Michelin star after just three years
TOP ACCOLADE FOR ANGLESEY RESTAURANT
A RESTAURANT that only opened three years ago has won its first Michelin star.
Sosban and The Old Butchers Restaurant has already scooped almost every local food award up for grabs as well as a clutch of national ones.
And the Menai Bridge eatery was awarded the ultimate foodie accolade at a ceremony in London yesterday.
Run by husband and wife team Stephen and Bethan Stevens, it has quickly gained a reputation for its menu and excellent service. Stephen worked under Marcus Wareing, the famed former head chef of The Savoy, London, before opening his own restaurant on Anglesey in 2013.
Inspectors described it as a “brightly painted restaurant with smart awnings”, highlighting how one of the walls displays Welsh slate and hand-painted tiles from its butcher’s shop days. They described the food on the “wellbalanced, six-eight course surprise menu” as “offering boldly flavoured, carefully cooked dishes”.
Michelin tweeted: “The chef has natural flair.”
But as late comers will soon discover, getting a table is no easy task – diners have to wait at least three months to get a booking, and that is now likely to be even longer.
Its award will certainly come as no surprise to reviewers on TripAdvisor who have waxed lyrical on the meals they had there.
One named it among the top five meals they have ever eaten, adding: “The food is faultless... stand out dishes included the deconstructed tomato appetiser (a flavour punch), the duck sourced from Builth Wells (probably the best I’ve eaten), and the chocolate and green olive-covered lemon ice cream lollipop (I know, weird or what, but trust me, it works).”
Another wrote: “It is very difficult to find adjectives to describe the outstanding experience of dining here. Suffice to say we are booking again.”
While Wendy R wrote: “Food was mind blowing, original and full of staggering combinations. We loved it and will be back again soon. Probably the best meal we have ever had.”
The Daily Post’s own reviewer, Mark Williams, who checked it out in May 2015, said: “The food is unfailingly unconventional. A stickler for bold combinations, this leads to rare pairings such as roast cod, banana and almond, or sardines with feta ice cream.”
Another first time Michelin star winner was Restaurant James Som- merin in Penarth, while all five of last year’s Michelin star holders in Wales have kept theirs – The Walnut Tree in Llanddewi Skirrid, Tyddyn Llan in Llandrillo, near Corwen, The Checkers in Montgomery, Ynyshir Hall near Machynlleth, and The Whitebrook, Monmouthshire.