Now it appears that the best bits of both these establishments can perhaps be enjoyed in one place. The Smart Fox, long closed, is now reborn with the former proprietors of the White Horse at the helm. The cosy-cottage interior of Brading's former Red Lion pub and the marvellous cuisine of Whitwell's finest inn, why didn't someone think of it before? And the name? Imagine what sort of mammal hybrid could be born as a result of these two venues amalgamating. The Smart Horse? Or the White Fox? Perhaps wisely, with a nod to Whitwell, the new pub calls itself The Dark Horse. Matt and Cat have been inundated with suggestions to visit and so, less than a fortnight after it reopened, they walked through the door one evening to see what all the fuss was about.

Matt and Cat have tried this self-scorching method of cooking (more of which later) at Newport's Volcanic Steakhouse. However, that wasn't the Island's first example of this exciting way of enjoying a meal out. For several years, Yarmouth's On the Rocks has been championing the volcanic rock experience, so spurred on by Dilweed and @theordinarychef amongst others, Matt and Cat booked a table and headed west.

Despite it being a clement afternoon, the outdoor attractions of the area were a bit limited (Morrison's car park anyone?) so they ventured into the interior of the old fridge factory to see what what was on offer.

Lizzie's Diner was well advertised; arrowed signs led the way deep into the bowels of this ex-factory, down a gloomy corridor which was painted in a yolky-yellow in an effort to simulate a bit of sunshine. Entering the café was a relief to the nostrils, as the corridor's strange smell of commercial chemicals was replaced by the more welcome aroma of cooking. Although Lizzie's Diner is windowless, efforts had been made to reduce the gloom. It was decorated in a jaunty manner with bright red gingham-look tablecloths and black and white photos of long-dead film-stars adorning the walls.

UPDATE: Following some pretty dismal service, plus comments on this website about the variability of Pizza Express, Cat decided to give the venue one last try...

When Matt and Cat try a venue with a fickle reputation they will sometimes 'stress test' it by visiting at peak times, or by taking hungry children or fussy old ladies (yes, Matt knows at least one more..!). As Pizza Express had fallen well out of favour with M and C after more than one experience of slack-to-the-point-of-neglectful service and reported food droughts (no cheese, dough or pasta on various occasions), Cat thought she'd give it one last chance. Could it be pulled back from the brink?

Although in an enviable position at the newly remodelled Ventnor Esplanade, the venue is small, and despite its location does not have much of a sea view. Set in part of the adjacent boat factory, the restaurant overlooks the nearby paddling pool and the haven with its prominent fish processing plant. Despite this potentially industrial landscape the big picture windows do not seem out of place, and the Oceanblue Quay seems civilised, clean and tidy - certainly eminently suitable for a stylish seafront eating-place.

It's sometimes claimed that London is named after him, and more often that part of London called Ludgate has some connection. Supposedly there was once a pub named after him at Ludgate Circus, but no longer. So perhaps now the only real legacy of this British Ozymandius is the other pub bearing his name, situated at Ryde Esplanade.

Although it's located in a line of eating establishments, for some reason M & C have never really perceived the King Lud as an eaterie - it's really got more of a drinking town-pub ambience. But it's normally necessary to walk right past the King Lud to get to Matt and Cat's firm favourite, the Hong Kong Express. So by sheer repetition, eventually the lure of the cheery chalkboard outside was too much, and your reviewers decided to give the King Lud a chance to show what it could do.

As summer 2009 fades, memories of the carnival, Twestival and Bestival gradually disperse like the seeds of a dandelion clock.

Fortunately for the organised Matt and Cat their impression of a Bank Holiday breakfast at the Crown Hotel, Ryde will not dissipate so easily as it can be recalled with some photographic prompts. Those of you who are avid M and C followers will have read on their twitter feed that they sampled this prominent hotel's hospitality way back in August and it is nearly six weeks later that the feckless duo have got around to writing about it. Well, what do you lot expect for nothing!

For over 200 years Ryde Esplanade has provided Islanders and visitors alike with a range of shops and hotels, from the elegant and sophisticated to the tacky and workaday. The Victorian chemist's on the Esplanade now houses an unusual addition to the seafront; definitely on the elegant end of the spectrum is the Chocolate Apothecary.

This new venture is not only a factory for hand-made chocolates, but is also a café where one can buy cakes and coffee and what it describes as pâtisseries.

Cat had been straining at the leash for some days after she saw this place opening. It's probably no revelation to anyone that there's something about girls and chocolate, and Cat's not immune to that magical allure. So before long M & C were strolling casually along the esplanade and just happened to find themselves at the Chocolate Apothecary in time for an afternoon coffee. Taking in the gleamingly-clean picture windows and the invitingly dark interior, the pair ventured inside.