Isle of Wight restaurant Smoking Lobster delivers good food

We eulogised over Ventnor's Smoking Lobster, describing its menu as innovative, lively and ambitious.

Its pod-mate, intimate sushi bar Drunken Lobster, served us a riot of flavours, beautifully presented.  Attractive dishes of mainly seafood, enlivened with Asian flavours.

At Cowes' Smoking Lobster, Cat's robata grilled half lobster was the most succulent lobster that Cat had eaten, and she's no stranger to this aromatic
crustacean.

Cat's grilled half lobster looked and tasted amazing. Photo: Matt & Cat. (Image: Matt & Cat)

Unlike the shrivelled apology of other venues, here the meat was plumptious and buttery-moist.

Likewise the seabass fillet was perfectly cooked and enhanced by kaffir
salsa. The delicious fish retained a pleasantly strong taste.

Both dishes came with a choice of spuds, plus seaweed salad and yuzu slaw.

The wakame salad looked much more like regular English lettuce leaves, with sliced cucumber and plum tomatoes, but that's not to say it wasn't a refreshing garnish; its nod to Asian cuisine was its pickled ginger note.

The yuzu in the slaw gave it a delightfully citrusy tang, and both of these sides were well matched to our seafood.

The seabass fillet. Photo: Matt & Cat. (Image: Matt & Cat)

For dessert, Cat chose the miso butterscotch tart tatin. This upside-down sweet was fruity and puffy, with smooth vanilla ice cream. A decent reimagining of a classic.

Blueberry and yuzu slice had more than a hint of a juicy Bakewell tart, with its ginger sake poached pear making it almost trifly. It all melted in the mouth.

To follow, a trio of cheese. We enjoyed the understated Isle of Wight brie, a bolder local blue, plus a sparky Lancashire Bomber.

The miso butterscotch tart tatin. Photo: Matt & Cat. (Image: Matt & Cat)

Smoking Lobster has clearly found its audience, as it has expanded not only to the Drunken rendition in its hometown, but has also taken Cowes by storm.

Although we didn't sample any of the beef or pork dishes, we can attest
that the seafood is cooked by extremely competent and imaginative hands.

The venue itself is nicely appointed and the staff all attentive and seemingly engaged with their work.

Blueberry and yuzu slice with poached pear. Photo: Matt & Cat. (Image: Matt & Cat)

The Isle of Wight has been on the tourist map since Queen Victoria took up summer residence.

This offshore location will continue to make a name for itself, attracting many visitors, with its wonderful local food and splendid restaurants, including the Smoking Lobster chain.

MATT & CAT'S BILL:

Olives £4
Fish of the day £25
Half lobster £30
Tart tatin £9
Blueberry slice £8.50
Cheese and biscuits £10
Prosecco £30

TOTAL: £116.50.

RATING: Four stars. Very good indeed; well worth seeking out.

CONTACT DETAILS: Smoking Lobster, 127 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7AY.

Tel: 01983 240916

Web: smokinglobstercowes.co.uk

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