Annie Jones - Petersfield

This Mothersday, Mrs P. and I were celebrating with the Mother-in-law at an nontraditional venue. Although Mrs P. and I have a rather worrying love of the small plate (so much so that we avoid La Tasca like the plague as we would simply spend far too much money!), it is not a style that our respective oldies have embraced.

It came as a considerable shock then when the aforementioned M.I.L. suggested we try a new tapas bar that had opened just down the road. Dutifully, we trouped down to Annie Jones and stood, baffled, for a few minutes trying to decide how to enter the bar. Annie Jones, it seems, has opened this tiny spot behind their existing restaurant which led to a moment of confusion before we plunged into the alley beside the restaurant and emerged in a lovely little covered plaza behind the place. Once we had established that we were, indeed in the Tapas bar, we sat down in a converted barn-type room which was fantastically warm thanks to a wood stove burning next to us and eagerly started on the menu. 

We started with the prawns - apologies for the photo but Mrs P. nicked a couple before I could even get the camera out! These were fantastic, easily the star of the show for me. They  characterised beautifully the K.I.S.S. principle of which, for me, fish and shellfish are best placed to benefit from. The garlic and citrus were fabulous with the sweet prawn and I joyfully disgusted the M.I.L. by sucking on the heads with greedy aplomb.

Some sausages were lovely and meaty. The sauce was a bit odd in a way that I couldn't quite place and the cooling dollop on the top didn't do anything for me. The roasted veg was nice too but couldn't claw back what was fundamentally a bit dodge.

The tortilla was authentic and delicious. Bringing some well needed carb to the meal. A little bland, it needed a bit of pep from the seasoning dept. but the ailoli was great and a jaunty little accompaniment.

As is her want, half way through the meal, Mrs P. demanded pig and as I have been trained well, I immediately ordered the pork belly. Soft and yealding, meat was great and the cheffy puree was delicious. The sauce was nice too and I mopped up the rest with bread and a big grin. Both of us agreed however, that it could of done with a bit of crackling.

I fancied some ham and tried to order a couple of different types before settling on the Speck. However, I was completely unprepared for the shear volume of the result. Far be it from me to assume that this wasn't a 'traditional' method of service but quite frankly, this was the thickest slice of ham that I've seen this side of a gammon steak. It may be that this is the way it's supposed to be but personally, I'd have the thin prosciutto style any day. Delicious as it was, it proved too much for my other diners and I had to man up in order to ensure value for money.

At 40 quid for 3 not including drinks, Annie Jones scored a quite a few points. I'd love to go back and try some of the other dishes and so I'm counting the days until the weather is sunny enough to go and really enjoy that Garden Bar.

Annie Jones