THE Raven Inn is an unusual beast. Like many pubs, it has seen owner after owner, closure after closure.
The residents of Llanarmon, worried about the future of the Raven, pitched in to buy and run it as a community project.
So far, it seems to be working.
The building is a classic British pub; all black beams, white walls and horse brasses hanging over a huge hearth.
The atmosphere straddles the divide between the local’s local and gastropub.
The Raven offers more than crisps, pork scratchings and ploughmans, but still has the feel of an informal place to relax; the board by the door advertises darts and live music.
Diners are expected to order and pay at the bar, but I was approached within moments by a helpful volunteer.
He announced the menu for the evening was fish and chips – just fish and chips.
I was a bit disappointed with the lack of choice, but he went on to assure me, half-joking, that: “These are the best fish and chips you will ever taste”.
When asked for a vegetarian option, our host very obligingly went into the kitchen to find out and returned with the offer of a cheese and onion pie, which I accepted.
Our food came within a quarter of an hour, and the waitress paused to ask us whether we had everything we needed.
My pie was traditional, tasty and unfussy, with flaky shortcrust pastry and a rich filling.
It came with a generous serving of thick chips and a dollop of mushy peas.
The potatoes were home cut and the vegetables (all locally sourced) did not have the metallic taste or radioactive green colour I associate with canned mushy peas.
The fish and chips came with sliced white bread and homemade tartare sauce.
When I tasted a portion of fish, I found myself thinking that even if it wasn’t the best I’d ever had, it was still pretty good.
According to the menu, the Raven offers roast dinners on Sunday, an extensive menu on Saturdays (including light bites such as pate and brioche and open minute steak sandwiches) and Curry Night on Thursdays.
The independent nature of the pub allows for seasonal specialities: on Bonfire Night they offered mulled wine and spiced hot apple drinks, and as the business grows, the menu will probably expand.
The volunteers are obviously passionate about their project and they welcomed us with enthusiasm.
Their energy is paying dividends: we sat within view of the kitchen and watched a steady stream of meals pour through the door.
The Raven was reopened less than two months ago, but the reputation of “The World Famous (in Llanarmon) Friday Night Fish and Chips” is already spreading.
The Bill:
Fish and Chips: £7.50
Cheese and Onion Pie: £7.50
J2O: £1.40
Total: £16.40