On a sultry summer’s day on the Isle of Wight, the sea breeze blows over Ventnor Beach. Holidaymakers are on the hunt for a taste of isle and not any old beach café will do. Along the esplanade, they wander on until they spot the island’s most buzzed about seafood restaurant, the famed Smoking Lobster. The unmistakable aroma of Szechuan sauce fills the air as the gaggle of excited diners awaits the stream of curated plates. Sipping on a sake spritz, they gaze out to watch the waves slowly roll in as they settle in for the island’s most exquisite culinary escape.

Set in the south-facing seaside town of Ventnor, sun-worshippers spending the day sunbathing on the sandy shores and complete the day with a visit to the Smoking Lobster, the most sought-after seafood restaurant on the island. Among the Victorian villas and stone houses which overlook Ventnor Beach, Smoking Lobster stands out against the rest with its modern coastal decor. In a line of teahouses, cafes and ice cream shops, this renowned restaurant is the luxurious alternative, promising diners a gastronomic experience to remember.

In 2017, Smoking Lobster revolutionised the local restaurant scene by introducing the Isle of Wight to Asian flavours. Giancarlo Giancovich started the ball rolling, using his extensive culinary expertise and freshly caught produce to create an unrivalled gastronomic experience. Cinziah joined the team shortly after, bringing her years of experience in London’s finest  Asian restaurants with her. Together, this unbeatable brother and sister duo created unique and exceptional flavours to create a celebration of Ventnor’s local produce. This family-run restaurant was an instant success and is usually fully booked, with the isle’s five-star hotels recommending the establishment to their guests. The passion the Giancovichs have for their restaurant is visible in every aspect; with each plate pristinely arranged, and every beaming smile from waitstaff reassuring diners that nothing is ever too much to ask.

The décor is reminiscent of their coastal surroundings, with distressed wood flooring, wicker light fixtures and pastel colours as well as paintings from local artists, depicting the Isle of Wight’s unique coastline. The open kitchen allows diners to watch as their scallops are seared to perfection, and salmon delicately coated in a host of aromatic flavourings. As they sink into their comfy chairs and enjoy the soft music and light-hearted chatter as they relish their meal and the laid back atmosphere of the eatery.

Smoking Lobster prides itself on serving local delicacies with surprising twists. Their specials change daily depending on the best fresh catch that morning but are always served with powerful panache and elegant flavours. 

The meal begins with a powerful lineup of starters, including the grapefruit teriyaki salmon, which arrives in a perfectly balanced tower. An amalgamation of fresh local crab, delicate aubergine and zingy grapefruit splendidly accompanies the crispy salmon, which reveals a soft, moreish interior with each bite. Topped off with a light crisp, the starter melts in the mouth and leaves diners eagerly awaiting their main course. 

Diners can enjoy a range of menu options, from buttery lobster to tuna ceviche salad, but many opt for the generous seafood platter for a chance to sample a range of the restaurant’s finest delicacies. The platter is a rainbow on a plate, with an ample array of seafood making it difficult to decide which flavour to indulge in first. The sea bass is baked to perfection, the crispy exterior giving way to a soft, meaty centre delicately laced with black bean sauce. The scallops are an ode to Asian minimalism, seared and only lightly seasoned to allow the deep flavours of the fish to speak for themselves. Tempura prawns pair perfectly with the tangy slaw, the crispy batter complemented by the citrus crunch. Petite cubes of yuzu ceviche line the plate, neighboured by tobiko sushi rolls, which pack a punch. The furikake squid takes many by surprise, with fiery Asian flavours coating the firm, yet soft texture of the fish. The seafood platter features an impressive variety of fish, carefully placed and seasoned with a mix of Asian flavours, perfectly shared by two. For those with a sweet tooth, Smoking Lobster also offers unique desserts featuring their trademark exotic twist; including mango and passionfruit Eton Mess and dark chocolate, coconut and pandan doughnuts.

While Smoking Lobster offers a wide variety of wines, it’s their bespoke sake that diners are most keen to taste. A Japanese delicacy, the bar staff combine traditional ingredients derived from fermented, refined rice with dashes of prosecco and lemongrass to create a refreshing cocktail which perfectly complements any of their seafood dishes. 

Delighting Ventnor locals and Isle of Wight visitors alike, Smoking Lobster will be expanding their expertise to two new locations on the island in the next two months. In Ventnor, their new bar Drunken Lobster will feature Japanese beer and expand upon their impressive bespoke sake menu. Offering a variety of Japanese snacks, visitors will have the chance to explore further into the realms of Asian culinary culture, a rare experience somewhere so quintessentially British as the Isle of Wight. 

Another Smoking Lobster restaurant will also be opening in the maritime hub of the island, Cowes. At 100 capacity, diners will be welcomed into a bustling celebration of seafood; the perfect way to begin their island holiday.

The first of its kind on the traditional Isle of Wight, Smoking Lobster break the mould with their innovative flavour combinations and showstopping presentation. Diners enjoy the casual seaside atmosphere as well as the delicately seasoned seafood of this prestigious, family-run restaurant.