Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2009 | Page 102

life

FOOD & DRINK

Head Chef Jon Tallon

New gem at Isle of Wight Pearl
EVER wondered what happens in those places

the coach parties have had their coffee and

on the tourist trail after those mad two hours

cake (which, incidentally, Jon bakes himself)

when the coach parties have had their cake

and the café is ready to lunch the locals. The

and eaten it – and gone? What happens now

specials board reflects Jon’s passion for clean

is that we, the locals, can have a delicious

cut fresh flavours: homemade roasted pepper

lunch in spacious surroundings while we enjoy

fishcakes served with mayonnaise and salad, or

unfettered coastal views.

hot garlic tiger prawn and avocado Caesar. He

Isle of Wight Pearl has just re-opened its
Pearl Café, having created a bright and airy
covered courtyard, and – this is the great news

sandwich menu.
“I’d love to do Seafood Saturdays, and I’m

– brought in chef Jon Tallon from Yarmouth.

putting on Sunday roasts,” he says, which

“I’ve expanded the range of the previous snack

will be music to the ears of anyone who loves

menu, and introduced daily specials, with lovely

to leave the kitchen and be near the sea. For

salads,” says Jon.

where, actually, can you get an affordable and

He is bringing to the Pearl Café some of the

delicious meal which isn’t in a gloomy pub? In

flavours he was known for in his restaurant

the light, airy surroundings of the Pearl Café

Sian-Elin – which, with his wife Ros, he ran for

you can watch the light play on the wild sea –

five years.

it’s why we live on the Island.

As he gets established at the Pearl he is
planning food and events which are bound to
get his former clients seeking him out. By noon,

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has also added scrumptious baguettes to the

Pearl Café, Isle of Wight Pearl, Military Road,
Brighstone. Tel [phone].