Island Life Magazine Ltd June/July 2018 | Page 117

Food & Drink
New season at
The Boathouse
Summer brings many eagerly-awaited pleasures – and
one of them is the chance to eat al fresco at one of the
most stunning seafront locations on the Island.
Recently re-opened for
its annual three-month
season, The Boathouse
seafood restaurant at
Steephill Cove is all geared
up for another summer of
relaxing lunches, featuring
fresh-caught produce
straight from the sea.
This year brings some changes,
though, with an expanded menu
that includes wet fish choices
– tempting new dishes such as
whole sea bass baked in foil with
herbs and served with salad, new
potatoes or skinny fries and a
choice of home-made dressings.
Regular diners will also discover
new starter dishes, such as the
cold smoked mackerel pate
with trimmings, as well as a
variety of choices on the daily
‘specials’ board – and for the
growing army of vegans, there
will be a fresh daily vegan dish.
It’s short opening season makes
The Boathouse a highly sought-
after venue, so advance booking
is advisable, although walk-ins
are accepted if there’s space.
With its rustic deck looking
directly out over the English
Channel, it’s been likened to eating
places in the Med, and its simple,
unpretentious menu features local
crab and lobster, landed daily by
owner Vanessa Wheeler’s husband
Mark, either in Steephill Cove or
one mile east at Ventnor Haven.
All the food is prepared by
Vanessa and the kitchen team,
whose aim is to “keep things
simple” with delicious fresh
salads, home-made dressings
and fresh breads to accompany
their seafood, chicken, steak
and meat-free dishes.
Vanessa and Mark also run The
Cove Coffee Shop, which they’ve
expanded this year to serve light
lunches such as freshly-made
paninis, sandwiches and deli
salads, along with the popular
range of home-made cakes, cream
teas, roasted barista coffee and
IoW ice cream, and a daily special
from The Very Nice Vegan baker.
They also offer beautiful
holiday accommodation in the
Cove. The Lighthouse & The
Boathouse both sleep six and
The Crows nest sleeps two.
For booking information, call
01983 852747 or check out the
website: www.steephill-cove.co.uk.
www.visitilife.com
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