Popular Isle of Wight pub Bonchurch Inn a big hit with Matt and Cat

During summer, its cobbled courtyard set into the cliff-face feels like a Mediterranean fantasy.

In winter, Bonchurch Inn's cosy snug bar is the perfect place to shelter from gales blowing off the English Channel.

And at any time of year you can be sure of lively, friendly service and really enjoyable food.The renowned lasagne served up at Bonchurch Inn (Image: Matt and Cat)
One of the meals served at the Bonchurch Inn (Image: Matt and Cat) The menu is classic British pub grub, enthusiastically cooked with a rustic Italian flair.

The squid rings were big, soft and juicy, served piping hot on a mound of robust green salad.

Our other starter was melon and Parma ham.

Cuisine from the 1970s? Oh yes, and we loved it. Sweet, rich ham was lavishly draped over peeled melon for that nostalgic taste combo.

On the specials board was an irresistible slow-cooked shin of beef in a tomato sauce and red wine sauce.

This treat was loaded with chunks of tender beef, on spaghetti al dente, and a rich and perfectly-considered Stilton and mustard sauce.

Another unmistakable nod to the unique Anglo-Italian skills of this kitchen.

Naturally, it was necessary to order the Bonchurch signature dish, chef Adrian Besozzi's 'Life Changing Lasagne'.

The menu famously doesn't say whether the change will be for the better, but you can take our word it most certainly was.

This was a memorably enjoyable lasagne — stuffed with tender meat, served with extra cream, and loaded with layer upon layer of soft pasta sheets.

It had a crispy, cheesy topping but not a hint of those terrible dry corners sponsored by dentists across the country.

One of the desserts served at the Bonchurch Inn (Image: Matt and Cat)

One of the meals Matt and Cat raved about in their latrest review (Image: Matt and Cat) Life changed? We'll wait and see, but if having a familiar, simple dish prepared and served with skill and no frills is likely to change your life, this is the place to achieve that dream.

For dessert, we afterwards realised we should have had the homemade tiramisu.

Instead, we had sticky toffee pudding and apple pie. Both were good, but no different to any other pub. Learn from our experience, and try the tiramisu.

The Bonchurch Inn is a great local institution, and one that we enjoy each time.

For those times when you can't choose between a classic pub dinner and a great Italian meal, we say go to the Bonchurch Inn and have both!

(Image: Matt and Cat) (Image: Matt and Cat)