Matt and Cat\'s Isle of Wight Eating Out Guide

Lugley’s, Newport

10th August 2008 9

Matt and Cat like to think of themselves as ‘of the people’ and, unlike other less popular Island on-line eating out guides (you didn’t even know there were any others, did you?), they are happy to try any size of venue from the humble to the salubrious. Often they... Read more

Bengal Palace, Newport

5th August 2008 11

As regular readers of Matt and Cat’s Isle of Wight Eating Out Guide may have deduced, the eponymous writers live in Ryde and work in Newport. This geographical predictability means that the reviews on these pages have a tendency to cluster around these conurbations. And, dear reader, you can... Read more
The Island’s landscape is often called ‘England in Miniature‘. Maybe it is. But if so, it’s a bit short on some things. Thank goodness, there are no nuclear power stations, no motorways, no slag-heaps and no international airports. And no pylons. Or are there? Here’s a game you can... Read more
In a special guest review, Matt & Cat regular Wendy reviews food at the Isle of Wight Festival. Read on for her daily updates! Friday 13th June 2008 Isle of Wight festival food feedback today, Friday! (Just back in, how’s that for dedication.): More varied Island presence than last... Read more

Caffè Isola, Newport

7th June 2008 1

It sometimes seems that the installation of the eating classes on pavements is the solution to all society’s ills. With tedious regularity politicians and commentators can be heard praising the ‘café culture’ of the continent – where young couples sit at tables scattered casually around the piazzas, generating economic... Read more

The Square, Newport

11th May 2008 1

What a continental sight; Newport’s St Thomas Square on a hot day. The farmer’s market was in full swing, lunchtime drinkers – and smokers – were crowding the tables outside the Wheatsheaf, and Matt and Cat had plonked themselves down at a jammy table outside a little pasty shop... Read more

Town Choice, Newport

4th May 2008 2

Newport is stuffed to bursting with eateries. Sit down venues, vertical eating places, chip shops, coffee shops, pubs, clubs, doughnut bars and pizza parlours. And, judging by the longevity of some of these places, there is obviously good business to be had feeding the hungry of the Island’s capital.... Read more
The very first review written for this guide was for Sainsbury’s, Newport. It was short and to the point. This was before Matt and Cat even really had decided to do anything more than a single review… 170 reviews later and they’re still going. Now with this review, they’ve... Read more
Monroe’s is now closed. Matt and Cat have never eaten in McDonald’s, Newport. They’re not averse to fast food, in fact they’re loving KFC (occasionally); Matt has been known to feed his kids at the Wimpey. However, with so many great little cafes, sandwich bars, pubs and restaurants to... Read more

New Vegetarian Cafe, Newport

29th December 2007 1

NB: this cafe is now closed. Thirty years ago, vegetarian cafes were an unusual niche market for the really committed restaurateur, and one that had some success. These days herbivores do not have to go to an exclusively vegetarian restaurant to eat meat-free food as almost every eaterie will... Read more