food & drink
Height of Luxury On The Hill
The Royal Hotel in Ventnor, is one of the oldest hotels on the Island - and remains among it’s best kept secrets.
THIS exclusive hideaway shares the rare privilege of being one of only 30 hotels to be listed in every Michelin Guide since it’s first publication in 1911. Built in 1832, it became a mecca for the hordes who flocked to Ventnor to enjoy the health- boosting sunny climate and sea air.
The once sleepy fishing village was so popular that its population soared from a mere 800 to 5,000 in only a few years.
In the ensuing decades The Royal Hotel established itself as a refined destination for the discerning traveller.
Today guests regularly return to this beguiling four star retreat after being charmed by the warm, attentive service.
They also come to sample the award- winning locally-sourced food cooked with flair, passion and artistry. The constantly changing menu created by executive head chef Alan Staley and new head chef Dan Maskell is guaranteed to thrill and surprise even seasoned gourmets.
Dishes are colourful, incredibly pretty and bursting with flavour. Highlights include local sea bass with fennel risotto, a hot and cold gazpacho soup and a succulent tasting plate of Island pork.
Sweet-tooths will adore the Chocolate Declinaison - the pastry chef’s masterpiece in white and dark chocolate.
Simple touches such as handmade bread, cheese biscuits and freshly prepared yoghurt simply add to the experience.
There are various fine dining options including the fabulous Appuldurcombe
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Restaurant and the Hambrough Bar & Terrace with its Colonial-style conservatory.
The hotel boasts two AA Rosettes for outstanding food - awards which it has now held for the past 15 years.
Opposite the hotel is it’s fabulous Riviera Terrace, undoubtedly one of the finest al fresco eating spots on the south coast.
Perched high on the cliff top, overlooking picturesque stunning
views
English Channel. The
Terrace the a enjoys
Ventnor Bay, it boasts across
twinkling distinctly
Mediterranean flavour thanks to the flourishing sub-tropical plants.
Guests can choose from several eating options including picnic hampers, lunches, tiffin boxes and mezze sharing platters.
The menu’s feature seafood landed
directly on the beach below. Specialities include fresh Ventnor Bay crab and lobster or locally smoked Scottish salmon.
Staff bring the dishes from the hotel and up the winding stone steps to the peaceful knoll. Food can be eaten at a handful of cream rattan tables and chairs dotted around the secluded hillock.
But it’s more fun to borrow the comfy blankets and plump cushions provided and make yourself comfortable on the grass.
The picnic menu is laced with tempting tapas, salads, sandwiches, cold meats and desserts.
English mustard Roast Island beef rib, Serrano ham and wild boar salami, Tiger
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prawn Quinoa, Isle of Wight soft cheese and tomato chutney.
Alternatively plump for the two or three course lunch menu which is anything but traditional. Highlights among the starters include Mediterranean style local fish and shellfish soup or smoked breast of pigeon with poached rhubarb and blood orange puree.
The main course features the likes of pan- fried, line-caught sea bass, tagliatelle, iceberg, peas, pancetta and beurre blanc or pan-fried fillet of Kemphill Farm beef, three times cooked chips and peppercorn sauce. And save a little space - the iced vanilla meringues, raspberries and kirsch cream or vanilla creme brulee, chocolate chip and fudge ice cream are a dream.
Enjoy the beautiful sunsets with an Evening Mezze box crammed full of appetising treats to share. Marinated olives, cheeses, salmon, shrimps, Continental meats and bread are among the delights for two.
This is outdoor eating on another level.
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