The Aston, Newport

visits a revamped pub and is amazed by its new-style interior decoration.

The shock must have shown on my face when we walked into The Aston. At first I thought I had walked into the wrong place. It's not only the name that has changed, but gone are the old fashioned surroundings and in their place is contemporary decoration with oak tables and tapestry chairs.

The whole place looks fresher and it's been transformed.

The Last Inn (as was) was bought by Nick Snaith who is known for his work as a presenter on BBC1's Holiday Show and is now a DJ for Heart FM. He promised at the time it would be given a contemporary twist and it certainly has been.

We were there for my husband's birthday and were put at ease straight away by manager Ruth Snaith and waitress Hannah Tranter. It was early on a Monday evening, but there seemed to be quite a few people in.

We were spoilt for choice with The Aston's menu. They pride themselves on sourcing most of their food locally, so it's a fresh as possible when it arrives at the table.

My dad and I shared a whole baked camembert with cranberry sauce and grand rustic bread (£7.95), my mum went for the homemade soup - carrot and swede with crusty bread (£4.50) and my husband Neil went for the slow roasted goat's cheese, vine tomato and courgette tartlet on green leaves (£4.95).

The camembert was soft and gooey and delicious with the bread. Our four-year-old son thought it was yummy and kept coming back for another helping. I had to keep reminding him that his main course would soon be on its way.

Mum said the soup was lovely, but Neil was a little disappointed with his tartlet - he thought it didn't really have much taste.

For our main courses I went for an all-time favourite - whole Gressingham duck breast cooked pink on colcannon with chargrilled plums (£12.95). The duck was complemented perfectly by the plums and had quite a salty taste, which added to the delicious dish.

Neil made an unusual choice - fish stew on grand rustic bread with saffron aioli (£14.95). As usual, he was worried there would not be enough so he ordered hand-cut chips (£2.50). But he need not have worried: there was plenty to eat and in his words, it was "tremendous".

Mum went for pie of the day - steak and ale - with buttered carrots and hand-cut chips (£10.50). She is not keen on puff pastry so was really pleased when she discovered it was shortcrust. She savoured every mouthful as did my dad who chose fillet of salmon with lemon roast potatoes, wilted spinach and lemon beurre blanc (£10.95).

And we couldn't forget Daniel, who chose bangers and mash with peas and gravy (£5.95) which vanished before our eyes with not a word said.

Looking at the home-made puddings on the menu, we completely forgot we had a birthday cake hiding in the kitchen.

I chose rich chocolate mousse with mixed berry compote (£4.95), Neil went for bread and butter sticky toffee pudding with warm vanilla pod custard (£4.95) and dad went for strawberry cheesecake with vanilla cream (£4.95). Mum ducked out and said she would give dessert a miss.

The only disappointment with my whole meal was the mousse - I was expecting it to be light and fluffy, but found it a little heavy. Neil thought his pudding did not really go anywhere. I tried a mouthful - it was extremely buttery, but I could not have eaten any more. Dad was the most content, describing his cheesecake as the best he had tasted in years.

Of course it would have been rude not to have the cake and sing Happy Birthday. Now everyone who was in The Aston that night knows how old my husband is as our son insisted on a countdown, with one for good luck!

ADDRESS

The Aston, Church Aston, Newport TF10 9EJ

Tel: 01952 820469

Web: http://theastonnewport.com

MENU SAMPLE

STARTERS

Charcuterie board; Parma ham, salami and chorizo with pickles and crusty bread £5.95; Warm black pudding and bacon green salad £4.50

MAIN COURSES

Roasted vegetable linguine; red peppers, courgettes and cherry tomatoes topped with parmesan shavings, fresh basil and chilli oil (V) £7.95 add crayfish £3 extra; 10 oz Classic homemade beef burger with mature cheddar or stilton cheese, hand-cut chips & coleslaw £9.95; add smoked streaky bacon, mushrooms or jalapeno peppers £1 extra.

DESSERTS

Crème brûlée with homemade lavender shortbread biscuit £4.95 ; Mr Moyden's local cheese board with homemade chutney and biscuits £6.95 add a port taster £1 extra

SERVICE

Delightful

ATMOSPHERE

Relaxed and friendly

DISABLED FACILITIES

Access for wheelchairs