A sweet start for Catch 22
CUSTOMERS at a new Anglesey brasserie are going nuts for its trifle – which tastes like a Snickers bar.
Fans of the confectionery are heading to the island’s newest restaurant, Catch 22, just to try the popular sweet treat.
Head chef Neil Davies said since opening just five weeks ago he has made approximately 750 of the £6 puddings that consist of pannacotta, salted peanut caramel and chocolate mousse.
But it’s not just his Snickers trifle that is drawing in the foodies to the London Road venue in Valley.
His beetroot chocolate fudge cake; bramley lemon curd with brown butter crumble, lime yogurt and raspberry; and the grilled pineapple with gin and tonic granita and mint – all priced £6 – are also proving to be popular.
Gourmets dining at the restaurant have been skipping the main course so they can dig straight in to one Neil’s homemade desserts.
The 33-year-old chef said: “People have been coming in specifically just to have a dessert and nothing else, which is great.
“But the Snickers triffle is by far the most popular; I’ve been making about 150 of them a week.
“We don’t do your usual sticky toffee puddings, we like to draw a difference.”
The new eatery with simple contemporary rustic-style decor can sit up to 160 customers at once and boasts a huge balcony alongside two cocktail bars.
Cocktails, including the most popular – the Raspberry Mojito – are priced £7 each and a selection of wines are on offer, most priced between £15 and £20.
Their most expensive bottle of fizz, the Gremillet Champagne, is priced £35.50.
The restaurant, which employs more than 30 staff, offers Med-style dishes with Asian influences and Welsh twists.
Everything on the menu is made from scratch by Neil, the former head chef at Dylan’s restaurant in Menai Bridge.
It includes a classic beef burger for £11, a range of pasta dishes, including Menai mussel pasta and char-grilled squid pasta, both £8, and 8oz Welsh sirloin steak for £21.
Starters, including deep fried calamari, pork belly, goats cheese croquettes and patatas bravas, can also be ordered to share as a tapasstyle lunch.
Neil added: “Mel (his business partner and girlfriend) and I have been lucky enough to travel to lots of different countries and we took a lot of inspiration from the food in Thailand.
“I love Asian food so I wanted to add a bit of my taste to the menu and bring something new to the area.
The couple have also launched a light bites menu, aimed for lunchtime snacks, which include the Catch 22 club sandwich with grilled chicken, tomato and kimichi and the Bodnant cheddar Welsh rarebit.
“It has been incredibly stressful getting everything ready but it’s all been worth it.,” added Neil.
“We’re really proud of what we have achieved so far and we are so grateful for how supportive the community has been. We’re beginning to see a lot of returning customers now, which is a great sign.
“Mel and I always joked about having our own restaurant, it was always our dream.
“It has been a big risk to take, but every moment has been worth it.
“It’s quite emotional really.”