TAKE a rural post office, stir in a real ale bar and top with a wood-fired pizza oven and you get Joe's Bar at Niton Post Office.

The buzz about the place had made it to our towny ears so we headed to the Island's deep south to see if its good reputation was all (wood) smoke and mirrors.

Joe's may have been created using upcycled materials from across the village but for all its ramshackle charm it is resoundingly authentic, with a sharp talent in the kitchen.

Our pizzas were not only enormous, but generously-topped with fresh and imaginative ingredients.

Matt ordered the pizza tartufi, but Cat snaffled it off him when it came tableside. The vast disc of sourdough was topped with tasty garlic mushrooms and plenty of leafy spinach, three different sorts of cheese and truffle oil - very much to her liking.

Our other pizza was the pizza crudo, named for the salt-cured prosciutto ham that was generously folded on top; slightly curled from the heat of the oven.

More acidic than the mellow white sauce-based tartufi, this tomato-based pizza had some strong flavours. The salty ham, peppery rocket and sour parmesan made a pretty effective combination and a bold pizza.

This dinner was all about the cheese and Matt's cheesy chips held their own, with regulation oven-cooked chips smothered with not only grated cheddar but a creamy cheese sauce

throughout. Even Matt had to admit defeat.

A classic caprese salad was refreshing; smooth mozzarella and slices of big tomato alternated with sweet fresh basil leaves, all drizzled with rich balsamic. A good rendition of this traditional Italian dish.

Finding Joe's Bar at the rear of Niton Post office feels like discovering a speakeasy.

We are determined not to use the words 'Slaughtered Lamb' in this review, yet it was a while before we were acknowledged — and probably quite rightly; the locals need nurturing as they are the ones who will keep the place going in the off-season, not us occasional visitors.

We were surprised and impressed by the food and, once warmed up, the service was attentive.

One of our instagram followers has asked us not to tell, but you know us — if a place is worth boasting about, then we are happy to recommend it.

Matt and Cat's bill

Pizza tartufi £12

Pizza crudo £12

Caprese salad £5

Cheesy chips £4

Total £33

Four stars: very good indeed, well worth seeking out.

Read a longer version of this review, and others, on Matt and Cat's Eating Out Guide.

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