WE WERE delighted to see that the Drunken Lobster menu has a similar seafood emphasis and Asian vibe to its sister eateries in chef 'GC' Giancovich's Smoking Lobster chain.

Both the venue and our dishes were superb. Pineapple Szechuan king prawn urumaki were studded with black sesame seeds and topped with delicate baby herbs.

Surfing each roll was a tender prawn, imparting a smoky meaty flavour. We savoured each mouthful; an occasional powerful chilli spark ignited on our tongues, alongside a classic pickled ginger side note. You could almost feel the flavours - a synesthetic dish.

Fish and chips next, but not your standard cod and fries. With our chopsticks, we pincered freshly-cooked succulent chunks of sea bass swaddled in tempura batter, plunging the morsels into viscous yuzu aioli. Delicious.

Isle of Wight County Press:

This fish was well worth dipping!

'Chips' came in the form of Lo Bak Go; enjoyable fried turnip cake enlivened with tuna flakes.

Tempura shimeji mushrooms were borne on more sticky rice, with a retinue of crispy leek confetti curls.

Katsu salmon on grilled rice was an exquisite dish; delicate pink meat, carried aloft on grilled rice surrounded by a moat of mild yellow curry. The luscious slices of fish were bordered with breadcrumbs, delivering salty crystal bursts.

Isle of Wight County Press:

The food is an exquisite fusion of flavours.

The dessert list favoured boozy liquid over solid puddings. And in the case of the miso caramel-drizzled baked chocolate, it literally IS liquid over solid. So we shared one of those, plus cheese and biscuits.

The richness of the chocolate and the salted caramel of the miso sauce, tempered by the cool ice cream, was an indulgent combo.

Acidic, smooth and yielding Isle of Wight Blue, silky Italian Taleggio and nutty Comte created an EU entente cordiale on the Drunken Lobster cheese board, with crisp apple, sweet chutney and a variety of crackers.

Isle of Wight County Press:

The desserts are to die for too!

Drunken Lobster earned every penny of our bill. With a riot of flavours; some familiar, others fresh to your tongue, plus Instagram-worthy presentation - our sensory experience was about much more than taste.

Even after 16 years of writing about it, the Island's food scene still has the power to enchant us. We are delighted to recommend the Drunken Lobster; this bijou venue has assuredly quickened its pulse.

 

MATT AND CAT'S BILL:

King prawn uramaki £8
Tempora shimeji £7
Fish of the day £8
Salmon katsu £9.50
Lo Bak Go £5
Cheese and biscuits £8.50
Baked chocolate £7
Coctails x 2 £13

TOTAL: £75

RATING: Five stars. Exceptional – one of the very best places we have tried.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Drunken Lobster, 2 Pier Street, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, PO38 1SW.

Tel: 01983 852500

Web: drunkenlobster.co.uk

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