Hatchet Inn, Lower Chute.

 Location - Hatchet Inn, Lower Chute.

The Hatchet Inn

Lower Chute

Andover

Hampshire

SP11 9DX

Website - https://thehatchetinn.com/

Date of Visit - 10/08/22

The Food

7 -Pickled Onion. Several slightly smaller onions. They were quite nice - a good crunch, however, quite acidic, bordering on too much bite but thankfully not quite. Good with the cheese.

10 -Pickle. Again, another really good pickle. It had had elements of curry about it - just a hint, quite delightful. A rare 10 for the pickle!

10 -Cheese. The cheddar was delicious. There were also options for Brie or Stilton (untested).  It was a  mature cheddar, with great texture, good flavour. I could easily have more, but I'm greedy, certainly enough for most.

8 -Bread.  The bread was a Par-baked baguette. I opted for Brown, and this can be troublesome, however it was good. Nice and warm, crusty, but not dried, Worked really well. .

4 -Spread. It was butter. Lurpak is an acceptable butter. It was at a perfect temperature too.  Dropped a point (if you were wondering) because of the plastic packaging.  I do like it where it's either in a pot or at the side of a block. (reduce waste, etc).

5 -Presentation. Nice and tidy, properly arranged with thought.  Bit of an odd-shaped plate, however, that did not detract in any significant way.

4 -Salad, etc. There was no apple.  There was however Spring onion, nice.  The salad was good and fresh, if prepared beforehand it was handled with skill. There was, however, a great quantity of iceberg lettuce. On a hot day (and it was hot) it can be a nice refreshing palate cleanse, however, there was too much as it was a bit rustic. If a large quantity of Iceberg is to be deployed it needs to be chiffonade, otherwise it just seems to be to bulk up the dish. 

2 -Originality. A good, standard Ploughmans. Nice dressing on the salad. Definitely an excellent lunch; however, this category is designed to redeem those offerings that are amazing, but it was a standard Ploughmans.  N.B - it was a very good, standard Ploughmans.

Food total: 50

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Beverages

8 - Shandy & Ginger beer. It was very hot on the visit, and I was driving, so no ardent spirits for me. 

They have a good selection of drinks. usually, two (maybe more) well-kept real ales, plus the usual keg stuff.  I have had tea and coffee here before, and it is excellent.

Drinks Total: 8

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The venue

10 -Service. The service was excellent. We ate outside: order at the bar, and get a numbered spoon.  All the required cutlery and condiments arrived in good time. Food was delivered quickly and there were quite a few meals being delivered out to the garden. The waitresses were very competent and friendly.

10 -Nice, relaxed country pub.  Exactly as it would be on the TV, and so rarely is in real life.

5 -Location. Chocolate box. A beautiful place.  I will even put a photo of the place below!

5 -Toilets. Excellent. Perfect. 

Venue total: 30

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Score: 88

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