Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2016 | Page 109

Food and drink

Love food, love Fanny’s
Fiona Schindler’s new eating house
in St Thomas’ Square, Newport states
the rather daring motto of “Love Food
Love Fanny’s”, and it’s causing a little
consternation amongst the natives. But
it’s all because Fanny really does love
food – she has a true passion for it.
“My Grandfather used to call me Fanny,” explained
Fiona. “It’s an old name from Sussex where I grew up.
I moved here 19 years ago and this is my birthday
present to me,” she said of her new café in St Thomas’
Square. “It’s something I’ve always wanted.”
Fanny’s enthusiasm is infectious and shines out of
the menu. The food has a North American influence
with dishes such as the Po Boy Sandwich and a
melt in the mouth Philly Cheese Steak. Her Grilled
Vegetable Salad has slices of grilled aubergine,
peppers and courgettes, brushed with garlic basting
butter and laid on a bed of sun-blushed tomato
tapenade, with feta cheese on top. Yum.
“We smoke a lot of our own stuff, such as soft boiled
eggs and we pickle things too,” added Fanny. “Our
Italian Garden Pickle has a little bit of chilli in it. Food
is about food flavours and good ingredients.

“But we’re not about fine dining. I want people to
come into my café and be pleasantly surprised by
how good the food is and how well it is presented.”
In the evenings Fanny will make use of her
spectacular grill to produce great steaks with a twist,
like a Rump with Cowboy Rub seasoning. Also the
house speciality of a 16oz T-bone.
The menu is not limited to meat, there is also a
great variety of vegetarian and fish dishes.
Fanny has had a catering company on the Island for
many years, cooking for large groups such as shoots
and parties.
“I’m self-taught – I started because I used to have
large dinner parties and a friend of mine asked if I’d
do their cocktail party, then their rugby dinner and
then corporate evenings. It was something I could do
around my family.”
Now you can share Fanny’s food in her café in St
Thomas’ Square in Newport. Fully licensed, the café
has Peroni and IPA on draft, wines and bottled ciders.
Open Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm and from
10am - midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, the café is
only closed on Sundays.
Fanny is undaunted by the sniggering comments.
“It’s my name and I do love food,” said Fanny. And you
will love her food too.

Fanny’s, St Thomas’ Square, Newport, IW

Tel: [phone]

www. visitilife.com

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