Swan — Restaurant in Basingstoke and Deane

Had Sunday lunch today, last minute get together with my sister after reading such good reviews. We arrive and are asked to wait at the bar whilst a table is cleaned for us. This was no issue, we didn’t book and weren’t sure there would even be room for us. After about 20 minutes, we were seated, but not given any menus. After another 10 minutes or so, a waitress finally walks past and we ask for menus and she seemed shocked that we didn’t already have them. Our orders were taken promptly but this was the only speedy part of our experience. Our starters took at least half an hour to arrive. In this time, a table next to us that ordered 10 minutes after us, already had their food. When the starters did arrive, they only bought out my sisters, but they did say they’d ask for the mains to be prepped right away as our kids were getting bored and hungry. 10 minutes my starter finally appeared. Starters were finished, still no sign of the kids food or our mains. I guess I’m glad they did tell the chef to prep them earlier because if they hadn’t, we might still be waiting now. In the end, our mains took around half hour to arrive, and it wasn’t even worth the wait. Tiny portions and no gravy. My sister asked for some extra gravy (we hadn’t learned from experience yet) and that was another 10 minute wait before my sister got up to go and find someone and ask again. I asked for some mint sauce but was told they don’t have it….glad they were prepared for the Sunday Roast Crowd. Our kids meals were okay, decent size and looked edible, although my niece said her meatballs were not nice at all (and there was hardly any sauce for her pasta). By this point I just wanted to leave. The kids were bored, food wasn’t amazing and I’d finished my drink (no one ever once asked if we’d like more drinks). However my sister wanted pudding and a coffee. I’m sure you’ll be completely unsurprised to learn that this was not a quick ordeal either, so when they bought the coffee out, I asked that when they bring the pudding, to bring the card machine also so we could have a chance at paying for our meal before a new day started. Overall, massively disappointed after reading such good reviews. We arrived around 2.30pm and didn’t leave until just after 5pm, for just two starters, two mains and two kids meals. In summary; Waiting staff were not particularly attentive, and certainly in no rush to get anything you had requested anyway, food portions were tiny and not that tasty, but I will say it was resonantly priced. I’ve worked the service industry and try to be a lot more understanding, but today’s experience was...

Absolutely abysmal service. Went here on 08/04 for my Nan's birthday. First hiccup was being told everything on the menu was available, when in reality it wasn't- sister asked for three different things, and finally got lucky!

Waited a good 40 minutes for a starter that was overdone- no one checked in on us but we were too hungry to comment. Then had to wait another 35 minutes for our mains, but only once I asked a waiter to chase the kitchen.

The meal itself was pretty disappointing. I had a burger, but asked to swap the bun for a salad, but keep the fries. I was given a burger, a limp salad and some coleslaw. Takes the biscuit a bit when you're asked to pay the same price for much less. My sister ordered the salmon and vegetables, which came with 'serving of new potatoes.' Not even joking she was given half a new potato. The salmon itself was really really bland, and the vegetables were just boiled and slimy.

To be fair, a waitress did come ask us how our meal was mid way, but it was incredibly clear that she really didn't care either way. Absolutely no effort to interact in conversation, or look like she wanted to be there. At this point we were all so hangry we realised complaining would just delay things further.

Once finished, we then had to wait a further 25 minutes for our plates to be cleared and ignoring the fact my sister's meal was virtually untouched. We were then asked if we wanted the desert menu. My dad said yes, however the waitress (third one at this point) decided to then go to another table and clear plates/ clean other tables instead.

Once it became clear that dessert wasnt an option, I then went to find someone to ask for the bill, and then had to prompt them to get a card reader too. At this point, a waiter came to ask if we had any empty glasses (all our glasses were empty- work it out yourself. Also, we're just about to leave?!).

In fairness, I didn't complain on the day as I was just done. I had spent 2 hours 10 minutes in the restaurant to leave still hungry and incredibly hacked off. I would have complained to a member of staff, but it was very clear that no one really gave a fig. I wouldn't of minded if it was a busy day, but it really wasn't.

To summarise, if the menu was accurate, if my order was taken down correctly, if the food arrived within 20 minutes and the staff cracked a smile, the experience would have been okay but a bit overpriced. Sorry to say I won't be coming back...

Friendly, welcoming and looks amazing from the surface, waiting staff were brilliant then it all changed...

Overall the worst experience I have had in a very long time!

When we arrived at 6pm, the table was not ready so waited in the bar, only 1 person serving so waited an unreasonable time to get drinks by which time our table was laid.

We ordered food at approx 6.45pm, bear in mind just 3 adult and 2 childrens main meals, no starters or fancy platters.

We eventually received our food at 7.50 pm by which time the kids were grumpy, tired and not hungry.

Well what can I say, eventually when the food did arrive, I have never seen such a mess. I ordered a mixed grill with a 6oz RUMP steak cooked blue with a side of grilled, flat garlic butter mushrooms in a creamy garlic sauce and jacket potatoe.

My steak was NOT a rump more like a cheap frying steak, cooked well done and non edible. I asked 3 times for butter for my JP, did not get this, I returned my steak to only get what looked like the same one warmed up so even more over cooked. After 15 minutes, I asked for my side of mushrooms, it appeared after another 10 minutes...picture this...2 flat mushrooms, slimey and shrivelled in a dish, no garlic butter or GF bread as described on the menu, a curdled jug of what looked like the dregs of the creamy sauce thick with a dried on skin! Definitely not grilled more pan fried or microwaved. Also no grilled tomatoe 😪

Next came my Daughters cheesy tomatoe pizza that was a Chicago Town pizza with NO cheese present and microwaved to an inch of its life. The base was like cardboard and the so called tomatoe base was inedible, the chips were bland, oven cooked and tasteless!

Out of the 5 meals, possibly 1 was ok, not hot or cooked to temperature but atleast 1 of us did eat!

The waitresses were apologetic, obviously embarrassed about the wait and standard of the food.

We were advised on leaving that the manager had forgotten to inform the kitchen of a large pre order that took priority so we ended up with being a second thought with what appeared to be the scraps of the kitchen!

Absolute mess of an experience and having travelled over 3 hours to visit family, we definitely wont be returning.

Lesson learned, always read...