DEGUSTATION
STORY BY KAT PICKFORD |
SUSIE WILLIAMS
Eight months after opening its doors to the public, Kat Pickford finds The Good Home is living
up to its name, providing a home away from home where people can enjoy their favourite
wines, creative cocktails and share delicious food in a relaxed and cosy atmosphere.
Owned by Blenheim restaurateurs John
and Hayley Derry, Blenheim gastropub
The Good Home is a result of demand
for great food, drinks and service with a
casual vibe - a playground for adults as
John describes it.
“It’s a place where people can come, any
time of day and discover a cosy corner
for a quiet drink, gather with a group to
share some food and a bit of a laugh, or
wind down at the end of the night with
dessert or a cocktail,” John says.
The menu, which was created by
executive chef Maree Connolly, features
“really good, hearty dishes” and
plates designed for groups to share,
incorporating some of the best local
ingredients they can find that results in
a combination of interesting flavours
and innovative ideas.
The seafood chowder, for example, with
a hint of coconut, makes for a tropical
twist on the classic Kiwi dish. Served
with grilled salmon, mussels, prawns and
snapper, crunchy shaved fennel, fennel
cream, and a fresh pop of gravlax, it is a
comforting, refreshing and filling dish.
The small plates, which have been
designed to share, feature succulent
morsels of perfectly prepared gourmet
treats such as Marlborough black garlic,
goats’ curd, chives and Ras El Hanout
vinaigrette, bruschetta with tomatoes,
mozzarella, basil and balsamic and a
chilled prawn salad with chilli, pineapple,
bean sprouts, coconut and a red curry
dressing.
Front-of-house manager Sheryl Nielsen
says people come back time and again
for their miniature Yorkshire puddings,
and it’s easy to see why. The soft,
moreish pastry cases filled with tender
beef, jus, onion jam and a bernaise sauce
were delicious.
More substantial fare is available for
people who don’t like to share - the
Mt Fish (tail) Fish N Chips is as good a
rendition of the ‘pub favourite’ as you’re
likely to find. With a perfect crispy,
golden ‘soda’ batter, mushy peas and
rustic fries, the generously portioned
dish definitely hits the spot. A crispy-
skinned snapper meal served with local
seasonal produce provides a lighter
seafood alternative, while meat-lovers
will not be disappointed with a prime
Hereford beef fillet on offer, served
with crispy onion rings and a range of
decadent sauces to choose from.
If you’re not afraid to get your hands
dirty, the lip-smacking sticky barbecue
ribs are a good pick, as is the range
of sandwiches and burgers, including
the New York classic Reuben or a slow
braised pork belly burger with slaw,
creamy crushed cashew dressing, mild
chilli and honey soy caramel.
With so much great food on the menu,
it’s difficult to know where to begin - and
finding room to squeeze in dessert is
even more of a challenge.
But with delectable sweet treats such
as chocolate mousse, red berry sorbet,
citrus trifle and ginger kiss (warm
gingerbread cake, gingernut ice cream,
brandy snap bark and burnt butter
sauce), it was a challenge I was more
than happy to accept.
The wine list largely comprises award-
winning Marlborough wines, including
Jules Taylor’s The Ned and Te Whare
Ra, while craft beers from Emersons
Mon-Sun 10am - late • p: (03) 5776495 • 70 Queen Street, Blenheim •
- Panhead and Little Creatures - sit
alongside a wide range of popular brews.
A couple of young, talented and
enthusiastic bartenders put together a
creative list of tantalising cocktails each
month, which are very popular with the
after-work drinks crowd and as an after-
dinner treat.
After getting into the swing of things
over the first six months, they’ve
recently introduced a breakfast
menu and cakes and slices for people
looking for something to go with their
morning coffees.
John says the pair decided to open the
gastropub after five years at Speights Ale
House showed them there was demand
for great food, drinks and service with a
casual vibe.
The Speights Ale House is booked out
weeks in advance, making The Good
Home a not too shabby second home
option.
The building was shut for a year for
earthquake strengthening and a
significant refit inside and out carried
out by Hamish Ryan Construction. While
John managed the project, Hayley
focussed on the interior decorating,
creating a modern, commercial chic
vibe with a juxtaposition of exposed
painted concrete beams, exposed timber,
gorgeous light fittings, monochromatic
flooring and plenty of greenery.
The place is bathed in natural light
thanks to generous east- and north-
facing windows, and at night becomes
a welcoming, twinkly orb of good cheer
and contented customers all making
themselves at home.
/thegoodhomemarlborough • www.goodhomebar.co.nz
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