I see we just missed a food festival in Abergevenny, that would have been worth a drive. The Angel hotel is in the good food guide as well. Maybe you should do some research on our behalf......
My wife is altogether too keen to do the food research - my wallet is less so. The Angel is good and the Bell at Skenfrith isnt too bad either - had my daughters wedding reception there, and possibly the best breakfast I have ever had the following morning.
The food festival is worth attending but I'm not sure I would go a long distance just for that. We go every year but we live close by.
The roads are a different issue. Once 30 miles clear of the relatively built up south coast, they are usually empty, well surfaced and pass through stunning countryside. Not over heavily policed either until you get to Brunstroms old fiefdom. There is such a wide choice of decent driving roads that its difficult to recommend one in particular. Good area for a weeks driving holiday maybe based on somewhere like Rhyadder.
