I keep meaning to book The White Swan at Fence. Northcote rivalling cuisine apparently but at normal gastropub prices. Trouble is it's always booked up by the time I decide to go so maybe there is a message there.
Top review from the Gruniad too.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/feb/22/white-swan-restaurant-review-jay-rayner
Right well it was our anniversary last week so I attempted to book The White Swan for Thurs evening only to be informed that it was one of their 'Great British Menu' evenings. I was told that this was the last of a dozen such evenings and they were fully booked. Two minutes later the lady rang back to say that if it was only a table for two that they could squeeze us in. Now a set 4 course menu at £75 per head (£100 with a wine flight) seemed pricey and was an obvious (but totally forgivable) attempt to capitalise on Chef Tom Parker's appearance on the telly imo. I've no problem with that btw as I did watch the show when he was on, but the cost was higher than for the normal evening menu of course. Er indoors thought it was to pricey but what the hell the kids have flown the nest (btw my lad went to School with Tom I understand), mortgage repayments just history and with the clock running down .... bugger it, we'll go!
I'm so glad we did! A 'Wimbledon' themed menu which imo is just unnecessary and something twee for the telly but which contestants have to go along with. Anyway each course was absolutely superb, so well cooked and so full of flavour and so complementary to the other courses. I'm not one to be over gushy in praise of such but this is deserved in this case. The selected wines complemented each dish perfectly and the coffee was to die for (mental note to self... phone and ask em what beans they use). Only one change that I would make would be to ditch the oyster in favour of an extra langoustine or similar on the 2nd course. But then I would say that as oysters are not really my cup of tea. Suffice to say £200 of an evening and I considered it good value! Money well spent even. Which may I say is completely out of character from my normal..... '"200 quid!!! ???? "I couldn't eat that much in a bloody week' response to such suggestions.
Just as an aside the premises themselves were well decorated according to the character of the building and spotlessly clean. last but not least it seems much effort must go into staff training as every person there was friendly, helpful, well versed and eager to please. If they had actually owned the place I don't believe they could have worked harder and served any better. Top marks for the White Swan for that. It's just attention to detail that so many other establishments fail to recognise.
http://www.whiteswanatfence.co.uk/great-british-menu/
*If you want I think you'll be able to watch the GBM on iPlayer or some such catch up channel. Winner on the night was the scouse chef from the Marram Gras on Anglesey which I am booked into dine with a party of chums in October.
** final point re: the 200 quid evening. I saw an old aquaintance from way back who came over for a chat. Says he dines there a lot and fancied the GBM evening. But then he'd be able to... worked his entire life in the Town Hall and retired years ago. Pensioned up to the gills and all on the back of the private sector tax payer! Gav you'd like this place.
