The Black Swan in Ockham / Horsley

[anonymous-user]

[redacted]

[Revs_Addiction]

Used to go to it lots when it was more commonly known as The Mucky Duck, it was a bit of a bikers pub.

I was really surprised when I went and it had been turned into more of a gastro pub/restaurant. It seemed a bit cold and unwelcoming. Somewhere you'd go for a meal rather than a nice cosy few pints, which is a COMPLETE turnaround!

I couldn't complain about the service when we went, it was excellent, but I've heard quite a few people with similar experiences to yours...

[stain]

I was there recently on a few occasions. On one of them the bar staff were more concerned about flirting together and sorting out their social life. And the other was a very busy weekend so we thought we'd have the BBQ as it should be quick. It wasn't. Over 1.5 hrs for 2 burgers is not on and several around us sent theirs back as undercooked.

So yes I think standards have slipped but that often happen in the pub game a few years after a revamp.

Both the Ploughs in Cobham are still good and the Onslow is nice to pop in for a pint. Avoid the Swan as it is only a reduction in punters that will get their attention.

[CraigVmax]

yup thats cr@p, anyone can have an off day but its how you deal with it that counts.

I recently mailed a place we frequent a lot, also in surrey and didnt get a reply.

never had bad service at the black swan tbh

[smack]

I was planning to go there a few weeks ago, as over the last few years it had been quite good, but didn't make it. Actually, of the last 3 pub visits for a meal over the last month, all have been average to wouldn't bother going back.

Diz, have you been to the White Hart in Pirbright lately? I went there on Saturday afternoon with a mate, as he wanted a bit to eat in the middle of a big bike ride. Sun was out so it was busy, but not rammed. Ordered some drinks and a steak sandwich for him, and was told a 45-60 min wait. No problem. After 70 minutes mate goes in and asks at the bar what is the status with his food, and told it is coming right out, with no apology. 15 minutes later he asks the staff serving the food/cleaning outside the status on his food. She comes back and asks what he ordered, it will take 8 minutes! He has enough and goes in to cancel the order, comes back with a full refund. So got a free pint at least.
Everytime I have been there they are really on the ball, but not this time...

[13th]

The above can't be worse than our experience in a local restaurant (I bump into the owner ocassionaly, so can't name and shame) where we were the only patrons and I now know why!!!

After a pretty poor starter followed by a burger that I really didn't like our companion said to Mr 13th "well we will take that back for the dog" and wrapped it up in a napkin, placing it on the table, so no subtifuge....

The staff couldn't have heard his comment which wasn't rude (he grew up in the war, leave not want not etc) or could have taken issue about any presumed insult about taking it back for the dog. We hardly saw her ourselves despite being the only customers and certainly didn't hear our polite comments to each other wishing we could have our drinks and food. Be careful what you wish for!!!!

Anyhow when Ms "this job is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO WAY below me" came back to our table and turned to our dinner guest and said "would you like to take the chips with that too?" The look on our guests face was hilarious! Had I not been dying with embaressment. He usually takes us to Blubells and The Wharf both places you wouldn't leave a morsel.

Typically, this was my choice of venue and I will be having to live it down for a VERY VERY long time and still a very regular source of amusement at each dinner since.

[Vixpy1]

Is it a Pub/Restaurant or a proper Restaurant?

[13th]

Vixpy1 said:

Is it a Pub/Restaurant or a proper Restaurant?

It's a "restaurant" I feel awful for panning it esp as I know, in passing, the owner and he is doing his best to put together a fantastic watering/eating hole, casual, friendly, offering good quality food BUT he has to train his staff. ALL of them. Including the guy that checks his food quality; the burger I couldn't eat and assess the portions. We are hardly gluttons but the Sea Food Platter as a starter was abysmal.

Not a cheap evening either.

[Vixpy1]

Don't know of many restaurants round there tbh, Been to the half moon a couple of times recently and thought it was great.

[13th]

Vixpy1 said:

Don't know of many restaurants round there tbh, Been to the half moon a couple of times recently and thought it was great.

Oh I like the Half Moon too esp for lunch, if you want to go even better try the Brickmakers, really, really good for a long lazy lunch

[Vixpy1]

13th said:

Vixpy1 said:

Don't know of many restaurants round there tbh, Been to the half moon a couple of times recently and thought it was great.

Oh I like the Half Moon too esp for lunch, if you want to go even better try the Brickmakers, really, really good for a long lazy lunch

Eat in the brickmakers quite often as its the nearest pub to work, the barman is one of my customers too!

[smack]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Ah, yes that would be it, they did seem like clueless students. The times I have visited have been regular times of the year they have had staff and management that knew what they were doing, and the food has always been good.

[smack]

13th said:

Oh I like the Half Moon too esp for lunch, if you want to go even better try the Brickmakers, really, really good for a long lazy lunch

I like the Brickmakers, and everything I have eaten there has been rather good. Though last time I was there, about 4 weeks ago on a Saturday night, they were dead quiet, which was odd. They did serve a seafood salad (I did't order that!) new on the menu that was poorly thought out by the chef. But they took it off the bill, which was nice and I remember the pudding was massive, tasted great, and great value for how much they charged.

Might make an excuse to go there this weekend