Archive review: Marchesa Bar, Ryde
ReviewsUncategorised 5th April 2012
This is an archive review. Marchesa Bar has now closed (and reopened as House of Zabre Cafe Bar) Have you noticed how Ryde’s Union Street is a street of two halves? Slice it lengthwise and you will find that on the western side the eateries are mostly chain-style fast food... Read more
The Fishbourne
ReviewsUncategorised 18th March 2012 4
How many times has Lady Gaga reinvented herself? First it’s an encrusted lobster on her head, then she’s teetering about in a meat dress with matching flesh heels – easy when you’ve got a reputation for outrageousness and clearly no shame. These grotesque makeovers may keep Lady G’s downloads... 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
Quarr Abbey Tea Garden
ReviewsUncategorised 15th November 2011 11
Due to entirely foreseen circumstances, Matt and Cat found themselves without internet access one clement autumn day. This enforced Luddism could have inspired a frenzied bout of housework or perhaps baking, but those who know M&C well will already be guffawing at such ridiculous options. No, they decided to... Read more
Solent Inn, Ryde
ReviewsUncategorised 3rd January 2011 33
Matt and Cat have eaten some excellent food in all of the far-flung corners of the Isle of Wight. From windswept tea rooms to the most northerly restaurant, they’ve pretty much tried them all. However, sometimes the best things are on your doorstep – as Matt and Cat discovered... Read more
Domino’s Pizza, Ryde
ReviewsUncategorised 27th October 2010 3
Oh, the excitement. The whisper went up and down Union Street that Domino’s was on its way. Where would it be? The old off-licence, maybe? One of the grand places with Victorian statues on it? It turned out to be a little unit next to the bank, in pole... Read more
The Orrery, Union Street, Ryde: 2010
9th September 2010 4
The Isle of Wight has always been a haven for those with an unconventional frame of mind. The Brading Experience, for example, offered for many years a fantastic journey though the dusty remnants of our imagined childhoods; mythical creatures rubbed shoulders with perpetual cyclist George Bernard Shaw, torturers shared... Read more
Hot picks for Ryde scooterists
26th August 2010 3
Scooterists! If you’re in Ryde for the 2010 International Scooter Rally, you’ll be looking for somewhere to eat. You won’t be disappointed, because Ryde has the best range of eating places of any town on the Island. Many of them put on Scooter Special breakfasts and menus, but which... Read more
Archive review: Waterside Café, Ryde
Uncategorised 11th July 2010
The Waterside Cafe has closed. Summer’s a busy time for food reviewers. New places open like flowers – and sometimes wither in a similar way. Avid readers are keenly recommending new places for Matt and Cat to review, and as new eateries are popping up faster than the duo... 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
