Dell Café, Puckpool
23rd September 2009 13
Last Sunday Matt had his mainlander parents to entertain; plus young Bill and the ever-present Cat twining around his legs. There were too many of them to squeeze into the car and drive to Fields for Sunday lunch so they decided to stroll along Ryde prom and see which... Read more
Chocolate Apothecary, Ryde Esplanade
6th September 2009 22
For over 200 years Ryde Esplanade has provided Islanders and visitors alike with a range of shops and hotels, from the elegant and sophisticated to the tacky and workaday. The Victorian chemist’s on the Esplanade now houses an unusual addition to the seafront; definitely on the elegant end of... Read more
Fields Cafe, Niton
17th August 2009 10
Churchfields is a pretty red brick house owned by St Faith’s Church, Havant and was for many years the home of Cat’s grandparents, Fred and Marjorie. Back in the 1970s the summers were always hot. Home-grown runner beans and squishy raspberries were harvested from the small but bountiful kitchen... Read more
Playing at grockles one sunny August day, Matt and Cat and junior reviewers Bill and Jack headed west with a plan to have lunch at Warren Farm, a place repeatedly recommended by a colleague. It was closed. Not to worry – something else to eat must be nearby. A... Read more
Kings Manor Farm Café
18th July 2009 9
Another sunny afternoon; another farm café. Yes, friends, it’s hard enough work reviewing the Island’s food at the best of times, but summer is a particularly strenuous season for diligent Matt and Cat, as they dash from one end of the Island to the other in an attempt to... Read more
McDonald’s, Ryde
18th July 2009 7
Taking advantage of their employer’s flexible working policy, Cat and a colleague bunked off to Ryde one lunchtime for reasons to tedious to go into. The Cat had already eaten her nammit but her friend, who was recovering from a heavy night on the sauce at Ocean Blue Quay,... Read more
Archive review: Oceanblue Quay, Ventnor
Uncategorised 4th July 2009
This is an archive review. Oceanblue Quay has changed hands and changed name. After giving it a while to find its feet Matt and Cat finally toddled through the doors of Oceanblue Quay, the new restaurant at Ventnor esplanade, as bone fide customers. Although in an enviable position at... Read more
Isle of Wight Festival: Food 2009
13th June 2009 9
In a special guest review, Matt & Cat regular Wendy reviews food at the Isle of Wight Festival. I wrote about IW Festival food for M&C last year and am pleased to bring you this update for 2009. Sunday morning: Keeping my eyes peeled for Isle of Wight food... Read more
Bluebells Café, Briddlesford Lodge Farm
16th May 2009 31
In these times of economic hardship, people are thinking creatively about how to make money. Sunday supplements (a necessity if ever there was one) bulge with suggestions about how to get the cheapest cuts from Waitrose, whilst getting the Volvo to go a few extra miles. This, of course,... Read more
Watch House Barn, Cowes
10th May 2009 8
Shops in Cowes – and indeed people – seem to be divided into two broad groupings. Either impossibly chic and inaccessible; or quaint to the point of impracticality. Both have their merits, but Matt and Cat undoubtedly tend to favour the fanciful when faced with the choice. So with... Read more
