The Swan Reviews Summary

Food Quality

Pros:

• "The dinner was amazing, I chose the Signature Burger and it was the best burger I have ever had!"
• "Lovely place I had a festive lunch and it was delicious.....staff were very attentive and chatty ....I would definitely recommend this place."
• "Came for dinner with friends after a long day hiking the wall, really nice staff and delicious food."
• "Mid week meal out, food was lovely and we sent back 2 empty plates. Quiet, comfortable atmosphere and good service."
• "We tried the sausage & mash and the hunter's chicken and omg they were amazing! So delicious and flavourful, highly recommend!"
• "Sunday dinner is always delicious! Highly recommended!"
• "Absolutely beautiful Sunday lunch, roast trio includes beef pork loin and turkey, stuffing wrapped in bacon with fresh yorkies and tasty roasties and fresh veg."

Cons:

• "However the Wagyu burger looked as though it had been cooked well done then put back in the oven for another 15 mins just to make sure it was completely dead, shouldn't really be crunchy shame."
• "Food was very poor. Tiny amount of mash with small dried dumpling. Carrots were dried and wrinkly."
• "Food was cold, yorkshire flat, meat dry - small portion on the meat front too for a trio deal, only came with pork and beef."
• "The meal taken as a whole was bland, nothing outstanding, all in all a disappointment for the £15 price."
• "Food is substandard and expensive."
• "The 'ruffled beef dripping roast potatoes' were neither ruffled nor roasted."
• "The food though wasn't great, 2 roast beef and a kids pizza, chips and peas. Adult meals was cold."

Service

Pros:

• "Service was good and food was of reasonable standard."
• "I left my phone tonight on the table, rang up and one of the managers kindly dropped my phone off for me in Throckley. Been going to the Swan for years and always found the staff kind and helpful."
• "Accommodating to our vegan needs, made an effort to trace vegan wine for myself and my fiancé."
• "Been my local for years, they have really tried and gone above and beyond since the pandemic, staff are always lovely."
• "Thank you for such a delicious roast dinner!! My daughter has coeliac but the staff, particularly Callum, went above and beyond to make everything stress-free and safe."
• "Staff checked after our lunch was served that our meal was satisfactory."
• "Kate and Simone were really attentive, great servers, and really friendly."

Cons:

• "Food was lukewarm, service was terrible my mum didn't get any parsnips or pigs in blankets when the rest of us did not a patch on other vintage Inns and begrudge paying £180 for Christmas lunch for that!"
• "The serving staff were also poor as they made a number of mistakes, bringing out dishes which were wrong despite us clearly explaining the order to them."
• "Very slow service. Food all looked and tasted microwaved."
• "The service was very slow and poor."
• "Food good and plentiful, but slow service, especially when trying to pay! Waited a full 5 minutes despite asking staff member if someone could take payment."
• "Service was poor. Spilt coffee, tried to take dessert plates while people were still eating it."
• "Service is VERY SLOW: we waited 30 minutes for our order."

Ambience & Location

Pros:

• "The beer garden was beautiful and the views were insane."
• "Lovely cosy bar that allows dogs in at the rear part of the bar area. Serves really nice food & a good selection of alcoholic beverages."
• "Absolutely beautiful place."
• "Lovely pub, great service and lovely waitress."
• "Lovely evening meal at The Swan. Gorgeous location, nice, spacious interior and friendly, kind staff."
• "Nice place and lovely location... views are fantastic!"
• "Set in a beautiful, tiny village, the building was clean, warm & inviting."

Cons:

• "The meal taken as a whole was bland, nothing outstanding, all in all a disappointment for the £15 price."
• "The irritating thing was the exact same meal was on the lunch menu for a third cheaper."
• "Popped in for Sunday lunch, the fact that the pub was almost empty at 1pm on a Sunday should have been a red flag."
• "Open for Sunday dinner. Yup that’s the highlight.... Otherwise a very average pub. Average / slightly weird food, slow service."
• "The atmosphere in the bar was uncomfortable - cold and silent."
• "Stopped by after checking out the local Hadrians wall segment. Not great."
• "The pub is set in a very small village with beautiful scenery from the car park."

Value

Pros:

• "If the check had amounted to twice as much, it would still have been a great value."
• "This pub, has to be in the good food guide, if not why not? I've never ever, tasted a carvery like it, and I've sampled some good carvery!!!! This one surpasses everything."
• "Food: fills the stomach and the heart. They taste as if made with sincerity and love."
• "The food was very tasty and good value."
• "Every visit the staff have been incredibly friendly, helpful and excellent."
• "Lovely large pub with a local feel, extensive food menu with lots of specials only 10 mins outside of Newcastle."
• "Wonderful friendly staff who made us really welcome."

Cons:

• "Food is substandard and expensive."
• "Had Sunday lunch the drinks glass was dirty no mash on Sunday lunch small potions the bar was sticky and its really expensive for the service we received I am disappointed will never visit this place again not even for a drink of water."
• "Could do with some steak knives and was a bit pricey £15.25, marvellous view's though."
• "Food is substandard and expensive. A Toby Carvery would offer food with as good, or better quality at a much more affordable price."
• "For the price paid we were looking forward to a special experience, what we received was unacceptable standard of food and service."
• "Poor value for money, could not recommend."
• "The prices are also very high, far higher than I would expect."