the Celtic Manor: call 01633 413000 or go to their website, www.celtic-manor.com