Steephill Cove is another place that I don’t remember growing up on the island however I am so glad I discovered it as it is now one of my favourite places on the island. It’s still relatively unknown however I keep seeing articles in magazines about the Crab Shed and The Boathouse restaurant so word is getting out! One of my favourite TV chefs Bill Granger even did some filming here last year for his series Bills Tasty Weekends.
The cove has to be one of the prettiest place on the Island, situated just south of Ventnor, Steephill Cove is a traditional, unspoilt fishing cove with a safe, sandy beach, nestled between rocky cliffs and smugglers' coves.
If you are looking for a typical UK
So on one of the few sunny days we had on the island last week we jumped in the car and headed over to Ventnor to have lunch at Wheelers Crab shed in the cove.
So on one of the few sunny days we had on the island last week we jumped in the car and headed over to Ventnor to have lunch at Wheelers Crab shed in the cove.
Craig and I had both decided in advance that we were going to have a crab pasty which is what the shed is known for. We had had them before and they are truly delicious. Each one is made by hand and filled with a mixture of crab meat and shredded leeks and wrapped in a delicious pastry crust which is adorned with a little crab.
When we arrived there were a couple of picnic benches free. There are no frills here. There are 5 or 6 picnic tables to sit at each with its own umbrella to shelter you from the sun (hopefully). Menus are simply a double sided laminated card. You choose what you want, note your table number then go up to the shed to order your food and drink.
Drinks are given to you there and then and food id brought to your table when it’s ready. Something to remember is that they only accept cash and it’s a long way to the nearest cash point so make sure you come prepared.
James had gone for the bacon & salad ciabatta minus the tomatoes. This was a huge sandwich but delicious none the less. It was presented with a salad garnish and a ramekin full of crisps.
Our crab pasties arrived on a plate with the biggest pile of salad I have ever seen. It consisted of shredded iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion rings and topped with dressing a grated Parmesan cheese. Alongside was a pot of mayonnaise and a pot of crisps.
The pasty was absolutely gorgeous and I was sorry when I had finished it. I could have easily eaten a second one but I thought that was just being a bit of a pig!! You can buy them uncooked to take home which I shall take advantage of next time. While the salad that went with it was nice, we both felt it was a bit unnecessary. I would have been happy with a pasty just on its own.
Sitting at the shed with the sun shining watching the families playing on the beach was a real treat. The tide was out so there were plenty of rock pools to explore.
Steephill Cove also has a fabulous restaurant called The Boathouse. We ate here last August Bank Holiday and it was a very memorable meal. It only opens from May to September at lunchtimes. Booking a table is essential as they get booked up everyday months in advance. The menu is very limited so unless you like fresh crab, lobster and prawns don’t bother eating here because that’s about it. However it’s the freshest you will get. The husband catches it in the morning from his boat and then it is brought to the restaurant and cooked up for lunch that day. All served with salad and crusty bread. These photos are from the meal we had last year (before I started blogging).
There is also a small cafe that serves teas and coffees, sandwiches and light meals and ice creams and cakes. We had an ice-cream from here before we left and it was lovely.
If you fancy staying down here there are several self catering properties for rent all year round.
Sharon x
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