Something to Get Those Claws Clacking

The Smoking Lobster Group’s latest Italian-inspired venture has fast become a favourite haunt for the Island’s local foodies. Set inside the recently revamped Foresters Hall, on a gently sloping hill in the sailing centre of Cowes, The Brasserie has already had plenty of sea-themed specialities to get excited about — from lobster and scallop ravioli to palourde clams with pinot grigio and a wild garlic butter. However, with summer now here, some tempting new dishes have popped up on the menus which we can’t recommend highly enough. Top of the list, we’d suggest the Isle of Wight crab thermidor and chervil parpadelle, combining freshly made ribbons of pasta with aniseed-flavoured chervil and local crab, caught on the Island’s rocky southern coastline. thebrasseriecowes.co.uk ristorantemichelangelo.co.uk

Over in the warm and aromatic embrace of Ristorante Michelangelo, Anna, Dante, and Rosy continue to make their traditional sea-themed Italian specials. Try their spaghetti al ragù di mare for instance, which includes crab, prawns, mussels, squid, and octopus, cooked together in a flavourful blend of white wine, tomato, garlic, and herbs. There’s also the capesante alla Veneziana — a dish originating from Venice, composed of pan-fried king scallops seasoned with lemon juice and served on a bed of garlic-seasoned spinach. And, if you want to take the whole experience up a nautical notch, reserve a table in the window to take in the views over Ryde’s historic wooden pier and the lapping waves of The Solent.