Coast, Newport: archive review
Uncategorised 24th November 2006
Coast is now closed Inspired by a lunchtime visit to the burger van at Dodnor, Matt and Cat decided to sample the pleasures of other lunchtime snack and light meal venues. Coast coffee shop in Newport was high on the list after Cat spotted a specials board proclaiming field... Read more
Smuggler’s Haven, Bonchurch
8th October 2006 15
The Landslip at Bonchurch is an intriguing place, describing itself on an old sign as an historic pleasure park. It is a vertiginous jungle with windy paths, rocky outcrops and precipitous steps. If you have the energy for an aerobic hike about this landscape then you will do well... Read more
The Orrery, Ryde (archive review)
Uncategorised 8th October 2006
This is an old review. See the new one here. The creation of The Orrery cafe in Ryde’s Union Street has been viewed over the past year with great interest by your intrepid reviewers; intrigued as the windows to the existing globe workshop were whitewashed and the gates across... Read more
Afton Park Nursery / the Apple Tree Café
27th August 2006 9
Update May 2009. Matt and Cat revisited the Apple Tree café at the suggestion of a fellow Tweeter. Read M and C’s comments below, with earlier efforts below that. Having waxed lyrical about the café at Afton Nursery, Matt and Cat were surprised but pleased to get a request... Read more
Kate Cottage, Sandown
29th July 2006 8
There are those who say that the Isle of Wight is stuck in a time warp. If they visit Sandown, these suspicions may be confirmed. Alongside the gift emporiums, crimpolene frock shops, beachware retailers and chippies, are many cafés for visitors who only bought ‘half-board’ in one of the... Read more
June’s Fish Bar, Shanklin Old Village
13th June 2006 5
At the scrag-end of a hot Sunday afternoon, Matt and Cat were in need of refreshment. Turned away from one establishment who saw eating as coming to an abrupt end at 5.45, they sought succour in June’s Fish Bar. It is neat and newly painted, but does not particularly... 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
UPDATE: The Chicago Rock Cafe has closed its doors. The building is now home to the William Coppin. The review below is for archive purposes only. Well, another day, another food chain. Senses dulled by unsatisfactory experiences in many franchise eateries, Matt and Cat had low expectations when they... Read more
