The Codfather, Ryde Esplanade
9th May 2006 57
A traditional seaside fish and chip shop with a waggish name. You’ll have seen the sort a thousand times if you patronise English seaside resorts at all. Their slogan ‘we’ll batter anything’ is backed up by a comical cartoon of a fish with a machine gun. Not too bad,... Read more
Saffron, Cowes High Street
23rd April 2006 4
Cowes is like a little seasonal enclave of metropolitan mainland which has somehow become established on the overseas territory of the Isle of Wight. The closer to the summer it gets, the more that people in Cowes drive posh cars, talk loudly on mobile phones, hurry around busily and... Read more
Wimpy, Union Street, Ryde
18th April 2006 8
The Wimpy Restaurant or ‘Wimpy Bar’ – an English institution. Or so Messrs Wimpy would have us believe. Named after J. Wellington Wimpy – The burger-loving character from the cartoon, Popeye – these now somewhat quaint establishments were massively popular in suburban British towns until McDonalds began to take... Read more
Thompsons Plant and Garden Centre, Newchurch
9th April 2006 0
A garden centre cafe may not be the first place you think of for a meal or just light refreshments, but your intrepid reviewers decided to stop in Thompson’s cafe for a fortifying meal before choosing plants to adorn Cat’s tiny balcony. The cafe is set in the middle... Read more
The Seashell Restaurant and Grill has now closed. It was succeeded by the Bay Grill. Appley beach is beautiful, with wide stretches of pale sands, shoreside trees and wooded parkland. From the outside the Seashell Restaurant and Grill doesn’t do justice to its unique surroundings. It looks like a... Read more
Ryde Tandoori, Union Street
Uncategorised 15th March 2006 15
Ryde Tandoori was one of Matt and Cat’s earliest reviews. They’ve been back a few times, and in the meantime readers have added a mixed batch of comments. So M and C decided to return and see how Ryde Tandoori measured up these days. The original review from March... Read more
The Bargemans Rest, Newport Quay
12th March 2006 16
The Bargeman’s Rest is a nautical-themed pub in an unusual inland waterside location. It’s easy to see but fiddly to drive to (you will undoubtedly get lost in the one-way system of the nearby industrial estate); why not take a pleasant stroll to it along the quayside instead? Read more
Archive review: the Wishing Well is now The Isle of Wight Distillery at The Wishing Well, the home of Mermaid Gin. Matt and Cat first reviewed the Wishing Well in spring 2006 when it had just been taken over by new owners. The earlier review is at the bottom... Read more
Terry’s Fish and Chips, Wootton
18th February 2006 12
One of a row of takeaways in Wootton High Street, Terry’s is celebrated for its incandescent Christmas lights display – sufficient to draw festive coach parties simply to observe it. However, for would-be diners, illuminated fish tastes much the same as dingy fish, and so the question Matt and... Read more
Archive review: Nabab Indian Restaurant, Newport
Uncategorised 15th February 2006
This is an archive review. The Nabab is now closed. Slightly off Newport’s beaten track of mobile phone shops, coffee houses and chain stores you can find the Nabab. Surprisingly Matt and Cat made their first visit there only recently – despite its good reputation amongst their friends. On... Read more