Category: Matt and Cat's Foodie Feature
April 5, 2012
This month we’ve been enjoying eating at some spanking new venues and revisiting some previously reviewed ones. We started with a great discovery: Lockslane at Bembridge. It's in Foreland Road, which apparently used to be called Locks Lane, hence the name. We really enjoyed this new bistro and we think you will too - it's small, informal and intimate, with a great menu featuring fresh local food, cooked by local people.
We wrote afterwards:
We also had a couple of unexpectedly good lunches at the House of Legends in Newport. No, really, we did. Legends is one of those places that we’ve been extremely disappointed with. They’ve shown that they’re able to deliver good food and service but also there have been times when they haven’t. Quite a few times. Having vowed not to go there after a particularly dismal meal, we decided to give them yet another go after we saw that they’d got some help from a local troubleshooter. We visited on a Saturday lunchtime with diners of all ages, and found it to be cheap, decent food, and prompt and reasonable service. The venue is still a bit of a soul-less barn, and it's still not one we’d wholeheartedly recommend but at least they are now on the right track. We’re watching their trajectory with interest.
We wrote afterwards:
“Lockslane is a delightful and unpretentious venue that focuses very clearly on food. With smooth and informative service plus imaginative and tasty food, Lockslane offers a relaxed and informal bistro style - at a reasonable price - that should suit a range of different audiences. Highly recommended.”
We also had a couple of unexpectedly good lunches at the House of Legends in Newport. No, really, we did. Legends is one of those places that we’ve been extremely disappointed with. They’ve shown that they’re able to deliver good food and service but also there have been times when they haven’t. Quite a few times. Having vowed not to go there after a particularly dismal meal, we decided to give them yet another go after we saw that they’d got some help from a local troubleshooter. We visited on a Saturday lunchtime with diners of all ages, and found it to be cheap, decent food, and prompt and reasonable service. The venue is still a bit of a soul-less barn, and it's still not one we’d wholeheartedly recommend but at least they are now on the right track. We’re watching their trajectory with interest.
Dining Out, Matt and Cat's Foodie Feature
February 22, 2012
We have been out this week enjoying a few sunny days at last - it does look as though spring is finally on the way. We walked through the churchyard at Newchurch to enjoy the last of the snowdrops, as the carpet of purple crocuses was just beginning to open up in the morning sun.
On the way we passed one of our favourite pubs - The Pointer Inn, Newchurch, a great place for an excellent home-cooked pub meal in a friendly atmosphere. As well as very good food, this little pub is the heart of the community, and visitors can expect to meet some local characters at the bar, and maybe even eat some very local food, as the kitchen does have a habit of swapping homegrown vegetables for beer!
Another find this week was out at Gurnard, where we tried The Watersedge Beach Cafe. It’s somewhere that lots of people had recommended but for some reason we’d never yet been to. We had a lovely lunch there overlooking the Solent. Matt ate fried squid - an unexpected feature on a cafe menu, and not an unwelcome one either.
We’re looking forward to seeing what else is going to be on the menu this year, as many other places are opening up again after a winter refurb. Some new faces, such as Justin Brown at The Farringford, who says he’s aiming for a Michelin star; and some familiar ones, such as The Royal Hotel, which has reopened after its customary new year break, with a new springtime afternoon tea menu. It's going to be a good year of eating out on the Island!
Matt and Cat confirmed events Spring 2012
On the way we passed one of our favourite pubs - The Pointer Inn, Newchurch, a great place for an excellent home-cooked pub meal in a friendly atmosphere. As well as very good food, this little pub is the heart of the community, and visitors can expect to meet some local characters at the bar, and maybe even eat some very local food, as the kitchen does have a habit of swapping homegrown vegetables for beer!
Another find this week was out at Gurnard, where we tried The Watersedge Beach Cafe. It’s somewhere that lots of people had recommended but for some reason we’d never yet been to. We had a lovely lunch there overlooking the Solent. Matt ate fried squid - an unexpected feature on a cafe menu, and not an unwelcome one either.
We’re looking forward to seeing what else is going to be on the menu this year, as many other places are opening up again after a winter refurb. Some new faces, such as Justin Brown at The Farringford, who says he’s aiming for a Michelin star; and some familiar ones, such as The Royal Hotel, which has reopened after its customary new year break, with a new springtime afternoon tea menu. It's going to be a good year of eating out on the Island!
Matt and Cat confirmed events Spring 2012
28 February, Cinnamon, Ryde
29 March, Missy J's, Ryde
26 April, Bluebells Cafe, Briddlesford Farm
10 May, Needles Battery (National Trust)
29 March, Missy J's, Ryde
26 April, Bluebells Cafe, Briddlesford Farm
10 May, Needles Battery (National Trust)
Dining Out, Matt and Cat's Foodie Feature
January 19, 2012
A busy weekend for Matt and Cat
We've had such a busy weekend! Some of the Island's restaurants and cafes close down after the Christmas and New Year rush - but plenty do not, and we've been to no less than three places in the last few days, with our reviews coming soon. It certainly looks as though 2012 is going to be a great year for dining out on the Island - at least one new eatery we visited was absolutely packed, and this was in the middle of January.
If you're still feeling a bit sluggish after the excesses of Christmas, a bracing winter walk will help shake off the cobwebs. We love the walk up to the Needles Battery - even on the warmest of summer days you will experience a cooling breeze and, even at this time of the year it can be positively glorious. Hardier walkers may wish to stride to the Needles from Tennyson Down but whichever route you take, the walk is quite literally breathtaking with (on a clear day) views across the Solent taking in the New Forest, Hurst Castle and Dorset.
Needles Battery Tea Room is open most winter weekends - with no entry fee - plus, if you approach it from Alum Bay, parking there is free too. Although the indoor exhibitions are not open, the tearoom most certainly is, serving excellent tea and cake, and when we went, some nice warming vegetable soup - just what you need after that fantastic walk.
Matt and Cat's Isle of Wight Eating Out Guide
We've had such a busy weekend! Some of the Island's restaurants and cafes close down after the Christmas and New Year rush - but plenty do not, and we've been to no less than three places in the last few days, with our reviews coming soon. It certainly looks as though 2012 is going to be a great year for dining out on the Island - at least one new eatery we visited was absolutely packed, and this was in the middle of January.
If you're still feeling a bit sluggish after the excesses of Christmas, a bracing winter walk will help shake off the cobwebs. We love the walk up to the Needles Battery - even on the warmest of summer days you will experience a cooling breeze and, even at this time of the year it can be positively glorious. Hardier walkers may wish to stride to the Needles from Tennyson Down but whichever route you take, the walk is quite literally breathtaking with (on a clear day) views across the Solent taking in the New Forest, Hurst Castle and Dorset. Needles Battery Tea Room is open most winter weekends - with no entry fee - plus, if you approach it from Alum Bay, parking there is free too. Although the indoor exhibitions are not open, the tearoom most certainly is, serving excellent tea and cake, and when we went, some nice warming vegetable soup - just what you need after that fantastic walk.
Matt and Cat's Isle of Wight Eating Out Guide
Food & Drink, Dining Out, Matt and Cat's Foodie Feature