The Swan (Salford Milton Keynes) Review
The Swan
Peach Pubs Group
Salford, Milton Keynes
Reviewed by Angela Davis
This was a very enjoyable evening out, with excellent food from a menu prepared by an award winning chef.
The pub itself was very comfortable, so much so that it felt as if we were sitting in an easy chair in our own home. Despite the weather being cool, wet & windy the interior was light and comfortable & not at all gloomy, and despite the bad weather it was busy with only one or 2 tables empty, however had it been a warm evening I’m sure that there would have been people happy to sit out in the garden. There was also a very attractive & comfortable gazebo, furnished with properly upholstered seats & cushions, which would have been very comfortable on a warmer night.
The food is innovative, but not fussy & certainly the portions are very generous, not as you might find in some places where modern food equals tiny amounts. At The Swan, the plates were all served with generous helpings. Also it was very interesting to see different plates & platters being used depending on the type of meal you ordered. For example a fish main course was beautifully presented on a smooth black platter, so was a feast for the eye as well as the stomach.
The service was smooth and quick but not over hurried. At no time did we feel that we were being pressed to eat more quickly than our own pace, but the serving staff was at all times attentive & never seemed harassed or phased by any request as so often happens in a busy place. They were helpful and cheerful which gives a good atmosphere.
Work has gone into trying to give a varied feel to the menu, with special menus on Wednesday, which is steak night & Thursday which is fish night. As we were there on Thursday the special fish menu was extensive, as I presume the steak menu the evening before would have been, the fish was fresh and cooked well, and as we later heard they have their own herb garden, which must account for the very fresh taste that all the dishes had.
They also have a barn for private functions & meetings & will even do a private barbeque for you, which they will switch to their indoor area & provide a buffet instead if the weather turns out to be too bad to be outside.
This is certainly a venue that I would have no hesitation in returning to, but in my opinion it’s one for the grown-ups only. An ideal venue to join friends for an evening, or just enjoy with a partner, but although they will do half size meals for children I really think that young ones may not appreciate or enjoy the type of food that’s served. But then again I’m sure sitting in the garden on a warm summer’s day with a sandwich & a drink of choice children would also enjoy themselves.
For more information or to book a table visit www.swansalford.co.uk