please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Poor service and hugely expensive. Avoid.
|
Up and down, service has been known to be slow. The food is generally acceptable at a heavy price, the beer however is very good.
|
Shocking service as all the reviews here will tell you. Used to be a very good pub when first done but all this is now is a showboating gastro pub where Surrey wives can gloat over a ridiculously priced glass of wine. We went there last week after numerous visits, had a one course meal which took over an hour to arrive. We were ignored by staff throughout, not asked if we wanted drinks, when we askeed for drinks they were forgotten, dessert menus we had to ask for and when delivered we were ignored for 20 minutes. The waiter during service took 25 minutes to clear our plates away, and when doing so proceeded to kick a knife he had dropped on the floor around the dining room like it was a football. This place needs to sort it's service out big time. I emailed them about this, and never heard a sausage back. Bitterly, bitterly disappointing.
|
Often go the the Black Swan and have taken various groups of friends to eat and share the history of the place. Food can best be described as variable, sometimes very good and sometimes shocking. Staff are also a bit hit and miss, from smiles and prompt service to giving you the feeling that you are a damned inconvenience and getting in their way as they endevour to run a 'classy' venue. The wine by the glass is truly shocking in quality, they need to have words with their Vintner. The beer is often in very poor condidtion and if you do draw their attention to this you get the 'tastes ok to me' speech, I've been doing this beer drinking for years and I think I know what it is supposed to taste like by now. Overall, great location, super expensive place for the rich to chow down, oh and I have it on very good authority that the ladies are an absolute disgrace.
|
Had to wait 5 minutes to get served (I'd have walked out except I was meeting someone here). And I was the only person at the bar apart from two off-duty staff members who already had drinks.
The service is usually bad, but somehow it seems to be getting worse. If it wasn't for the food, it wouldn't be worth going at all
|
This used to be a good pub. If you ever get to see The Battle Of Britain film, this was the pub including the interiors (well, some of them)
As the Mucky Duck it was a proper pub. As others have mentioned, it's now just a money-making, vast, table-filled, not-even-gastro-pub.
I called in there 3 days ago. 4 staff, 6 other punters (sitting at tables with drinks) and me. Seven minutes before I got asked what I wanted. Really seven minutes because I'd checked the time on my phone as I parked.
There was a bloke wandering about who said he'd get someone (which he did) but hey, one person at the bar, 4 bar staff? Come on!
The food is good, though, but on my last visit (and it will be my last) overpriced. My rib-eye steak was very thin (1/4 inch-ish) and so I can understand that the chef had a real problem getting it medium-rare but at �23.95 I really expected something better than I got.
|
Jug of Pimms, pint of T.E.A., pint of lager, small coke.
�26.00
They can Foxtrot Oscar.
PubMessenger has it 'bang-on'.
R.I.P. The Mucky Duck.
|
Dropped in for a pint and some sort of bar food in yesterday's lovely weather. You can't just walk into the bar, got directed to a table and told someone would be with me to take drinks order. No-one turned up in ten minutes despite a reminder. Left for The Plough, Cobham. Much better!
|
Shere Drop (�3.60), Pilgrim Templar, TEA and Doom Bar. Mental with kids on a Sunday afternoon. Ok for sitting outside now it has stopped raining. Mostly restaurant inside although there is a small bar area.
|
Not really a pub, just a rather pretentious restaurant. Food very expensive, even sandwiches were over �9. At least the Doombar was in fine condition.
|
Yes it's a bit pricey, yes it's more of an eating place than a traditional pub but it's a lovely place to enjoy on sunny afternoons and evenings as well as cold winter days. It's great they serve local Surrey beers and for me a good selection of wines.
Plenty of parking space, shame they don't run a taxi'ing service back and forth from the High Street so i didn't have to drive!
If it's this landlord who has supported The Plough as well - good on them for recognising what other great pubs we are lucky enough to have in our area.
|
Four ales on pump in this cavernous, stripped down country pub (Regatta, Hogsback HBB, tea and Atlantic IPA). I rather liked the new, marble topped bar. They appear to have pulled out anything else that is in keeping with a traditional style pub. They had a barbeque menu on the Saturday afternoon I turned up and nothing cost less than �11.95. The cheapest starter was the soup at �4.95. It happened to be honey parsnip and celeriac, a combination made in the bowels of hell for, I would imagine, 40% of people. I plumped for a �9.95 Ploughman's lunch. This was nice and had a hunk of cheese that would alone have cost about �2.50 in a supermarket. There appears to be something of a French theme, even awarding the toilets the title of 'Salle De Bain' rather than a Thomas Crapper. Fair enough, they have nice round basins and taps that you are entrusted to actually turn off yourself rather than push-button ones. It was �4.40 for a half of Regatta and a pint of orange juice and lemonade. There is a large range of seating in the huge garden area from wooden benches welded to a pagoda (presumably to prevent nighttime thefts?) to beanbags (???!). Sitting outside gave me the chance to read the following sign, which I reproduce in its' entirety:
'Be courteous to others. No leathers. No singlets or bare chests. Dogs on lead. Think smart, think sharp'
Hmmm. A deliberate attempt to keep bikers out? Why? I don't recall ever being in a pub and seeing a group of bikers get smashed and trash the place, though I suppose it has... Overall, not a bad place, better than the accumulated low rating suggests, but ludicrously expensive for pub food. You could pay the same for a meal in a Michelin starred pub in Bray.
|
Pretty decent, lots of seating, too expensive for eating.
|
average modern interior filled gastro pub. over priced food and fills a little cold on the inside. 6/10
|
Right, it seems that the schizophrenia of this place will never be resolved - is it a pub? Is it a gastropub? Is it a restaurant? Ultimately anyone's review of this place will be subjective & will be centred around what they think a drinking establishment's purpose should be.
A number of people seem to be hankering for the days when the 'Mucky Duck'/Black Swan served a good 49er, but if local whisperings about former landlords are anything to go by then it is probably for the better. The fact is that country pubs based purely on drinking are declining so Geronimo have saved it by buying it up & doing it up. Hence, the pricing will be like Geronimo pubs (largely London-esque) and also to 'suit' the stockbroker-belt visitors that live in the area.
That said, Geronimo do good city pubs well, NOT country pubs. Its refurbishment of this place is out of sorts with what a countryside eating establishment should be and is the worse for it - the beer is good, the food is OK but the atmosphere is bland. It will always be busy as it's inoffensive and the area is sparse with good pubs. So while I'm glad the Black Swan was saved I am sad that it has been ruined in the process
|
Having been in a few times in the last few months I was surprised to find so many bad reviews of the place on here. Sure the food is quite pricey but it's rural surrey, what do you expect and every time I've been the quality of food has been very high. Basically I see it as a restaurant with nice beers and a nice laid back atmosphere rather than a pub. But there is a nice bar area and space outside if you just fancy a drink, it's not used as much for this because it is hard to access without a car.
As for the staff, service for me has always been fantastic especially on a sunday lunch when the place is absolutely rammed but you are still looked after efficiently but affectionately.
|
It is a shame when a landmark pub loses all its character however as far as �gastropubs� go this one is okay. It is well run and comfortable enough and I enjoyed an excellent pint of well kept Shere Drop. They have an enticing menu and the food is well presented. I am not convinced however that you get good value for money.
|
Looked like a pub from the outside - it was only after entering that it turned out to be a rather crowded restaurant. It has Aspalls cider, but at �3.55/pt.
Bad sign that virtually every customer seems to come in from the car park and the front gate was hanging on its hinges looking almost disused.
|
Went here last night. I remember it from the old days when it was the pub they used to film An American Werewolf in London (the interior scenes in the 'pub on the moors'). Obviously it's had a gastropub makeover so is really a restaurant rather than a pub now. It seemed comfortable and clean. HOWEVER, the food was nowhere near good enough to merit the prices - i had two starters rarher than a starter and main, and the starters were �8 and �9 respectively. Most of the mains were around �16. My partners duck was overdone and not worth the �16. Unlike the Stephen Langton (my favourite food pub in Surrey) you don't get offered free bread and butter. The real ale (Doom Bar) was well kept. My starters were nice (scallops wrapped in pancetta on a bed of samphire with hollandaise sauce, followed by black pudding topped with herb potato mash and poached egg), but 3 scallops is stingy - should have been four.
The worst part was that threee separate items that we hadn't had, had been added to our bill. At no point did anyone deem this deserving of an apology, and the attitude was somewhere between 'oh ok we believe you' and 'alright then we'll let you off' which is disgusting when you've cocked up. Service was also inconsistent and forgetful - bread arrived without butter, and when we asked for butter and a second drink, neither arrived until the waitress was reminded. Good, not excellent food (starters better than main, nice desert) but DEFINITELY OVERPRICED compared to other superior surrey dining pubs.
|
Visited today - and you get flustered by people trying to make you grab a seat and order as quick as possible but dont expect fast service. It has turned into a money making place rather than a relaxed pub so on that basis not great. On the plus side the food is pretty good but basically a restaurant and not a pub.
|
Been a couple of times in its current incarnation - food is variable between good and great - , service was fine , nowt exceptional but OK (Saturday night ). Beer, now I used to go to the old 'Mucky Duck' and the beer was mostly fantastic, Ringwood Old Thumper and 49er. Didn't really see the real ale and plumped for Star .
Its more a restaurant now, but not a terrible one , maybe a little inconsistent.
|
i visited the black swan recently and was not impressed at all. yes i will mention the price - i dont mind paying over the odds for great food, well served in a nice warm friendly atmosphere - but alas this was not. food not much to talk about, quite nice but not worth the �18 i paid for the main course of fish, service was slow and not particularly friendly.
as for the gentlemans previous comment about getting his ale poured straight from the cask it was probably because the lines may not have been cleaned ! i was not offered this option !
overall, for a pub that apparently has spent �1 million on refurbishment a quite average experience
|
Like others, I remember the Black Swan when it was a traditional pub - in my early beer drinking years it was reknowned for selling Theakston's Old Peculiar on handpump. The current version is totally different and has to be assessed as such. I have been for a meal on three occassions in the last six months, and all have been very good, although the usual Surrey gripe about prices applies. They sell well-kept ales, with a reasonable selection. If you are looking for a good "local" type pub for drinking in, this is probably not for you. If you are looking for somewhere for a good meal with the added bonus , for example, of being asked if you would like your pint of Shere Drop poured straight from the cask (as happened to me), then I would suggest you give this a try and make up your own mind. I would recommend it as a very good eating place for people who like the option of a good pint with their meal
|
Unfortunately I never knew the previous incarnation but it's obvious upon crossing the threshold that an atrocity of monstrous proportions has occurred. If you can blank that from your mind and repress the urge to turn tail and look for somewhere resembling a pub you will discover a reasonable selection of beers including some Belgian bottles and currently a wide range of ciders. Both Doom Bar and Shere Drop in fine fettle this afternoon.
Once you've got what you want your chances of finding a seat inside are pretty thin as it's nearly all laid up for eating so best to go outside to use some of the daftest garden furniture I've ever come across.
It was surprisingly empty for a Bank Holiday Sunday afternoon. I suspect that the gastropub joke is wearing a bit thin these days, even in fabulously wealthy recession-immune areas like this, and that the pubcos will have to dream up some other dastardly scheme to torment us with.
|
Good for beer. Good for cider at the moment as well. Food is pretty good, if a little expensive, but thats the way it goes these days.
|
this is a lovely pub had a great meal great service would definitely go back
|
Very good except for the confused/not overly efficient bar staff. Otherwise they have got it right here.
Seant - 28 Apr 2008 20:41 |
well i use to go to the duck every wednesday for over 5 years, lovely english pub with heritage .what a shame dont intend to eat there just relish on the past and find another pub
|
Dropped in for Sunday lunch yesterday whilst visiting family in the area. Food was okay, though way overpriced for what it was. Beer the same - �6.75 for a Guinness and Staropramen seemed a bit much to a northern lad like me. Lovely setting, pub area is nice too
|
I used to go to this pub in it's previous guise as the 'Mucky Duck'. All that old world originality has been swept away as have the customers. I called by there recently and on entering I thought I'd passed straight through to Terminal 4 departure lounge. Nice load of wood with the odd nook and cranny but anonymous and bland is all I can say. I'm sure it will be a financial success as the prices commanded are a performance in themselves though all character and local charm has gone. Not a pub any more by any stretch of the imagination � another gastro outlet for porkers and rollers (not just the cars).
|
As always, people will shout when they have something to complain about, and not necessarily when everything is good. I came on here looking for the opinion of this pub after spending two nights in a row at this new-found local of mine, and I can say my experience was very different to those below.
I went to the Black Swan last Wednesday with a couple of friends. They had already eaten, so treated themselves to two desserts, whilst I ordered the roast chicken. The meal was fantastic, served quickly within 10-15 minutes and the chicken was the most tender, succulent chicken I've had in a long time. The two desserts were incredible - I think one was a Chocolate Fudge Sundae, the other a Sticky Toffee pudding. I definately heartily recommend the Sundae!! But both are to die for!
I enjoyed the evening so much, I returned the next evening with a couple of other friends - in fact I think we sat opposite the poster below, since I did see a couple who were complaining about how thoroughly their chicken had been cooked. I do sympathise with them, as no one wants to pay good money for food which isn't cooked to standard, but we all ate that same night without any problems. I had the rump steak, which was cooked to perfection (I asked for a medium-rare). I am fussy about my steaks, and I don't often order steaks in a pub anymore, as they tend to be tough, dried out affairs (anyone wanting a REALLY good steak - try the Gaucho Grille in Sloane Street, Kensington!), but it was pretty good. My friend had the chicken on my recommendation from the night before, and again, had no problems with the cooking.
Overall the service and food I have experienced so far has been fantastic. And the setting is great - and the decor is nicely modern and contemporary whilst still retaining a homely feel at the same time, not to mention the great outdoor area.
I'd driven past the pub before, but was inspired to try it out after reading another glowing report by Clifford from the dine-online website. Check out his review on his website if you want to see what this pub can offer, from an experienced foodie!
Finally, the pub was packed both nights (well, for a mid-week night it was very busy). They were also fully booked for Sunday lunch, so make a booking if you plan to head there on a sunny weekend.
|
Dinner last night was an overpriced shambles! I and one of my friends had chicken and chips for an outrageous �13...chicken was raw in the middle, chips were cold and the plate so hot that the rocket was glued to it! The staff are friendly and it's not their fault what emerges from the kitchen. Good selection of beer and the interior has been well refurbished but was it worth transforming the lovely old 'Mucky Duck' into this pretentious and soulless place?
|
Hopeless. Pub first tried to put us off through incompetence and then, when that failed, tried to poison us! Ordered simple burger got beef brisket, sent that back and got correct burger but completely raw in the middle. Sent back again. By this time partner had finished their meal and was ready to go home. Eventually got correct cooked burger but served with original accompanying chips, roll etc which were by this time stone cold. How we laughed!! Maybe some of the money spent on refurb could have gone on training competent staff.
|
Gave the place a visit for first time since refurbishment. It has definitely changed. It is much more like a restaurant than a pub now. They still a decent range of beers but the seating places for just drinking is now limited.
Mostly staffed with people waiting to take orders for food. The food menu is very expensive, so not worth eating on a regular basis unless you can afford it. Attracts a lot of visitors for some reason.. Its a bit out of the way so rather suprising. If you are looking for pub food and a put atmosphere this place isnt worth it.
|
I remember going to this pub years ago and noting some local saying the "flip flops" had arrived early. I presume this was a dig at non-locals using the pub.
Happily things have changed and the Black Swan is a modern comfortable pub serving great food. The decor is tasteful, the beers are good and the clientele respectable.
A lot of refurbishment has been undertaken and the pub is unrecognisable from the "Slaughtered Lamb" days.
|
I used to goto this pub on sunny evenings in the summer and on christmas day for dinner. Today I decided to see the refurbishment and have a traditional sunday lunch. I tried booking but the phone went straight to the answer phone for 30 mins before I decided to take the 30 mins drive as I never needed to book before. To my disgust they have killed the local country feel to the place and made it into a yuppie snobbie over-priced dive. I was told when I got there they were fully booked and if i could find a table in the (tiny) bar area I could eat. The waitress was rude and all the cutomers would off never of visited the pub before the refit. There is also now no kiddie play area. RIP The muddy duck. I certainly will not be going back.
|
Update from my entry on 15/09/06.
I disliked the pub then. I hate it now. It has however been hugely entertaining taking people here who knew the Mucky Duck of old and are horrified as to what has happened. The interior decor is a complete disaster, the price of beer and food astronomical and the staff both ignorant and obsequious at the same time.
Oh dear.
|
I have been coming to this pub for 13 years, since I was 16, It is cleaner since the refurb and the beer is better and the food is better. However it just does not feel like a pub any more. It feels like a trendy wine bar. In fact on seeing it for the first time, post refurb, I was surprised to remember that it had never been a bank.
Nice now, but not the same at all. England needs proper pubs, not more restaurants.
|
It is not a local pub for local people as Geronimo state on their website. I have heard that the London set will be frequenting the place in the near future, So inflated prices will now be the norm, expensive food that is nothing to rave about, a good range of beers but again expensive. I think as Geronimo Inns other pubs are all based in London, there has been no thought about the local people in their new venture in Ockham. Will be used by the gin and jag set and London people NOT A LOCAL PUB. What a shame that the mucky duck has turned into this.
|
Whilst this pub is no longer serving the widest range of ale in Surrey...it is serving very high quality, consistent ales which are always in peak condition due to the fact the tubs are probably changed every other day.
The food is pricey but well worth it in quality terms.
The management all seem very friendly on the half dozen times I have visited and despite the "gastro" feel it is still very relaxed.
If you want oldy woldy then go to the Hautboy or any other country pub in the area....if you want modern, good food and consistent ale...go here.
|
It's true that the Black Swan is now clean (antiseptic), airy (characterless), has real ales,(4 instead of 14), bar snacks (�9.50 for sausage and mash)and a restaurant (75% of the floor area)but it's also clear that it is now a trendy wine bar going after the Cobham yuppie market.
The old cosy if ramshackle country boozer with a beer selection that made it a destination pub and the best BLT for miles has been vandalised beyond redemption. And the 'lovely garden' is a post nuclear modernist desert with disgusting black reconstituted stone furniture, the back end of which, where the playground used to be currently bears more than a passing resemblance to Passchendaele obviously in preparation for more Chelsea Tractor parking.
Awful.
RIP The Mucky Duck
|
I agree largely with fellwalker and bumpsfelt, but I suppose it depends what you look for in a pub.
If you like your pubs like most gastro pub/bars in and around London, then the new look Muck Duck may well appeal to you. The interior has been completely gutted and refurbished, and is clean and modern. Went in Saturday night just gone - very busy and full of mainly diners.
I had a pint of Ringwood Old Thumper, which I thought was good. Also being served were Shere Drop, Adnams and Bass, as well as the usual lagers and Guinness. Can't comment on the food as I didn't try it, however I did note that they were not serving from the bar menu - you could only order from the restaurant. I don't know why.
Enough of being objective: for my taste the refurbished Black Swan is not a patch on it's previous incarnation. Sure the old Duck needed a bit of cleaning up and a lick of paint, but it didn't need all the cosiness ripped out of it as has been done. In a choice between the old slightly grotty Muck Duck and the new bistro style Black Swan I'd take the former every time.
|
Apologies! Reference (on 28.9.06) to Timothy Taylor Landlord should have read Ringwood Old Thumper (was confusing this place with Olive Tree at Sutton Green!)OT is a fantastic beer but, unfortunately, served here at far too cold a temperature for bitter, so full taste not achieved.
|
If you want to see an example of 21st century vandalism, go no further than this pub! It must have cost hundreds of thousands to desecrate this place!Formerly affectionately known as the "Mucky Duck" it was the epitome of an English country pub, which made it an ideal location for several films, tv programmes such as Inspector Morse etc. Gone now is the bank of at least a dozen real-ale handpumps, the atmospheric pagoda-style sitting area at the front of the pub, and the variety of fascinating and friendly "locals". Also the door-step bacon sarnies!
It is now a loud, brash, brightly lit wine bar-style place frequented by thrusting, upwardly-mobile chinless wonders who enjoy being overcharged for unidentifiable cuisine, and who couldn't tell a pint of Old Peculier from a pint of Perrier. Only redeeming feature...they do serve Timothy Taylor Landlord!
Far better to continue along the road to The Plough at Effingham!
|
I think that bumpsfelt might have gone to the wrong pub. The Black Swan is now clean, airy, has real ales, great lagers, bar snacks as well as a restaurant menu. There are big sofas, real fires for the winter and a lovely garden - that's almost finished! All of the attributes of a proper pub and more.....
anonymous - 26 Sep 2006 16:55 |
Reopened yesterday. It must have cost millions - all of them wasted.
It used to be a grotty old pub but is now a grotty new pub with everthing set up to frighten pub goers.It is hard to see to whom it will appeal. I do not think that it will ever have regulars. The decor is terrible. The prices unconscionable. The lack of carpet and curtains causes booming which makes conversation unpleasant. Not a place for a relaxing night out.
It is my prophesy that the new owners will lose their shirts.
|
Currently receiving a (much needed) renovation - think it might be reopening later in September 2006.
|
"Beware the moon lads - and stick to the roads..."
No sign of a pentangle on the wall these days, but plenty of beers to keep you happy.
|
This pub also featured in Inspector Morse as the setting for a pub in Oxford. Why a pub in Oxford and not in Cobham we will never know!
A must for the real ale fan as it offers an impressive range. Atmosphere is warm as well. The only bad thing about this pub is that it's difficult to get to without a car
Will2 - 26 Mar 2006 19:44 |
IS a great pub if you're after a real fire, excellent choice in ales, no-frills grub, large childrens play area and a place to run the dog - can't think of a better place for a Sunday afternoon!
The landlord knows his stuff when it comes to ales and is keen to get in unusal and scrummy guest ales to suit all tastes, as often as possible.
|
Used to be a great pub. Popular with bikers. Went recently only to find that it's close to derelict. Heard a rumour that the owner was doing time at Her Majesty's. Twas a Sunday lunchtime and there was no food on offer apart from a Hund n Zweibel van in the car park. Garden was overgrown and in need of serious attention. A bit like the pub.
|
Smashing pub, boasting a huge variety of well kept beer. The large garden is family friendly with a play area for children, and great for bringing your dog after a long walk in the countryside. I must concur with the comment about the food though, it is institutional (sometimes inedible), but the food shouldn�t detract from the overall excellence of this pub.
|
located in a nice country area. Plenty of gangsters do tend to hand around but if you can ignore that its nice - outside seats are best. There is even an old football pitch just near.
|
It's the pub featured in the film "An American Werewolf In London"
|
Great for real ale. I wouldn't recommend the food though. Sometimes have bands on a Sunday evening which make for a lively end to the weekend!
Andy - 12 Jan 2004 16:17 |
Good real ale pub - 18 beers!
Olly - 1 Dec 2003 13:27 |
