For one night only Stripped, Ventnor’s achingly hip burger and pizza joint, was turning Japanese – we really think so. Over forty guests joined us for a superb evening of authentic Japanese-style Omakase dining from talented Steffen Erbe, chef at both Ventnor’s Cantina and its sister venue Stripped. Fifteen... Read more
After the excesses of Christmas, many of you will have emerged blinking into the New Year full of staunch resolutions to stop drinking alcohol, deny yourselves meat, run every day and generally have a miserable and sanctimonious January. We know that our willpower isn’t as reliable as yours so... Read more
We had a couple of lunch dates in Southsea this weekend but, what with Storm Hannah brewing up, we realised that we might either not get across the Solent or, if we did, we might get marooned over there. What to do? Make a weekend of it and stay... Read more
Let’s say you’re stuck with a traditional newsagent’s shop in Gurnard. It’s been trading for years but frankly, the writing is on the wall. Nobody buys fags any more, printed media is not really a growing market, and as for sweets and toiletries, darling, we all get them from... Read more
ARCHIVE ARTICLE: This article is old, and Ashley Randle is no longer the chef at The Hamborough. There’s a new hand at the helm at Ventnor’s Hambrough. Experienced chef Ashley Randle has worked alongside some prestigious culinary names, and now plans to bring a local food twist to his... Read more
Archive review: The Hungry Bear at St Helens has moved and is no longer open at this location. Where do you need to go to find an rhea’s egg on the Isle of Wight? A long time ago it was Fakenham Farm, in St Helen’s. The rheas are no... Read more
We’ve already enjoyed the fruits of the mixologist’s skill at The OTTO Club, Ryde’s newest (and only?) members club. Last week we popped in for the Burns Night supper crafted by head chef; Jack Blumenthal, who demonstrated his special culinary expertise. Having experienced a hardcore Burns Night supper elsewhere,... Read more
In the week that Marvel comic book publisher Stan Lee died, we popped into Newport’s ComiCoffee to raise a toast to this creator of numerous fictional superheroes. For those who haven’t kept up with the county town’s game of musical venues, ComiCoffee is where Caffe Isola used to be,... Read more
There was a long-standing joke the gist of which was that a meat-free diet would cause an increase in methane emissions from all the gaseous fermented bean-trumps leaching through the velvet bell-bottoms of those hippy vegans and vegetarians. Turns out that the joke’s on the other foot. Meat and... Read more
You know The Chequers, right? One of those big, rambling family road pubs that you took the kids and grandparents to. The kind of place where a large car park and play area are adequate compensation for the generic pub grub menu. If that’s still your idea of the... Read more