Swan at the Globe

For a place that has been under new mangement for only a few months, I have seen a lot worse.

To whom it may concern - congratulations on turning a middle of the road eating establishment into a top notch special experience to match many of your competitors in the area.

I would have preferred a slightly fuller wine list, but those on the list were very good.

Keep up the good work.
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mark
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Thursday, December 06, 2007

Please note that a lot of the reviews here mistake the first floor brasserie for the second floor restaurant. For instance, the dish served with Jersey Royals mentioned in one review is on the brasserie menu.

The decor and the team have changed, but apart from slight reservations on the plastic chairs, the food is at least as good as ever. (The ambiance is now a little warmer)
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Carol and Mike - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Sunday, October 07, 2007

On Wednesday 11th July, three of us dined in the first floor brasserie. Having read the poor reviews below I’d hesitated in making the arrangement, but we were not disappointed. We had a nice meal at a fair price in lovely surroundings, and were well looked after in a restaurant that was full of other people obviously enjoying themselves. As we’ve never been before it’s impossible to say whether the restaurant has improved, or whether the bad experiences of other reviewers reflect off days for the chef or waiter at the time. A previous diner asks if the waiters were hiding back stage: with the revamped resturant it’s hard to see how they can do this as the kitchen counter and area near it are in full view, and there’s nowhere obvious for them to escape to.

Judging by the highest of standards, our experience was not perfect: our French waitress was new, and I asked her what were Jersey Royals, listed as accompanying asparagus tart. She thought it was some sort of “confiture” and consequently I ordered chips which I clearly didn’t need once the Jersey Royal potatoes appeared! A more senior waiter removed the chips and said we wouldn’t be charged - but came the bill and this item had not been removed. However, this was put right very nicely and with an apology. Other than this, things went smoothly, and all of our food (pea soup, asparagus and samphire tart, tuna, Bakewell tart) was between tasty and delicious. Nice to see an English wine on the list which I tried - lovely. The food is billed as “embracing the heritage of British cooking”, just right for Shakespeare’s theatre. The gold standard in this field is St John Restaurant in Smithfield, and The Globe has a way to go before it gets into this league. However, coming here felt like a treat and I’d go again.

David
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David
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Thursday, July 12, 2007

This was my fourth visit to the Globe, and the first shock was caused by the refurbishment. The place now looks more contemporary, with design chairs and square wooden tables. No longer quaint, not really elegant.

But the food was as good as ever, and at £25 per person including mains, dessert, coffees and non-alcoholic drinks, this is still excellent value for money. The roast beef was succulent and the trout perfectly judged. The sorbets were declared very tasty, and my own honey comb ice cream was luxuriously creamy, with a full flavour. It's a pity that the chocolate terrine which it accompanied was not colder - it could happily be frozen, and I have to deplore (again) the habit of flavouring what I suspect to be poor quality (ie bitter) couverture with alcohol. It spoils it.

If I could change one thing about the Globe, i think it would be the service: perfect when you want to laze around, appaling if you want to get a move on. Manager: please get a grip! What are the front of house staff doing hiding in the kitchen?
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The lady that lunches - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Friday, June 22, 2007

We visited this restaurant to celebrate a friends birthday & were shocked by how bad the service & food were!

Prior to visiting, the restaurant contacted the birthday girl & advised her that they would expect a £10 per head payment for non-arrivals. In a separate call she was told that the set menu had been withdrawn & that all her guests should have chicken!!!!

When we arrived, the staff seemed most put out that they had to serve us, even though we were the only people in the restaurant. Drink prices were exorbitant & included a 12.5% service charge!!

Ordering the food proved difficult as the waiter had to return a number of times to ask if we had ordered - the food came bit by bit, with a number of guests left waiting with only half their meal.

One of the guests found a human hair in her mouthful of roast beef; a request to the waiter to take it back & bring a replacement brought a rolling of the eyes. The beef itself was cold & the "sea trout" was actually identified as salmon by all three guests that had it.

We decided we had had enough after the main meal & left without having desserts - amazingly, the waiter put up a fight about removing the 12.5% discretionary service charge from the bill.

If this is an example of the "better quality" establishments, then I believe I will return to "cheap & cheerful" in a hurry.

I've never received such appalling service, with such overpriced food, in any other restaurant & would warn anyone about visiting this establishment!!!
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mrpointy - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Good first impressions were dashed by terrible service and quality of food.

Great views overlooking the Thames were ruined when, after a pleasant first course, we had a lengthy wait for our second course and only received it when we asked for it from a waiter (our own was nowhere to be seen). Moreover, we realised that our food had been left on the counter for at least 10 minutes prior to this, so it was not a surprise to find that all our meals were cold. We pointed this out to what appeared to be the 'head waiter', but he replied it was "not possible" and reluctantly took the food back, with not so much as an apology. When the food returned, it was 'warm', but not satisfactory. We also noticed that the table behind us returned all their food.

Our supposed waiter came over to ask about the service and when we pointed out its downfalls, we still received neither an apology, nor discount. At over £20 per head, one would expect a decent service, and if not, a minimum of courtesy and some respect. No one even bid us goodbye on our way out.
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Sarah
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Sunday, July 09, 2006

We were greeted with a warm "Hello - nice to see you again" which is when I realised how delightful dining at the Globe is.

During the last six months I have taken a range of different groups of people: a Mother's Day celebration, a treat for a friend and her two young children, the office Christmas lunch and a family birthday; all really successful. I don't know exactly why. The views are great, the staff friendly and efficient, the set menu (£21.95 for 3 courses) always includes a choice of interesting vegetarian dishes (for starter and main) two meat dishes and two fish. They are well cooked and presented elegantly. The wines are reasonable - we paid under £20 each for a Mendoza Chardonnay and an oaked Rioja.

An all round winner for me!
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Carol and Mike - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Sunday, March 26, 2006

I went to the Globe for the second time on 7 December with a group of 8 friends, having been very impressed on a dinner à deux with my husband a few weeks earlier.

The restaurant was reasonably quiet, and the jazz music makes for a relaxed atmosphere. Best of all is the riverside view, with the various churches (including St Paul) well illuminated. Perfect for a night out with your significant other!

The Christmas menu was already on, and £30 for three courses and coffee proved very reasonable. The meal starts with a selection of delicious fresh homemade bread, and it just gets better. The stuffed turkey was moist and tasty, the vegetarian raviolis with mushroom perfectly judged, and all commented very positively on their respective choices.

My only reservation was my chosen dessert. The 'Chocolate pecan pie' was all pecan and sugar. Where they had hidden the chocolate I have no idea. That said, my first experience of the pastry chef suggests that this is not a common occurence: both the chocolate torte and the summer pudding were sophisticated and luxurious.

The service is good, though a bit slow. They were very accommodating when the last of our party turned up late.

In summary, I thoroughly recommend this restaurant.
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The lady that lunches - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Sunday, January 08, 2006

We visited for Saturday lunch and decide to eat in the restaurant rather than the cafe.

Fixed price £21.75 for three courses looked very appealing and I must say it was! The food and service (it was not busy) was very good. I definitely goes on my recommended list. The only reason it is not busy seems to be that it goes unnoticed to the passers by Great View and Great food . I believe the Café is very good as well
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Warwick Francis
Tuesday, November 01, 2005