The White Swan

Went to the Swan for dinner and was pleasantly surprised. Had heard good things but also a couple of bad reviews but for myself things were very good.

I had Scallop and Chorizo Salad which was cooked perfectly if a little overdressed whilst my friend had Lamb Koftes with Tzatziki which were moist and spicy. For main I had Sea Bass on Crushed Potatoes which was just right bettered only by my partners Barbary Duck Breast with Plum Sauce on a Kumara Mash. THis was absolutely gorgeous and a bit of food envy kicked in.

Desserts were the best part though simple yet ever so tasty we shared a sticky toffee and a Banoffee. Service is friendly and not over attentive, the atmosphere is very relaxed and warm and the wine list OK for a pub.

Yes it is not cheap with 2 bottles of wine and 3 course meal for 2 coming to £75 but it was a very enjoyable evening in lovely surroundings where you feel welcome and unrushed with good food. I'll definitely be back
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Abigail Reeves
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Thursday, April 10, 2008

High expectations for this gastro pub. Pretty little building on a quaint road in richmond. Appeared popular with regulars and families and warm jolly atmosphere. Unfortunately, the food and drink were both unmemorable. Ordered a spicy and non spicy Bloody Mary, both of which were bland and tasted more like tinned tomato soup. A pub that can't make a decent simple drink.....trouble ahead I thought!

I ordered calamari followed by lamb shank. The calamari was tough and over cooked but at least was nicely presented. The lamb was a mess from start to finish. Fatty and oily (from the tomato sauce....why?), dry and bland mash and non descript vegetables. The lamb itself was quite tender but was ruined by the above accompanying dishes. A friend had salmon with hollandaise sauce and sun dried tomato mash (why on earth mash again!) The hollandaise was bland and thick and gooey, totally wrong. Personally I didn't like the sun dried mash either. With mustard or wasabe yes but the sun dried tomatoes just didn't work.

Cost for my starter, main and two beers came to £30! Cheeky to charge central London restuarant prices for poor quality English pub food. Terrible value for money I left the place thinking i had been robbed!

Small positive was that the staff were friendly and helpful and the place itself is cute but the food lets this place down badly and I could not get over the shockingly bad Bloody Mary. Not too far a walk from Richmond station but considering I spent an hour each way getting to the White Swan I left vey disappointed.
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Benno Hilton
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 0
Saturday, March 22, 2008

Great little place between the Green and the River that avoisd the masses of Richmond and also thank goodness the chain restaurants that is Richmond Town Centre. Don't expect a restaurant but do expect very good food served in a relaxed atmosphere with friendly service. I have eaten here regularly over the last year due to the above and on the only time my meal was not perfect I was treated quickly and efficiently to remedy the dish and with no rudeness. Top marks for unfussy tasty and well cooked meals.
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Peter A - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Sunday, May 13, 2007

Had a meal here for my birthday on Saturday night and it was great. It is very relaxed atmosphere and so it may not be everyone's cup of tea but for us it was perfect. The service is friendly and the food is simple yet consistently good - THe food we ate included Chicken Breast stuffed with Mushroom and Thyme with a Dijon and Tarragon Sauce, Sea Bass, 10oz Steak and an interesting Nile Perch Wrapped in Proscuitto Ham which was lovely. It really is a pub that does very good food and is definitely not a restaurant but that allows you to relax and enjoy even more in my opinion. I'll be back
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Katrina Dyskova
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, August 22, 2006

I have just rung this establishment to be informed that they can't guarantee that they'll have any food left at 2pm on a Sunday, which is the time we wanted to book for.

What utter rubbish for a gastro pub.

My feeling is that the negative reviews of this place are the ones to be trusted.
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Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, April 19, 2006

I too can't understand the below reviews. Had a meal here for Mothers Day and the food was fantastic with friendly and helpful service. Real buzz to the place and will definitely be back.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, March 28, 2006

I cna't help thinking that the restaurant must have recruited new chefs since the last reviews as the food is consistently good and the service excellent.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Saturday, January 28, 2006

Turned up at 2:10 on a Sunday to be told apathetically that they probably weren't taking any more orders as they were busy(although as we waited for confirmation of this the 2 kitchen staff out the back having a fag break didn't look too stressed!) - which was suprising for a self-proclaimed "bar + restuarant" that was only just full (we could get a table but no food) and was supposedly serving 12 to 3!!! Frankly the food that arrived didn't look worth the price anyway ; and the surly staff have convinced me this is certainly an Ugly Duckling of a "Gastro" that I won't be visiting again.
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The Foodie of Suburbia - View all reviews by this user
Sunday, October 09, 2005