Snow on the Isle of Wight is such a rare occurrence that the slightest flurry grinds the county to a halt and everyone makes the most of their bonus 'snow days' to make snowmen and go sledging in their cars.

When the unfamiliar white stuff returned in December for an unprecedented second visit, the population's reaction was well-rehearsed. The first flakes had hardly fallen before local people rushed around cracking open bottles of Blitz spirit, stockpiling dried goods and putting snowchains on the dog.

As it turned out, the freeze only lasted a bare 48 hours before it all melted away. On one of those precious snowy days, Matt and Cat chose to pull on their wellies and skitter around Ryde looking for somewhere to eat lunch. Quite a few places had shut their doors - perhaps staff had been unable to get to work. However one place that definitely had not was the Bagel Wrap in the High Street, a lunchtime location M & C had long intended to try out.

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Your reviewers stomped into the bright little shop and spent an age doffing their various overgarments, hats, gloves, demisting spectacles, stamping boots and so on until they felt fit for human interaction. There were a few tables inside, and even on this snowy day a few outside too, for the smokers and the foolhardy. In the chilly weather the big picture windows were steamed up - a disadvantage, as normally this strategically placed shop has the perfect people-watching location with a view not only up and down the busy High Street but also along the road to the Co-op.

Matt and Cat installed themselves at one of the interior tables, and had a look at the big board at the back of the shop which displayed the menu. Unlike some sandwich bars where the combinations and pricing structures are so numerous and arcane that special interpretation is necessary (yes Subway, this means you), the Bagel Wrap concentrates on a reasonable range of straightforward fillings and containers - bagels and wraps, obviously, but also baguettes, jacket potatoes, ciabatta and sandwiches. There was even a helpful list of the top ten filling combinations, to aid the inevitable vacant gawping that arrival at the till engenders. Top of the list is smoked bacon and brie,. which was exactly what Matt chose in a warmed ciabatta. Cat, loath to go with the herd too readily, went for the second most popular choice, smoked salmon and Philadelphia cheese in a seeded bagel. Two mugs of tea were ordered to wash it down.

The food arrived soon enough and was politely brought across to the table by the cheery lady from behind the counter. Matt's ciabatta was toastily warm and crisp, with soft brie oozing splendidly from the bun, around a very decent portion of smoky bacon. Cat too, found her bagel to her liking, with plenty of rich, smooth salmon anointed with pale Philly. Just what was required. The tea - with teabags in mugs, but with real fresh milk in a jug - was hot and enjoyable. The diners soon felt refreshed and warmed, and ready for the march home through the snow. The Bagel Wrap provides a good lunchtime offering in a very convenient location: recommended.

http://www.bagelwrap.com