LIZZIE’S DINER at Spithead Business Centre has moved across the corridor into much brighter and more spacious premises, and has changed its name to Ritchie’s Diner.
Truth to tell it’s been Ritchie’s Diner for the past four years since Ritchie Newton bought the popular café. Although he was head chef at the Channel View Hotel in Sandown he had always wanted his own business.
“We needed a change and modernization, although we still have the 50s/60s theme,” said Ritchie. “Now I’ve got a brand new kitchen and extractor system, which is great.
“We moved in over the last bank holiday weekend. We were out of the old premises on Saturday and reopened the following Tuesday morning.”
The popular 50s/60s theme has stayed with the café and even more memorabilia has been added to the collection of posters and pictures on the walls. Ritchie’s mum and dad visit Florida every year and return with more.
In fact it was Ritchie’s dad Phil Newton who built the new café with his brother Rob Newton. Phil is an entertainer, doing 50s and 60s rock and roll and country and western as he’s collected a magnificent selection of mementos over the years.
These include the items on the brand new bar, which is devoted to Elvis with receipts for items he bought – a Harley Davidson, gold jewellery and clothing, along with articles about the ‘King’ from magazines of the day – all varnished onto the outside.
Long gone greats of the era gaze down from the walls: Elvis, James Dean, Marilyn Monroe and Jim Morrison and Elvis himself is in pride of place at the end of the bar – the life size model sits on a bar stool with his guitar.
This family run business is popular with a wide cross section of customers. Although it started life as a builder’s café, and caters to many workers from across the Island, it has much wider appeal. The police and fire brigade are frequent visitors, young mums visiting the nearby children’s play area or the supermarket and anyone who wants good café food at a very reasonable price.
Breakfasts are served all day and if you’re hungry you can opt for a huge plateful of sausage, bacon, black pudding, eggs, tomatoes, baked beans, mushrooms, hash browns and bubble and squeak, served with great wedges of bread and butter and a steaming mug of tea or coffee.
Sandwiches, baguettes and bagels can be eaten in or taken away, there’s a brand new baked potato oven and favourites such as fish and chips, lasagne, cottage pie and curry are on the menu.
Unusual in these austere times, refills of tea and coffee are free, just as they would have been in the era.
Ritchie’s Café is open seven days a week, Monday to Saturday from 7.30am till 3pm and Sundays from 10am till 2pm.
