Ventnor is fast becoming known as the foodie town of the Island and rightly so and the Hillside Bistro is here to join in.
There’s the outstanding quality of Triple AA Rosettes dining at The Royal Hotel with Chef, Alan Staley and let’s not forget the tucked away Pond Cafe in Bonchurch.
A great new hangout
Hillside Bistro is the new kid in town and one that we think is going to become everyone’s new best friend.
What was once a low budget cafe has now been transformed into a Danish delight.
Stripped floors, sleek Danish furniture and (as far as we know) the only open kitchen on the Island, sets the tone for the Hillside Bistro experience.
The walls are adorned with the fabulous artwork of Island artist, Celia Wilkinson and the exhibition of artwork will change every few months, bringing new artists to the fore.
This is definitely the kind of place that will be great to hang out with friends at, especially as there is only one sitting for lunch or dinner, so you won’t be rushed to move on.
Fresh, seasonal produce
At the moment, the Hillside Bistro is offering a rolling lunch menu using fresh seasonal produce.
How about home-made ballotine of salmon with new potato salad and herb mayonnaise, or beetroot and goat’s cheese salad with walnut, apple and micro salad leaves? Or perhaps risotto with Isle of Wight asparagus, gardens peas and local soft cheese?
Evenings see a larger menu, including 28-day matured Island beef with hand cut chips, field mushrooms, crispy shallots, local watercress and Cafe de Paris butter; Solent caught sea bass with Bok Choy, sweet potato, lemon grass and lime, local chilli caramel; Ventnor Bay crab, locally foraged wild garlic, samphire and Isle of Wight tomatoes with fresh Linguine pasta to name just a few.
Sunday chill-out
At the end of the week, for Sunday lunch at Hillside Bistro you can choose from roast rib of Island beef or slow roasted naturally reared shoulder of pork, both served with roast potatoes, garden vegetables with thyme gravy and red wine gravy.
If you don’t fancy a roast, you could try the baked fillet of haddock with tomato, chorizo and butterbean stew or fresh potato gnocchi.
The menu is accompanied by an excellent selection of wines.
Recommended
We’ve eaten at the restaurant a number of times and are very happy to give it the OnTheWight stamp of approval.
Whether you pop in for a light lunch for a full evening meal, we’re sure you’ll agree it’s a great addition to the town.
Hillside Bistro
30 Pier Street, Ventnor PO381SX
Tel: (01983) 853 334
Summer season
Breakfast, Brunch & Lunch: Thursday to Sunday: 9am to 2pm
Dinner – Wednesday to Sunday: 6pm to 9pm
Monday & Tuesday: Closed
Update 3.June.13: Updated opening hours and refreshed the text a little.
