Horseshoe Inn, Arddleen

Rating: *** Pam Griffin finds some cracking good value at a traditional inn.

John and I regularly go into the bar at the Horseshoe to play pool, but we'd never visited the restaurant part, so we were pleasantly surprised when we went into the seating area and found ourselves in a quiet and well-laid-out, traditional-style restaurant.

Landlord Jamie Davies let us choose our table, and we sat down near the open fire as it was a cold night - it was snowing on the night we went.

Jamie took our drinks orders - John went for his usual lager shandy and I had a glass of the house white, a very nice Chilean Chardonnay - and then left us to look at the menu.

We were both pleased to see a good selection of traditional dishes on the list, and after a long time deliberating our starters, John went for the broccoli, pea and leek soup, while I plumped for mushrooms with blue-cheese sauce.

John said his soup was very tasty, with all three flavours coming through, and my mushrooms were just right, covered with thick cheesy sauce.

We were impressed by the size of the portions, which were big enough to feel that you were getting your money's worth, but not so big that they spoiled your appetite for the main course.

When it came to choosing our main course I was torn between the chicken and the peppers stuffed with spinach, goat's cheese and walnuts - one of two vegetarian options on the menu - but went for the peppers while John picked steak-and-ale pie.

We were slightly bemused when the pie arrived in a good-sized round bowl with a square of pastry sitting on top, but John said the meat was cooked to perfection.

I've always worked on the theory that veggie dishes are less filling than meat ones, but my peppers were surprisingly filling - and very tasty, with the different flavours complementing each other very well.

The main courses were served with a huge portion of vegetables and chips, and cook Becci Marsh, who was doubling as a waitress, came out to check everything was alright with our meals. We had no complaints, other than our eyes being bigger than our stomachs!

Having failed to polish off my peppers, and with a third of the pie remaining, we were having second thoughts about dessert, but Becci persuaded us to share a freshly made lemon mousse, which she promised had a lovely 'zing'. She wasn't wrong, and when it arrived it was light, fluffy and just right to end the meal with.

The Horseshoe prides itself on being a traditional country pub, and its location on the A483 means it has a thriving summer trade from passing tourists.

The seasonal trend is reflected in the restaurant's opening times, but Jamie told us he was happy to open the kitchen at any time if he had advance warning.

And the evening ended very happily as, on going to pay our bill, we were told that there was a two for one offer on all meals, so the whole delicious evening cost us just over £25.

Contact

Horseshoe Inn, Arddleen, Llanymynech SY22 6PU

Telephone 01938 590500

MENU SAMPLE

Starters

Soup of the day (£3.95)

Main courses

Chicken breast stuffed with mushrooms, onions and herbs with a cream of whisky sauce (£10.50)

Slow-roasted lambshank with root-vegetable mash (£11.95);

Children's menu, including mini steak, cheesy pasta and bangers and

mash (£4.50)

Desserts

Hot chocolate fudge cake (£4.45)

Cheese board (£5.95)

ATMOSPHERE

Very quiet in the restaurant, probably because of the snow, but the bar was full

SERVICE

Staff were very welcoming, non-intrusive and helpful

DISABLED FACILITIES

There is no access for wheelchairs.