 |
| The Cowes Classics come to town ahead of Cowes Week. Photo Credit Paul Wyeth |
As Portsmouth
Harbour calms down with the departure
of the dynamic AC teams to Gothenburg our
rumbling tummies cry out for sustenance and carbs to survive the week that is Cowes.
We follow the glorious Js
into Cowes as they enter the Solent
to dip their formidable masts to the Royal Yacht Squadron in its Bicentenary
Year. I come via the jolly Red Jet, passing Elenaora as we dock and revel in
the news that five Js will be seen racing here this summer. See www.aamcowesweek.co.uk
Now many of you will have
your favourite haunts in Cowes, built up over years of fun, and I'm not going
to begin to rate the many yacht clubs in Cowes but just list Best Bites top
mouthfuls
Todays top favourites are: the Coast Bar and the Mess Canteen |
| A lighter breakfast at Coast if you need to leave space for lunch |
I start at Coast Bar, passing a busy Tiffins on the way as I want to see how
many people are eating breakfast at 10.30 in the morning - the lucky skivers!
I'm not disappointed; two families, a couple of single gents checking the papers
and an attractive table of French yachtsmen fill the charming open room, with
long bar, fresh flowers and open brickwork that holds a huge black board with
the breakfast specials marked up - an impressive list. Breakfast is an
important meal, we know this, but in Cowes
it could well be the yard stick you are measured by, that grinding and spinny
flying being hungry work!
The Coast Full English at
£6.95 is top dog here, good local bacon and sausage, real mushrooms plus black
pudding. Eggs Benedict at £6.50 and eggs anyhow on toast at £4.95, toast and
jam £2.50. Jam by Tiptree, coffee by Hampshire based Mozzo
Delightful ambience,
helpful, friendly team, I'll be back later to check out the wood fired pizza
oven that has just been lit and to see the lunch specials - these guys get
through a lot of chalk!
Above Coast Bar is one of Cowes favourite Italians,
Tonino's, traditional and reliable, and in the revered Peter Cumberlidge's top 10, say no more. But, we can't go there now. Passing Tiffins again, more people on the
terrace enjoying their Lavazza and bacon baguettes, I note they do crew
hampers.
 |
| Well Bread Company - will definitely try the croissants next time |
On a mission I pass the
Well Bread Company. Attractive, large loaves stacked in the window, big sharing
table inside but most people were outside in the sun. This should be Hop's
heaven as I love a good bakery and to enjoy a decent coffee (they import Noble
Bean) whilst sampling their Vienoisserie should be my Nirvana - but it seems
hot and bothered in here, staff are harried, and I don't linger as I haven't
reached my second favourite yet.
Mess Canteen is a welcoming tunnel of a cafe, cosy seating in the
snug at the back and convivial team smiling at the counter. Blackboards abound
here too, and as the specials run out they get wiped out, no microwaves used
here, stuff cooked fresh and when it’s gone, it’s gone. Local producers are
listed, tea & coffee is from Clifton.
The girls in the AAM Cowes Week Office love this place, and I see Matt & Cat's bright green sticker
on the window, further reassurance.
Best Bites here include the tempura soft shell crab burger (when they
can catch the little nippers), the fish cakes and for a quick lunch the Croque Madame.
Iced coffee and I’m happy here.
 |
| The Messy blackboard |
But must visit Moocow, just off the main drag and with
its own Greek Island style bright white sparkle, a
sunny terrace, and all shiny orange, super clean calm inside. I want to try the
vegetable tempura here as I’ve heard it’s fab, but in a snap of terrible
judgement I go for the aubergine & halumi stack. It looks fantastic, but
sadly tastes of very little and the generous slices of cheese are too thick to
crisp at the edges, so make for some energetic chewing – a shame, but my fault
probably, just too healthy for me and I look longingly at the calamari and baked
fish in paper. I’m going to come back with a small gang of grazers and work
through the menu as it all reads and looks a dream.
Note: Ladies Night 13 Aug, DJ and cocktails on the terrace, but
closed 14 & 15 – great for private functions
 |
| Moocow's aubergine & halumi stack |
On my re-visit to the
Coast Bar, the place is full, both rooms are buzzing, the terrace full. Again,
a good mix - business lunches, three generation families, couples and dogs.
Happy eaters and drinkers, the pizza oven is delivering beautifully charred
bottoms in minutes.
BB choice pizza with garlic & thyme slow roast mushrooms,
prosciutto cotto and mascarpone, followed by lemon posset. Other favourites are
the pan fried sea bass and the meatballs were flying out of the kitchen too.
Good wine list, the Chablis on the black board was perfect.
Breaking news: Harbour
Kitchen has just opened next to the Food Hamper, the second string to the
Coast Bar, but here they will serve less formal, faster street food, with 2
bars across 2 floors. Open in time for Cowes Week and run by Harry Joubert, open
12am -11pm, longer at weekends. Try it and let me know.
 |
| Get away from it all at the convivial Lifeboat at East Cowes Marina |
For a bit of peace & quiet: head over to East
Cowes to get away from the crowds and enjoy the sunny terrace at the Lifeboat whilst watching the circus
on the other side
 |
| Happy sailing at Cowes Week 2015 - photo by Mike Townshend |
Contacts:
The Coast Bar
01983 298574 15 Shooters Hill – best to book, especially weekends/ Sun lunch
Mess Canteen 01983
280083 63 High Street
– will do private functions for 40+ don’t take bookings
Moocow 01983 200750 55
Cross St - great decor, art and mezze
Tiffins 01983 292310 takeaways, crew packs, good breakfasts
Cowes Tandoori 01983 296710 Every
Tuesday 3 course meal for £10.95 + no corkage fee
Tonino’s 01983 298464 8-9 Shooters Hill - Cheerful Italian
Best Bites traveled courtesy of Red Jet, the fastest way to West Cowes. See timetables: www.redfunnel.co.uk
Thanks also go to Marina at Clearline Comms and Amy at Carswell Gould
Thanks also go to Marina at Clearline Comms and Amy at Carswell Gould
No comments:
Post a Comment