Post by Trevor on Apr 6, 2015 20:25:22 GMT
Isle of Wight
Posted by Nicky on 6/4/2015, 21:15:15
Apologies if all of the info below has already been posted - just spent a wonderful long weekend on the IOW, which proved a bit challenging on a GF diet, but also surprised me with a few hidden gems.
We stayed in Cowes, where GF is not really available. So self-catering worked well, Morrisons, Sainsburys and Waitrose all have a good selection, and they are not too far away.
Eating out didn't prove easy to start with. Newport was tricky, despite it being quite a big town. In the end, we ate in the M&S cafe', as I knew that would be ok. The next day we drove all the way to Brightstone especially, to eat at the '3 Bishops' pub, which advertises the biggest GF menu on the island. Admittedly, it had ample choice, and all the specials were GF too, which made a welcome change. The Tripadvisors reviews were spot on, though: whilst we were there, 3 customers (non GF) complained about the food being raw/frozen, and asked for a refund. Our GF special of slow roast pork with cabbage and baked apple was nice enough, but very greasy, and clearly reheated from the previous day. I was then appalled when I ordered GF garlic bread as a side: what came to the table was clearly nonGF (too good to be true?!!), so I asked them to check, and sure enough it was normal bread! I sent it back, and they substituted it with GF one - well, all I got was 3 slices of cheap white loaf with butter in the middle. So I sent those back too: the manager was very defensive, but did offer to refund it. The food is very much hit and miss, and I definitely wouldn't go back. if you're in the area, it gives you the assurance of finding something suitable, but I wouldn't go out of my way to find this pub.
On the way back, we stopped at Middlestone Farm, as we heard about "The Twins GF food" being sold in the farm shop. Now, THAT was a revelation! What a treat... 6 different varieties of quiches, cheese and fruit scones, cakes galore, mini lemon-meringue pies to due for....a feast for the eye, and for the mouth! And great value for money, too. If you can't make it to the farm, you can find them at both Newport and Ride farmers markets (Fridays and Saturdays respectively).
We also stopped at the Chessell Pottery cafe', which is only 10 mins drive away, as I had read on this forum about its huge choice of GF cakes, including high tea. We were a bit disappointed: the only GF choices were meringues and a lemon and almond slice. What really hit me was how all cakes, including the GF choices, were kept on individual slates one next to the other, with no protection/cover. Cross-contamination did in fact prove to be an issue later on in the day (you all know what I mean ).
Driving around we saw a few other places which had signs for GF menus, but all on the west side of the island.
My advice overall is to stick to self-catering, but you MUST try the twins' food: if they didn't charge £10 for postage on the mainland, I would be ordering on a monthly basis.
Hope this helps anyone planning a trip to the island in the near future.
Cheers, nicky
Posted by Nicky on 6/4/2015, 21:15:15
Apologies if all of the info below has already been posted - just spent a wonderful long weekend on the IOW, which proved a bit challenging on a GF diet, but also surprised me with a few hidden gems.
We stayed in Cowes, where GF is not really available. So self-catering worked well, Morrisons, Sainsburys and Waitrose all have a good selection, and they are not too far away.
Eating out didn't prove easy to start with. Newport was tricky, despite it being quite a big town. In the end, we ate in the M&S cafe', as I knew that would be ok. The next day we drove all the way to Brightstone especially, to eat at the '3 Bishops' pub, which advertises the biggest GF menu on the island. Admittedly, it had ample choice, and all the specials were GF too, which made a welcome change. The Tripadvisors reviews were spot on, though: whilst we were there, 3 customers (non GF) complained about the food being raw/frozen, and asked for a refund. Our GF special of slow roast pork with cabbage and baked apple was nice enough, but very greasy, and clearly reheated from the previous day. I was then appalled when I ordered GF garlic bread as a side: what came to the table was clearly nonGF (too good to be true?!!), so I asked them to check, and sure enough it was normal bread! I sent it back, and they substituted it with GF one - well, all I got was 3 slices of cheap white loaf with butter in the middle. So I sent those back too: the manager was very defensive, but did offer to refund it. The food is very much hit and miss, and I definitely wouldn't go back. if you're in the area, it gives you the assurance of finding something suitable, but I wouldn't go out of my way to find this pub.
On the way back, we stopped at Middlestone Farm, as we heard about "The Twins GF food" being sold in the farm shop. Now, THAT was a revelation! What a treat... 6 different varieties of quiches, cheese and fruit scones, cakes galore, mini lemon-meringue pies to due for....a feast for the eye, and for the mouth! And great value for money, too. If you can't make it to the farm, you can find them at both Newport and Ride farmers markets (Fridays and Saturdays respectively).
We also stopped at the Chessell Pottery cafe', which is only 10 mins drive away, as I had read on this forum about its huge choice of GF cakes, including high tea. We were a bit disappointed: the only GF choices were meringues and a lemon and almond slice. What really hit me was how all cakes, including the GF choices, were kept on individual slates one next to the other, with no protection/cover. Cross-contamination did in fact prove to be an issue later on in the day (you all know what I mean ).
Driving around we saw a few other places which had signs for GF menus, but all on the west side of the island.
My advice overall is to stick to self-catering, but you MUST try the twins' food: if they didn't charge £10 for postage on the mainland, I would be ordering on a monthly basis.
Hope this helps anyone planning a trip to the island in the near future.
Cheers, nicky