BITE user comments - the_light_knight
Comments by the_light_knight
The Twickenham Tup, Twickenham
Gastro pub but a nice one. No longer the Twickenham Tup but back to the old name of The Royal Oak. Not normally my type of pub but have a pleasent night there last week. The food is simple but very well cooked. Dont expect anything like it has been in the past, much more up market now and the prices reflect that. Rugby days? Havent been in but heard that is a good crack. Would visit again.
19 Nov 2010 14:25
Its a shame the pub seems to be very light on trade as its a nice little pub, maybe its just too far off the main drag? Sunday lunches are good and very hospitable when the rugbys on. I pop in once in a while but there never seems to be much atmosphere. Good place to go for a quiet read of the paper.
19 Nov 2010 14:19
very child friendly with playground in the garden. food is ok, drink is ok, shows sport, nothing to write home about but serve a good pint with capable staff.
19 Nov 2010 14:17
Yep, 'pleasantly surprised'. Nothing to write home about but a nice place to go with a group for a few beers. I generally have a rule about pubs with doormen, but don't let the bouncers on the door put you off, they are very polite and good at their jobs. Bit chavy in the evening but not seen any bother.
(To TheGP, its an all bar one just rebranded)
25 Oct 2010 15:56
Gastro pub. Would only really go to eat. Good food, friendly staff, good beer. Mondays are a steal with almost all the menu half price, a beer and a nice big steak for less than a tenner.
22 Oct 2010 14:39
brilliant! pint + fight = �3 (getting bottled may cost extra)
22 Oct 2010 14:28
My type of pub, a proper old boozer of which are few and far between now sadly. This pub is the perfect example of what pub stands for - public house. The punters are from all ages, backgrounds, jobs and musical tastes which gives it a real local feel. If you were a drinker in the White Swan over the past few years and wonder where all the regulars are nowadays they are here. Live music every Thursday and every second Tuesday plus the Twickenham Jam session every Sunday night in the upstairs room. Staff are capable and more importantly very welcoming. Food is standard pub grub but done well and at a very reasonable price. I had a hot roast beef sandwich on fresh crusty bread with salad and real hand cut chips -�5!! Bargain. Heaving on rugby days and with a nice garden for the summer. The pub has been in decline the last few years and it was very sad to see the old guv Tom leave but glad to say that the trade and atmosphere has returned. I was told by one of the staff that it is closing for a restoration NOT a refurbishment and I do hope this is true as it would be a shame to see a lovely atmospheric pub lost to a corporate template. Only gripe is no Sky to watch the rugby on but hey hum, the Eel Pie shows the rugby and is practically next door.
19 Oct 2010 16:53
The most recent reviews hit the nail on the head. An amazing location over looking the eel pie boat yards but totally ruined by the obnoxious landlord and lady. I have tried to visit it a number of times over the years and have always felt that the landlord is going you a favour by serving you. I have given up trying and will not be returning until the horrible couple running it leave. Avoid!
18 Oct 2010 12:04
A great little pub although a little bright and clinical. Good regular trade and friendly staff. Service is good with a good selection of ales. One of the few proper pubs in the area still with Sky showing rugby. (other good rugby pubs have had to cancel the subscription because Murdoch is not rich enough so is charging �1500+ per month). Obviously very busy on match day but worth a visit.
18 Oct 2010 11:58
Great location right on the water front. Good fast service by capable staff, havent eaten here so cant comment on the food. Very busy in the summer but well worth a visit. A proper pub and one of the best in Richmond.
18 Oct 2010 11:45
Oh dear, its happened. Refub and ruined. All the soul of the place has gone, the new owners should have also changed the name to All-Bar-Swan as that is what it looks like. Another great old pub with massive character has been removed and replaced with a corporate template of nothingness. The service took a noticable decline with the leaving of a number of the old staff and is now run by 18 year olds. It must just be a coincidence that the service and atmosphere of the Fox in Church St has improved dramatically with the old Swan staff now there.
14 Jun 2010 10:57
A wonder old boozer although very pricey. A good 'pub' menu and well cooked, wide selection of real ales, friendly welcoming staff, great bbq's in the summer and roaring log fires in the winter. Well worth a visit just for the views alone.
Although having not been in for a couple of months was quite alarmed to hear that it has been bought and to see the staff in all black uniforms including pinnies (couldn't decide if they looked like waiters or ninjas) and I fear that it will become another soulless, corporate, gastro pub. The reason people frequent the White Swan is because it is none of these things and never has been.
7 Apr 2010 11:48
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The White Swan, Twickenham
Thought I'd give it another shot last week to see if the dust had settled after the change and sad to say it has and is much the worse for it. Had a good selection of ales but staff had no idea how to pour and no knowledge of them, that goes double for the wines. At the very least staff should know the difference between Cab Sav and Sav Blanc, even if its only the colour. I was also shocked at the prices, a small glass of wine cost more than the whole bottle, which can be bought at the local supermarket!!! The place was also empty, not a single face, local or staff that was recognizable from previous years which is very strange for such a small, locals pub. The thing that links almost all the previous reviews dating back to 2002 is how friendly the pub felt. Not any more. If the only thing going for it now is the location the new owners seem intent on ruining that as well with rotting, rusting BBQ's in the garden, covered by a filthy tent that looks like a tramps hat. I give it 1/10, and thats only with the hope that the river will come up and give the garden a good wash.
6 Dec 2010 14:12