JSW PETERSFIELD

In a Town Centre Setting

Jake Watkins restaurant, JSW, is situated in Dragon Street, Petersfield's town centre. He's built up a well-earned reputation for simple, tasty food cooked to a very high standard. The menu is strictly limited. You need to book to avoid disappointment. The cuisine is Modern British.
LUNCH 12.0 noon - 1.30 pm. DINNER Tuesdays - Saturdays 7.0 pm - 9.30 pm

REVUE by R.M. 28/8/2007

We had been looking forward to going to JSW as we had heard good reports. The Restaurant has moved to Dragon Street in Petersfield. As you approach you already feel you are about to enter a place of calm, comfortable sophistication. It was not disappointing. You enter straight into the Restaurant where you are immediately welcomed and shown to your table. The wicker arm chairs are incredibly comfortable, and as we sat and soaked up the pleasant atmosphere, the lovely light oak beams, the pale carpet and the linen on the tables helped to soak up any sound. There was no ‘having’ to listen to the next table’s conversation; it was quiet and very pleasant. 

We didn’t start with a drink, but ordered a bottle of wine and relaxed over the menu. The wine list is amazing, and I wish I knew more about Riesling and Alsace wines as they would complement the food so well, but without the aid of a Sommelier we chose a French Sauvignon Blanc from the South West. Although fairly slow to arrive it was superb. There was a little bowl of olives on the table, so sensibly not in oil, which we were able to have whilst we studied the menu.

It is beautiful menu, in three parts. The first a two course menu, a set price and perfect for lunch as well. The second, a more comprehensive menu with many courses, and the third a la carte, which was the one we chose. It was simple but with enough choice to suit all tastes. Then we were brought a basket with four warm and heavenly rolls; an onion roll, a walnut and raisin, a smoked bacon and a herb roll.

We started with a delicious lobster ravioli, gently touched by a frothy sauce (if only the real name would come to mind), and a mouth watering grouse terrine with succulent pink smoked duck laid beautifully either side on a Sauterne jelly. For the main course we had fresh, perfectly cooked superb sea bass sitting on mashed potato, with a delightful sauce Vierge, made with olive oil and tomatoes, and an assiette of pork. This was a row of four different cuts of pork; fillet, rib, cheek and black pudding, each sitting on a vegetable to complement it.  Quite devine! . We had one pudding, a crystal clear layer of caramel, on fresh raspberries on a thin layer of cheesecake, and beside it an almond ice cream. I had a superb glass of Sauterne, very soft and not too sweet. Then with the coffee came four chocolate truffles which just melted superbly as you bit into them.

The presentation and the taste of all the dishes were a delight. A lot of culinary and artistic thought has been put into writing the menu and it would seem, into everything here. The word ‘complementary’ very much comes to mind. It was the calm, comfortable and sophisticated evening accompanied by delicious, beautifully cooked and presented food.
Our meal was circa £50 per head all in.

JSW
20 Dragon Street
Petersfield
Hampshire
GU31 4JJ

Phone: 01730 262030

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'The JSW Restaurant Web Page " is sponsored by Violet Designs, Midhurst, West Sussex Tel: 01730 810059. We just try harder to give exceptional service and prices.

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