Archive review: Urban Diner, Newport
Uncategorised 14th July 2014
This is an archive review. Urban Diner is now closed. Ah bless the Isle of Wight, so steadfastly stuck in the middle ages. Or at least the middle of the twentieth century, if you believe the laziest of stereotypes. No, you dont need a passport. Yes, there is a... Read more
Archive: Malcolm Alder-Smith returns to The Hambrough
Uncategorised 29th April 2014 2
By Malcolm Alder-Smith, Island chef and author and guest contributor to Matt and Cat’s Isle of Wight Eating Out Guide. Classically trained as a chef by French, Italian and Swiss master chefs, Malcy trains UKSA Marine Hospitality students in the kitchens of The Isle of Wight College; and is... Read more
Note: this is an archive review. The Hambrough is now run by a different team. It’s fair to say that 2013 has been an eventful year for the Island’s most famous restaurant, The Hambrough. Last time Matt and Cat visited this Ventnor venue it was prominently branded as Robert... Read more
Archive review: At Sarah’s House, Ventnor
Uncategorised 21st August 2013
Archive review: At Sarah’s House is now closed. Ventnor has always had a glut of antique shops and bric-a-brackeries to satisfy the desire for vintage housewares like carnival glass and old lace runners. This recherché resort is also one of the best places on the Island for an award-winning... Read more
Archive review: Joe’s, Ryde
Reviews 6th August 2013
This is an archive review. Joe’s has now closed. Back in the day the local dining scene offered the choice of starched linen and silver service; sticky Formica tables with aluminium edges; or when going ‘foreign’ you could eat among exotic plastic grapes and raffia’d wine bottles. Then Mark... Read more
Archive review: Foundation Bakery, Newport
Uncategorised 26th March 2013
This is an archive review. The Foundation Bakery has now closed. The Foundation Bakery is the latest venue to jostle for a place in Newport’s crowded lunchtime market. Just when things seemed to have reached a critical mass with the arrival of national coffee outlet Costa Coffee, and rumours... Read more
Archive review: Coffee Bean, Ryde
Uncategorised 23rd January 2013
This is an archive review. The Coffee Bean is now closed (but the shop is still open). You may have seen them on the streets: people that seem to have given up before they’ve begun. Slobbing around in their onesies and slippers – garments that should only be worn... Read more
Archive review: Larder and Pie House, Sandown
Uncategorised 5th January 2013 6
This is an archive review. The Larder and Pie Shop has now closed. Cat was born in Essex. Not quite within the sound of Bow Bells, but surely it makes her more of a Cockney than Sussex lad Matt? Yet it’s been a while since she cavorted in the... Read more
Archive review: Café 44, Carisbrooke
ReviewsUncategorised 14th November 2012
This is an archive review. Cafe 44 no longer exists. If you are a contestant on one of the ceaseless merry-go-round of televised cookery shows, you must practise, practise, practise your recipe. It’s no good window-shopping the sexed-up photographs in a celebrity chef’s recipe book the night before and... Read more
Archive review: Laura Jane’s Café, East Cowes
Reviews 21st October 2012
Archive review: Laura Jane’s cafe is now closed. Some people imagine that Matt and Cat are orderly souls; with a neatly-written list of candidate venues to review, fully researched and scheduled in their diaries at regular intervals. The truth is so far removed from this cosy vision of administrative... Read more
