The White Swan, Birmingham

Landlord and Doom Bar clipped on the two pulls during my midweek evening visit. I went or the Landlord (a beer I consider to be somewhat overrated), but it later transpired that the Doom Bar was end of barrel and was taken off. I was staying for food and this is where the White Swan excels, with a decent menu that's not just full of the same old pub classics. The food was excellent, as was the friendly service. Just to put Mr Coombs' comment into context (see previous review) the Landlord set me back £6.15 a pint! Not somewhere I can see me coming back to just for a drink, but no regrets with regard to the food.

Nice-looking old building, much extended at the rear, but comprehensively refurbished so there is no real character left inside, even in the original part. The interior has also been partly opened-out, but there are still three distinct seating areas around the bar at the front in addition to the main dining areas further back. Outside, there is also a narrow terrace along the frontage and a small patio at the back. Disappointingly, just Doom Bar (£4.05) available from the pair of handpumps.