Meal at Jackdaw 4./29 Addendum

 I booked a table at Jackdaws for a 12-course tasting meal. According to Michelin, "Jackdaw is the name given to a person born within the walls of Conwy, making this an aptly named restaurant in the town center. It’s a snug, intimate place nestled on the first floor of a characterful building that was once a cinema. The modern tasting menu has a distinctly playful edge, backed up by well-judged flavor combinations; Welsh pride and hyper-seasonality also play a part, exemplified by a dessert built around the Afal Enlli apple. Service is warm, and the wines are listed by how far they were produced from Conwy, as the jackdaw flies.” The chef and owner is Nick Rudge who was born and raised in Llandudno, North Wales.

A skwrch of a Jackdaw.

The tiny dining room.

The entire menu.

The first part is hard to read on the whole menu.

The first three courses - all good and all interesting.  I don’t know if you can see, but the middle one, on a rock, is the tiniest sliver of Welsh salted duck.

My favorite of the initial courses was the Hafot and "Conwy Sauce" Rarebit.  It was cruncy on the outside with the rarebit flavors and shredded cheese on top.  YUM!

Next was Wye Valley Green Asparagus, Conwy Nettle, Apple Marigold & Green Sauce . The asparagus was sliced paper-thin, and the sauce was tart and refreshing. Most interesting 

This one I have to tell you about.  It was “Lamb Cawl” which was lamb's head on Anglesey Bread.  It tasted like pork with pickled onions on top. Not something I would have ordered on my own.

Trout with roe.  I don’t like caviar, but this was just a touch, almost like a pinch of sea salt. 

Rivbob Mon. Tart and refreshing.

Legend has it that the original recipe for Guinness was stolen from a tavern, Gwin Du in nearby Llantairfechan. This exact recipe then ended up in the hands of Arthur Guinness in Ireland. Here at the Jackdaw. Nick and his team have created a dessert inspired by the original recipe...”Gynwys”  Yum! The bottom was a sauce similar to hot fudge with a distinctive meady flavor. I am not a particular beer fan, but this was outstanding.  The ice cream may have had a slight mocha flavor?  I forgot to take a photo of the last thing - a tiny piece Treacle Toffee.  Very caramelly and chewy.

I didn’t include everything but I loved this meal, very adventurous and every thing worked together.  Although a $175.00 (with tip) is not my norm, it was worth it for the adventure.

One interesting thing about the meal was the map included with the menu.  I guess I don’t know my geography very well. Conwy is at the top, where it dips a little.  Look where South America is.  I had no idea that Wales extended so far south.

I am stuffed and tired, so I bid you good night and

God Bless.