It’s a comforting sort of place – built over original medieval foundations, the White Swan opened in the 18th century and is now a town centre pub, hotel and restaurant. They’ll certainly welcome you just coming for a drink but most folk were there to eat. There’s staff who are friendly and who keep a good eye on the tables to see if something needs to be done (and then do it). And a shortish menu of items that just sound “nice”. Nothing spectacular but comforting.
Bread was offered first – a couple of chunks of a decent foccacia. Starters were both OK. Salmon and smoked haddock fishcakes were hot, fishy and crispy but were disappointingly underflavoured. Thin slices of ox tongue were just underflavoured. Perked up by a couple of caperberries and a dot or two of sauce but they struggled to lift it. Not my best ever choice.
This is a small island with none of us living more than 70 miles from the coast. You’d think menus would be packed with seafood but, inland, you’re hard pushed to find anything but cod and seabass. Get a bit closer and your chances of finding something different increases. So we both ordered the dressed crab as a main course. It’s light and fresh and served with salad, a bowl of fries and a dish of homemamde mayo for dunking. Lovely and summery/
Strawberry and basil sorbet was an interesting idea – although the basil didn’t actually improve things. Treacle tart was as traditional as it gets. There’s a zingy blackcurrant compote cutting through the richness. And a blob of vanilla ice cream had been rolled in cornflake crumbs for a bit of crunch. We finished with very good espresso.
