Review by Lesley Jones on 11th March, 2011

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We have been to the Swan at lunchtime again today and it was excellent as usual. 4 of us oldies go there for a lunchtime cavery every 2 or 3 weeks for the last 18 months and we always enjoy the experience. The food is very good and good value and the staff friendly and helpful. They do not mind if we sit for a while after the meal to have a rest and a talk. We love it and look forward to it.

Date visited: 11th March 2011

Review by Geraldine McLoughlin on 18th May, 2010

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I tried to book at this inn but there was something wrong with the web page. I telephoned them explaining but was told by a schoolgirl that she could not help me, I should phone later. I phoned later but had the same response. I phoned again and the person took my phone number to phone back. They never did. I turned up on the 15th after having driven for 4 hours to be told they were full even though a vacancy sign was outside. They were very unhelpful and I will never visit again. I will also never recommend this inn to any of my family, friends, business colleagues or suppliers. AT no time was I allowed to speak to someone in charge!!!!!!!!!!!!

Date visited: 15th May 2010

Review by Dean on 23rd February, 2010

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We Had a voucher, which was great value for money, the food was of a high standard, the service excellent and we shall make it a regular thing on eating there .. we usually go for a carvery on a sunday which is great, the best veg around - but the al la carte menu was great too, would go even without the offers, glad we are in their dining club because the newsletter they sound have new offers all the time - best meal out we have had in a long time!!

Date visited: 2nd Feb 2010

Review by pauline on 12th January, 2010

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We visited the swan at forton having not dined there for several years. Admittedly we had 4 for the price of 2 main course vouchers, and I am glad we did. My husband went for ribeye steak £14.95, which was cooked as he asked, but only came with half a mushroom, half a tomato and 6 chips! I chose sea bass fillets £14.95, which were about 5mm thick and came in a pleasant tasting sauce that was meant to be prawn and muscle based. My children have caught bigger shrimps in rock pools, than their prawns, and there was 2 small muscles, and came with only 3 new potatoes and no vegetables included. My children went for the salmon and prawn fishcakes with chips, salad and coleslaw., priced at £9.95. These were without doubt the better value meals. To say that you were left hungry is very true, however, on a positive note, the food itself was good, just not enough of it for the price! We will not be rushing back there in a hurry.

Date visited: 11.01.2010

Review by Irene Gray on 13th November, 2008

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I visited this restaurant on Saturday 8 November with a party of 14 to celebrate my friend's 75th birthday and I cannot express too highly how delighted we all were with the food and service.The food was superb and the staff were excellent and very attentive. The starters were served very quickly after we all arrived and we did not have to wait for our main courses which, when they arrived, were very hot and delicious. It was lovely to have perfectly cooked fresh vegetables All in all, we were all of the opinion that the evening was a great success and I would have no hesitation in recommending The Swan to other diners. In fact, we are going to arrange to visit the pub before Xmas for a lunch.

Date visited: 8 November 2008

Review by nick on 6th November, 2008

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we love the swan - we would be truly lost without it

Review by V Smith on 4th November, 2008

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I had recenly submitted a review which was not too favourable due to an experience at the Swan, Forton on the above date. However, I would now like to make it known that following a conversation with the Manager, the situation has now been rectified to my complete satisfaction. The Manager was a perfect gentleman and very professional, and whilst not making any excuses, he explained in detail why I had experienced the problems/dissatisfaction on the 19th October.2008. I completely accept his explanantion and would have no hesitation in visiting the establishment again. I would further add that a relative of mine has been visiting this restaurant every Sunday for some time now, and has nothing but praise for the food and the staff. Thank you. V Smith

Date visited: 19th October 2008

Review by Smith on 20th October, 2008

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We visited the Swan on the above date to celebrate a 70th Birthday party but were very disappointed. Even though the restaurant wasnt busy We were shown to a dark corner of a 'secondary' restaurant with only a couple of other tables occupied and felt very 'apart' from the atmosphere of the main restaurant which had several empty tables. The starters eventually came.....soup was only luke warm and the prawns for the prawn cocktail hadnt been completely thawed out. The carvery was a mix of good and not so good......stuffing balls were so hard and over cooked that they couldnt be cut...roast potatoes were very pale and looked as though they hadnt been roasted, certainly not brown and crisp, and the cauliflower and peas were barely warm. But worse was to come.....3 of our party opted for rice pudding.... when it arrived it was a thick stodgy mess and we refused to east, requesting the item be taken off the bill. When I complained further I was told it is difficult to make a good rice pudding! and on top of that, the dishes from our starters were not all cleared away and we had to put them at the end of our table to make room for the main course and the sweets arrived without any cutlery. When we required more drinks, we waited a very long time before I had to go in search of a 'waitress who sometime later rbought them to us but had managed to get 2 of the drinks wrong. Not an experience we really wanted for a special occasion and needless to say we wont be recommending the Swan at Forton to anyone.==

Date visited: Sun.19/20/08

Review by Jean Hogg on 31st July, 2008

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Visiting the area and feeling hungry my son and I stopped at the The Swan at Forton.We were welcomed warmly by the Manager a fellow Geordie who made us feel right at home. It was a warm evening so we opted for a table in the conservatory. For starters I chose the Salmon and Dill Fishcake while my son settled on the Chicken skewers both were delicious. For the main course our choice was Sirloin Steak and the 12 ounce Lamb chop both were cooked just as we ordered. It was pleasing to have fresh vegetables and proper chips not the frozen tasteless ones so many serve nowadays. Unfortunately we both had no room left for deserts so we finished off with a coffee.Before we left we purchased some local Honey and Marmalade from their gift shop. If I am in the area again I will definately go back.

Date visited: 10 th July 2008

Review by sandra robson on 24th July, 2008

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Our friends asked us to have a meal with them on the above date. Our reservation was for 7.30pm and we arrived at 7.20pm. There were 5 in the party, 3 ordered starters but my husband and I only wanted the main course. After approx. 35 mins. we asked whether we would be served soon and if not I would like a coffee as by that time I was feeling ill due to the lack of food. When the waitress said it would be very soon I cancelled the coffee, but it turned up anyhow just before my main course! Two ordered pie which had to be sent back because it was only luke warm and when it returned my husband had less chips on his plate. They were described as chips but were really wedges! Only one dish of vegetables arrived so we had to ask for more! Overall it was a bad experience.After complaining to the manageress, in a very polite manner, I would have thought there would have been at least a small reduction on the bill, but alas no. Therefore we will not visit again and definitely NOT recommend to friends (only enemies)!! S & N Robson,S. Curto, P.Cordle and M.Mc Greavy.

Date visited: 18/7/08

Review by James Morgan on 3rd April, 2008

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Having never been before, but pasing it every day on the way into work, I was looking forward to a nice evening out. My general opinion is that it was a good night out - it wasn't excellent and I would rate the evening 6/10. Some comments: Ambience and decor: Excellent Quality of food: Good (Chefs homemade pate was like something I have never seen before, it was quite runny (like brick laying mortar) and quite tasteless!). However main courses were good. We had to chase up the new potatoes which were included with the main meal but not originally brought to the table. Service: Fair (Considering how few people were eating in the restaurant, the service was inpersonal and quite rushed. I struggled to understand a work the waiter said (I assume English was his first language). However the young lady who served us later on was much better. Overall: The evening was good, but it wasn't anything exceptional. Generlly let down by the service. On the whole the prices were fair for what we got, but we were in and out in just over an hour and considering we had starter/main course and sweet, this gives an indication o how rushed we were!

Date visited: 02/04/2008

Review by Sandra Davies on 10th September, 2007

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Our room had not been cleaned correctly. I found a snail in the entrance way to our room on the wall nearly at the ceiling. There was also somebodies dirty handkerchief on the floor at the side of the bedside cabinet. The breakfast room still had food on the floor from the night before. Generally I found the place to be in need of some TLC e.g worn carpets etc.

Date visited: 08.09.07

Review by diane turner on 28th May, 2007

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The carvery needs more attention. I found that the gravy, sauces and vegetables needed replenishing. Always the same roasts - beef, turkey and pork. The turkey looked reformed. Why not try lamb and chicken as an alternative. The waiting on was good. Beautiful building - comfortable, relaxed interior.

Date visited: 27th may 2007

Review by Carol on 20th September, 2006

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A friend of mine recommended the Swan at Forton to me. I only live 8 miles away but have never been. Above the door is a sign and it says "Somewhere Different". I think that sums it up quite nicely! They have a grand piano that an accomplished pianist plays and a very quaint wine and gift shop. Perfect because we were meeting friends and I'd forgotten to get her a birthday present! The service was excellent and the food was absolutely beautiful! The menu offered some very imaginative meals and there was a great choice. I had the duck which was cooked to perfection and my husband had the fish pie. I would recommend the Swan at Forton to anyone who wants a competitively priced meal in a relaxed atmosphere...oh and its non-smoking which makes it even better!!

Date visited: 16th September 2006

Review by Rick on 5th September, 2006

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I was upset to read the previous review after visiting the Swan at Forton that very day and also having the Telegraph offer. I had never been to the Swan, yet this establishment offered such a friendly atmpsohere and wonderful service. My wife had Caribbean Pork and I choose a Beef and Horseradish pie, we both thoroughly enjoy our meals which was packed full of flavour and even had room for puds. I would have to disagree with David and we would certainly reccomend this to our friends. We will be back!!

Date visited: 30th August

Review by Edward on 16th December, 2005

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We visited the Swan for a Chrismas meal and once we entered the restaurant were filled with high hopes. There was a great atmosphere created after the refurbishment. Unfortunately the food did not match our expectations. We found the starters bland and the Christmas Carvery was very disappointing. The Swan has all of the right ingredients to make something good happen but needs to improve the quality of food.

Date visited: 14th December 2005

Review by Kevin on 4th September, 2005

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Well where do we start. Possibly the best meal out we have ever had. This place ticks all the boxes... Great Atmosphere, fab food, Brilliant staff, It's relaxing - I could go on you know! It's just been renovated by a London DJ. I think he works for Heart fm and does some tv work. He totally has the magic touch when it comes to this kind of thing. Will visit again and again!!

Date visited: August 2005