Jasmine Indian Cuisine, Shanklin
10th February 2008 16
There’s something reassuring about seeing restaurateurs consuming their own wares. Workers need to eat and, whilst many chow down in some back room, others fuel up more conspicuously. It’s not uncommon, for example, to see the friendly staff in the Hong Kong Express at Ryde sitting down to a... Read more
Archive review: The Bank is now closed. Years ago, Cat worked in Shanklin and took great pleasure commuting on the tiny train from Ryde through the fields and woodlands of the east Wight. However, since quitting that job for one in the great metropolis of Newport, Shanklin barely enters... Read more
The Forum Cafe, Brading Roman Villa
7th October 2007 11
Video review: 2014 Written review: 2007 The Roman villa at Brading was built on the site of an Iron Age farm, which was positioned to take full advantage of the harbour situated between Sandown and Bembridge. The Romans certainly chose a good spot for a tea room; the... Read more
Royal China, Sandown High Street
30th September 2007 17
Late on a wet Sunday evening on the last day of the summer season, Matt and Cat imagined they’d be lucky to find anywhere to eat in Sandown that wasn’t closed or nearly empty. So the bright lights of the Royal China were a welcome sight. Even when much... Read more
Ye Olde Smuggler’s Cabin, Shanklin
28th July 2007 2
Although the Isle of Wight has not suffered the same terrible monsoon season that has deluged the Midlands, the summer even on the Island has not been consistently hot. Nonetheless, this hasn’t prevented Matt and Cat from venturing to the Island’s seaside resorts in search of cream tea to... Read more
Steamer Inn, Shanklin
28th July 2007 11
Shanklin Esplanade is one of the quieter of the traditional beaches on the Isle of Wight, where visitors still enjoy the golden sands, amusements, crazy golf and ice creams. It’s Matt and Cat’s recurring pleasure to stop off on the way home from work at such a place where... Read more
Browns Cafe and Clubhouse, Sandown
23rd June 2007 2
Down on Culver Parade, a little way from the hussle and hilarity of the esplanade, Sandown boasts a fine 1930’s miniature golf course, complete with a clubhouse in the period style. Behind it prevails the municipal cafe which Matt remembers from many happy visits as a child, some 35... Read more
Taj Tandoori, Sandown
17th June 2007 6
The vast, metropolitan town that is Cowes boasts no less than three eat-in tandooris, the Island’s county town, Newport, has only two, and Ryde, Shanklin and Sandown have to make do with one each – oh, and one in Lake. It’s a mystery why, outside Cowes, such busy tourist... Read more
The White Lion, Arreton
31st May 2007 7
Sometimes, after a hard day down the salt mine, nothing less will do than a big plate of MEAT. Cat, ravenous from toiling at the day job, knew that this day, of all days, was going to be Red Meat Day and demanded to be taken to the nearest... Read more
Vernon Cottage, Shanklin
1st May 2007 6
Many tourists come a long way to visit the Isle of Wight – so, says Cat, for those lucky enough to already live on the Island, why not play at being a holidaymaker when you can? After all, if this undulating county is a good enough destination for visitors,... Read more
