On 14th February, we braved Storm Dennis to get to The Little Gloster in Gurnard, Isle of Wight. Yes, this is a final destination worth fighting a storm to reach. We first discovered the restaurant with rooms a few years ago, and it’s been on our wish-list to return ever since.

Husband and wife dream team* Ben and Holly Cooke (how’s that for nominative determinism!) have created something really special with The Little Gloster. Simple seasonal food, sea views, a lovely relaxed Scandi-vibe and a warm welcome. The family feel extends beyond Ben and Holly to the rest of the team; you get the sense that the staff are happy in their jobs and that is reflected in the service.

*Why do so many publications think it’s ok to say ‘Ben and his wife Holly’ as if that’s her only role? It’s a partnership people. Get with the times. Among MANY other things, Holly makes fresh ‘Uffa Pasta’ - named after her and Ben’s son - for pasta Thursdays each week, using local and seasonal ingredients. The Instagram account is a thing of beauty. (Rant over).

Dinner of dreams

I started with the melt-in-the-mouth Isle of Wight beef carpaccio with creamy Green Barn goat’s cheese, watercress emulsion, smoked beetroot dressing and beetroot crisp. It was an incredible masterclass in flavour and texture. For main I had the freshest roast hake with phu quoc pepper sauce, velvety celeriac puree and lemon rainbow chard. And for dessert I had half a chocolate and hazelnut lisolette with chocolate chantilly cream and salted caramel, and half a cheese board with Isle of Wight Blue and Gallybagger.

This really is my kind of food - fresh, local, pretty and clever without being fussy. Ben and his kitchen team are clearly very talented chefs.

They offer a good selection of wines by the glass, and every dish on the menu comes with a suggested wine, champagne, dessert wine or digestif.

Blustery breakfast

I was looking forward to a lazy morning and a Bloody Mary, but the wind and waves were picking up and we had a ferry to catch. Although we would have happily got stranded there for a few days, unfortunately our babysitters wouldn’t have been quite so delighted!

Thankfully there was time for breakfast, and Ben was back in the kitchen cooking up a storm. I had sourdough with avocado, chilli, mint, poached eggs and bacon and it was nothing short of perfect. Chris gave his cooked breakfast a massive thumbs up too, particularly for the addition of black pudding and baked beans.

The restaurant was recently awarded 'Best Local Restaurant 2020' by The Good Food Guide and featured in the Michelin Guide, and I think they deserve all the accolades they get.

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This is not an advert. I paid for my own food, drinks, stay and travel. I want to write meaningful, unbiased content that my readers can trust. I only share genuinely amazing places that I’m proud to have discovered.

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