Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2008 | Page 93

FOOD & DRINK

life

Photo Left: The Windmill Inn, Bembridge - Right: Owners of El Toro

the restaurant files

Contento, Lorraine Coster and Serafin Fernandez-Lopez

Creative fingers in every
pie at the Windmill Inn
Steyne Rd, Bembridge- Isle of Wight - 01983 872875
They seem to have thought of everything at the Windmill Inn in Bembridge.
Martin Bullock, proprietor, has even been paying customers £5 just to return
a questionnaire – “Because you’ve got to be interested in people’s views.”
Of course he’s had a couple of practice runs. The Windmill Inn is the latest in
his stable that consisted first of the New Inn in Shalfleet, and more recently of
the Horse and Groom. Just a couple of miles apart, the first is known for its
excellent food and the second is a thriving family pub. The Windmill Inn, says
Martin, is an attempt to create a combination of both in the East Wight.
The Windmill feels spacious but friendly, and comfortably furnished without
being off-puttingly opulent. “We changed its name from the Windmill Hotel
to Windmill Inn, because in my eyes an inn is a good quality pub with good

quality accommodation.”
A daily carvery is proving popular, as
are children’s meals realistically sized
and priced. “The whole psychology
about training children to eat is that
they finish their plate!” says Martin,
who has four children of his own.
‘Smaller appetite’ portions make a pub
meal an everyday lunchtime option.
“We didn’t want to be just a special
occasion place,” Martin says. He’s sure
that once small groups and associations
use the Windmill, they will become
regulars. “It’s an everyday pub serving
good, home cooked food, but my
chef Glyn and his staff are passionate
about the food they put out.”

Contented in Ventnor:
the perfect lunch
El Toro Contento - Ventnor- Isle of Wight - TEL: [phone]
If you’ve ever spent time in Spain, every mouthful of tapas at El Toro
Contento is a taste of nostalgia. And the authenticity of the food arises,
it turns out, from the fact the chef proprietor is not a trained chef – just
a genuine Spaniard who has cooking skills running through his veins.
Eating at this brightly decorated, bijoux restaurant (and we’re talking tiny here, just
14 covers) with its Catalan flag and posters of Pamplona, you can’t help wondering
how such a genuine piece of Spain ever found its way to Ventnor. Until, that is, you
meet Lorraine Coster, wife of chef Serafin Fernandez-Lopez, who after 23 years living
in Spain hit on the idea of bringing her Spanish family home to her native Island.
A big map helps you locate the last place you tasted chorizo this spicy or hake
that sweet. It is hardly surprising that a year in, Serafin and Lorraine have an
established clientele as well as a keen passing trade. Lorraine is vegetarian – quite

Island Life - www.isleofwight.net

a trick to pull in Spain – so there are
many veggie options on their menu.
Order in advance and huge paellas and
other seafood dishes can be arranged.
Mediaeval feasts are one of the fun things
planned, and monthly music nights will
run as long as solo musicians can be
found: it is a little too snug for a band.
Open from 1pm for lunch through
to 8pm. (Until 10pm if you book.)
El Toro Contento, 2 Pier Street,
Ventnor. Tel 857600

93