The Garrison in Castletown has returned to its wine bar and tapas roots under new management.

It’s now being run by husband and wife team, Jeff and Charlotte Howland with the original chef, John Olerenshaw, running the completely refurbished kitchen.

He was the chef there when it first opened in 2001 and many of the old favourites are now back on the menu.

These include the warm roasted almonds, spicy potato wedges, salt cod fritters, chicken strips in orange sauce and spicy lamb stew and there’s a comprehensive wine list to accompany them.

Charlotte, who grew up in the UK with parents who ran a hotel, is known to diners in the south having worked at The Shore restaurant in Gansey for the last five years.

She said: ’We’re already seeing loads of the original Garrison customers coming back in.’

Jeff already had a licence to import alcohol to the island through his company, Nectar.

He is using his contacts in the UK to source a variety of real ales for his customers to try.

The Coach House brewery in Warrington has even created a special ale for The Garrison called Castle Rushen, which will be a permanent feature on the bar whilst guest beers will change each week.

Jeff said: ’Although it is also a restaurant it is also licensed as a public bar so people are very welcome to come in just for a drink with us.’