The America’s Cup comes to town
Words and pictures by Penny Hopkins
Old Portsmouth & Southsea
 |
| Photo credit Land Rover BAR Press Office |
Many thousands of us will be heading to Southsea Common on the 24 – 26th July where food, fun and frolicks will play second fiddle to the big screens showing the nip and tuck that is the America’s Cup in the breathtaking AC45s
To shore oneself up here are a few pointers from the
Best Bite team, conveniently all just a coupla streets back from the common, in
the Indy food mecca that is Osborne
Road.
We set off from Haslar Marina though, where we always find
calm, quality food at Hardy’s and Trinity’s on the Lightship, but we’re taking
the other green boat over the harbour to Old Portsmouth and Southsea, by bike of course, the only
way to travel – and at the moment they go free!
 |
| Tiramisu rawsome cake - perfect with a drop of cold brew |
10 minute
gun – best coffee? Some good choices but we rate Southsea Coffee Co at No 63, who grind
the beautiful Hasbeans and have some great snacks – particularly recommend the
rawsome cakes, which are in fact awesome too, try the tiny tiramisu.
If you are coming in via the station grab a take out
from Canvas Coffee Shop as the
coffee is top drawer (Roasting Party in Winchester)
and these guys are a Social Enterprise Pop-Up training barista skills to
recovering addicts.
5 minute gun
– missed breakfast in the excitement? Jump on the Teatray in the Sky at No 31 and go for their full breakfast, or
BB’s favourite, the bacon, mushroom & gruyere crepe – and we’ll probably be
back for full English Afternoon Tea Tray Style – best to book if you can
 | |||||
| Teatray full English breakfast £5.95 |
 |
| Book your afternoon tea on 023 9273 1903 |
They’re off
– pop into Circolo at No 78, for a quick
pizza. We had a pizzette with a soft drink for just £7, so we can be back outside
to watch them rounding the mark, then return for Affogato
 |
| pizzette with a soft drink for just £7 |
General
recall – well never mind, there's just time to visit the
popular Abarbistro, 58 White Hart Rd, which many locals still call the American
Bar, situated next to Portsmouth’s vibrant fish market Viviers in old
Portsmouth, just behind BAR HQ on
the Camber.
 |
| Abarbistro, at the back of Land Rover BAR HQ, Old Portsmouth |
This is a delightful spot for lunch or dinner; enjoy
the moules or whatever was caught that morning, simply grilled in butter,
whilst sampling the extensive wine list, offering the opportunity for a decent
try before you buy as Camber Wines is just upstairs. They had a great Cote
de Provence Rose offer when I was there. Next Fishy Friday is Aug 7th
The winner,
or is it a tie? We’re not sure yet, but we think the Wave Maiden at No 36 Osborne Rd, is well worth a
visit, not huge, only open in the evenings during the week, but this is the
place to try artisan beer and cheese. Not cheap, but memorable, and great for a
lighter snack if you’ve been grazing all day.
Particularly recommend the twist
& snout, who could resist? Open 6-11pm but 12 – midnight on Saturday and
12-10 on Sunday, but think they might all extend for AC.
And one of our
favourite small chains (there are only two of them) Belle Isle at No 39, fun, cheerful, value bar and decent range of burritos,
club sandwiches, burgers and moules, quite a large space so you can bring the
gang.
 |
| Belle Isle at No 39 Osborne Rd, cocktails, club sandwiches, burritas and fun |
The Protest
Card – has to be Gunwharf Quays – you know we try and support
independents but there are a couple of reliably good chains here starting
with Loch Fyne for the fishies, Azzurro for the Italianos and Jamie’s Italian
for the risk averse. Enjoy
#BringtheCupHome
More info on:
www.visitportsmouth.co.uk
http://www.visitportsmouth.co.uk/americas-cup-2015/whats-happening
Portsmouthfoodlovers.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment