Archive review: Bay Grill, Appley Park, Ryde
Reviews 8th May 2010
This is an archive review. The Bay Grill closed in 2011. The cult of the chef isn’t something Matt and Cat subscribe to – but sometimes you just can’t avoid making the connection. Robert Thompson’s name, of course, is inseparable from his famous Ventnor hotel, and even Alan Staley... Read more
The Fountain Inn, Cowes
2nd May 2010 3
For once Matt and Cat aren’t going to start a review of a Cowes eatery with jibes about yachties and DFLs. Instead, let them tell you about how lovely this waterfront town was looking on an unexpectedly clement Saturday in May. The sun was shining intermittently though fluffy clouds... Read more
In the heat of a summer’s afternoon Sandown Esplanade might be mistaken for the Spanish Costas with its towering beach-side hotels, miles of golden sands and the aroma of Ambre Solaire. However, on a miserable gusty evening in April it was more like Skeggie than the Costa Del Sol.... Read more
There’s something about sports club buildings. It’s not the age of them – they’ve been building the things for decades and they all look the same anyway. It’s not even the location – although just beyond the edge of town is pretty standard. No, a sports club has an... Read more
Archive review: Warren Farm, Totland Bay
Uncategorised 19th April 2010
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
Plough and Barleycorn, Shanklin
10th April 2010 6
Shanklin is a town of two halves; the touristy Old Village with its picture-postcard thatches and tea shoppes and the more utilitarian Regent Street/High Street conglomeration. On the northern approaches there are a few hotels and the occasional peripheral eatery and it was at this outer edge that Matt... Read more
Full of Easter Promise
4th April 2010 2
Hands up all of you who gave up something for Lent? Well done you. Having gorged yourselves witless on pancake day, the pious amongst you can feel smug in your self-denial. Although how much prayer, penitence and alms-giving you undertook during the same period is between you and your... Read more
Rainbow Fish Bar, Freshwater
28th March 2010 29
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
Needles Battery Tea Room
27th March 2010 5
Matt and Cat have made several visits to the Island’ most westerly café. Read their latest thoughts on the place below. Earlier review and comments follow that. Having had a successful – and educational – day out at Hampshire’s most southerly fortification, Hurst Castle, Matt and Cat decided visit... Read more
Tilly’s Café, Ventnor
26th March 2010 4
Matt and Cat have spent a lot of time in Ventnor recently, so much so that Matthew is thinking of buying a phial of patchouli oil to perfume his Afghan coat. Having had an extremely pleasant morning with some astronomers at the very windswept and wonderful Castlehaven, M&C headed... Read more