The RX-8

Attention to
detail, says
Ian!
“Ian Whitehead has the midas
touch when it comes to
restaurants, first with Jo DaFlos,
and most recently with Fultons
of Bembridge, and now his
latest project is under way, a
steak house located at the well
known site Osborne's, in Ryde’s
Union Street.”
Where were you born and raised?
Edinburgh, Scotland.
When did you move to the Island and
why?
Moved over here in 1990 due to job
relocation, I was area manager for The
Crown Hotel in Ryde.
When did you open your first restaurant
on the Island?
Joe Daflos, Union St, Ryde in 2000.
Why did you sell Joe Daflos?
I wanted to move on, my original plans were
to move to the states., however I thought
there was still scope on the Island for new
and interesting restaurants. I changed
peoples perception with Joe Daflos, good
food, good prices, and good service.
Where do you get your inspirations from?
Research, and lots of it. I travel around the
world looking at other restaurants, I also
spend hours reading magazines, and looking
on the Internet.
Why Bembridge as a location for Fultons?
Bembridge is one of the best locations for
fresh fish, it comes straight off the boats
into my restaurant. Also I live in Ryde.
What theme is your latest restaurant in
Ryde going to take?
An American New York Loft sort of theme.
Neutral colours, no set pattern. I am also
keeping the originality of the building, I
think that this is important. Unusual food,
ie: sloppy Sandwiches such as Hot Roasted
Pork with Bramley Apple Sauce, Scottish
Beef Steaks with our own unique steak
sauce.
Island Life - www.islandlifemagazine.net
Who creates the menus, do you
influence the menu?
All of us including the chef, restaurant
manager even the waiters and waitresses.
How many restaurants do you aim to
open on the Island?
Two em...(slight pause and grin) well maybe
five, I have already bought another site on
the Island, although I am not sure of the
theme yet, you’ll have to wait and see.
Do you think that there is a lack of
quality restaurants on the Island?
No! It’s getting better, there are now more
choices and better quality than ever before.
If you could open a restaurant anywhere
in the world, where would it be?
Los Angeles, USA, I have even seen the
location I want, it’s the Stella McCartney
building, however I will never be able
to afford this.
Why do you think the failure rate of new
restaurants is so high?
Owners do not pay enough “attention
to detail”, also they do not listen to
customers and finally they are frightened to
try new dishes.
What’s the best restaurant you have ever
eaten in, and your favourite restaurant on
the Island?
Langhams in London, and Joe Daflos
in Ryde even though I do not own it
any more.
Name three basic elements for a
successful restaurant?
Staff, Price and Food, all three have to be
there.
Who would you most like to have dinner
with?
Thomas Keller, voted two years in a row
“The best restaurant in the world”. If I
FOOD & DRINK
could ask one question it would be, “whats
the most you have ever paid for a bottle of
wine?”
What would be your best ever 3 course
meal?
Pea and Ham Soup, Scottish Sirloin Steak,
and Sherry Trifle.
If you were invisible for the day, where
would you go and what would you do?
I would love to spend a day in an American
cheese cake factory and see how they make
them.
Where’s your favourite location on the
Island?
Ryde, I think that Ryde is very under-stated.
What would you change or banish from
the Isle of Wight?
The Isle of Wight County Council. Let more
business people run the Island.
What's the best thing about the Isle of
Wight?
The people, they are very diverse.
And the worst ?
The Local Planning Department.
What’s the most underrated thing about
the Island?
Tourism and quality. I don’t even know who
is in charge of tourism?
What shop could you not live without
on the Island?
Greenhams the newsagents, they have the
best selection of magazines. I love my
magazines.
Where’s your dream holiday destination,
and why?
New York, They do things there that are not
done anywhere else in the world.
What do you do in your spare time, have
you got a hobby?
Research, Research, Research, also I have
the biggest collection of cookery books you
can imagine. I also like spending time with
my family.
Would you pack in work if you won 57
million on the Euro lottery?
No, all this would do is give me more
investment to have restaurants in the US
and the UK, I would live six months in the
USA and six months on the Isle of Wight.
What’s after Osbornes?
Keep reading this magazine to find out,
you’ll be surprised.
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