Hillside Bistro, Ventnor
ReviewsUncategorised 23rd April 2012 5
Matt was once described by his university professor as having a Rolls Royce brain with Morris Minor engine. Cat, who used to be pretty punctual and organised, has adopted Matt’s languorous attitude over the years they’ve been together. This lackadaisical leaning means that they have never quite managed to... Read more
Justin Brown at Farringford
ReviewsUncategorised 16th April 2012 7
Some of the Island’s iconic buildings are intrinsically associated with their previous celebrated occupiers. What would Dimbola be without pioneering photographer Julia-Margaret Cameron? Can you image Osborne minus the pervasive presence of Queen Victoria? And surely Farringford can only be known as the home of poet laureate Alfred, Lord... Read more
Archive review: House of Legends
ReviewsUncategorised 4th April 2012
House of Legends is now closed. A legend used to be an unverifiable but historical tale, handed down the generations in a tradition of story-telling. When it opened, Newport’s House of Legends was a themed eatery focussed on showbiz ‘legends’, such as film stars, musicians and the like –... Read more
Archive review: Windmill Inn, Bembridge
ReviewsUncategorised 10th March 2012
The Windmill Inn is now closed. This is an archive review. Back in 2007, Matt and Cat had an unforgettable meal at The Windmill Inn in Bembridge. It was memorable for all the wrong reasons, and it has taken them five years to venture back into the wide doors... Read more
This is an archive review. Dan’s Kitchen closed in 2019. Back in the day it was pro-celebrity golf and Superstars that satiated our desire to see famous people undertaking feats of endurance. These days the TV spews out task-based fodder such as I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of... Read more
Northbank Hotel, Seaview
ReviewsUncategorised 27th December 2011 2
It is often said that the Isle of Wight is England in miniature. With its castles, tube trains, Neolithic stone monument and Doveresque white cliffs, it’s easy to see why the comparison is made. But it’s not just topographically that the Island reflects the rest of England. Visitors and... Read more
It may be the depths of winter now, but imagine the scene: having spent all day on the beach during a rare hot August Bank Holiday, a day-tripping family tidies up their detritus. Nan is levered out of the deckchair and Dad bounces assiduously on the hissing inflatable banana... Read more
Archive review: Barefoot on the Beach, Colwell
ReviewsUncategorised 21st November 2011
This is an archive review. Barefoot on the Beach closed in December 2012. ‘I can’t see anything down this slipway, it’s pitch black tonight.’ ‘Well, let’s go down there anyway.’ ‘Look out, we’re walking into the sea. I’m not gonna do a Reggie Perrin!’ ‘No, we’re not – look... Read more
The George Hotel, Yarmouth
ReviewsUncategorised 29th October 2011 7
After another hard day toiling down the corporate salt mine, Matt and Cat were sat in traffic inching their way homewards. Some might imagine the reviewing duo plotting their next visit to some unwitting restaurant, but nothing could be further from the truth. A typical debate ensued: should they... Read more
Valentino’s, Carisbrooke
ReviewsUncategorised 21st October 2011 10
Come with us on a journey through time and space, to a land of long hot summers, Cinzano and pop charts where ‘Do You Wanna Touch’ was considered a tour de force. A place where, if they weren’t having the neighbours round for fondue bourguignonne – dipping their meat... Read more
