Aneke Spacie, Landguard Manor
ReviewsUncategorised 26th November 2010 4
It would be a cruel trick, wouldn’t you think, for Matt and Cat to review a restaurant that you couldn’t actually go to? Crueller still, maybe, if they raved over it, explaining with the merest hint of embarrassment how they obtained the very last seats in the house for... Read more
Archive review: The Roundhouse Tea Rooms, Newport
ReviewsUncategorised 18th October 2010
Archive review: alas! The Roundhouse is now closed permanently. That’s it folks! Matt and Cat might as well hang up their reviewing hats as the Isle of Wight’s ultimate cream tea has been found. After years of arduous searching, involving the consumption of gallons of tea, rock-hard to fluffy... Read more
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
Robert Thompson at Northwood House, Cowes, 2010
30th July 2010 7
When Matt and Cat visited the Michelin-starred Hambrough in Ventnor back in 2009, they were stunned by the superb food, describing it as “alchemical… outstanding and clever”. The venue and service, though, they found “a bit soulless”. So your reviewers were excited this year when they read chef-patron Robert... 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
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
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
Red Duster, Cowes
Uncategorised 17th September 2009 10
Now that Twestival is over, Matt and Cat have been winched back onto the review horse and are galloping into a town near you. One of Matt and Cat’s favourites Saddling up one weekday evening they rode into Cowes and wandered around its streets looking for a place to... Read more
Fields Cafe, Niton
17th August 2009 10
Churchfields is a pretty red brick house owned by St Faith’s Church, Havant and was for many years the home of Cat’s grandparents, Fred and Marjorie. Back in the 1970s the summers were always hot. Home-grown runner beans and squishy raspberries were harvested from the small but bountiful kitchen... Read more
Kings Manor Farm Café
18th July 2009 9
Another sunny afternoon; another farm café. Yes, friends, it’s hard enough work reviewing the Island’s food at the best of times, but summer is a particularly strenuous season for diligent Matt and Cat, as they dash from one end of the Island to the other in an attempt to... Read more
