Love your website. When you get the chance, could you review the rest of the Yarmouth restaurants please? Blue Crab, Salty's, On the Rocks (dinner only) Sian Ellin and the brasserie at the George. I'd be really interested to read your thoughts on all or any of the above. Many thanks.

My wife and I are regular visitors to the Island, and never miss the August bank holiday with the highlight watching the thousands of Lambrettas at the international scooter rally. Now we have another highlight as we have found a superb family run restaurant we would like to recommend called Ganders in St Helens, the restaurant itself is small with a homely / romantic atmosphere, the staff are all very pleasant and informative, the menu has a good selection with the seasonal specials chalked on the wall.
We had pan fried fillet of local sea bass with Isle of Wight crab mash, followed by a large portion of home made raspberry pavlova with clotted cream. ( heaven )
I hope that my wife and I become regulars at Ganders and hope they maintain their high standards and excellent food unlike the Crab and Lobster ( Bembridge ).

There are a couple of "fine dining" Restaurants where I would appreciate your ideas
The Hambrough Ventnor and The Pond by the same time rarely left me disappointed, same goes for the upmarket pup The Red Lion in Freshwater, some of my friends commend Mozarts in Cowes and I certainly had pleasant food in Both Lugleys Retaurants... Burrs in Newport and D@Bs in Cowes certainly would deserve Reviewing...
Looking for breakfast I think the Waterside in Gurnards stands out, for food and drink later the day The Woodvale....
Very happy that same ISlanders take up this task
Btw- it would probably be worth to add good quality suppliers of Local Produce to the Recommendations for these days you want to cook yourself
Thank You

Oh!!you have to visit Kimbos in lake!it's really good! but I wouldn't go on saturday it's jam packed then! and on Sundays they're closed!It's brilliant!
BTW-It's a chinese take-away!

I have great difficulty finding places to eat that serve fresh cooked food in an accessible venue with level access and room to move around between tables that is also non smoking.

It would idealy have an accessible toilet too.

I would love to find somewhere on the Island that serves cooked meals of fresh organic veg and meat dishes eg; roasts etc. there doesnt seem to be one place that serves organic food on the Island.

Its bad enough getting up and down kerbs but getting in and out of eating places is awful.
Take a look at this website to see how hard it is just to find an accessible venue to eat etc.
www.wight2access.co.uk

After trying several places that were not suitable in Newport I found Hong Kong Express to have level access and totally non smoking too.
Other wheelchair users were using this venue and the food was lovely but far to large portions for me, the staff were so friendly clean and helpful and the lovely fresh food was quickly served with a smile.

West Wight Sports Centre Cafe Moa is good too and very accessible.
The End of the Line in Freshwater is another good venue but not very accessible hard to get in with a small power chair without an assistant.

The Bear Cafe at Lake is good too not always a great choice but freshly cooked food.
The Toilet is good but the door access is a bit difficult without assistance.


MATT & CAT RESPOND: Thanks for your thoughts, Carmelle. We are very aware that accessibility is an issue in pubs and restaurants, and welcome your comments and suggestions. We hope that Wight2access becomes a big success!

For coffee and cake or something more substantial try Tintos in Ventnor , made extra nice by the very friendly staff

Hi

Have noticed a restaurant in Blackgang (on the roundabout by Blackgang Chine) called Merlins Bistro. Can't find a website for them, only contact details. We'd love to know what it's like and whether it's any good.

Think it might be an Indian Restaurant.

Thanks!

Matt and Cat respond: we went to have a look. No sign of life at all. It's derelict and appears to be about to fall into the sea. Not recommended.

Hi I wondered if you have thought of trying Pettigrews (Abingdon Lodge Hotel) West St Ryde. ??

Recently in the County Press I read an article on JUDES FISH BAR in Carisbrooke. It apparently came 2nd in Chip Shop of the Year? I would be very interrested to see what you think about this chippie. I only visited it once when I heard it was in new hands and maybe it was an off day but for the goodness of my health I darent go back until someone else is brave enough to eat there! I would be grateful if you could try it out.

Matt and Cat respond: thanks, Bob, you've really sold it to us. We'll be along there... really... soon...

Hello
Brilliant website - are you guys really fat??!!
I was told to try The Essex at Godshill by some visiting London friends who thought it was excellent. You should go there - we tried it out and had an experience!
Pretentious, over ambitious, staff who try too hard, bland decor etc etc. Im sure it was a lovely place before the current owners stripped the charachter out of it and tried to run a 'foodie restaurant' which frankly doesnt work. 2/10

I visited Lugley's in Cowes over the weekend and much to my disappointment is wasn't a patch on their Newport restaurant. I ordered pheasant with braised cabbage, and I could probably say it's the worst thing I've ever eaten out. My wifes meal of Rump of Lamb was overcooked and dry, the service was sloppy (I was asked if I wanted to see the desert menu 3 times?).

Lugleys in Newport is still once of the best on the Isle of Wight, but don't get it confused with the one in Cowes.

As a suggestion to visit, I recommend the Fat Cat at Freshwater Bay, their latest menu is fantastic and at great value.

Would love for you to review The Small Talk Tea Rooms in Shanklin, i had a lovely home made meal there, beef in red wine casserole with crusty rolls, my children enjoyed enormous sandwiches which were packed with salad and came with a huge side salad as well.

I really think you should visit the Four Seasons restaurant in Wroxall. My family visit the island every year and always eat there two or three times during our stay. We have always received very good value for money there and the staff are friendly too.

Have you been to the Rex in Ventnor since it has been under current management?

We go to the Isle of Wight every year with my in laws who have been going for 20 years!! Two of our favourite places to eat are the Steamer Inn on the front at Shanklin and Pavarottis in Shanklin old village opposite the Crab Inn (which also do nice food). I would be interested in your reviews of these places.

There is also a nice little chippy called Chubby's Chips in Shanklin new village that do excellent cheesy chips!!!

A new Italian has opened on the High Street in Sandown. Main meals about £10.00. Give it a try:

Steaks, fish, pasta and veggie options

Great site for choosing a new restaurant to try! Please could you review DB's on Bath St in Cowes - I've heard it's very good.

Please always describe whether your restaurants have: vegetarian options, and are child friendly (child menu).

Many thanks for some inspiration, and advice to avoid some of the worst places.

Matt and Cat respond: Thanks for your comment, Luisa. Glad you;re inspired! Keep writing comments to tell us what you think. Check out our review categories - currently there are 87 reviews of places that we consider to be 'family friendly'. Click here to see those reviews.

We have considered having a 'vegetarian' category but decided it probably wouldn't be very useful as w we're not veggies so we wouldn't often assess the quality of veggie food. If a venue offers exclusively vegetarian food, we would probably mention that, and although we try to give details of menu choices in our reviews to give our readers some idea of what they can expect we don't list everything on the menu.

Anyone know where we can get good vegan food, day or evening? We are visiting at the end of August 07

Pauline, re vegan food suggestions: the Quay Arts Cafe, Quay Street, Newport, has really nice vegan as well as vegetarian food. And I think the menu at Dimbola Lodge, Freshwater includes some vegan, as well as vegetarian options. A lunchtime snack I had at the Orrery (Union Street, Ryde) - falafel - was vegan. Also, I think Pizza Express in Newport marks its vegan dishes. I'd be interested to see what anyone else comes up with.

Caulkheads Sandown IF you like good food served hot your wine chilled dont mind a little wait then this is well worth a vist there are many places to eat on the island every year we find a good place. only to find it has changed the next. But the Caulkheads has remained the same good value honest cooking. Try their two steak meals plus a bottle of wine for £21 this was a excellent meal All meals are large portions so dont have the starter or you wont have room for one of their deserts

Grand View Te Gardens near to rylstone Gardens Shanklin. Terrifiv views over Sandown Bay,well tended gardens good service,lovely sandwiches all served with unusually good sidesalads.
Reasonable prices. Excellent on a nice day!

Don't worry this won't be long! Saltys in Yarmouth was a huge surprise - Cuban music, lively atmosphere, lots of lovely seafood choices ( I had the burger - sorry Saltys) but it was lovely, clearly homemade with proper unprocessed beef. Far too many chips though.
Also Pendletons in Shanklin. Could give Morgans a run for it's money. Very good imaginative food, good wine, friendly staff. Very family run. Definately worth a shot. The Crab and Lobster in Bembridge. Good wholesome seafood. Crab cakes - more like Maryland cakes, good lobster. Shame about the vegetables.
IOW food has improved so much since my last visit and I will definately be back next year. There is so much to try. I will be very interested in the Hambrough reviews, as we were told by too many people not to go, but I really was to!

Enjoyed reading your reviews. Have you tried Ferrets in Shanklin. It was a really unusual dining experience, but great fun and brilliant food. But be prepared to try something different we had Water Buffalo and Zebra bothreally tasty. Check but when we went you had to take your own wine because of no license. It is not cheap about £25 per head but in my opinion well worth it.

The Boathouse at Victoria Fort in Yarmouth is the place to go if you want good honest food cooked from scratch by an excellent chef, Breakfast there is a must with an excellent view over the Solent.The Sunday lunches are fantastic with the best Yorkshire puds you'll ever taste. They have also just started to introduce a curry night to which we went and were not disappointed. Give it a try.

Matt and Cat respond: been there too.

Hi have you thought about doing a review on Pearly Boise ice cream parlour? it opens april-oct and does the best home made italian style ice cream with over 27 flavours, you really have to try it, they also have a cafe section serving fresh paninis and proper coffee, but you have to see the ice cream! i recommend watermelon sorbet.

Matt & Cat respond: remind us again in April, eh?

Dalverton garden centre (Honnor and Jeffrey), Newport Road Sandown is well worth a visit for a coffee break.Their cheese scones are to die for!!

Suggest you try the Piano Bar in Ventnor. It is in a restored art deco building and serves stylish lunches and dinners. We have been twice and enjoyed both meals. We have no connection with the owner

Thanks for the reviews! Very informative and amusing.

after reading the comments from bob about judes fish bar, i would like to say how pleased i have been every time i have visited. not only do they sell fish and chips it also has a good range of other meals including vegetarian,burgers(which are 100% beef)chicken nuggets(which are 100% chicken),also they always have a good range of special deals. so please pop along and sample the food for yourselves. i am sure you will enjoy it.

Hi!
A new restaurant has opened in Ryde. It's under the Abingdon Lodge Hotel West Street. The name: Zachs Restaurant and Bar. Tel: 566722, booking is advised, open Tuesday- Saturday 6.30-9.30. Open Sunday for Sunday Luch 12-2.30.
Hope to see you there!

My wife and I are frequent visitors to the Isle of Wight,usually by taking our boat to Cowes. However, this weekend we decided to drive and stop over.We were sat in the Pilot at Bembridge when we saw an ad for a fish restaurant, in the local paper, namely the Loaves and Fishes at Godshill. So off we set. Strange place. The person behind the bar, didn't know how to open a bottle of champagne, let alone pour it and we found ourselves asking for a bucket all of which we had to carry to the table, ourselves. We ordered Whitebait which was advertised with crusty bread.A French stick cut up! into rounds. No one topped up the glasses. I had Lemon Sole, with "cold" peas and my wife had mackerel fillets with "cold" peas. No garnish no lemon wedge. We both opted for the cheese which was pretty ordinary and put on the table with no expalnation of the varieties. The lady of the house seemed to want to serve everybody and the gent behind the bar, even when busy just stood there.I then had to go to the bar and get the bill. All in all pretty average and not worth the money. Wine list included JP Chenet Chenin Blanc! at 11.99 a bottle. I wouldn't even cook with that. Having dined all round the world, what annoys me are people who profess to run a restaurant and haven't got a clue. Loaves and Fished welcome to that club.

Try the Bowsprit on Gurnard seafront, great starters, amazing main courses and wonderful puddings. Friendly service and warm atmosphere...always booked up!

A fantasitic web site found it whilst looking for something else. As someone who enjoys a good evening out for a dinner and entertaining a guest. I would like to put forward a few that I have found but not on here. White Horse - Whitwell, Lugleys - Newport and Valentinos - Carisbrooke as I have been to these locations a few times by and had nothing but good service at each of them as well as some excellent choices of food.

Matt and Cat respond: Thanks for your feedback Andrew. We had some lovely food at the White Horse, Whitwell. Read our review here.

Please go to Oggies fish and chip restaurant in St Thomas Square, Newport. Good food - plenty and not greasy (lovely batter) but the star of your visit must be the spelling mistakes on the menu! Pinnapple, Sayaloy, vegtables and many more! Well worth a visit.

Have you tried On the Rocks in Yarmouth? It was full of yachties on the night we went (last summer), but we all enjoyed our meal and the idea (cook your own food at the table) was novel. Would be interested in knowing what Merlin's Bistro (at Blackgang) is like, as we often drive past, but haven't yet ventured in. Also we'd be interested if anyone knows whether the Rex piano bar in Ventnor is any good. Keep up the good (reviewing)work - we've visited a couple of places you recommended!
Matt and Cat respond: glad you like it, thanks for your input. We also tried to get into On The Rocks but couldn't be accommodated - whatever it's like, it certainly is popular. Maybe next summer...

you were misled...you discovered the standard service available

Try Tilley's Family run Cafe Bistro in Ventnor. Excellent food and very friendly staff. Good value for money and if you've got a young family, they do half portions of almost everything on the menu. Kids don't always want burger and chips or chicken nuggets and chips.

Went to On the Rocks at Yarmouth last night. Had heard good things about it but had never seemed to manage to get there. I was concerned about what was to come after a bit of confusion over the booking on first arrival, but it turned out to be a fantastic night! Great concept, great food, and good fun experience. Would love to know what you think?

If you get the opportunity. I would strongly recommend you give the Three Bishops another visit. They have finished their long awaited refurbishment and wow, what a difference. Spacious and homely with stone floors and real fires. It feels like a proper old fashioned real pub, not one of these mock ye olde pubs. As for the food, very tasty, incredibly good value and obviously home made. By the way, love the website. Keep up the good work. It's a hard job, but someone's got to do it.

We've just had an excellent impromptu meal at Barnabys in Sandown. It's in Pier Street, about 50 yards up the hill from the, er, pier. It's unpretentious and, not surprisingly, a bit seasidey, but they have a menu to suit all tastes, without over-reaching itself. I had a simple 'breakfast in a bun' which was just bacon and fried egg in a bread roll, but it was very well done, with the egg cooked to perfection. We could have had anything from a cream tea to a roast dinner, and there was a tempting range of puddings. I'd be interested to know what you think...

have you tried judes fish bar at carisbrooke yet.the foods delicious

Try the Royal Hotel in Ventnor. Open to non-residents.
We had a fantastic stay there.
Excellant food. The evening menu was superb and they did a great breakfast.
Lovely for a special occasion.

Has anyone tried the carvery at Holliers in the old village in shanklin?
I can really recommend it; choice of three
meats around 6 different fresh vegetables
(not soggy) stuffing etc. Probably the best carvery on the Island. Very friendly staff
& nice setting on the patio outside watching the world go buy with a bottle of wine after
lunch

Ocean View Fish & Chips, Ventnor The proprietor claims that Islanders travel from as far as Bembridge as they only cook to order so fish is fresh. it is within walking distance (up 108 steps!) of our house so have enjoyed their produce. It is good and you should give them a try when you in a chippy mood - a lot better than Fat Harry's sounds, so I was prompted to let you know. Address is 1 Newport Road also super views from seats outside while you are waiting. Thanks for the reviews

Well I travel from Shanklin to use them and have always been very satisfied

Hello Cat and Matt

Fine site - keep up the good work.

Have you ever tried out Ganders in St Helens? First impressions aren't that promising - the decor is a bit ye olde tea shoppe and somehow the descriptions of the food on the menus aren't that inspiring. However: the food is great. I had a risotto the last time I went, which is not something I would normally go for, but it was superb. Mark, the chef/owner over at the St Helens Restaurant on the other side of the green, rightly gets a lot of plaudits for his food, but I think it would be nice to 'big up' Ganders as they seem to get overlooked. And if they get a bit busier, perhaps they'll be able to afford to replace those nasty pub chairs...

I recently visited The Bistro at Island Harbour, Binfield and i highly recommend it. The Food was all freshly made from local produce, and my boyfriend ate some bass that was caught that day. I found that there were plenty of choices for vegetarians, and had a delicious bowl of homemade chunky vegetable soup and fresh bread.
Apart from the gorgous homemade food, the atmosphere was very friendly and relaxed.
We sat outside and could of spent all afteernoon looking over the harbour and at the beatuiful surrounding counrtyside.

I just noticed in your review of The Square that you've run out of places to review in Newport! You put me to shame. I always tend to play safe and opt for old favourites; you've even reviewed more eateries in my own area (SW Wight) than I've been to myself.

But back to Newport: have you tried that little coffee shop in Gray's Walk (opposite the back of BHS) with the Italian sounding name? Looks like it might be alright for a light lunch, though so far I've only popped in for a drink - the service was friendly.

Matt & Cat respond: thanks Wendy, we'll give that a go. Actually, we've only run out of places that appear in the yellow pages - and we think there's one more there yet. There are quite a few others that are not in the book - and new ones opening now and again! So we don't think we'll ever catch up...

You should try The Reef on Sandown esplanande. We went there recently and the food was delicious, atmosphere was great and there's a gorgeous little sun terrace where you can sit out at the fromt and watch the world pass by with a drink and lovely food. Excellent for a balmy summer day!

Great venue, glorious weather and view superb. Daily menu with excellent, delicious sounding choices. Alas, it didn't come together for us. Please, please, please give this a try to see if it has improved with the new 'London' chef. We'd really like to sit on the deck again, watching the fisherfolk at the pond, but cannot bring ourselves to do so after THE ABSOLUTE WORST PUB MEAL EVER! We foodies love being out and about and trying new dishes and places but wouls love someone else to tell us that Rookley Country Park has improved. A simple complaint sufficed in us not paying for all three meals, but that's not really the point is it?

Rookley Country Park has improved beyond all measure, even the Sunday carvery is alright (and I usually hate them)

Re: Cask and Taverners in Godshill

We have just had an excellent lunch here. Potted duck with pickles and home made ciabatta, pork pie with home made picalilli and the best thrice-cooked chips as seen on TV demonstrated by Mr Blumenthal I think. The new couple are passionate about local food and the short, competitively priced menu reflects the best the Isle of Wight seasons offer. We are hopefully going back this week to try the dinner menu.

Hi Matt and Cat,
Great site well done, we recently went to the Hermitage restuarant at Bourne Hall Country House Hotel Shanklin,now under new ownership and it was wonderful. The 4 course table d' Hote menu was the best we have had in over 30 years on the Island.
enhanced by the tranquil setting of the Hotel & the more than courteous staff.
I am sure you are going to get lots of reviews about the Hermitage,you should give them a try they deserve it.

lin

Hey Matt & Cat, with Isle of Wight Festival starting today, how about a section on festival food? Don't know if you're going mind you? I know it's temporary, and it'll be different every year, but just one or two decent food outlets make all the difference to the whole experience to me.
Bestival definitely had the edge last year, with plenty of variety and a good local presence (I even found your sushi lady Tomo Bentou there). I became a fan of Pie Minister pies there, and now get my Bristol-based friend to bring me some down when he visits. I'm hoping there'll be some decent nosh on offer this weekend. I'm quite picky - it has to be veggie or fish, and I hate anything bland & stodgy (which rules out about 90% of it!).

Matt and Cat respond: Hi Wendy! Thanks for your suggestion. Alas we are not going to the festival this year so will not be able to comply. However, there's nothing to stop you commenting on this site if you think any of the food stalls are worth a special mention (for whatever reason - good or bad!), particularly if they are run by a local business. BTW, we had a delicious Tomo Bentou lunch today - Tomo has a stall at the Friday Food and Craft market in Newport.

Update: thanks Wendy for your feedback - we've made a whole new review out of Wendy's food reports, and you can see it here.

Why not have a shufti into Flanagans, on Pier street in Sandown. This year seems to be the best yet, it's local to me and have had good honest pub meals there before. But sat outside a few weeks ago, on a warm(ish!) summer evening I had a the greatest chicken breast stuffed with stilton and celery, in sauce with saute spuds and decently cooked veggies. I recommend! We were a party of four,all with nice clean plates at the end. They've got couple of tellies for the footie and loos that need a slap of paint, but if you like a tasty and reasonably priced meal, ignore the plastic Elvis and this could be a winner.

Hi matt and cat

As a regular visitor to the Island I find you reviews most useful. Have thought of expanding to food shops, I was over this weekend I had the misfortune to visit Ratseys deli in gurnard - very poor selection, overpriced and too much washing liquid and far too many christmas puddings than a shop should have in June!

I think one of reviews would have kept me safely away!

Keep up the good work :)

Great site. This is exactly the sort of thing I have had in mind for my webpage although I haven't got nearly as much done as you have. Really good work, I will add a link to your site.

There are some notable places missing though. For example there are reviews for several places in Bembridge but not the Crab & Lobster Inn why is that? Couldn't see the Crown Inn in Shorwell either.

Good luck with your eating adventures, and I'm missing the Isle of Wight already.

Matt and Cat respond: thanks! Try here, and here for your missing reviews. Good luck with your webpage!

Hi Matt and Cat

Recently visited the cafe at Newport Nursery, Aquatics & Pets in Watergate Road and thought you might be interested in the experience. My own comments are in the form of a poem.

Matt and Cat respond: thanks for that, what an entertaining medium for a review. Perhaps we'll try it... the poetry, that is, possibly not the cafe!

The Beach Cafe at Steephill Cove - excellent "Crab Tea" consisting of Crab Sarnie,
& Salad (no raw onion!) decorated with shell-on prawns, tea/coffee, and stawberry and
raspberry Pavlova to follow, all for under a tenner. It was high-tide, but we were not charged extra for the wave which showered our table with sea - great fun!.

You will enjoy a visit to Manuel's in Shepards Wharf in Cowes. Not just "another" Mediterranean Restaurant but probably the "only" Portugese place in the South of England, Portugese Family owned and enthusiastically run.
Nice small menue with fresh ingredients and a ! on perfectly prepared steaks and grills at a for the "yachty" venue affordable price (even for wines).
Also exceptional the allday and late opening (we were served a full dinner at 10 pm without having a prior booking), the very personal service by the proprietors and the probably best designed and cleanest WC on the IW.
Defenitely one of my new favourites- I hope they keep their enthusiasm up...
Try to get there before Cowes Week to see the design as long as it is new and fresh....

The Reef on Sandown Esplanade always seems to serve up a good spread, we have eaten there 3 times in the past 5 weeks. Normally I stick with the same dish but have been steadily working through their menu and haven't been disappointed yet!

Guinness on Draught as well which is always nice to see in a restauranty type establishment. (Apologies for my customised use of the English language!)

Worth booking a week or two ahead if you want to sit indoors as they do seem to be getting ever more popular.

Hi Matt & Cat,

Firstly, what a great site! We always refer to it when wanting to try out somewhere new and have added a link to our website.

We've just come back from the Island Harbour Bistro and have to say we were quite disappointed. The menu was quite limited, with nothing for vegetarians, and having vegetables included amongst the side orders at extra cost seems a cheek. My partner had the fish and chips and although it said the chips were homemade, they certainly didn't look or taste like it. They looked distinctly like frozen chips and were apparently on the hard side. I had a chicken schnitzel which came on its own so I'd ordered some new potatoes and vegetables. Prior to our meals being served, and about after 20 mins of us having ordered, we were told that as the potatoes were only just being put on, did we want to wait 15 mins for them or just have chips. As I didn't want chips we decided to wait.

My "vegetables" actually turned out to be a dishful of brocolli so no variety there. Desserts were actually quite nice, although my partner felt his chocolate fudge cake was bought in and not homemade.

We both felt that for the prices they charge and the fact they call themselves a Bistro, they really need to try harder. A shame really, because the setting is lovely.

We loved the bistro. We skipped along the river path with our Golden Retriever and enjoyed the best seafood pasta and gorgeous salads. And then they lost their chef. We had such lovely meals there and it went from beautiful to dire in a nanosecond. We contacted the manager and she denied that the chef had left but sadly, this was not true and his name is now gone from the website and now no-one wants to take credit for the horrible cuisine. Our inedible meals were prepared by a couple of teenagers with dirty aprons. It's so sad.

Matt and Cat respond:Thanks for your comment Dave. We assume that you are referring to the Island Harbour Bistro. Looks like we'll have to see if it's as bad as you say it is...

We completely agree with the comments re the Island Harbour Bistro. The chef HAS changed because I saw the advertisement in the paper for a new one! We had lunch there under the old chef and it was gorgeous so went there again a few weeks ago for a repeat. However we were told that we could only order sandwiches as the chef was "cleaning the kitchen". We both ordered sandwiches which were advertised as being served with salad and chips. Payment was taken at time of order. We were then told that there were no chips because of the kitchen cleaning. I asked for a refund of part of the cost and was refused, being given an additional drink instead (which we did not want). However we thought it was an off day and went there again last night for our wedding anniversary. Starters were all but one fish, we were told that the fish and chips and steaks were off the menu, however we both ordered the special, Beef Wellington. We waited over an hour for our meal, two people came in and sat at the next table to us and had their main courses and puddings and were paying their bill as our food arrived! Like the other reviewer, veg consisted of broccoli only (have they bought a job lot!) although the Wellington itself was very nice. If we had not had to pay at time of order again we would have left. Pudding a real disappointment, crumble and custard which was far too tart and microwaved until the custard bubbled and dried out, yuk! We will NOT be going there again.

The Hambrough welcomes Michelin Starred Robert Thompson as Chef Patron-
says the website and the IW Country press- so I will be very interested to have a look and find out- but I may be biased because I think that was so far already the best fine dining experience on the island so change can always be for the good or for the worse- interesting how prices will develop too and I would love to see what M&C think, I shall post my 5p's worth as soon as I know more

Hello Mat and Cat

Yes, there are numerous eateries in Cowes and as an East Cowes resident have made a number of visits to the newly opened 'Manuels' near the Floating Bridge. Would you consider giving it a review? The food is Portuguese, which I regard as an interesting twist on European cuisine.

HAMBROUGH HOTEL..we went for what might be our most delicious lunch of the year here last week..£22 for three courses of the highest quality possible. This chef knows his stuffing. Lunch bargain of the year too, I would volunteer. The staff were top notch. The wine list is very well priced....the Alborinio was on the button. The hotel has had a complete change of guard, including the Pond Cafe.

The rooms are worth a visit too and it is possible to park outside the front of the hotel. For that special week-end .....

One of our favourite places for tea & coffee is:-

http://www.luccombemanor.co.uk/index.php/95

very nice location as well.

Just returned home after a week on the Isle of Wight and as is now our ritual on the last night we ate at Ganders, St Helens's. We have been coming here for around 7 years now and we have never had a bad meal. This year took my brother & wife, there were 6 of us in total all had starters, mains and deserts. My main was the duck breast and it was cooked to perfection, how I wish we had a restaurant as good as this at home (actually probably not a good idea , my waistline would grow and grow!!!).
The bill came in at a tad under £190, and that included the 2 bottles of wine, me and my sister-in-law had so I think it is very reasonable.
In the same week we ate out most nights , Blacksmiths Arms (forgot how large the portions were......phew), White Lion, Arreton, I think it may have changed hands since last summer but just as nice.
Only places not too great were Wishing Well. Seaview and Sloop Inn, Wootton Bridge, but I understand bothwere in the process of undergoing a refurb which may explain that, won't put me off trying them next year.

So keep up the good work Matt & Cat, I regularly check to see what's new for us on our next visit, might see you next year.

You really must try The Folly in Whippingham, you will love it!
the specials board is as varied as the menu and they do a
great crewpot. After a very hard day at work last week we
decided to get a take away and could not choose from any of
the poor offerings in cowes (corries cabin may be good but the
service is bad, we are frequently missing part of our order
and you never know how many chips you will get)we priced up a pretty timid chinese but it
still came up to £27 so we went out to eat instead. I am so
glad that we did. By the way the food bill was only £25 and
the quality was outstanding, they also make the children feel
very welcome.

Matt and Cat respond: Thanks for your comment Joy. We love The Folly. Read our review here.

Fantastic website .. perhaps you ought to suggest good walks to enable people to write off their calorific footprint.

One restaurant that we visit time and time again is 'Fox's' at Bembridge. It's a small restaurant run by a chef and his wife ... I think they are only open on weekdays now, but the food is delicious and the service great.

It's one of those rare restaurants .. consistent! You can recommend it without trepidation (please don't tell me it's been taken over and become a greasy spoon!). Anyway, we never leave the IOW without having dined there.

Keep up the good work.

You might care to try the cafe at Oasis, just off the Brading Road.

The lunch /snack menu provides good quality and quantity home cooking.

Whilst the pastries look delicious, the lunch specials have always been excellent. The Lasagne accompanied by delightful garlic bread and fresh salad is always good as are the jacket potatoes and soups.

Please try the food at Melville Hall Hotel. The website has a
sample menu, have a look.
Food and service was excellent. Great value for money.

Have they got new owners yet?

THE WATERSEDGE, GURNARD

This is a great cafe. The menu is good, and food is freshly cooked and plentiful, with wicked cakes to tempt you from your diet. Breakfasts are filling and the veggie breakfast is one of the best I've tasted.

Also, it is licensed.

It can get very crowded at the weekend and it is wise to book a table.

Give it a try...........

I recently tried the breakfast at Fakenham Farm which is between Nettlestone and St Helens, probably the worst breakfast i have ever eaten , cheap tasteless sausages , anaemic eggs , so not what you would expect to be served in a farm cafe.

Try Tilleys Cafe on the High Street in Ventnor. Great Food,
Great Service, Value For Money.

We had a short holiday in Colwell Bay with our young grand-daughter a few weeks back and most evenings we walked along the sea-wall to the small cafe at Totland Pier for an early supper. A good basic menu, well cooked, fresh food at reasonable prices. The extremely pleasant and friendly people running the place made us and our three year old feel very welcome....what a contrast to the cafe at Amazon World, never going there again.

I tried Goodman's Deli in Ventnor on Saturday lunchtime for a bite and a drink. Had a toasted flatbread sandwich filled with a delicious mix of mediterranean vegetables from the deli counter, pesto and Italian cheese (normally they offer fresh paninis, but a new batch had only just gone in the oven). To drink I had possibly the most ornate drink I've ever seen: flowering green tea. It comes in a very novel glass teapot and the green tea "flower" blooms as it brews in the hot water. Stunning! As a green tea fan I can confirm it had a very superior flavour too. My son had hot chocolate which - having tried a sip - was also top quality. Very friendly service. Recommend it for a light bite.

Any chance of a night out at the Swan's Nest (Salvatores)in Ryde?

This establishment was recommended by some ex-pats in Portugal.

I tried the café at Chale Green Stores today. Felt a bit like Lucy emerging from the wardrobe in Narnia. One second you're in a (very well-stocked) village store, but at the back you turn right and find a whole other dimension. A very enticing deli counter, and nicely furnished café with floor-to-ceiling glass doors leading into a courtyard garden and with views of the hills.
A deli menu is available all week from 12-3pm; and a full café menu from 12-3pm Wednesday to Sunday.
I had a warm garlic camembert salad for £4.95: half a camembert melting onto a roast vegetable and rocket salad, served with sliced toasted ciabatta drizzled with olive oil and served with a delicious relish. Excellent quality and great value. I was very impressed and will definitely return.

Go on, M&C, try The Hambrough in Ventnor. It will make for some stunning pics on your website! Ian and I ate there yesterday evening having read about its young and tipped-for-stardom chef Robert Thompson several times in the past month. He's the one emerging from the sea with a fish on the front of the current Taste of the Wight Magazine; he's been reviewed in The Independent; mentioned on Ventnor Blog, and he's won local awards. The County Press's Keith Newbery pondered whether his food was the sort of posh nosh that would look good but not fill you up, to which RT valiantly responded in last week's letters page that yes it would fill you up and that he's wanted to be a chef since he was ten years old and he's trying to bring visitors to the Isle who might not ordinarily come.

So anyway, I can report that: 1) We were both most definitely full by the end of the meal; 2) The food is a talking point - how it looks, what it is, what it reminds you of from your past (at one point when eating the eel starter Ian mentioned prawn-flavoured crisps, but I think it was in a good way). 3) It's the kind of place with attentive waiters who top up your drinks and tell you what you're about to eat, but having said that they were friendly, not offputtingly intrusive. 4) You won't get a dish of veg alongside your main course, but 5) The three courses actually turned out to be more. I'll list them: first there was an eye-catching pair of long squid-ink (ie black) sea-salt studded deliciously crunchy breadsticks that look like a table decoration, standing on end in a glass of dry red lentils. And warm freshly-baked focaccia bread which was meltingly good. Then a pre-starter, a little cup of pumpkin velouté with a very deep garlicky flavour. Then the starter - I had cep risotto with sea bass truffle something or other; then fillet of red mullet with seared scallops, olive and smoked garlic sauce. Then a pre-dessert of caramelised apple with a creamy lemony sauce. Then an amazing blackcurrant soufflé towering out of its ramekin dish, served with Ventnor Stout ice cream. And finally petit-fours, tiny ice cream cones filled with soft lemon meringue and raspberry cream, plus a dense chocolate and almond ball.

While each course individually is not massive, collectively they make for a hearty meal. The taste sensations are plentiful and the food exquisitely presented. The 3-course dinner menu is £45 a head excluding drinks. The lunch menu is approx half that price. There's also an evening tasting menu for £59 a head of the sort that food critics slaver over.

Great for a special occasion.

I live in Gulf State of Kuwait and before that in Singapore, The Gambia and The Bahamas. My mother was an isle of wighter and I will be retiring to Totland bay June 2009. Cant wait! Whenever mother (now dead) and I visited family on the island we always went to Tudor Lounge at freshwater. Lovely fress island vegetables: mother was a Cotton from Rookley and her father a market gardener, the cafe has an eclectic mix of excellent home cooking with a sometime twist of the slighty continental. PLUS deals for pensioners which I will need on retirement! Aplogies if you have reviewed already. Judith waine (Dr)

Sorry to tell you that the Tudor Lodge is now the Hong Kong Express. Recently opened but very popular, especially for breakfasts, lunches and coffee.

I was invited to Valentino's in Carisbrooke High Street for a relative's birthday do yesterday. Several years since I last ate there and I had a memory of leaving there over-full from an excess of carbs and cream. Top marks for consistency as everything appeared exactly the same: friendly waiters, kitschy decor and creamy menu. Plus cheesy Italian music ("That's Amoré" etc). One of our party was surprised that not all Italian restaurants serve pizza; my son was surprised that not all Italian restaurants serve pesto sauce. But everyone was pretty happy with their food.

I tried the lighter sounding options: a delicious thick vegetable soup; salmon with, yep, a creamy dill sauce plus very nice vegetables served to the table from a big platter; and the fruitiest-looking of the vast desserts on the trolley - the Italian trifle (so not that light, really!). Another lady in our party wondered how topping off the festive period with a vast plate of tagliatelle with creamy salmon was going to impact on her Rosemary Conley weigh-in on Monday.

The restaurant was busy and bustling, with a good atmosphere.

Oh, and the birthday girl got a full-volume restaurant-stopping Italian rendition of happy birthday played as her candle-lit pudding was brought out. Not for the bashful!

had sunday lunch at THE REEF in Sandown......WOW!!!!!! it was
superb! roast beef cooked so as to melt in the mouth,yorkshire
pud light and tasty,potatoes,veg and gravy just how i like them!!
my partner is a vegetarian,so she asked if it was possible to
have a "meatless" roast....no problem! they were happy to oblige,
nothing was too much trouble!!!! friendly staff,good atmosphere,
worth every penny!!! congrats to Mike and his team!!! go on Matt
and Cat,pay them a visit!!!!!

Hello M & C,
I just wanted to remind you to visit Manuel's in Cowes (who I have no personal interest in apart from wishing them to do well as they serve very good, fairly priced food)
In contrast to other venues in Cowes they are open all year round and continue to serve fresh interesting food. Currently they have a winter offer to feed two people for a tenner (as long as you order from a special menue, and both have the same) and portions although a bit smaller then from the normal menue will do nicely- they even include a glass of house wine. Desserts are only one choice but remain freshly in house made and the service is personal and friendly
I would advise Cat to ask for rice rather than fries although they are home cooked, they are skinny (whih i love) but probaly they will not suit the feline taste buds???
Give them a try they deserve it- and the winter is still long....

Went to that seafront cafe at Puckpool today and for the third time in a row they seemed to struggle with the most basic of requests, very limited winter menu, lots of staff dithering about. Place seemed to be full of dogs as well.

I can't remember what it's called but doesn't seem to have a review. Could do with one as I bet thousands of tourists hit this place in the summer.

Hi Matt and Cat, please go and try Chale Green stores! Ive been there a few times now for lunch and it is my favourite place. The food is fantastic and excellent value for money, I had sausage and mash with a red wine gravy and I was so surprised when it came out, the presentation was of a standard I would expect from a top restaurant and it was delicious. You must go and try this, however I recommend going between Weds-Sundays as they only run a limited menu on Mondays and Tuesdays as the chef isnt there.

we recently visited the island and went out for our evening meals every night and the two top places we ate at were MAMMA MIA in shanklin its the italian and the DRAGON PEARL chinese also in shanklin both served great food and service.

really enjoyed it and hope to visit again.

Please try the Outlook Cafe at Gurnard marsh, bit hard to find, but the view is fantastic the atmosphere friendly and relaxed, the food freshly prepared and worth a little wait, we use it regularly and can recommed the monthly curry nights. thx

Matt and Cat respond: We went to Gurnard to try the Outlook but it was closed. Perhaps we'll try again in the summer season so we can take advantage of the view from the terrace.

Hi I wonder if you have been to the 8 bells yet in Newport.I think its owned by the same peopel who pwn the Gperge who you rentlly did a review on.
If I've missed it my apologies.

Matt and Cat respond: we're sorry to hear The George is pwned. And we have indeed been to the Eight Bells.

Ha!that'll teach me to type without my specs'I'll interpret that;The Goerge is,I think,owned by the same people who own the 8 Bells.Sorry I missed that review,am now going for a brain transplant.

I notice a few good pub-grub reviews recently - useful and interesting! I wonder if you have tried the lunch menu (or evenings late in the week) at the Simeon, Simeon Street, Ryde? It's a good 'local' and the food is usually good value with regular 'specials'
on the board outside. They also run a creche for husbands who don't like shopping!

You haven't been to the Rex Piano Bar at Ventnor yet. Super location way above the bar, interesting menu and run by a nice man (not me!)

Go on, give it a try.

Not 'way above the bar' - 'way above the beach'.

I must start adding more water to it.

Hi Matt and Cat
Have you visited the Watersedge Cafe on the front at Gurnard? We always have great food in there after a walk along the seafront. Does get busy in summer and on the weekends but lovely staff and reasonably priced.

I stayed at Horseshoe Bay House, Shore Road, Bonchurch, last year for B&B which was really good. Do try their licenced cafe on a sunny afternoon when it is especially lovely to sit outside on a sunny day overlooking the sea and the food is excellent. You will have to book at peak summer periods as it is very popular!

Pavorottis is one of the finest Italian resteraunts on the Island...you will not be disappointed

I love visiting Cowes and regularly visit the Fountain. Brilliant food (you have got to try there homemade soups...out of this world) beer reasonably priced and staff friendly.

refering to pavarottis: hi, sorry to disagree with you there. we went on two occasions once as a birthday party and once with my wife and both times very disapointing.
we seemed to be rushed around and wanted to get rid of us very quickly slow poor service and the quality of the food just did not match the style of the place.
we nephew had a pizza and could have sworn it was a frozen pizza and the pasta was well over cooked.
all in all i must say 2 bads out of 2 i shall now be going back.

was refering to pavarottis but missed that part out.

We were also disappointed by Pavarotti's. We'd booked a table only to be phoned an hour before and told that their "frozen delivery hadn't arrived" so they had no garlic bread or pizzas. We cancelled. You'd think that one of the 'best Italian restaurants on the Island' would make their own pizza bases...
We usually go to Pendletons in Shanklin. Cannot fault food or service. If Pavarotti's has improved, let Matt & Cat know as we'd like to give them another try.

hi all, dont think pavaottis has improved we had a meal there last week and it was if not the worst one of the worst meals we have had in a long time. poor quality service and equally bad food.

i have noticed a lot of comments on hong knog express i must say we tried it for the first time last week and we loved every bite of it!
very nice.

Dear Matt & Cat,

I'm a fellow Isle of Wight-based food-fan who's just found your website & I've spent the past couple of days reading your many informative reviews with great interest.

Anyway, I'd really like to 'bump up' Cranny.Faddock's suggestion (above) of a visit to Salvatore's as I'd be keen to know what you think.

I think The Swan's Nest is one of the few remaining Island pubs/restaurants with a genuine friendly local atmosphere (In my experience some of the Island's out-of-town or rural pubs can have a 'The Slaughtered Lamb'/'American Werewolf In London' quality to them). But I eat there regularly & always enjoy it. If Salvatore himself is cooking then you're definitely on to a winner - I tasted my first lobster there a fortnight ago which was marvellous. I like the fact that he regularly patronises other establishments too - I've recently seen him in Wetherspoon's & only last night he was spotted dining in Union Street's Yan Woo. Never seen him in Michelangelo's though (another of my favourite haunts), but that's another story.

(P.S. Although I would probably offer a friendly nod to him in the street, I don't know Salvatore or anything, I just like going there...)

Come on Matt and Cat-high time you tried The Hambrough at Ventnor!
we went on Tuesday 31 March and have nothing but praise for the food, ambience and service.
Let us all know what you think!

I like my Full English brekkies (ok I know they're unhealthy) and I have sampled many ( as my waistline proves).
The best value for money is,in my opinion,Merlins in Ventnor, the worst a cafe in Shanklins Regent Street (no anme to save embarrasement) It was truly awful. So perhaps a visit to Merlins to see what you think?

Mike

The Reef in Sandown, have not changed their menu since opening but the specials always vary.......we have never had a bad meal or bad service give it a go, we do regularily

Curious about the Red Duster in Cowes High Street. What type of restaurant is it? The boards outside offer a vast array of meals to appeal to all tastes. Have not seen any review yet (or the usual advertising BOGOF in the CP) for it. Maybe it is word of mouth and a well kept secret.

M & C reply: we've never heard of it. We'll have a look next time we're in Cowes.

I think the site is a great idea and despite disagreeing with you on my last two reviews, I hope you keep up your efforts. It would be boring if everyone thought the same way!

One of my personal favs is Valentinos in Carisbrooke. It is old fashioned, there is lots of cream and carbs (as mentioned above) and it looks unchanged for a long-time. HOWEVER, it is very freindly, the food is big and nourishing and the sweet trolley is direct from heaven. Judging by the fact it is almost always busy, lots of people seem to like it just the way it is!

I'm not suggesting M&C make a special trip to La Cantina at Blackgang Chine, to eat fast food surrounded by junior cowboys and cowgirls grinning as they shoot you at point blank range with toy guns, but having got stuck there at lunchtime with my sister and three hungry kids the other day, I can't resist commenting. My key observations are that, as someone who likes what Jamie Oliver has done for school dinners, I wish he'd turn his attention to theme parks. While the café by Blackgang Chine's main entrance does at least have a smidge of variety and some hot food that doesn't involve the deep fat frier, at La Cantina you get a limited choice of basic fast, fried food.

But given those constraints, and choosing the sole veggie option - the vegeburger - it actually was not bad. The bun was fresh, the burger moist (given that vegeburgers are often hard as hockey-pucks that in itself was a bonus), and with onions, ketchup and a slice of processed cheese, it was pretty tasty. The side order of chips was fine, too: chunky and nicely cooked. My son had the same, and also approved.

So okay as it goes. But I'd still really appreciate more variety.

Found your site really useful when researching restaurants/cafes/pubs to try on our recent visit. Noticed you don't have a 'Vegetarian' section - do you know of any veggie places on the island. If so we'd be really interested in hearing about them.

Just noticing Carolyn's comments about veggie food, I tend to seek out veggie options myself, and while I'm not aware of any purely vegetarian restaurants on the island (someone correct me if I'm wrong), my own favourite places that cater well and imaginatively for veggies are: Quay Arts Café, Olivo's, Burrs (all in Newport), and Chale Green Stores Café. I also really like the Nabab (Indian) in Newport. Matt and Cat have reviewed them all. I'm sure there are more, but those are my current top five. They seem to put as much thought into their veggie meals as they do their meat or fish options. I've heard good things about The Taverners' veggie options (Godshill), but I haven't eaten there yet myself.

M &C respond: there's also the New Vegetarian which is a pure veggie place - is that still open?

At the top end of the scale, the Hamborough does a superb veggie menu. See http://londonfood.typepad.com/stuff/not_london/ for a full review (by my 'foodie' son! They even provided different wines to accompany each course of the vegetarian tasting menu.

You're right, Bushy. You don't get the impression that The Hambrough does much for vegetarians looking at the general menu, but when I ate there the veggie courses were wonderful (I do eat some fish, so it was mixed) . Couldn't stretch to the full tasting menu (either purse or waistband!). Maybe next time. But then I noticed that my other half's starter of eel involved foie gras. That would put some vegetarians off a restaurant entirely.

Off-island tip for Bushy's foodie son or his friends: best vegetarian food I've ever eaten was in Umbria, Italy, at the vegetarian hotel Country House Montali. Just amazing. http://www.montalionline.com/

Re the New Vegetarian, had forgotten about that one. Must see if it's still open. Confess haven't tried it myself as it seemed to be essentially a sandwich shop.

Recommend you try Bluebells, the new café at Briddlesford Farm, which has just opened. Housed in a beautifully-done barn conversion (formerly a cattle shed), it's a real showcase for Isle of Wight produce. Stopped off for a lunchtime bite yesterday, and was really impressed. Tried the Gallybagger tart (stuffed full of Isle of Wight cheese) with homemade red onion jam and balsamic dressing - a pair of tasty tarts served with salad, for £5.75. The rest of the menu was equally appetising. Specialises in ethically, locally, sustainably sourced food (as does the adjoining farm shop). The custard on the puddings is made from Buttercup Milk from the farm's Guernsey herd grazing just across the road; as I was leaving a delivery of fish was being handed over which had been caught just half an hour earlier... Really good stuff. And the café itself is lovely. Even the toilets are great. Fluffy flannels to dry your hands on like in posh hotels... Some really nice touches. Open from 9.30 till teatime (not evenings).

Brighstone Tea Rooms has rebranded itself Seven (apparently because it's exactly seven miles from Newport). Same management I think, but as they've gradually expanded what they do to be more of a bistro, the old name no longer fitted.

Having heard the ads on IW Radio we popped along at 6pm on Tuesday, expecting evening meals to be available, but the main chef was having a night off and the (very polite and friendly) staff were offering the daytime menu instead. There was enough variety there to suit us. I had polenta and roast vegetable tart with salad, though I couldn't discern anything actually tart-like about it. Not bad, but a slightly plainer option than I'd expected (polenta needs plenty of flavour with it). The pear and chocolate cheesecake was pretty good, and it was a generous portion.

I'll go back, as the evening menu looked very promising (another venue that flags up use of local produce). But I was surprised that, given the advertising push, the place wasn't fully geared up for the evening custom. A party of six arrived as we were leaving, but on hearing that only the daytime menu was available, they left again.

The next day as I was passing, it looked busy in the evening, so I presume the head chef was there. Seven is open all day, and seems generally busy; I'd just phone first if you want a more substantial evening meal to make sure the full menu is available.

I couldn't find a review of Ganders in St Helens here. We're DFLs and have been visiting Ganders for years and never had a bad meal. Fish and seafood are particularly good here, and the pavlovas are a must. It's a small family run restaurant and the quality is consistently good. The waiting staff always friendly and helpful. Smashing little restaurant!

I suggest you try Goodman's deli in Ventnor. The coffee's really good and so are the cup cakes.

Can you review Forresters Restaurant in Yarmouth - more or less oppsite the Blue Crab in the High Street. Thanks

We run a one room B and B in Cowes...but food features heavily in our lives and so we offer our guests high(ish)-end evening meals.
We like your site (and all our restaurant recommendations carry a link to your reviews of them!) and would love the challenge of entertaining you both to a meal one evening and seeing what you think!
You never know...you might say someting nice about us!

Try Totland Pier Cafe.
Food is great. Prices reasonable, portions large!.
Top that off with outstanding views from your seat on the pier whilst dining.
One of the pleasures of island living.

Driftwood - Sandown - did I miss your visit ?

Matt replies: We were considering a visit to the Driftwood Beach Bar and Grill on our next Sandown voyage. But we were so incensed by the sudden rash of tacky stickers advertising the place that defaced lampposts, street furniture and even cars all along the esplanade in our home town that we didn't really feel it appropriate to go. We wouldn't have been able to give a fair review. When we've cooled down a bit and chilled out doubtless we'll be along.

Could you review The Four Seasons in Wroxhall.

Stayed at The Wight Mouse Inn last August & got chatting to one of the managers who was leaving to take over The Four Seasons (www.the-fourseasons-inn.co.uk)

Will be back to visit the Island soon & will definitely give this place a bash especially as the new owner really looked after us when she was at the Wight Mouse.

Thanks.

THERE IS ONLY ONE PLACE ON YOUR BEAUTIFUL ISLAND TO BET THE BEST FISH AND CHIPS AND THATS CHIPMUNKS IN RYDE - ALWAYS FRESH AND TASTY AND SERVICE IS FANTASTIC - ITS THE ONLY PLACE THAT IS CONSISTANTLY HIGH STANDARD EVERY SINGLE TIME ............. THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE !!

I think ming garden should be re-evaluated personally. I have been in their since their opening in february and they have greatly improved their cooking since that time. I believe it has been well under rated

Been staying in Ventnor for a few weeks and decided to try the Rex piano bar.I've eaten at places all over the world and have to say this place is in the botom three.From the decor which is bland to say the least to the food this place is just horrible. Nice views though.

Hi! Read your review of the top of the town cafe and totally agreed - it used to be rubbish! However, new owners do proper steak burgers, waitress service that actually delivers on time (I only get half an hour for lunch!) and proper American stuff you can't get here - Lucky Charms, Authentic rootbeer floats etc.

Long live The Original Phil's Diner! Look forward to seeing your review!

Ian

Hi Matt and Cat, I may be biased....being staff(!)....but I think you should review The Seashell on Appley Seafront again. We have a great team here now and use as much local produce as possible which I know you'd approve of! If you come, make sure you have desserts....they're stunning!!

How about the cafe at the steam railway? I've been a couple of times and find the food very 'basic' and bland compared to other attractions.

When I'm in Cowes I always go to the Fountainn.Food great,service good and drinks reasonable.

I will be staying in Sandown for 10 days in August. The Reef bar/restaurant has been recommended - are you intending to review it?

M & C respond: not particularly in the next few weeks, no, but you never know. If you go there first, do let us know what you think!

Any suggestions as to where find a tasty pizza on the Isle of Wight? Not fussed whether it is take out/delivery/restaurant.

Please recommend the cheap American type places as well as the posher Italian ones! Sinfully my fave topping is the hot and spicy Mexican.

Mr.T's in Shanklin does, I have been informed by guests, the best pizzas in the south of England !!!!!

Hiya,
I have been trying to find a summer job for almost a year now. I used to work in a lovvely restaurant which unfortunately closed down. Have been looking for a job ever since - have tried at least 30 places and all I got as a response was we'll ring you back. To my annoyance none of them ever have, so please to all you restaurant/pub owners give the younger generation a chance to work. You never know you might realise how hard we really are willing to work for our money. And also, if reading this you do fancy giving me a job feel free to contact me it will be much appreciated.
Thanks, Kym.

Kym, my daughters used to get holiday work at big family dining pubs which get hugely busy over the summer (though now the holidays have started they might already have taken on all the staff they need). Take a look at the "pub grub" section on this site for ideas maybe? Call in or drop your CV round, rather than relying only on the phone (I can see how in a busy pub or restaurant a phone enquiry might just get lost, but if you do phone, make sure you speak to the manager). Good luck!

I have just found your witty and informative website and am sure i will be visiting again in the future. I notice you haven't sampled the delights of saffrons in shanklin.It's a family run restaurant( bistro style) with an imaginative young chef called barry james , very friendly and with excellent food ( at least when i ate there)
keep up the good work

I shall echo everyone else and say what and excellent site you have- I especially love the twitter too.

I do have 2 suggestions.

Monsoon in Ryde & Under The Umbrella Tree

Monsoon is a fantastic Indian at the Top of Ryde High Streert. nicely decorated and the food is superb (although I've only ever had the takeaway). I much prefer it to Hong Kong Express (which used to be my favourite).

Under The Umbrella Tree is a wonderful sandwich bar in East Cowes with cheap, good quality lunchtime treats! Good location and an excellent menu, it was a life saver when I found myself working in East Cowes for a week!

I would love to see a review of Albert Cottage Hotel, off Newbarn Road in East Cowes.

M & C reply: like this one?

Just had a great breakfast at the Niton Cafe located in the Post Office. Wonderful tea garden at the back. Got to be worth a review!

I had the misfortune to have to go to Brighton to do some research and while there sampled some of there so called finest eateries. Even the Spyglass looks inviting comapared toBrightons establishments.The Island has nothing to worry about.

Had lunch at the Priory Bay Hotel the other day. You really should review it - its combination of stunning surroundings, very good food and well-meaning but shambolic service would, I'm sure, inspire you to new literary heights!

One thing they do need to sort out is portion control. While our main courses (three lamb shops and a whole sea bream, respectively, were ample and good value, the cheese platter consisted of a bite-sized morsel of each of the three local cheeses and a couple of tiny slices of lightly toasted (or stale!) bread - all at a staggering £7.50!

Matt and Cat respond: Thanks for your comments, Bushy. The Priory Bay is certainly on our extensive list of places to visit. By the way, Matt has a capacious appetite but even he couldn't eat three lamb shops! ;)

Hi just spent a week on the island, took my laptop with me and used your site, to plan our eating out. Anyway went to the "end of the line tea room" in Freshwater and despite my protests that it wasnt on your site my husband dragged me in. I found it to be really pleasant and had a lovely homely feel to it, the food and service weren't bad either. Maybe worth a review??

Part of our holiday group (not including myself) ate at Corrie's Cabin COWES today, and said the fish and chips was great.

Worth a look?

I have Just returned From the IOW And would like to comment on What we grockels like My wife and I have a light lunch in the small talk cafe Shanklin It was clean with good service We only had the jacket potatoes and a pot of tea But the tea was excellent top quality tea and bone china cups and we got 6 cups from the one pot which made it a very cheap cup of tea at £2.40 for the pot.The jacket potatoes I had beans and cheese my wife had coleslaw was a meal in its self with a good sized fresh salad not just a few limp leaves as we found in other places.

The Best place we found to eat in the evening was the Fighting cocks near amozon world. We had to book as it is so popular.Again it is clean the service is first class and the menu is quite large.This really is the jewel in the crown.

As per my previous comment (06/06/09,) finally got round to trying the Four Seasons at Wroxhall (www.the-fourseasons-inn.co.uk) last Saturday.

The food was really good, simple home made pub fare cooked by a chef who clearly knows what hes doing.

I had the chicken & mushroom pie (£7.95) served with new potatoes & fresh vegetables. The pie was stuffed with moist chunks of chicken breast in a delicious creamy sauce – very yummy!

The wifes steak (about £10.00) was well cooked & tender. The chips that accompanied her meal were hand cut from a fresh spud – not the normal frozen rubbish that most pubs seem to serve up.

My two boys (13 & 9 years) ordered pizzas & burgers served with chips & beans (£4.95 each - under 10s eat free if an adult orders a main meal!!). Cleans plates suggest they enjoyed their meal!


In short, a real pub with friendly staff, excellent food & keen prices make this place my favourite Island family eatery!


Time for Matt & Cat to give this place a go!

During an evening stroll along the beach at Ventnor, my boys suddenly demanded food – despite being fed & watered only an hour or so before!.

The only fast food outlet open seemed to be the GOLDEN SANDS CAFE located close to the infamous Spyglass Inn (which is now looking very tatty).

This place was a real find, quick efficient service, cheap, very clean (5 star certificate displayed in the window) open late & serving the usual greasy spoon staples. My eldest opted for sausage & chips (£2.00), the youngest devoured a fish burger (£2.25).

The Whippy ice creams were also good - very creamy & tasty – best on the Island!

Nice to be able to eat in clean comfortable surrounding in the evening, with a good sea view for just a few pounds.

Was out and about the other day and came across a new Burger Van, on Nicholson Road in Ryde. Staff were friendly and the food was lovely - had a All Day Breakfast for £3.50 which certainly did the trick

Well worth a visit if your passing

How about the coffee shop that sits next to St Mildreds church in Whippingham? The location is nice, it's open monday to thursday, 10-4pm. I'd be especially interested to see if any cakes etc are home made. I don't know why, but since we've got the bike, I've developed a liking for cream teas at pretty cafes!

Thanks

A series of lovely little eateries open up at Steephill Cove in the summer months, specialising in local freshly caught crab and lobster, but there's other stuff too. Yesterday we had delicious home-made apple cake, and carrot cake at Cove (with coffees and teas), and sat looking out to sea while the kids clambered about on the shore and rocks. Not sure if you've reviewed any of the little cafés down there yet? Such a perfect spot - walk down from the Botanic Gardens or along the coastal paths from Ventnor.

We like Wights fish and chip shop in Ryde, the restaurant is always spotlessly clean, the staff are friendly and the food is superb. The fish is cooked in a light batter and the chips are cooked perfectly, no annoying bits and pieces.

We can only speak for the restaurant as after travelling from Freshwater we feel we deserve it. We would imagine the takeaway is as perfect as the restaurant.

Can't believe you haven't been to the Wight Mouse at Chale yet!

And the On The Rocks at Yarmouth (I know you've been to the Newport one.. but it's not the same!)

Wave to the llamas when you're passing through Chale on the Military Road :)

Andy

I'll edit my own post... I see from your tweets you hit the Wight Mouse this weekend.

Perhaps you could follow me on twitter, so you can see my tweets to you? :) (@andysc)

Matt and Cat reply: yes, Wight Mouse review is in the works. Meanwhile the old review is not available. Do be patient, this one will be worth the wait! As for Twitter M already follows you with great interest under a different account, but as you asked so politely we'd be very pleased to accept.

I see from the CP that the King Lud in Ryde has changed hands. Hope they keep there jacket potatoes with lashngs of cheese. Bootiful!

Went to The Propellor Inn for Sunday lunch.....Excellent!!!!! i had sirloin steak,my partner had a veggie roast with a super vegetable gravy.....beautiful apple and cinammon sponge with very tasty custard afterwards.All cooked to perfection(the roast spuds....WOW!!! the steak....mmmmmmmmm!!!!!!) the look on my partners face when she ate that sponge.....just like that famous scene in "Harry met Sally"!!!!!!!! congratulations to Helen and Hobbit,the proprietors!!great service,great atmosphere,very friendly.Matt and Cat,give them a try?????

Try the new Italian at Ventnor, Chiaro, on the front, had a superb meal tonight there,as a lone ranger,wife and son to follow after my sampler meal.The best fresh buffalo mozzarella for a very long time, a drizzle of virgin oil and tomatoes from heaven, followed by fresh crab linguni oozing with flavour , tinged with fresh chillies, and followed by two scoops of ice cream, a trickle of fresh cream, ( my request,) two large expressos and a bill for £25. I could have had a complimentary liqeur but declined. It really doesn't get much better. Tough competition for Ventnors expanding restaurant scene, no bad thing..great news for the foodie detectives, check it out soon while the adrenalin is still running through the staff

Have visited the new restaurant at Brading Haven Yacht Club - called Linger Longer - twice in the last few days. Saturday for a fund raising banquet on behalf of the RNLI and the food was so good we returned for lunch on Sunday with the children in tow. The food and service were excellent on both occasions and the menu offered a good varied selection. The staff couldn't help enough and we left a good tip to show our appreciation. Would thoroughly recommend.

We tnoo were at the fund-raising dinner at Brading Haven on Friday, and the food was really high class. We'll definitely be back to sample the everyday fare.

You MUST, MUST, MUST visit/review the Dell Cafe at the end of Appley (past the Tower and towards the point which heads down to Seaview). The views are stunning, staff and owners ultra friendly and the food is innovative, delicious and reasonably priced. One of the best kept secrets on the island........on the other hand, perhaps best to keep it to ourselves!

Hmmm, Dell Cafe, I really want to like this place but I've had a lot of mixed experiences. There seems to be a lot of dithering staff. Recently it's been a bit better and the summer menu looks good, they were very nice when my one year old spre her rock cake (very nice) all over the floor and decor is good. But please, keep it simple, this place has so much potential.

Can I also suggest Wight's fish and chip shop in High Street Ryde. Although I think the food on offer is good, I find it strange they don't do chicken!

We visited Warren Farm tea room on saturday for a cream tea. Lovely garden, surrounded by fields so very relaxing. A lovely cream tea was served from the hatch on the house. A simple menu that also included cheese scones and cakes, all home made. They have been voted no2 for cream teas in the country. They have a website which is useful for opening times now the summer is coming to an end.

ROOM 4 in Union Street Ryde is great for a quality breakfast: lovely sausages and all the trimmings, served with wholemeal bread. ``````it aint cheap, but well worth it. They are also open evenings and I had a great pizza there which I think was home made rather than a bought in pizza base. Friendly effecient service too.

Matt and Cat respond: Thanks for your suggestion, Trencherman. We reviewed to Room 4 back in 2007. In fact, if you type 'Room 4 Ryde' into Google, the first entry will take you here.

http://mattandcat.co.uk/reviews/index.php/2007/07/08/room_4_ryde

Matt and Cat respond: Hi Mat, thanks for answering Trencherman. We really ought to make time to keep up with our own correspondence!

Hello Cat & Matt - How r u? Recently read a blurb in Wightlife mag about Isle of Wight Pearl and thought about trying it. Fancy trying it first, so I don't have to??!
If I do go B4 you, I'll let u know what I think. BTW... for anyone interested, Watersedge, Gurnard best (so far!) for cream tea. 2 large scones, butter, Bonne Maman jam, lashings of clotted cream AND fresh strawberry! (And pot of tea, of course). Asked for one cream tea and an extra cup of tea & the waitress brought us 2 plates without being asked. Brilliant! WORST RIP-OFF CRM TEA (in my opinion and also that of anyone I mention it to who has tried it too) has to be at Gatcombe Tea Rooms. One scone microwaved to within an inch of its life sitting on a butter pat that consequently had to be POURED on, + little plastic thing of jam & of cream, tea bag in a cup with a chipped jug of hot water for you to make it yourself, for the same price (all but 20p) of the fab Watersedge. No Contest - AVOID!! Lots of Love X: )

Matt and Cat respond: Hi Mandy, thanks for your comment. Cat's very partial to cream tea although she has yet to try the offerings at Watersedge and Gatcombe Tea Rooms. The Island's own Warren Farm was recently voted number two in the Guardian's top ten cream teas. What an accolade! Have you been? As for Isle of Wight Pearl, we're sure we'll make a visit one day...

Hmmmmmm.........Warren Farm, you say? Better get down there this weekend! Yum yum!

Matt and Cat respond: It's worth checking out the opening times. We went on a Friday and it was shut. We ended at the Needles Pantry instead. I'd hate you to have to same experience!

Hi Matt and Cat - have you tried the White Horse in Whitwell since new owners took over ??? We went and it was a truly great experience - super friendly staff and yummy food ...

Matt and Cat respond: Yes, we've been since the new owners took over and our food was delicious. We planned to update our review but events have overtaken us. Perhaps we will write the update as there's a demand...

Wonderful review of the Northbank Hotel in Seaview in the Sunday Telegraph. Please see here. Sadly they are not normally open to non-residents, apart from Sunday lunch in the winter - very popular with the locals.

Matt and Cat respond: Thanks for your comment, Bushy. The Northbank Hotel looks like a great place. It's interesting to note that what used to be referred to as old-fashioned and dated is now anachronistic and charming. There's hope for Cat's 1970s feather-cut hairstyle yet!

Colwell bay Inn has been transformed into a real gem! real ales, real food,real wood fires. everthing homemade including homemade faggots with smoked leek mask mmmmmmmmmm!

I can second the post from Mark regarding the Colwell Bay Inn
we ate there whilst on holiday from the wilds of Lancashire and the food was superb you must review it soon .........

Hi just been looking through your website, how fantastic!! I recently ate at brading haven yacht club although well tucked away and not very inviting from the front the food and service more than made up for it I had a delightful beef in ale pie and bread and butter pud taste sensation!! will definatly go back for more... wish both matt and cat all the best with this website again great work!!

the ambassador snooker club in gunville do the best fry-up i've ever found and it costs peanuts for a massive plate of food. The roasts looked gorgeous and massive too - worth checking out

Hi We're Craig & Marie Harris and we'll be taking over the Wheatsheaf in Brading on the 22nd October. We'll be holding a welcome/Halloween party on the 31st with buffet.

As well as serving real ales, I'll be cooking with fresh, locally reared and grown produce. Some sample menus are on our website and we hope you'll be able to get along and review us as we value your opinion greatly.

New people at the Wheatsheaf, the Fox/Snotty Fox, now the Dark Horse...a bit of a facelift for Brading. Shame about the waxworks though

Went today for lunch at Chiaro Italian Restaurant in Ventnor. My wife had a seafood pasta dish which she really enjoyed and I had a pizza which contrary to the menu wasn't crisp but rather soggy, but nonetheless edible I'm having a slice now whilst I write this. But added to the bill was a service charge which stunned myself and the wife. I couldn't be bothered to complain but I've now discovered that although it's on the bill you don't legally have to pay it. I'm no skinflint and am more than generous on the tipping front when I think the occasion deserves it, I just think adding a service charge without prior warning is just a bit rude. I won't go back.

Hi Matt and Cat

Is there any restaurants you'd recommend in Yarmouth?

Matt and Cat respond: Hi Dilweed. Thanks for your question. There are quite a few places in Yarmouth that have been recommended to us including 'On the Rocks' and 'The George'. However, we haven't tried either of them yet! Perhaps you could visit them and let us know what you think? If you'd prefer to eat somewhere that we've reviewed we recommend the Blue Crab. Bon appetit!

Rawlings Hotel, Cowes, We Went there for a meal on Sunday what a super sunday roast dinner. It was excellent, it was lovely to see a restaurant which served local produce all home cooked . There was roast beef or roast chicken for £6.95 which included stuffing, yorkshire pudding, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower cheese and roast potatoes. The roast was served on a warm plate with either yorkshire pudding or stuffing and gravy then you had a dish for potatoes, veg and another for cauliflower cheese. The staff was very friendly and there was no problem if you ask for more veg or gravy and you could even have both yorkshire pudding and stuffing if you wish . superb food excellent value for money. After dinner you can sit in the bar where they have a lovely log fire. I truely think you should try this place , ill be back again and i am also going to try out there xmas menu .

The Copper Kettle in Shanklin sounds like a twee tea room but does very reasonable cafe food and more substantial fare like chicken casserole. Friendly venue and very good value for money.

HI Matt and Cat
One small citicism
Your search facility doesnt always produce results
Put in both the Sun at Hulverstone and Chiaro( ? ) in Ventnor
Nothing returned although I'm sure you have reviews in place ?

Matt replies: How odd, thanks for the tip. I'll have a look at it. Sun works for me; Chiaro we have indeed yet to visit.

You should try the Hillside in Ventnor - it has been beautifully refurbished and I supplied the bathrooms and heating so if nothing else I can guarantee you it will be warm and the loo's will be nice! Gert and Anna the owners are after a Michelin star for the Island so I know they're taking it serviously - Gert's a real character too - get down there! http://www.hillsideventnor.co.uk/contact.aspx

We enjoyed a lovely Sunday roast at the Village Inn in Shanklin Old Village yesterday. The portions were large with plenty of fresh vegetables, an interesting red onion stuffing and the turkey I had was moist not dry! The pub had a lovely atmosphere with locals reading the papers while enjoying a pint, a roaring coal fire and friendly bar staff.

Matt and Cat respond: Thanks for your recommendation, ghostmoth. Watch this space..!

Went to the Busy Bee Caff in Ryde.Very busy but service was fast and the food good especially the soup.

Hi I would be pleased if you could review Bagel Wrap Coffee House, 168 High Street, Ryde.
thanks

You must visit The Sun Inn at Hulverstone it's excellent food & service, & a great Menu.
Reasonable prices & plenty on your plate.

Matt and Cat respond: Hi Val, thanks for your comment. We reviewed the Sun Inn back in February 2007.

Perks Bar Ventnor.I tried this new addition to Ventnors ever growing "cafe" society recently.The food is as good as when Graham Perks ran the Winter Gardens franchise and the bar is warm and comfortable although it can feel as if you are in a goldfish bowl owing to its proximity to the High Street and inquistive passers by.The only downside for me is that some of the,what one poster on this site described as the Winter Gardens "living dead" appear to have followed Mr Perks to this bar.

Still worth a visit though.

Please could you check out the Crab Inn at Shanklin. It's a lovely Pub, clean and friendly, BUT the Sunday Roast we had was awful. Beef only fit for the underside of shoes, veg wet and soggy, without seeing them you would not know what they are. Roast Potatoes greasy, carrots hacked into huge chunks.....awful.

I wouldn't bother with the Crab, another example of a perfectly good pub being taken over by a national (Greene King) and destroying its reputation for good food. You can't blame the owners because their hands are (litrally) tied

Matt and Cat respond: Hi KJ! Thanks for your comment. Our previous experience of a Greene King pub was not good. Read our less than favourable review of the franchise's Ryde Castle - complete with podcast!

A couple of places to suggest in Newport: Take 5 (formerly Monroe's in Scarrots Lane), I ate there last week and thought the food was frankly terrible. They've priced themselves to compete with McDonalds (which means they're making about 10p profit per customer and so I reckon they have had to resort to the lowest quality raw materials to allow for this) or maybe I'm just being unduly unpleasant! It needs a professional eye cast over it!
By contrast, I ate at the Crispin yesterday and thought it was really really good. It changed hands about six months ago and I really feel they've made an effort, opened the place up a bit and improved the food etc (no, I've no vested interest I promise!)

Matt and Cat respond: Hi Andy, thanks for your comment. We went to the cafe in Scarrots Lane when it was Munroe's. You're not making it sound like a good place to eat now but it may be an excellent place to write about! We'll put the Crispin on the list too. BTW, our collective eye is by no means professional; our interest is purely amateur.

Try Joes in Union street Ryde,recently taken over by new owners and theyve really smartend the place up. The food was very good for me and my wife.

Howsabout you give Ganders in St Helens a whirl? Unassuming little place - looks a bit like a tearoom and the menu reads a bit oddly but the food when we've been there has been lovely. I recommend Sunday lunch followed by a bracing stroll down to the Duver.

Castle Inn, Newport high street, Croque Monsieur = one slice of thin ham, a small amount of melted cheese and a piece of sliced bread - toasted. I dare you !

Try the Balti King at Wootton again, unfortunately one of the chefs has left once again and my favourite chicken dhansak has been replaced by what i can only call slop. My last meal New Yrs Eve was so bad it tasted like it had been cooked in domestos and had to be thrown away. Am totally gutted that the new chef's dishes are so different and untasty. I wont be returning unless i hear of some good reviews.It would be interesting to get someone else's opinion.

Why not try the Village Inn, Bembridge? I have not tried it recently, but others have and say it's OK.

It's on your patch so I expect it's only a matter of time till you review the Bombay Palace. I ate there with Ryde friends a week or so ago when it had only been open a few days. Still got the sense that they were settling down, with the over-sensitive smoke alarm going off once, and the main course taking longer to arrive than I'd have expected (we were first in). But we enjoyed the meal, they were happy to customise a couple of the vegetarian dishes for us, and it was good to see it quickly got busy.

I'm not familiar enough with the other Indian restaurants in Ryde to know what will distinguish it from the rest, so it would be good to see what you think. Some customers came in expecting it to have been resurrected as a quality Chinese restaurant (which it was pre-fire). And whereas there are plenty of Indian restaurants in Ryde it seems to us it does now lack a really good Chinese.

Matt and Cat respond: Hi Wendy, thanks for your comment. You're right, the Bombay Palace is in our manor and we were there on the day it opened but alas didn't eat. We have been back since but have been a bit tardy about writing about our experience. You've spurred us into action. Expect our review real soon...

Please try The Driftwood on Sandown seafront. Great meals but would love to know what you think. Great website you have.

Try the Colwell Bay Inn.
The new owners have realy changed the atmosphere of the place, the dartboard and pool table have gone. Its had a complete repaint in and out.
Now to the important part the food, one word FANTASTIC.
Specials board has only a few choices, and when you fancy sea bass without all the bones, they will even fillet it for you. The steak and kidney pie is also very good. and the deserts they are also very good.

All in, very well worth a visit, they dont do food sunday evening and monday lunch from what i recall.