Situated on Twickenham’s underrated riverside, The White Swan offers idyllic views and tasty meals aplenty.
Unfortunately, like most occasions that I review a restaurant, the weather is atrocious and any chance of sitting on its famous balcony is scuppered by the downpour.
But no matter, the inside of this traditional, yet refined, pub seemed just as alluring and proved to be the perfect place to dry off.
I began with a bottle of Old Mout cider (apple and passionfruit), which got the taste buds nicely warmed up for my sticky honey mustard chipolatas.
I love a chipolata at the best of times, and these were as good as any before them, but I hit the sausage wall and thankfully my colleague and right-hand man George Odling was on hand to devour what was left.
My main was a delightful beer-battered haddock fillet with mushy peas and hand-cut chips – I know some say you cannot beat fish out of the newspaper but I think this was the exception.
Such was my enjoyment of this excellent fish dish, it left little time, and dare I say room, for dessert but I will leave you in with faithful words of Mr Odling to describe his version of events.
He said: “Feeling slightly worse for wear after a few ales the night before, I acted wholly out of character and actually ordered a vegetarian option in a pub.
“The goat’s cheese salad turned out to be an excellent choice.
“The goat’s cheese, warm and soft, was drizzled with enough balsamic vinegar so as to complement the taste rather than overpower it.
“Nestled on a bed of fresh beetroot salad with pine nuts, the goat’s cheese salad was the perfect light lunch, and the White Swan’s setting offered a wonderful view of the river.”
So there we have it.
Two excellent meals and two wholly satisfied Richmond and Twickenham Times reporters.
Visit whiteswantwickenham.co.uk.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here