The Essex, Godshill
9th October 2010 12
At first glance, some things never seem to change. Bruce Forsyth’s hair suspiciously resists the march of time regardless of the fact it’s trampled all over his face. Madonna remains steadfastly dewy and youthful despite the knarliness of the old bird’s fists. Godshill defies passing trends; pretty thatched cottages... Read more
The Fisherman’s Cottage, Shanklin Chine
15th August 2010 13
Plenty of pubs and restaurants on the Island have a seaside location. Some even have views of the sea and fishy dishes on their menus. But how many of these places actually take fish from their local fishermen? Some do for sure, but few can be so very closely... Read more
The Best Dressed Crab in Town
9th August 2010 2
When Matt and Cat go on holiday they like to have all mod cons, luxuries like walls, a bathroom with running water and a nice comfy bed. Therefore camping is not their thing. Cat has less than fond memories of tossing and turning under rain and tear-soaked canvas at... Read more
The Boathouse, Puckpool, Ryde
3rd July 2010 30
It’s confusing enough that the Island has so many eating-places named The Boathouse. Matt and Cat know of at least four. Of these, two clearly were once boathouses; one other, with some stretching of the imagination, could have once accommodated some modest vessels. But the fourth – the Boathouse... Read more
Mary’s Bun Run
18th May 2010 3
The lunching habits of office workers can be graded into several distinct types. The fastidious borderline OCD-type whose pens are lined up in serried ranks and who brings in delicious home-made sandwiches in a Tupperware box. This is Cat. Contrastingly, in her office is the slovenly boy who lives... Read more
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
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
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
Community Café, Ventnor
1st February 2010 0
Hippies, eh, with their free love and beads. Ventnor’s bloody full of them. In the 1960s they say all the beardy-weirdy sandal wearers ended up in this most southerly town because it had the perfect climate for growing cannabis. Whether or not that was the reason, it seems that... Read more
Real Island Food Company
7th January 2010 2
Just occasionally Matt and Cat cook for themselves. Cat has two signature dishes: baked potatoes and salad; and tuna and goats cheese carbonara. Matt’s repertoire is at least double this (as is his girth) and so, being the more diverse chef, it was his job to cook the Christmas... Read more
