Island Life Magazine Ltd June/July 2009 | Page 105

FOOD & DRINK life Al-fresco dining at the Priory Bay With a location that is unrivalled on the Island – nestled atop a small valley overlooking the tranquil bay – guests and diners at Priory Bay can enjoy what has to be one of life’s simplest pleasures, al-fresco dining. The Priory Oyster Bar & Grill is a super casual seafood restaurant with specialities that range from a simple risotto to awesome platters of Fruit de Mer laden with Bembridge Blue Lobster, crab, and (of course) oysters. Simply furnished with teak tables, the restaurant provides less formal, yet stylish summer dining. The ambience is light and airy, with French windows opening out onto a terrace adorned with Mediterranean orange, lemon and fig trees and stunning views across the gardens, golf course and woodlands to the sea. This surely must be the perfect setting for a relaxed summer’s lunch or supper with friends and family - al-fresco dining at its best. Chef Carlos Garcia-Rodriguez is really enjoying creating summer dishes using Island produce, particularly tomatoes and garlic - they remind him of his Mediterranean roots. In addition, gardener Federico Baldan has created an edible garden for all-seasons, producing a succulent harvest of home-grown broad beans, fennel, courgettes, artichokes, nettles, watercress, blackberries, strawberries, and wild garlic, with plenty more to follow as the season unfolds. The Summer menu in the Hotel’s Island Room restaurant reflects the wide variety of herbs, vegetables and fruits that thrive here, enabling Carlos to blend the freshest home-grown produce with shellfish and line-caught catch-of-the-day to create fresh, light, simple dishes. Chilled broad beans are whipped into a veloutè, accompanied by a Royale of lemon thyme and poached quail eggs; purple artichokes are sautéed and served with Serrano ham, grilled scallops and a fresh herb pesto. The Priory Oyster Bar & Grill – [phone] www.priorybay.co.uk [email protected] The Island's most loved magazine A la carte licensed restaurant With authentic Italian cuisine and a great selection of vintage Italian wines Dine in a cosy and romantic candle-lit atmosphere and enjoy our friendly service Open for dinner 6 days a week (excluding wednesdays) Also open sunday lunchtimes TEL: [phone] ST. THOMAS’ STREET, RYDE 105