The New Inn, Shalfleet

Fabulous! A real find and worth a visit if you are on the island- in fact the highlight of our trip. Friendly staff, wonderfully creative and varied menu, tapping into local produce ( fish and meat) but also doing excellent pub favourites. We had John Dory and Partridge and the meals were tasty, well presented and the vegetables cooked to perfection plus the best tasting carrots I have ever eaten. The wine list is extensive although not O.T.T. Good value and a true gastropub. A real gem!

1 Nov 2006 22:56

The Crab and Lobster, Bembridge

Having found this is the 2007 Good Food Guide we were looking forward to our lunch as are both big seafood lovers. What a massive let down it was. Parking is a nightmare and the ordering system is impersonal and long winded as drinks and food has to be ordered at seperate points. These in themselves are not reasons not to go, however on top of that the tables were so close that the back of my chair was pressed against the back of a chair on the neighbouring table, so all in all not ideal before the food has arrived. Although the seafood was undoubtedly fresh and tasty we found what they did with it a shame. The pasta was overcooked, garlic bread soggy, as had been placed in the soupy pasta and the lobster and crab soup, very odd tasting.

To say that feedback was not gratefuly accepted is a huge understatement and I only hope we caught the owner on a bad day as if he treats all his customers in such a manner I dare say he will lose more customers than just us. I take no pleasure in leaving negative reviews and this is the first and I hope the last time I do.

1 Nov 2006 22:45