The Whitestone Inn — Restaurant in Malew

Fantasmagorical pizza.

This pub is blighted by the fact that it has no kerb appeal. It looks large and not terribly exciting from outside and more fool you (and me at first) for being judgemental on appearances alone.

There's a decent sized car park and a lovely, compact beer garden. Walk in and it's huge inside, but wait! Is this just another identikit pub, such as the Mitre in Kirkmichael and The Queens in Douglas? Of course it is: triple sausage and mash (ok), fish and chips (ok) - y'know the type - typical uninspiring pub grub, fulfilling a need, but nothing more than mediocre.

However: Brilliantly surprised with the most amazing pizza I've had in a long time. I opted for the meat feast (described on the menu as something else, you'll work it out). When it was served, it was obvious that this had been created with care. The pizza base had been hand stretched and dusted with semolina after exiting the oven, preventing it from sticking to the pizza board. A nice touch, as only someone who knows how to bake will know why this is important.

Cutting through the pizza revealed some serious mozzarella loading. The pizza was deep in cheese, complimented with a really tasty tomato sauce and just the right level of chilli to make it picante, accentuating flavour rather than just adding raw heat. It was also generous in size, providing more than I could handle, and peresenting my fellow diners the opportunity to sample some serious pizza wizardry and share the enjoyment.

We'll done chef, 100% :0)

PS. Finally found some good local beer, O'Kells 1907, available in bottles only. Let it warm up a little as the flavours are too muted when straight out of the fridge. This is worthy of a beer gold medal, but you'll need to designate a driver before trying it as it's ...

Having the in laws on board for our trip to the isle of man. We had to find traditional pubs that suited their un-adventurous appetite.

Having previously visited the whitestone previously albeit a few years ago now. I called late saturday and getting a seat wasnt a problem.

The pub has plently of photos and paintings on the wall. Showing the isle of mans historic past.

The menu isn't extensive but loaded with traditional meals, plus pizza and burgers. We ordered, butternut chicken, fish n chips, vegetarian curry, sausage and mash. My meal the butternut chicken was great, the juice soaked into the sweet potato and pure foodie heaven.

No complaints from any one, good service from the staff, polite, prompt, professional generally happy despite being at work on a saturday.

A good range of beers with the local bitter on handpull and bottles of the local beer in the fridge.

£60 all in really can't complain, great meal enjoyed by all.

Thank you to...

Got off steam train on a Thursday night and dropped in for a pint and a meal. Okells Bitter was excellent and I had delicious fish and chips. Nice pub with very pleasant staff. Popular with locals for food which is a good sign. Hope to return in 2014!

Update: visited August 2018. Walked in, sat down and staff completely ignored me. Young female member of staff at bar looked at me but continued to slurp her glass of cola. After 10 minutes I walked out. Very disappointed as I like this pub. Will try again next year!

2nd update : returned August...