Isle of Wight Restaurants / Cafes National
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The Spyglass Inn (Ventnor)
by helencb A week's camping holiday in the Isle of Wight, and as good as an excuse as any to try out some different eating experiences. I had seen a brief glimpse of the Spyglass Inn in the Island tourist magazine, but have to confess it was not the reason that we called in for our first visit. The pub is situated on the Esplanade at ... Ventnor, a popular tourism spot, with fantastic views over the English Channel. It was exactly these views that captured our attention and we decided to give it a go for our anniversary luncheon. The pub itself is privately owned and provides extensive outdoor and indoor seating for dining and drinking. As well as ample seating in front of the hotel itself, there is an adjoining building called The Boathouse, which is also available for dining - inside and out. This means the Spyglass can cope with the busier summer crowds. The entrance sign - Well Behaved Dogs and Muddy Boots Welcome - certainly lets you know that there is no air of pretentiousness at the Spyglass but a place where everyone is welcome, families or couples, and all day dining is certainly a bonus, especially as this is not the normal kind of chain food all day dining experience. That said, there was a bit of a breeze on both occasions when we ate there last week, and you'll need a good fleece at this time of the year if you want to enjoy your meal out of doors. There are three separate tables which are slightly protected by the weather due to the design of the porch and these are definitely the prime seats for this time of year. On to the food itself, and a brief glimpse of the menu at the entrance had done enough to assure me that we would find something to enjoy, there is plenty of choice for casual dining. Seafood dominates the main menu, with the Captain's Platter and Admiral's Platter being the most expensive dishes, the latter seafood festival coming in at £60 for two and requiring 24 hours notice. However you cannot get more local with lobster and crab being caught in the bay. On my first visit I opted for Scampi and chips, something quite traditional, and I was not disappointed, for just under £10 I had a huge portion of scampi, so much so that I could not even manage most of the chips! Hubby had the home made fisherman's pie, which contained white fish, smoked fish and prawns, and was covered with a good layer of potato and cheese. The content of the pie itself was absolutely packed with fish, and again this was just under £10. It is the view itself which makes Spyglass so appealing, although the food was excellent as well. It is a place where you can easily spend a couple of hours catching your breath, people watching, enjoying a hearty meal, and just watching the boats go by on the horizon. The pub was absolutely packed out for lunch, and again when we went for an evening meal a few days later, which is always a good testimony as many restaurants in the town were not yet open for the season (visited April 2010). As well as seafood, there are other pub grub options including steaks, an ample range of burgers, vegetarian options and lighter bights such as baguettes. On my second visit I opted for Macaroni Cheese with Crusty bread and salad, and this was to die for, while hubby opted for a chilli burger. On our second visit, we initially secured our original seats outside, but decided it was a bit nippy and we opted to dine in the Boathouse itself. The Boathouse and the pub itself are full of nautical memorabilia in keeping with the location. There is limited parking directly outside the pub itself, although there is a car park about 85 yrds up the hill. (pay and display) If the view isn't enough to keep you occupied, then there is often live music playing in the evening or even at the busy lunchtimes, and details are available on the up to date website (www.spyglassinn.com) All in all, this was perhaps my favourite dining experience of my time on the Islands, and given the breadth of the menu choice I am sure it will be appealing to most. Recommended 10/10 Read the complete review |
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Olivo (Ryde, Isle of Wight)
by frangliz There are quite a few restaurants on Ryde's Union Street, but not all are serving food at 5.30pm. My son and I couldn't risk missing the last hovercraft of the day back to Southsea and we noticed that Olivo was open and seemed to have an interesting menu. The area at the front of the restaurant has some low coffee tables and ... dark brown leather sofas for those just having a drink and a light bite. There are also some dining tables, but we were led through this area and seated at a small table just beside the bar. To the back was a further dining area at a slightly lower level. When we were seated we were each given a standard menu as well as one to share showing the day's specials; as it was Sunday these included roast lamb. Olivo, however, is primarily a Mediterranean restaurant and has an excellent choice of pasta, risotto and pizza. Prices range from £7.95 for lasagne or moussaka to £11.95 for risotto Valencia (chicken, chorizo and mixed seafood with saffron rice, garlic and chili). There are fourteen varieties of pizza: a margherita is £7.25, but if you prefer a pizza without cheese you might go for an Adriatica with prawns, tomatoes, garlic, chili and fresh spinach at £9.50. Olivo also offers grills and main courses such as chicken tagine, falafel, duck, lamb, beef, venison, pork or locally caught fish. Prices in this section range from £10.95 to £14.95. We both ordered pasta, my son going for spinach and ricotta tortelloni whilst I was intrigued enough to choose the spaghetti eglefino with smoked haddock, broccoli, fresh tomatoes and a white wine sauce. I usually avoid spaghetti as I am not an expert at twirling it round a fork, but I had never come across this particular dish before and I love smoked haddock. Olivo does also have a good selection of starters and tapas; as well as individual dishes there is a tapas tower for two consisting of meatballs, chicken wings, chorizo and pepper, patatas bravas, houmus and fried spicy calamari for £24.50. Side dishes are around £2.50 to £3.95 and include salads, vegetables and various potato dishes. Salad main meals are priced between £9 and £10 and are served with freshly baked dough balls. We contented ourselves, however, with a main course and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice each. We waited around fifteen minutes before our food was served. The waitress asked if we would like any fresh black pepper, and I said I would. I had wondered whether the broccoli and tomato would go together as it seemed like a strange combination, but it worked. I loved the smoked haddock, which I hadn't had with pasta before, and the white wine sauce was delicious without being too rich. I often can't finish a pasta dish in a restaurant, but this was so good that I left an empty plate. My son was equally impressed with his tortelloni which was served with tomato and some fresh salad leaves on top. Neither of us had room for dessert but we had half an hour to spare so my son ordered a hot chocolate and I asked for a decaffeinated capuccino. I never have great expectations of decaffeinated coffee, but the one I had at Olivo was perfect. It had a full flavour without being overly strong. My son said his hot chocolate was extremely good too - he was offered cream with it but declined. Apart from the food and the coffee, I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and the décor at Olivo. Tables and chairs are of a light wood which is also used in the roof alongside panels of glass. The walls are part open brickwork and part painted in a light cream colour. In two places a huge roll of brown paper was fixed high up on the wall, and the end was pulled down so that a list of cocktails could be written out. There are large candles on each table, and one or two floral displays add colour to the restaurant. When we arrived Spanish music was playing which switched to Nitin Sawhney later on. I was so impressed with the restaurant that I asked one of the waitresses if it existed only on the Isle of Wight. She told us that there had been a branch in Newport (Isle of Wight) for about four years and that the one in Ryde was just coming up to its first birthday. She also said that there is an Olivo restaurant in London, but that it is much more upmarket than the ones on the Isle of Wight. When I said that it was a shame there was no Olivo in Portsmouth, she told us that the company has a cafe called Feed in the Gunwharf Quays area, so I shall definitely be tracking that down. Our bill came to just over £28 to which we added a tip. The service had been faultless as it was polite, welcoming and extremely efficient. The main toilets are down a few steps but there is a disabled toilet on the same level as the main dining area. There were two ladies' toilets that were self contained with handbasins, and a vase of fresh flowers added a beautiful touch. The restaurant is open from 8am and the full menu is served from midday. On weekdays during term time Olivo offers an 'After School Family Feast' from 3.30pm until 5.30pm. The price is £10 for adults and £6 for children under the age of sixteen. There are five choices of main course, most of which come with a bowl of salad and some with garlic bread as well. Included is a soft drink for children and a glass of house wine for adults. I haven't heard of this idea before and wonder if it will catch on in other places. I have to say that this is one of the best Italian meals I've ever had, and I enjoyed the whole experience of dining at Olivo. I have no reservations in recommending the restaurant, and only wish there were more branches on the mainland. It caters for those just wanting a sandwich or a pastry and a hot drink as well as those wanting a three-course meal. Young children are obviously made to feel welcome here, and high chairs are available. If you are in Ryde, I would definitely suggest finding the time to visit Olivo. Olivo 32-33 Union Street Ryde Isle of Wight PO33 2LE Tel. 01983 611118 www.olivorestaurant.com Also posted on other sites. Read the complete review |
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The Spyglass Inn (Ventnor)
by JJJJ As a coastal town which relies heavily on the tourist industry, Ventnor on the Isle of Wight has its fair share of pubs and restaurants. Whilst some of these eateries produce a top quality dining experience, others fall into the realms of mediocrity. I'm happy to report that 'The Spyglass Inn' is one of the better venues in in the town ... in which to enjoy a decent meal. Situated in a prime location directly overlooking a vast expanse of open sea, the Spyglass really has a spectacular setting. Look to your left and you'll see Ventnor's splendid Victorian seafront, whilst the view directly ahead of you is of the English Channel. In fact, if you face a certain direction, there is an unbroken stretch of water leading all the way to South America! The building itself is architecturally nothing special, but it's pleasant enough, and has a terraced frontage with outside seating. In terms of its history, the building dates back to around 1830 (making it one of the oldest on the Esplanade), and for many years it was frequented by smugglers who had come across from France with a range of contraband. Stepping through the doors of the establishment and taking a look around, you will instantly notice the nautical theme; walls are covered with sea-faring memorabilia ranging from antique brass ship compasses and assorted boat parts, to ancient looking maps and other related documents. Although fairly small, the pub houses a few different rooms, each one with its own unique character. The Spyglass often has a selection of entertainment in the evenings, and there is frequently a pianist, and occasionally a folk-style group to entertain diners. This helps to create a decent atmosphere, and the venue is generally full of life. Of course, being a pub / restaurant review, I should probably mention the food - and I'm happy to report that The Spyglass produces a selection of decent quality home cooked meals. Ranging from sandwiches and baguettes, to steaks and Salads, the extensive menu should have something for everyone. As it's a popular place to come and eat, the food prices are in some instances a little high - the most expensive (prawn) baked potato, for example, comes to just under £9 - which is perhaps a wee bit steep. In fairness, you do get what's basically a plate full of food, even with the smaller snacks, and even the humble baguette comes with a salad and tortilla chips. Specialising in seafood, The Spyglass prides itself on using fresh produce in its meals - and usually the crab and prawn dishes are succulent and delicious. As I previously mentioned, the menu offers a range of traditional pub foods, and the portions are of a decent size. It's not fancy food - just good quality, nicely cooked fare which is (most importantly) very tasty. The waiting times are usually perfectly reasonable, although obviously this depends on how many people are in the pub, and the time of day. There is a message on the menu which says that the food isn't rushed to the tables - but in my personal experience, service has always been prompt. In terms of the drinks, the bar is well stocked, and has a good selection of real ale's to choose from for the beer enthusiasts. There is also a varied wine list, and all the usual soft drinks. The waiting staff are all very friendly, and this always helps to create a welcoming atmosphere. If you're interested in visiting The Spyglass, you can find directions on the website at www.thespyglass.com. When arriving by car, parking couldn't be easier - there's the spacious 'La Falaise' cark park right next door. In fact, the sea-facing side of the car park wall houses a number of lizards which can be seen darting in and out of the cracks between the rocks in the summer months. All in all, I recommend The Spyglass Inn as a pleasant and relaxing venue in which to eat out. The traditional and tasty food, combined with the excellent views across the sea, makes the pub well worth a visit. In terms of its opening hours, The Spyglass in open all day from 10:30am to 11:00pm, and food is served from 12 noon to 9:30pm. Tel: 01983 855 338 Read the complete review |
Isle of Wight Restaurant / Cafe National |
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4 reviews Restaurant / Cafe National / 5, Union Street, Ryde, Isle of Wight PO33 2DU, Tel: 01983 568 866 |
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1 review Type: Italian Med / Restaurant / Cafe National / Address: 32-33 Union Street / Ryde / Isle of Wight PO33 2LE / United Kingdom / Tel: (01983) 611118 |
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Briddlesford Road / Restaurant / Cafe National / Wootton / Isle of Wight / England / PO33 4RY / Tel: 01983 884650 |
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3 reviews Restaurant / Cafe National / The Spyglass Inn, Esplanade, Ventnor, Isle of Wight.Tel: +44 (0)1983 855 338 |
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3 reviews Restaurant / Cafe National / 45 Union St, Ryde, Isle of Wight, PO33 2LF. Tel:01983 563165 |
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3 reviews Address: Esplanade / Restaurant / Cafe National / Ventnor / Isle of Wight PO38 1JP / UK |
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2 reviews Restaurant / Cafe National / |
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| Isle of Wight Restaurant / Cafe National Recommendations 1 | ||
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