The Folly Inn, River Medina (Cowes)

[petem]

So, who cares if the foods a bit crap and the beer isn't fantastic, it's still a cracking place to go by boat.

My tip is to park the boat on the pontoon right next to the pub (there's always about a metre of water so power boats only please). Not in the middle of the river where you'll be rafted in 10 deep by yotties.

 

[castaway]

The beer is actually quite good, but the food is so bad that I will not bother eating there again. I think the the gammon steak I had last time I was there came out of a bag and had never been near a grill... Shame really but I think it has changed hands a few times,, with the inevitable decline. Be nice if they cleaned the table tops occasionally during the evening too.

Nick

 

[rogerroger]

strange, I've always found the food there very good (for a pub) - it's the queuing for it that gets me.

But it's always at the top of my list of destinations...

Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[castaway]

Hi Roger

Yes.. maybe Im getting a bit fussy but Ive found that the standard of Pub Food has declined over the last few years from a high point about 6-7 years back.

I suspect having lured people back in to the pub food culture, it will be milked out, and, although I dont expect prepared on the premesis food, I do like to feel that my Gammon steak has albeit briefly hovered over a grill for a minute or two, if only to dry it of what ever ghastly fluid it was embalmed in to keep it "fresh".

Whilst on the subject, I got food poisoning after having Scampy at a pub in Bembridge at the begining of last season. Bl....dy shame as I used to enjoy that but cant even think about it now with out feeling bad. Ruined a planned few days sail as I had to struggle home to recover.

Still I've got 3 days off now so I think its up to Newtown to re-aquaint my self with the nice pub at the end of Shalfleet Creek... or if its going to be raining Ill go to Yarmouth (so I dont have to get in the Avon) and enjoy the pleasures of a half covered wheelhouse in an English summer!

Regds Nick

 

[Rob_Webb]

I have to admit I recently returned to the Folly after a long absence and wasn't bowled over with it either. The whole food experience was second-rate, from ordering (couldn't add a starter to the meal, once they had started typing the main course details into the till - how inlfexible is that?), through to the sheer mass-production style of delivery.

But it has gotr venue on it's side so I guess I'll head back but might be more tempted to cook on board and just go ashore for a drink.... then again, I'll probably break that rule too and end up trying again but I don't have high expectations.

BTW, I have found the IOW is generally a very poor place to get good food. The menus (and prices) often make promises that the kitchens fail to deliver!

 

[castaway]

Yes; for me its food on board and beer in the Folly experience from now on.

Nick

 

[iangrant]

Unfortunately the Folly Inn has changed hands - Last year the tall fella who was the Manager had the place running well - not so now - Some of the food is OK - Take a few minutes to look at the food coming out of the kitchen, then order what looks OK! If it's no good SEND IT BACK!

Ian