Rating *** Lisa Bailey is happy with a neighbourly recommendation.

It was Bank Holiday Monday and we had spent a lovely afternoon at the Vintage Rally in Caersws, working up a healthy appetite for teatime. We were staying at my in-laws’ caravan near Caersws and had limited knowledge of the surrounding area.

But, neighbours came to the rescue and suggested The Aleppo Merchant, which was about five miles down the road. My father-in-law rang ahead to check that they were serving food and was a little shocked when we were told that we were having one of the last tables.

From the front, The Aleppo doesn’t look anything special, but as they say looks can be deceiving. You could so easily drive past.

As we ordered drinks at the bar, I would say the restaurant was about half full but within an hour it was packed. Food is served at the Aleppo seven days a week, and as well as the menu there were locally sourced and seasonal specials on the blackboard.

We were anxious to get to the main course, but the starters included butternut squash soup and breaded mushrooms with mayonnaise dip.

For my main course I was torn between chicken with leek and bacon (£9.95) or the fish pie (£9.95), but the pie seemed too tempting. It was Scottish salmon and natural smoked haddock combined with prawns in a creamy sauce. It was topped with crushed potatoes and cheddar cheese.

The pieces of fish in the pie were chunky and flaky and the creamy sauce complemented rather than overpowered the fish.

Never one to turn down a curry, Neil chose off the specials board a chicken balti with rice and naan bread (£8.50). The chicken was plentiful with a thick balti sauce.

My mother-in-law Val went for liver and bacon with carrot and swede mash and a rich onion gravy (£7.95). She said the pig’s liver was tender and the mash delightful.

You can always make a guess at one or two meals on the menu which my father-in-law will go for and he didn’t disappoint this time – it was gammon steak with egg & pineapple (£8.95). The pineapple was dutifully handed over to our son Daniel as my father-in-law Eric is not a big fruit fan. But, he tucked into the gammon and enjoyed every mouthful.

Inside The Aleppo Merchant, Carno

Eric’s and my meal were both served with chips and vegetables.

Daniel chose from the children’s menu – he went for cheese and tomato pizza with chips and beans (£3.95). The pizza was deep pan and just an empty plate was left standing.

While we were waiting for desserts we had a wander into the beer garden and around the rest of the pub. A game of bingo was entertaining a fair few in the games room and the beer garden was spacious and inviting, but in true Bank Holiday fashion it was not really the weather for staying outside.

For dessert, I went for a blast from the past – a black forest gateau. My mother-in-law went for homemade syrup sponge pudding and Daniel couldn’t make up his mind on the ice cream so he went for a bit of chocolate and strawberry (£1.95). Our puddings were £3.95.

I think my eyes were a little bigger than my belly as although I enjoyed the gateau it was a little on the rich side for me. Val loved the syrup pudding and again Daniel finished off the ice cream before running off to the beer garden again.

Looks can be very deceiving and we probably would not have popped in unless someone had recommended the Aleppo – but what a gem. In fact, I enjoyed it so much I visited it again a few days later.

ADDRESS
The Aleppo Merchant, Carno, Powys SY17 5LL
Tel: 01686 420210
Website www.thealeppo.co.uk

MENU SAMPLE
STARTERS
Crispy prawn purse £4.25; Combo starter for two to share £8.95

MAIN MEALS
Welsh lamb chop plain grilled or served with redcurrant and rosemary sauce £9.95; Loin of pork plain grilled or served with a creamy wholegrain sauce £8.95

DESSERTS £3.95
Lemon & raspberry sorbet; Chocolate chip sponge

SERVICE
Friendly

ATMOSPHERE
Bustling

DISABLED FACILITIES
There are disabled facilities