The Swan Inn, Olney

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Blackthorn _ left this review about The Swan Inn and Bistro

Despite describing itself as a “bar and bistro” this in fact a friendly and popular pub that seems to welcome drinkers just as much as diners. Located towards one end of Olney town centre, it has quite a “pubby” feel to it, and was fairly full on a recent mid week visit.

It’s divided in to three sections with the main room at the front being set up for a mixture of drinkers and eating. This has a cosy ambience with a low, mustard ceiling, a wooden beam or two as well as some wooden upright supports and some low wooden partitions to break up the space a little. There is a brick fire-place at one end, and various old prints on the walls. The part nearest the bar is largely open space with a just couple of tables in the window. To the right it’s more geared up for dining with the tables all laid up for food and quite tightly packed in.

A separate, wood panelled room off to the left is the main dining area, and this too looked pleasant enough with more pictures on the walls and another brick fireplace. At the rear of the pub is the main drinking area with wooden boards on the floor and some exposed stone walls. Many of the locals seemed to be gathered around the bar which served both the front and rear rooms. Beyond this is a good sized courtyard garden.

The food is a step up from your basic pub grub, and there was an extensive selection of a dozen or so dishes chalked up on boards in the bar. Vegetarians were well catered for with a separate board for them and there were also a couple of fish specials. Prices ranged from around £8 - £15 for a main course. My choice of Beef, Mushroom & Guinness Pie was a decent dish, and whilst not cheap at £10.95 I had no complaints for what I got. Puddings were slightly less successful, with a Toffee Apple Pie having rather soggy pastry but these were reasonably priced at £4.

Beers on tap were McMullen Country Bitter, Spitfire, London Pride, Young’s Bitter and Adnams Southwold. The solitary cider was Strongbow, unfortunately. All in all, this seems a decent pub and well worth a visit. They lose a point for a slightly disappointing pudding and poor cider choice, and whilst the barmaid was pleasant enough, the two ladies serving the food could have done with smiling occasionally.

On 3^rd July 2012 - rating: 7
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