The Islander Cafe — Restaurant in New Castle

UPDATE July 11: Had a great talk with Deb the owner who reached out quickly after my first post. I have every confidence this issue will be resolved, but am moving my rating to a neutral 3 stars pending actual resolution. Every business has a misstep now and then and so it is the response that separates great ones from mediocre ones. Looking forward to our next visit there.

This cafe is excellent BUT the counter/barista person working today (Tues Jul 9, 2024) simply must be let go or retrained. We had the same problem with them last year when we were here. We simply want a classic 6/8 oz. cappuccino JUST LIKE THEY MAKE AT LIL'S (the listed "sister cafe" in Kittery). This barista instead lectures me that it cannot be a cappuccino in less than a 12 oz cup. So they try to make me order a flat white or a cortado or whatever. YESTERDAY'S barista (Mon Jul 8, 2024) had no problem with this and made us delightful classic cappuccinos in the "cortado" cup. I am half Italian and in fact was just in Rome with my cousins and on business last week. Italian cappuccinos are, of course, 6 oz. While I understand that there is a large market for 12 oz "cappuccinos" in the US (Italians AND American espresso aficionados know and agree that a 12 oz beverage is NOT a cappuccino), true espresso cafes even right here in Portsmouth area will of course serve a classic 6 or 8 oz cappuccino. Again, just go to Lil's OR to Wild Valentine here in town that serves only an 8 oz cappuccino. WHAT I AM MOST OFFENDED ABOUT, however, is that today's barista recognized us and I thought we had worked this out well enough last year (and had a great experience with yesterday's barista), but they said "so you want a flat white?". I said "No, a cappuccino in the cortado size cup." To which they replied "I can make you anything you want but you have to be able to articulate it." as if I were a child. (And last year we danced around with me SPECIFICALLY "articulating" that a classic cappuccino is about 1/3 each of espresso, steamed milk, and frothed milk, but that wasn't good enough either as this person apparently has to work exactly to some script/recipe that doesn't include a 6/8 oz cappuccino). I have been making and drinking all manner of espresso based beverages INCLUDING AS A PROFESSIONAL BARTENDER since before this person was born. The exchange was beyond insulting and we gave up on getting any coffee drink there. This person NEEDS TO EXPAND THEIR HORIZONS and learn that they in fact are the clueless person here. Meanwhile, we are off to Wild Valentine to get a classic cappuccino and will not patronize Islander Cafe (even for their excellent food) ANY TIME WE SEE THIS PERSON STILL...

To reach the Islander by vélo is already a small joy. From Portsmouth or Rye, the road undulates with pleasing variety—turns, rises, glimpses of the sea—while the village itself offers the tableau of New England: weathered fishermen’s cottages pressed up against the nouveaux riches of modern taste.

On arrival, the cyclist finds a mixed welcome. No rack for a fine machine, only a wooden fence or, across the street, the indignity of laying one’s vélo on the ground. The entry is crowded, the interior tight as a peloton on a climb. Yet service is swift, brusque, efficient—exactly as it should be. A water urn at the rear refills the bidon without ceremony, and the bathroom, spacious and spotless.

The café itself is correct: an Americano pulled with competence, if not poetry. But the pâtisserie—ah!—here lies the true décadence. Lil’s signature cruller, eggy and ethereal, vanishes faster than a tailwind. The lemon quick bread sparkles, the blueberry muffin (toasted on the skillet, s’il vous plaît) sings of simple pleasures. And the egg sandwich? Superior even to Lil’s itself, a surprise worthy of applause. Only the chocolate chip cookie betrays the cause, limp and uninspired.

The Islander is less crowded than its Kittery cousin, more local in its rhythm, and quietly rewarding to the cyclist who makes the stop. It is not a true cycling hub, but with free water, quick service, and a clean restroom, it provides exactly what a rider needs before the next stretch of road.

Café: 3.5 / 5 Pâtisserie: 4.5 /...

Now on their third 🥉 week, a pleasant atmosphere cafe with a great window view, outdoor seating and relaxing music 🎶 playing over the 🔊 speakers. I ordered the egg 🥚 sandwich on a biscuit with tomato. Tasted good, though it fell apart. I then had a coffee ☕ with a big blueberry muffin 🧁 and a read of the Sunday 📰 newspaper. A good breakfast! I was invited back 🔙, thx! The pancake was WOW! It smelled soo good! A fellow customer commented positively on it! Served in a hot skillet with fruit 🍓 and whipped cream, it was a pleasure to eat! No "Hom nom nom!" The chef told me he added a little nutmeg and lemon 🍋 zest for flavor. Bathroom was in good shape. People commented positively on the interior. AC inside. Food is pricey, but, it's a small business in New Castle dealing with inflation. They have a good size drink selection and I hope they can add orange 🍊 or cranberry juice 🥤. Large candy selection. Sandwiches for sale as well. Korean BBQ Mushroom sandwich 🥪 was good! I recommend a visit, though go early. You are a stone's throw from New Castle attractions. Get the email 📨 alerts. Brioche French Toast, a special not on the regular menu. Yum! Update: January 2024; Islander Dutch Baby! is very good 👍! Classic crullers from Lil's Cafe are available here. Update: June 2025; Yummy 😋! The Strawberry 🍓...