Matt and Cat\'s Isle of Wight Eating Out Guide
It’s inevitable, as this blog is written by the son of a preacher man and the granddaughter of a verger, that there may be the occasional ecumenical reference. Who can forget Matt and Cat’s inference that Ventnor’s Hambrough had the atmosphere of a place of worship? Or their review... Read more
Matt and Cat love the Isle of Wight. They love its history, geology, landscape and wildlife. And of course the food. All of these things make it a great place to live and to visit. Almost everywhere you go you’ll see something that adds to its fabulousness. Take the... Read more
It’s all over. The sun has resolutely taken off its hat, brushed it down and stashed it away until next year. The summer of 2012, with its diamond jubilee, record-breaking rainfall, Olympics and Paralympics is a distant memory. Wenlock has closed his vast single eye and Mandeville’s name is... Read more
There was a time when a ‘pop-up restaurant’ on the Isle of Wight was a phenomenon which drew naive provincial diners like moths to a cosmopolitan flame. It was beyond exciting when a new one ‘popped up’. Tickets would sell within moments. But it didn’t take too long for... Read more
How does Yarmouth’s Old Gaffers Festival do it? Every year without fail the organisers manage to pick a scorching weekend on which to hold this celebration of classic boats, street acts and local produce. In 2012, because of the diamond jubilee celebrations, the event was brought forward a week... Read more
Some of the Island’s iconic buildings are intrinsically associated with their previous celebrated occupiers. What would Dimbola be without pioneering photographer Julia-Margaret Cameron? Can you image Osborne minus the pervasive presence of Queen Victoria? And surely Farringford can only be known as the home of poet laureate Alfred, Lord... Read more
This is an archive review. Barefoot on the Beach closed in December 2012. ‘I can’t see anything down this slipway, it’s pitch black tonight.’ ‘Well, let’s go down there anyway.’ ‘Look out, we’re walking into the sea. I’m not gonna do a Reggie Perrin!’ ‘No, we’re not – look... Read more
After another hard day toiling down the corporate salt mine, Matt and Cat were sat in traffic inching their way homewards. Some might imagine the reviewing duo plotting their next visit to some unwitting restaurant, but nothing could be further from the truth. A typical debate ensued: should they... Read more
This is an archive review. Warren Farm Cream Teas is now closed (although the farm shop is still very much open) Matt and Cat are not morning people, preferring instead to spend their weekends lolling under the duvet for as long as possible. Pleasant though this is, it can... Read more
Matt’s got a heavy responsibility to shoulder- he’s got to do the chip shops, as Cat won’t ever go into them – well, hardly ever, anyway. But the problem with this task is that it does limit his access to fish and chip emporia which are not close to... Read more