Suggest a venue
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5th November 2006
Matt and Cat
Leave your own comment on this place 343
Matt and Cat are always grateful for your suggestions for places to try next. If there’s a food venue you want them to visit, just leave a comment here with your suggestion. They check this post regularly and every suggestion is taken on board… although with so many great places to eat on the Island they might take a while to get round to visit each one.
If you’ve got a comment about a particular restaurant they’ve already visited then please comment on the review page, not here.
Please check they haven’t already been to your suggested venue by using the search feature, as otherwise your wisdom might get deleted unread!
They won’t normally respond directly here in this page, but watch out to see whether your suggestion is taken up. To keep the page to a manageable size comments here are deleted once they get old and/or when the review suggested is written.
Latest comments are at the top of the page
Connor whitehead
8th April 2018 #1 AuthorOabourne house cafe and restaurant
Matt and Cat
19th April 2018 #2 AuthorHere, and here.
patrick
3rd April 2018 #3 AuthorBartletts Green Farm Tea Room (not tea-rooms as proclaimed on the sign unless you count the kitchen and wc) has become a popular and much–to-be-recommended venue. Whilst the vast green walls of Busy Bee loom at one corner, and the A3055 buzzes on another corner, it remains an oasis with ducks and a pond.
Leaf tea served in pots, and excellent cakes, the welcome is warm – the intial offhand approach of younger staff has now abated with growing confidence.
Great cakes and food – whilst no soup was on offer when I visited, very tasty garlic mushrooms on brioche was an acceptable alternative, Luckily I remembered to request omission of salad garnish, as I don’t feel it would have suited the dish!
Matt and Cat
10th April 2018 #4 AuthorGood tip, thanks Patrick! We’ve had a cake and cuppa there and found it satisfactory – might pop back some time.
patrick
15th April 2018 #5 AuthorDoesn’t sound like a resounding thumbs up! Unless you are standing with equal rigour against “comment inflation” as you have been against “star inflation”…?
patrick
18th February 2018 #6 AuthorI would think it’s now possible to put the “late unpleasantness” to one side as the estwhile Blacksmith’s Arms (now “Blacksmiths”) is under new ownership. As an offshoot of the exceptional Pointer Inn at Newchurch satisfaction is, if not guaranteed, certainly extremely likely! Smartened up, but keeping old quirky corners, it has to be up there with the Island’s best, in its new re-invigorated form….
Tacolicious, on the other hand, has folded, by all accounts…
Jay Smith-Dowse
7th February 2018 #7 AuthorWe would like you to come and visit our new restaurant in Yarmouth, La Cucina in Foresters Hall.
Mediterranean food and hopefully you will think excellent service. only opened late last year and is already busier than any of the predecessors in the same place. manic actually.
M&C say: Done.
Matt and Cat
11th February 2018 #8 AuthorTurns out we popped in there today! Great work! M&C https://twitter.com/MattandCat/status/962738607701266433
felicity damaris
20th October 2017 #9 Authorhad a great sandwich on wednesday at the lime tree cafe, high street, shanklin. it was hummus and oak smoked sun dried toms in a ciabatta with side salad and crisps.
Ross Davidson
6th October 2017 #10 AuthorPlease try the tea room at Isle of Wight Lavender, Staplers, near Newport. I just had a ham and cheese ploughman’s (“The Veteran Ploughman’s”) which was wonderful; proper thick ham, plenty of bread, cheese and butter, and lovely fresh salad and apples.
patrick
27th September 2017 #11 AuthorAny views on Tacolicious Mexican restaurant in Ventnor (ex Phileas Fogg) The menu outside looked a little scruffy, but I think it would be worth a try, as the IW is not brimming with this kind of food at present…
Juan Bruno
19th October 2017 #12 AuthorDon’t be disappointed by the menu outside. Read reviews on Facebook (@tacoliciousIOW). Authentic Mexican food cooked by a Mexican born Chef. Relaxed atmosphere in a somewhat takeawayish setting. 🙂
patrick
19th October 2017 #13 AuthorThanks Juan – I feel reassured, and will try it out soon!
patrick
22nd October 2017 #14 AuthorWas there tonight and it was very good – well worth a trip, I’d say!
patrick
27th September 2017 #15 AuthorI don’t know if it’s a malfunction of the search function, but there seems to be nothing on the Red Chilli (aka Chutneys, Eastern Eye) in Ventnor? Well worth going many miles to sample the food, a cut abobe similar venues outside the culinary capital…
Matt and Cat
27th September 2017 #16 AuthorHi Patrick, thanks for your suggestion. No, it isn’t a search malfunction – we haven’t been to Red Chilli yet. We went back when it was Chutney Express and had a nice meal. We’ll add it to the list! M&C
felicity damaris
13th September 2017 #17 Authortry chatters cafe in ryde baptist church, george street . the quiche and soups are very good.(home made )
M
26th August 2017 #18 AuthorIt is probably time to revisit The Old Village Inn in Bembridge, it has been a while since you last visited and they have a pizza oven and their homemade pizzas are awesome. This along with the full menu makes it a great destination. Just ensure you check that the oven is being fired up on the evening of your visit.
Scott martin
17th May 2017 #19 AuthorHi, I would highly recommend you to try Golden Sands, Ventnor. We have been their on several occasions and out of all the places to eat along ventnor seafront we have eaten at, Golden sands is by far our favourite. They have a delicious full English breakfast but our favourite meal is their fish and chips. Please do a review as they thoroughly deserve it.
Jenny
16th April 2017 #20 AuthorWe highly recommend trying the Bandstand in Sandown. The food, staff and atmosphere are all fantastic, it’s one of our favourite places to eat.
patrick
8th April 2017 #21 AuthorNo, we were told that you have to arrive early in the day to catch one of the pasteis de nata! The grapevine has informed me they are baked at the café now occupying part of the site of the late lamented “Ruths of Cowes”…
patrick
8th April 2017 #22 AuthorFantastic Portuguses coffee and cake shop in Monkton Village in Ryde, on the corner of Simeon Street! An inviting atmosphere amidst the curios and old-time photos of Funchal….
Matt and Cat
8th April 2017 #23 AuthorThanks, Patrick. Madeira is our nearest coffee joint and we’ve already popped in. Did you try their lovely pastils de nata? M&C
patrick
19th October 2017 #24 AuthorNot on that first visit, M&C but have done since – out of this world, certainly!
Vamsi
6th January 2017 #25 AuthorPlease visit Taste of India in East Cowes and provide your views.
Tony Cawley
29th November 2016 #26 AuthorAt last a really good Indian restaurant in East Cowes! Taste of India is under new management but is in the same premises previously occupied by the unlamented Purple Mango. Very recently opened up under this very enthusiastic management, the standard of food and service are amongst the best I have experienced with an Indian restaurant or, indeed, any other type. If you have not been there, I thoroughly recommend a visit asap. They deserve a boost to help grow their business and I worry that they may suffer from being in the same premises as their predecessors. Bon appetite!
Derek Atkins
9th April 2016 #27 AuthorHad take away fish and chips yesterday from Samels in East Cowes. Fish was fine but chips were really poor very dry and not nice to eat. Will not be buying from them again. I’d even go so far as to say even worse than the cod father!!!
Loren and Jim
3rd October 2015 #28 AuthorHave you tried Chutneys Indian takeaway in Ryde?
We have had several takeaways form there now and they have been fantastic.
Also, the prices are very reasonable.
Shakira
31st July 2015 #29 AuthorHave you tried Sam’s Peri Peri ?
It is the best value in town, with lovely chicken,and a variety of different menus including tasty Chicken rice, salad,ice cream,and the cheapest(yet tasty)coffee.Served by friendly staff, you must try it!
SueA
26th June 2015 #30 AuthorWonky Cafe – not so wonky now
So glad to see that Wonky Cafe at Whitecliff Bay has reopened (it opened at Easter but this is our first visit this year). Now rebuilt and reinforced against the weather. Such a perfect setting. We had an excellent veggie Breakfast, served on hot plates, with good quality cutlery, by the most cheerful staff. And it opens at 9am whereas the Whitecliffe Bay Cafe (used to be Tuppenny Cafe) doesn’t awaken until 10am.
da yw wyth
23rd June 2015 #31 Author“Crave” – superb new ice-cream parlour in Ventnor. Just ice-cream, ultra-fresh and made on the premises: plain, or a range of enticing flavours. Has to be the best I’ve tasted on the IW since the long-lost days of Farmers of Skew Bridge.
And a made-to-measure setting in the former Ventnorian store in Spring Hill. Original tiled walls, a friendly welcome, with the opportunity to sit on a milk-churn-shaped stool at one of the windows, watching the busting scene outside. A five-star set-up!
Matt and Cat respond: Thanks da: we’ve given it a go and found it most satisfactory.
da yw wyth
20th June 2015 #32 AuthorGreat news that Matt and Cat’s much-vaunted holy grail of a delicatessen in Ryde has been glimpsed on the horizon! Murphys – next to where Woolworth’s used to be – looks set to open soon…
Michelle
15th June 2015 #33 AuthorShed in Bembridge, fabulous Tapas and amazing coffee.
PAUL MULLERY
8th June 2015 #34 AuthorQuarr Abbey Tearoom
Visited today (8/6/15) for a snack and coffee. I ordered the BLT sandwich and an Americano. The coffee was excellent and when the sandwich came it consisted of two rounds of granary bread cut into two triangles with plenty of leaves and crisps. Unfortunately I must take issue with the bacon. I lifted one triangle and inspected the bacon offering. As I was looking for summer houses on my outing I had my tape measure to hand. The single bacon piece on the triangle was 1 1/4″ long and 1/2″ width. The same measurements also on the second triangle. Somewhat disappointing so I could only award 5/10.
Jay
4th June 2015 #35 AuthorCan you take a look at The Bandstand in Sandown before our visit in August ?
Sparky
7th May 2015 #36 AuthorHave you tried Chicken Cottage in Ryde?
Matt and Cat respond: yes we have.
lisa
25th April 2015 #37 AuthorWe have just been to planet buffet in shanklin and couldn’t have had a warmer welcome from Raj the owner. Its not Michelin star but great value for money. You should check it.
da yw wyth
12th April 2015 #38 AuthorSorry, but until a review appears on here I feel I have to keep plugging One Holyrood! Now a firm favourite with many its fame needs to spread. Where else in Newport has such a tranquil garden,with stylish yet historic interior? It does luscious breakfasts, mouthwatering lunches and exquisite tea and cake – all provided with a welcome and in a relaxing atmosphere. High-point must be the soup – once sampled, forever smitten!
Matt and Cat respond: agreed da, we’ve visited several times and really enjoyed it – just haven’t got around to writing it up yet.
connor whitehead
11th April 2015 #39 AuthorNosh nexport has the best ever coffeemail and breakfast on the Isle of wight at low prices I would recommend you review this next
Matt and Cat respond: thanks Connor, we might check it out!
da yw wyth
5th April 2015 #40 AuthorLooks like a nice little coffee shop has opened up at the back of St Helens Post Office. Cakes look appealing! It will be good to have another option in the area – hopefully with more accessible opening times than its rivals…
da yw wyth
5th April 2015 #41 Author…. and hey presto the Spinnaker (erstwhile Windmill / Birdham) has opened on schedule in Bembridge. Looks a little bleak from the outside, but it’s early days…
da yw wyth
22nd February 2015 #42 AuthorBirdham/Windmill/Spinnaker, Bembridge – re. comments on 29/30th September last, the word on the street is that scaffolding is now up and feverish activity underway to prepare the venue for the coming season…
Bushy
17th February 2015 #43 AuthorWho said anything about despising them? Some of them were good friends of mine!
Seriously, though, I think the criticism of the “asset-stripper” was not the he wasn’t from these parts – more that he tried to bring a slightly edgy “townie” feel to a pub that at its best was like being in someone’s living room. When we first came back to the Island eight years ago, the Roadside was a lively pub with a real “buzz” – excellent food (see Matt & Cat’s original review) and a cosmopolitan clientele that even included some of those posh folk from down the hill!