Kurt spends his time trotting the world seeking the finest. He’s a respected reviewer with over 20 years experience, so knows a thing or two about it and isn’t shy to give his opinion – Ed.
I found my first favourite Isle of Wight lunching spot on my first trip here. I’ve been back multiple times since, and I have also taken each and every of the varied friends who have visited me here to the New Inn at Shalfleet. Sometimes even without visiting Newtown.
The New Inn
Here is an characterful old pub of a comfortably medium size, with an agreeable outdoors terrace, which serves the kind of food I like. I and my guests have investigated a number of the New Inn dishes, notably their home-made sausages, but my favourite light lunch at Shalfleet is a delicious black-sausage and cheddar salad.
Since they threw out the lettuce (I do hope it was my previous review that made them do it!) and replaced it with a selection of tastier greenery, this counts as one of my Best Island Dishes. At a snip of a price. Brother John is definitely being taken there.
Fox’s of Bembridge
Last year I added a second favourite to my list. I visited Bembridge to write a Comparative Tour of Its Pubs (the Old Village Inn won by a street), but since one has to eat as well as drink, I essayed Fox’s in the High Street. And I never went anywhere else during my stay.
I still remember John’s sea-food soup. Last week I popped back to make sure it was still as grand, and lunched on broccoli and pea soup and a lightly fried plaice. OK, a meal, but a splendidly light one that can clearly qualify as a Kurt lunch. With my shandy, still only a tenner.
Since the sun came out, last week, I’ve added two more trophies to my shelf. Both, I have to admit, count more as ‘meals’ .. more than one course .. than my New Inn menu .. but that’s OK, as long as I don’t end my ‘half-time’ wanting to go to sleep!
Both, also, move a little higher up the price scale.
The Boathouse
The Boathouse at Steephill Cove can only be called a joy.
Truthfully, you could eat anything there and be happy – it’s characterful, peaceful, womanned by delightful young ladies, and its position overlooking the bay is heavenly. But, on top of all that, you get really grand fresh seafood, much of which is said to come right out of the bay itself. Be that as it may, it’s wholly delicious.
I even forgive them the shredded carrot, shredded lettuce and commercial sweetcorn accompaniment (which I left), everything else is truly bonzer. Brother John was instantly booked in for lunch on Friday, so it had better not rain! (My bill: 30 pounds and worth every penny).
The Little Gloster Inn
Yesterday, I went across to reconnoitre the Red Jet ferry station. I am a newish driver and like to know where I’m going when picking up family. Since I was over that side of the Island, I decided to follow up a very recent luncheon tip and, helped on my way by the directions of a friendly local couple, managed to find my way to The Marsh, Gurnard, and the Little Gloster Inn. Impeccable.
A nice trying-hard-to-be-green lawn in the sun, alongside the yacht-flooded sea, buzzing with happy people; a pair of first-class crab-cakes with a vicious chili sauce, and lightly-cooked sea-bass with crisp green beans and OK potatoes.. (with shandy: 20 pounds).
I am getting used to the two-course English lunch, its all right when it’s cooked with as light a hand as this.
The lunch that wasn’t
But. I have also found a triumph. It wasn’t a lunch, it was an evening post-vernissage ‘bite’, but it will definitely be My Lunch on future occasions.
My taste treat of the month: the Gallybagger Cheese souffle on Waldorf salad, served – with cold muscadet — in the lobby of the Royal Hotel, whilst a clever pianist regaled the author of The Encyclopaedia of the Musical Theatre (me) and companion with the best show songs of my heyday “¦
Sigh. Lunch like that is something to be treasured, even in the evening”¦
