Swan at the Globe

This restaurant oozes quality and class without ever being froo-froo or pretentious - there is a very assured and serene quality to this place from the simple and unfussy menus to the relaxed, informal staff. The decoration sits perfectly with the location next to the Globe and there is a nice bistro-like buzz. The food was excellent - simple dishes made very well. The wine list is very reasonable so can drink well without feeling fleeced. One of the best eating experiences I've had for a long time in London
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Paul
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Firstly what a great location - views are great!!

I visited on Tuesday 8th Dec with a large group of people for a tour of the Theatre and set dinner in one of the private dinning rooms. The tour was excellent and got the evening off to a fantastic start, David the guide was excellent and knowlegeable.

I wasnt really expecting much as the catering at large group events tends to be mediocre at best. so I pleasantly suprised when the starter was very tasty and the following fillet of beef with tarragon crust was juicy, tasty and perfectly cooked. The accompanying roast new potatoes and roast baby carrots were fantastic and perfectly cooked. The dessert was apple crumble that was not memorable, however my minor disappointment was completely dispelled when the most fantastic cheese board was presented - one for each table - truly fantastic and already at room temperature.

Well done to all the staff at the Swan at the Globe - will definitely be back with my wife!!
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RalphT - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, December 10, 2009

My wife and I took advantage of the 40% discount offer recently. We were very pleasantly surprised. We found the service excellent - the manageress and waitresses were very friendly, pleasant and efficient. The menu together with the daily specials offered a very good and slightly unusual choice of dishes, perhaps on an old English theme. For main course my wife chose the mallard duck and I picked the pheasant and bacon pie filled with a variety of vegetables. Both were excellent and very substantial in size.

Prices even without the discount were pretty reasonable considering the location and quality of the menu.

As mentioned in other reviews, views from the restaurant are great looking out over the Thames towards St Pauls. Great for a romantic meal.

One small negative point; when I received the bill, the 40% discount had not applied. When I asked the waitress about the discount, the bill was quickly corrected and the manageress was very apologetic.

Would definitely return and recommend it to friends/family.
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David W - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, November 26, 2009

My two daughters entertained myself and my wife to lunch at The Swan last Sunday for my 65th birthday.

The occasion was obviously special and the restaurant rose to the occasion.

The roast beef was the finest culinary experience that any one of the four of us who chose it had experienced in well over a year!

The vegetables accompanying it were all perfectly cooked and the service could not be faulted either.

I have already recommended the Swan to three different people and my visit was only 3 days ago!
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Chris Whitmore - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Exceptionally disappointing. Nice views and a good location but the worst food that I have had in Europe!
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3 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 3
Sunday, August 23, 2009

My partner and I had tickets to see Romeo and Juliet at The Globe on August 8.

We decided, purely by chance to eat lunch at teh Swan before going to see the show.

Whilst we were limited for time we sat upstairs and had the seafood/fish pie. It was amazing! The size of the portion was very good. It was very tasty and filling. We were glad that we did not have a starter and we could not manage a pudding!

The pie is one of the cheaper mains, so it was well worth it.

The service we received from our waitress was excellent and we would eat here again.

I have had read, post dining, some of the other reviews but cannot understand why people did not enjoy the experience.
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Malachi Williams
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, August 11, 2009

My husband took me here the week before our wedding as part of a day of treats amidst allthe planning madness.

The food was lovely. The views were beautiful. Sadly the service was neither. It took about half an hour to get a menu. The staff seemed annoyed that we'd been trying to get their attention, which seemed cheeky! Once we finally did order and get our food, it was delicious though. But then we faced the battle to get the bill! I've never encountered such unattentive, rude and surly staff in such a fine establishment. The person who seemed in charge didn't seem to give a damn about the cutomers either. What a shame.

I recommend the food andthe views, but be prepared for a wait!
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Marie - View all reviews by this user
5 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5
Sunday, July 19, 2009

My friend and I decided to try out the Brasserie last night. We went for a couple of drinks at the bar first; I was very impressed with the design and the view too.

My starter of smoked haddock was very good but unfortunately I found my main course of steak (which I had asked to be cooked medium) was really hard to cut and also very diffficult to chew. I should have asked there and then to have it sent back but everything else was really good so I just left it.

Would go back again as hopefully this was just a one off.
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Vicky - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Friday, May 22, 2009