Ye Olde Swan Inn, Thames Ditton

Been coming in this place since moving to TD in 2006 when it was easily the best pub in the area, it went into a mini decline about 3 years ago but i'm pleased to say that since the new LL, Mike, took over about 18 months ago Ye Olde Swan is now back, if not even better than before.
The beer is always well kept, especially the Abbots and the food consistently of a good standard. Service is very good and Mike is always attentive, taking the time to have a chat with the customers, whilst running a tight ship.

We had a party for our 1 year old there recently, which we intended to have outside, however, the weather beat us. We were accommodated, without any fuss whatsoever in the back room - needless to say we were looked after brilliantly...thanks to Ye Olde Swan

16 Jun 2011 20:59

The Albany, Thames Ditton

I live on the same road as this place but usually avoid it as I have had some indifferent experiences of it in the past. However, last Saturday, the 11th June, was a nice day so we decided to give it a try for a change. The place was unusually quiet for a weekend so we were able to sit outside facing the river. All the empty tables had food debris and/or plates and glasses on them, so we sat at what appeared to be one of the cleaner ones. I ordered the drinks, 1 pint of Peroni and a bottle of Vedett blond, which were both served in their proper glasses, I was impressed but at �7.75 I would expect nothing less. I also requested that someone come out and clear the table and give it a wipe down. Once back at our table I was aware of a minor dispute between a couple of customers and a man who I later realised was in-charge, it seemed that the manager could not confirm whether a bottle of fizz had been paid for or not and he was saying that it would come out of one of the young waitresses wages unless the customer could prove it had been paid for....this appeared to resolve it's self without further ado.
About 20 minutes after asking, one of the waitresses came over to clear and wipe the table, she looked inconvenienced by the ordeal she was being put through.
A trip to the Gents' further reinforced my assertion that the staff don't really give two hoots as to the state of the place, with a soap dispenser hanging off the wall and a general film of goo on the tops.... but at least the pornographic 'art' images are no longer adorning the walls.
In the off chance that someone connected with the Albany reads this I have a tip... could someone occasionally use a vacuum cleaner hose attachment to clear the filthy accumulation of assorted insects, spiders and other detritus that gathers under the parasols...unsightly and unhygienic.

Overall, I found the service slow, the staff not really interested and the manager a bit unprofessional. This place, whilst in a prime location, is totally complacent of it's surroundings and the fact that it is not really a locals' haunt but a place for transient customers who occasion the place and effectively keep it ticking over. Wake up The Albany.

16 Jun 2011 20:33

The Alexandra, Clapham

Ahh yes, the Alex a splendid establishment and a leading light in Clapham, Sunday afternoon supping, especially during the football season, and especially if you are a Liverpool fan. It never fails to amaze me how there are always so many Liverpool supporters compared to those of London teams when there is a Liverpool versus London team game going on. The place is always good to meet fellow, exilled Northerners, in a chav free environment.
The downside is the crap array of standard tap beers on offer, maybe the addition of Leffe blonde/brun would liven up the otherwise mediocre selection, although some might argue that it would attract identikit 'yuppy' types such as can be found elsewhere in the area. All in all well woth a lost Sunday afternoon.

16 Mar 2006 15:17