The Dark Horse

It's hard to believe three years have past since Zoë and I were together with Keith & Michelle.  At the time, Keith & Michelle were stateside and we spent our time between home and Las Vegas.  It seems like yesterday.  Since then, Zoë has been out to visit them in Singapore, where they currently live.  Wishfully thinking, we both hope to return there together sometime after the first of the year.  

Sadly, distance currently keeps us apart.  When we learned mutual trips would put us all back on the Isle of Wight within a day of one another, it was a miracle.  In order to celebrate our harmonic convergence, we opted for dinner at The Dark Horse in Brading.  It didn't disappoint.

Brading is a small village.  In fact, as we were waiting for our taxi ride home, which was late on a rather balmy evening,  Michelle identified Brading as being from "here"…she pointed to the right…to "here"…she pointed to the left.  There's not much to it.  Even though Brading only runs from Michelle's outstretched arms, it is home to three pubs, one being the Dark Horse.  Before I delve into our evening, I highly suggest checking out the Isle of Wight's dynamic duo of restaurant reviewers, Mat and Cat.  Matt and Cat are good friends of mine and the go to source for any and all things eating out on IOW.  The Dark Horse, of course, has already been on their list.    

Although it was a Saturday night, the pub was half filled.  To me, the pub was quintessential English: low ceilings, small rooms and a large fireplace.  Although the pub had an old world feel to it, it was obvious some recent work had been done.  The back part of the building housed a newer dining room and a small beer garden was built on a deck to the rear.

Although we immediately grabbed a table, we opted to drink and catch up before ordering dinner.  At the bar, two of the three real ales served up were from Goddards. Keith and I quickly settled on Fuggle De Dum, one of my favorite locals.  

As we caught up, Keith and I talked about everything from work, to the Singapore beer scene to our mutual love of photography.  Keith is an amazing photographer and is in the very early phase of putting up his own photography website, Singapore Panorama.  Although still putting it all together, the beautiful images he has posted gives an idea of his talent and creative eye.

As we made our way towards dinner, I was amazed at just how the big menu was.  To say it was "huge" would be an understatement.  The food at The Dark Horse appears to be predominately sourced form local purveyors.  Fruit, duck, chickens, beef and cheese all sourced from the Isle of Wight.  No surprise, I opted towards the beef.

I had a 10 ounce sirloin grilled medium rare with a grilled tomato, mushroom and crispy onion rings.  Keith opted for the same. Yes, we have a lot in common.

Zoë had cod and chips and Michelle had the scampi.

Their chips, incidentally, were fabulous, even if not currently high on my healthy eating list.

The food was incredible and the wait staff was top notch.  I left wanting for nothing and I'm pretty sure no one else did either.

 As we made out way to the other end of Brading for one last pint before our ride home, we reflected on a great dinner at a great pub and the fact great friends can pick up right where they left off, even if a few years got in the way between dinners.

The Dark Horse
10 High Street
Brading PO36 0DG England