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the Good Intent

 

   
The Country Pub in the Town
Simon and joy sample The Good Intent's fare

THE Good Intent has THE RUSTIC CHARMS OF A COUNTRY INN but situated in the heart of Petersfield. It's a beautiful old building with exposed beams and low ceilings. lt also has en suite accommodation available if you wish to enjoy the wide range of wines and ales and not drink and drive.
The menu is cleverly constructed. Not a huge range of options but enough to offer tantalising choice. The chefs have obviously chosen to offer quality home-made food, to avoid compromising their high standards they have not overextended the choice. Our waitress, Helen, informed us that the chefs are very accommodating and will adapt dishes to meet the customers' requirements; like producing a hollandaise sauce. Though, she did emphasise that this could take time during peak periods.
We ordered a bottle Montana Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot. It had a spicy oak aroma and was full bodied with an intense berry Fruit character. Joy selected the spicy Mexican Nachos to start with while l opted for the Thai spiced Crab Spring Soon a large bowl of nachos were delivered at the table with chilli beef melted cheese and guacamole. My spring rolls were three in number served on a mound of mango salsa surrounded by sweet chilli jam. The nachos are a classic Mexican dish but so often restaurants fail to get this right by making the dish too bland.
The Good Intent had it just right, the chilli beef was full of flavour without being too spicy On presentation, Joy mentioned that she could not possibly eat it all but sure enough there was nothing left at the end. My homemade spring rolls were filled with delicious crab that was subtly flavoured. These were two excellent dishes.

While we were waiting for our main course, the gentleman at the next table was served his Haddock and Chips. His plate had been lined with newspaper which was a lovely traditional touch. Soon our main courses arrived. Joy had selected the homemade Chicken Kiev a dish rarely seen nowadays. This was served on a mound of new potato salad and with a plum tomato and red onion salsa. The Chicken Kiev was packed with garlic and the combination with the potato salad worked very well. It was a superb dish. My warm salad of scallops and smoked bacon was served on a bed of lettuce accompanied by Jersey Royal potatoes, cucumber and tomato. It was dressed with a delicious fresh herb dressing. The scallops were perfectly cooked and the bacon was full of flavour having been well smoked. It was a simply delicious dish executed perfectly We also had a mixed salad. This was the prince of salads that contained lettuce, cucumber, tomato and avocado. It had been carefully prepared and delicately dressed.
This simple dish really summed up the quality delivered by the Good Intent's chefs.
For finale, the dessert board was produced offering a range of homemade puddings and after much deliberation Joy chose the Banoffe Pie while I opted for the Raspberry Cheesecake. Both dishes met the exacting standards set by the previous course.
The Good Intent is an excellent pub offering splendid food. You can eat in the bar, non smoking restaurant or outside. We both urge you to try this country pub in the town.

COMPASS Magazine August 2005