Seasonal Dining Guide: for

Style of Wight Seasonal Dining Guide

for Christmas Parties, New Year’s nights out and beyond…

Christmas at Albert Cottage

Whether visiting for an opulent afternoon tea, light lunch, special dinner or with your friends and colleagues for a fun-filled Christmas party, when you choose to celebrate Christmas at Albert Cottage you’re in exceedingly good company. It’s rather special to think that Queen Victoria herself and her beloved Prince Albert would once have enjoyed their own special occasions at this Grade II listed former Royal residence. With roaring log fires, friendly and professional service, and an atmosphere steeped in British history, Albert Cottage is the perfect place to enjoy catching up with friends and family. The hotel is preparing for refurbishment works in January 2022, so now is the perfect time to enjoy its warming winter menus; like this game pie of pheasant, partridge and venison – served with honeyroasted heritage carrots and parsnips. Albert Cottage Hotel, East Cowes albertcottagehotel.com Instagram: @albertcottagehotel To book: 01983 299309 Celebrate Christmas with a cosy coastal vibe at Salty’s Bar & Restaurant. Enjoy exquisite cuisine in soft candlelit surroundings, embraced by its warm and welcoming front of house staff and enhanced by a superb range of Fine Wines and Old Fashioned and Single Malt Whiskeys.

Using the freshest and finest produce from local and specialist suppliers, Head Chef Tom Axford will serve up a culinary experience to be savoured: from signature nibbles such as crispy, squid ink crackers to delicate gourmet dishes and chargrilledto-perfection steak favourites, to desserts including honey-roasted nectarine with mulled winter spices.

Catering for extra-large tables and groups, Salty’s is the perfect place to celebrate ‘en masse’: from staff Christmas parties to seasonal family reunions and events.

Warm yourself in Salty’s welcoming atmosphere

Salty’s Bar & Restaurant, Yarmouth saltysrestaurant.co.uk Instagram: @saltysbarandrestaurant To book: 01983 761550

The party is on at the Seaview Hotel

Experience the magic of Christmas with Michelangelo

Celebrate your Christmas party at the Seaview Hotel on Saturday 11th and Saturday 18th December with a 3-course dinner and entertainment, from £35 per person. Later on in December, say farewell to the festive season for another year and toast the arrival of 2022 with a full evening of New Year’s Eve entertainment from Lewis Berry Blues Band and a 5-course dinner specially created by the Head Chef; only £85 per person. Featuring a menu that combines Modern British cuisine with a regional Isle of Wight twist; like this sage-crusted monkfish with mussel, clam and chestnut chowder. And why not extend the celebration? Stay in one of this independent coastal hotel’s wide range of cosy accommodation options, from £50 per person including breakfast.

Seaview Hotel & Restaurant, Seaview seaviewhotel.co.uk | Instagram: @seaviewhoteliow To book: 01983 612711 or email restaurant@seaviewhotel.co.uk

You don’t need to travel far to experience the true taste of an Italian Christmas this year – authentic Italian cuisine prepared by genuine Italian chefs awaits at popular Ryde restaurant Michelangelo. This friendly and relaxed dining experience is testament to its Italian owners’ passion for real home-cooked food, much of which is influenced from their gastronomically rich region of Emilia-Romagna. Open for large party bookings throughout the festive season as well as on Christmas Day itself (four courses for £75), diners can choose from a delicious array of Italian dishes, served in an intimate candlelit atmosphere. This elegant North Italian dish – Crespelle al Granchio e Salmone – of cute homemade milk-based pasta parcels filled with crab meat, smoked salmon, Swiss cheese and Parmesan and coated in a velvety white sauce will simply melt in your mouth.

Plus: on Saturday 4th December, Michelangelo hosts its annual market to mark the beginning of the Christmas season: an essential foodie event for your festive calendar offering a real feast for the eyes, with the finest quality Panettone, Pandora, Torrone and more.

Ristorante Michelangelo, Ryde ristorantemichelangelo.co.uk Facebook: @Michelangelo Restaurant IOW To book: 01983 811966

Celebrate in style with Inns of Distinction

Inns of Distinction are determined to make this festive season its most celebratory ever. At The Boathouse and The Fishbourne, pre-Christmas party menus run throughout December, including a spectacular Christmas day menu. This traditional British classic by Executive Chef Joel Yearsley is always a show-stopper; highest quality Island beef fillet rolled in parma ham and mushroom duxelle with a light homemade puff pastry and served with pomme puree, charred tenderstem broccoli and rich red wine demi glace.

Both pubs are open for dinner reservations on New Year’s Eve as they invite you to ‘bring your house party to our house party’ and see in 2022 in style with dancing to resident DJs and free fizz to all who come along in fancy dress.

The Boathouse, Seaview and The Fishbourne, Wootton Creek Innsofdistinction.co.uk | Instagram: @innsofdistinction Booking essential: The Boathouse – 01983 810616 The Fishbourne – 01983 882823

Keep the party going with Smoking Lobster

At the Island’s most exciting triptych of foodie destinations, the Christmas spirit(s) are just the beginning. Offering all-yearround fresh seafood, vegetarian and local meat dishes with a pan-Asian twist, all three locations have become synonymous with fantastic food and beautifully crafted cocktails with fresh juices and Asian flavours.

From 2022 onwards, diners will be able to enjoy all their favourite dishes in an exciting new package of at-home events. Choose from bespoke 3 course menus and enjoy the very best of the Smoking Lobster experience in your own home or on location, cooked by your very own chef and attended by your very own cocktail bartender. We’re already imagining the luxury of sipping on a freshly-made-for-us cherry blossom martini as we await our favourite seared Isle of Wight fillet beef with ponzu gel and caviar served with butternut squash, nasu dengaku beignets. Bring on the New Year!

Smoking Lobster, Ventnor Beach Instagram: @smokinglobsterventnor | 01983 855938 Smoking Lobster, Cowes Marina Instagram: @smokinglobstercowes | 01983 240168 Drunken Lobster, Ventnor Town Instagram: @drunkenlobsterbar smokinglobster.co.uk