Simon King, chef/proprietor at 1861 which is located in the pretty hamlet of Cross Ash, near Abergavenny, is delighted to announce his special Mothering Sunday menu.

Simon runs restaurant 1861 with his wife Kate.

“All mums deserve to be spoiled on their special day, so I have put together a menu that features seasonal treats such as wild garlic risotto, as well as traditional Sunday favourites like roast beef with all the trimmings.”

“I run the restaurant with Kate, and we have two small children, so we know that creating a work life balance can be tricky, so it’s good to let someone else do the hard work once in a while.”

Simon cut his teeth with several of the restaurant industry’s luminaries. One of his first key posts was with the famed Roux brothers at their celebrated restaurant on the banks of the river Thames in Berkshire.

He also worked in the kitchen of renowned chef, Martin Blunos, following that with the post of head chef at luxury country house hotel, Llansantffraed Court.

This proved to be a fortunate move, as this is where Simon met his wife Kate, who was employed as the hotel’s wedding co-ordinator.

Simon and Kate have built upon their wealth of hotel and restaurant experience to offer guests a gourmet menu at 1861, combining fine food with just the right balance of friendly, personal service.

The couple run 1861 with the help of a loyal and highly capable local staff.

Their quest for the freshest ingredients serves to create an ever changing seasonal menu, littered with many favourites such as the braised belly pork and mosaic of red fruits; supreme of guinea fowl with garlic and parsley cream; and wild mushroom soup.

The provenance of the vegetables is guaranteed as the majority of them are grown by Kate’s father at his market garden in nearby Nantyderry.

“I get tremendous pleasure from putting my own stamp on the food here at 1861,” Simon enthuses. “We offer fine dining served in tasteful but relaxed surroundings. Our aim is always to make our guests feel perfectly comfortable and at home with us, and we pride ourselves on providing guests with a warm welcome yet respecting their need for space and privacy.”

I’ll preface this by saying the meal was with the compliments of Master Chef Adam Simmonds – a prize that I’ve wanted to share with the owner of the website ( http://www.thestaffcanteen.com ), former chef Mark Morris. As it was he that arranged it in the first place. Getting diaries that synchronize is a nightmare:... Read MoreReview of Danesfield House is a post from: Grant Hawthorne


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Starters Cream of cauliflower, cauliflower shavings, truffle oilÂ*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* £5.00 Beef cheeks “croquettes”, gribiche sauce, mixed leavesÂ*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* £6.50 Smoked salmon and dill”boudin” mousse, potato and sea weed cake, buttermilk dressing Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* £7.00 Mains Potato gnocchi, garlic cream, ceps and parmesanÂ*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* £14.00 Fillet of Turbot, green tagliatelle, spinach, morel cream Â*Â* Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* £21.00 Roast beef [...]

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Starters Cream of cauliflower, cauliflower shavings, truffle oil £5.00 Beef cheeks “croquettes”, gribiche sauce, mixed leaves £6.50 Chanterelles, snails, fried bread and watercress £7.50 Smoked salmon and dill”boudin”, potato and sea weed cake, buttermilk dressing £7.00 Mains Potato gnocchi, garlic cream, ceps and parmesan £14.00 Wild sea bass, mermaid grass, green tagliatelle, morel cream £21.00 [...]

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Some tips on cooking What I love outside the restaurant? I love to unwind with a glass of red wine, a good book and classical music. After a while, a decent cheese board, with a few crackers completes the ambience. When the stress gets too much, a whirl around the dance floor with someÂ* 80’s... Read MoreSome tips on cooking is a post from: Grant Hawthorne


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Carrot and cumin soup, toasted almonds, argan oil £5.00 Naked Turtle tasting plate: royale of foie gras, beef cheeks croquettes, lamb sweetbread (serves 2) £13.00 Baked scallops with brandy and scallop chowder £9.00 Braised chicken wings, chanterelles, snails, fried bread £7.50 Potato gnocchi, garlic cream, ceps and parmesan £14.00 Beef burger, sesame bun, lettuce, tomato, [...]

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Carrot and cumin soup, toasted almonds, argan oil £5.00 Naked Turtle tasting plate: royale of foie gras, beef cheeks croquettes, lamb sweetbread (serves 2) £13.00 Braised chicken wings, chanterelles, snails, fried bread £7.50 Potato gnocchi, garlic cream, ceps and parmesan £14.00 Wild sea bass, spinach, green tagliatelle, morel cream £21.00 Whole poached lobster, lemon mash, [...]

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Carrot and cumin soup, toasted almonds, argan oil £5.00 Naked Turtle tasting plate: foie gras custard, beef cheeks croquettes, lamb sweetbread (serves 2) £13.00 Roasted salmon, lentils, braised baby gem £17.00 Perthshire beef fillet, daube cottage pie, watercress £26.00 Potato gnocchi, garlic cream, ceps and parmesan £14.00 Whole poached lobster, lemon mash, broad beans £26.00 [...]

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Carrot and cumin soup, toasted almonds, argan oil £5.00 Naked Turtle tasting plate: foie gras custard, beef cheeks croquettes, lamb sweetbreads (serves 2) £14.00 Braised chicken wings, snails, chanterelles £8.00 Poached lobster, lemon mash, broad beans £26.00 Cod cheeks matelotte: red wine stew with mushroom, ventreche, baby onions, boiled potatoes £12.00 Wild sea bass, green [...]

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