The Swan — Restaurant in Tonbridge and Malling

The service was good. However, the food was quite disappointing. Bread was cold, humus lacks of character, Parma ham was just standard. The starter: squid was lovely, but the Chinese style beef (deep fried - beef doesn’t feel fresh) and bang bang chicken was extremely disappointing. The main: fish was very fresh, but the cooking was just normal, skin was not crispy. Other main dishes lamb chop and sirloin beef: both lack of character. The sides were just OK (both cabbage and cauliflower were over burnt, mushroom taste super bland). The pudding: I could not find anything in the desert menu captures my eye. My husband ordered chocolate torte, the texture was very hard, made it really difficult to cut. My husband and I had a try, then never touched it again. I am really surprised that the restaurant was listed on Michelin guide. Toilet was quite off the standard. The menu seems boring - really struggled to find anything that I want to eat. I am not sure if it is because of the change of menu. The pictures from previous reviews look attempting. However, was not in the menu on the day.

Edited: friend got food poisoning after the dinner.

Justifications for the two stars: the service was warm; do understand this is a challenging time for restaurants:

I moved into Kent about 10 years ago. There were quite a wealth of restaurants the Barns at Rainham, the Topes at Rochester, the Hengist at Aylesford, later on discovered Fish on the Green near Leeds castle. I used to go to these restaurants on a weekly basis. Quite often, they are fully booked and I was kindly given an alternative option: the Swan. That was the first time that I heard about this restaurant, and it was about 10 years ago. Unfortunately, I did not go at that time was because of practical reasons, but the name was deeply embedded in my brain, expecting the same sort of high standard.

Just move back to London, an escape to Kent led me to the Swan. However, I have walked out of the restaurant last week with heavy heart. Remind me of a quote “Cry, Forgive, Learn, Move on”.

Maybe in general, it turns to be a challenge to run restaurants like this. The Barns, Topes are both gone. Hengist has changed into a more casual gastropub. The quality of food never matches itself again after Pandemic. The menu seems to aim for a lower price, but less focus on quality. The only place that stands the standard is Fish on the Green, although extremely difficult to get a table of.

For the same price, one would get much higher standard of food in london. Just a pity why these can not...

We have been here twice now once for a friends birthday and last night for our 21st anniversary dinner.

I must say on both occasions we were blown away by the food service and surroundings.

The first visit we were seated in the marquee area which is beautifully decorated and very cosy (I hope this becomes a permanent feature).

On our first visit I was envious of my partners Barnsley lamb chop which was not only huge but was cooked to perfection 👌

So for our second visit there was no doubt in my mind as to what I was having for main, we were initially seated inside the main dining area near the bar and whilst this was lovely we did really want to go and experience the marquee dining again as it was such a lovely atmosphere and the decorations lighting etc was really lovely.

We asked to be moved and was promptly obliged by the kind and courteous staff, now for the food....

Well as I said there was only one option in my mind but was almost swayed by the lamb special presented by one of your wonderful members of staff Kieron who was looking after us, we both decided on the Barnsley chops but I was really taken by the truffle mash being offered as a side with the special.

Kieron swiftly arranged for that to be added as a side with my Chop as well as the lovely broccoli I had last time as a side, the food arrived and it looked amazing 🤩 the whole meal was stunning beautifully cooked and exactly what we asked for.

Kieron helped me select a bourbon 🥃 as I couldn’t see any on the menu that I recognised and my partner had a strawberry fields cocktail which was amazing but as it was served in a small s champagne flute could have been a little bigger we was expect maybe a margarita style glass but heyho it was a small issue that didn’t warrant correcting.

My partner had homemade ice cream for desert which she said was lovely and I had Eton mess which was beautiful.

The whole experience was added to by the lounge singer who myself and my partner thoroughly enjoyed and thought she was a wonderful addition to the dining area.

We will be coming again and would highly recommend the swan to anyone, our anniversary meal couldn’t have been better and we thank the staff and Kieron in particular for the experience.

Thank...

Feedback on Recent Visit - Overpriced Non-Alcoholic Wine

I am writing to share my recent experience at your pub, which, for the most part, was quite delightful. The food, service, and ambiance were exceptional, and I have always held your establishment in high regard.

However, I would like to bring to your attention a matter that left me somewhat taken aback. On the 18th of January, my companions and I enjoyed a delightful lunch at your pub. As a non-drinker, I opted for a bottle of non-alcoholic sparkling wine, which paired wonderfully with the meal. The service, especially from the manager, was exemplary.

The reason for my concern arose when we received the bill and noticed that the non-alcoholic sparkling wine was listed at £35.00. To my surprise, this was the same price as the Prosecco offered. I understand the importance of pricing in the catering industry, but given that there is no alcohol tax on non-alcoholic beverages and the retail price for the brand you serve is £12.99, I couldn’t help but find this markup quite steep.

I want to emphasize that the manager handled the situation admirably, and I appreciate their professionalism in addressing our concerns.

After conducting some research, it appears that such pricing practices are not uncommon in the catering trade. As a customer who values your pub and its offerings, I felt it was important to share my perspective. While I understand the need for profitability, I believe that a more reasonable pricing structure for non-alcoholic options would be appreciated by patrons like myself.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my feedback. I look forward to continuing my patronage at your pub and hope that this concern can be addressed for the benefit of both your customers and your business.

Best...