Ah, the joys of Google Maps! Whilst browsing the local area, I discovered a previously unknown source of food: The Hatch Inn, at Hatch Beauchamp.
So, finding it open on Tuesdays – less common than you may think, these days - I booked a table.
We found ourselves in a bar that was simply decorated in muted colours, with the welcoming buzz of a busy pub.
It also found us eyeing a very enticing menu! An appealing starters list included Confit Duck Croquettes, Jackfruit Spring Rolls and Potato Churros.
Flossy chose Nduja Stuffed Mushrooms: meaty portobellos with a dab of spicy Italian paste and some pecorino – very nice.
So nice, in fact, that she suggested we pop along to Waitrose next day to see if we could buy the stuff to recreate it!
My Sardines in Puttanesca sauce on toast was the evening’s specials and that, too, was a fine combination, with well-filleted sardines and plenty of olives in the sauce.
READ MORE: The inviting Somerset pub with 'impressive' menu and desserts to die for
The mains menu consists of ‘Hatch Classics’ – pie, steak, Reuben Burger (with pastrami, Emmental and sauerkraut), Korean Chicken Burger (with Kimchi and Sriracha Mayo) and the Vegan Burger: a cauliflower bhaji burger with mint and cucumber mayo.
Flossy chose the last, which was very tasty and contained two ‘burgers’ in a fresh, plain bap. She said maybe the burgers could’ve been more crunchy all over, but the chips were fantastic – wonderfully crisp with a soft inside! Presentation-wise it perhaps needed a garnish but that’s being picky.
The other mains section included Breton Chicken and one of my favourites: veal escalope. Ok, I know veal is a bit contentious, but in these days of improved animal welfare I feel less self-conscious about liking it.
Anyway, served with mushroom and marsala cream, fondant potatoes and spring greens (which I think was actually savoy cabbage), it was very enjoyable. Cooking a thin escalope can be tricky so I guess it might’ve been more tender, but I can’t fault it, or the flavours.
Now, we don’t usually do desserts, but the lemon and lime parfait with crumbled sable biscuits was irresistible, while Flossy had a scoop of mouth-watering mango sorbet. I’d have liked a more citrussy flavour, but the parfait was deliciously smooth and creamy.
All in all, a pleasant combination: nice atmosphere, good menu and some fine food – and well worth a second visit, I reckon.
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