Helen Browning's Royal Oak

The Harrow Inn

➤ High Street, SN4 0AE, Swindon, United Kingdom

Speisekarte • Pub • Steak • British • Vegetarian

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"Oh dear, this didn 't go well at all. I had high expectations given the previous reviews. I used to eat here but hadn 't been for years due to changes in ownership. Our starters were pleasant (I had cheese chunks and only had 2, which was a little disappointing, whilst my friend had fried shrimp and had about 6). Her main was the duck breast, and I had steak. This was when it started to go wrong! The food was lukewarm (tepid, even). I didn 't feel inclined to complain as it just lovely to be out with my friend. When I enquired about her duck, she said it was a very strange texture, so I tried it ... it was like eating mushy pate. It had no substance or solidity at all. At this point I had been eating around the outside of my steak, saving the middle bit as this is my favourite. Unfortunately, when I got to it, I found that it, too, was mushy. The waitress had told us when I ordered medium rare that it was not available as the steak was put in a water bath beforehand to make it tender and so medium was the only option. I believe that she was referring to sous vide , and when meat is overcooked by this method, it does become mushy. The waiter did relay our comments to the chef, and we did find that the charges for the meat had been removed from the bill. We still paid for our two potato side dishes which we hadn 't eaten because there hadn 't been anything to accompany them, but never mind. We tried to order coffee the waiter didn 't know if they served decaf (turns out they do). I asked for a floater coffee but he didn 't know what that was so I said that if they didn 't do floater coffee, I would just have a coffee with cream. He came back to say that they don 't have cream. I asked for Earl Grey tea, which they do have. I was then served Breakfast tea. They did then change it for Earl Grey. In the end, my friend and I had an enjoyable evening out, and laughed at the events of the evening. But, to be honest, I think it is highly unlikely we will go back because part of the pleasure of a meal out is to actually eat and enjoy the food, which didn 't happen on this occasion."

New Calley Arms

➤ 2 Ham Road, Swindon, United Kingdom

Speisekarte • Steak • Tapas • Cheese • British

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"This evening I dropped by the New Calley. Being a bit peckish after a long hard day I asked the staff (Jess John I believe) what they would recommend. I was led to a newish addition to the menu, a kebab. When this arrived...it was no van in a layby swished into a pitta bread, but a colourful vertically hanging skewer laden with large chunks of chicken interspersed with sweet pepper red onion. This was all grilled with a spicy coating and served with a peppery salad, Cole slaw fries, washed down with a really refreshing pint of White Horse Best Bitter. To Jess, John and all the staff at the Pub a great big thank you and certainly one very happy and sated diner. I'll be back for more."

The Burj

➤ Foxhill, Swindon I-, United Kingdom

Speisekarte • Asian • Balti • Vegan • Indian

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"One of the best BIR I've ever been to. Food and service was top quality and a fully booked house on a Friday says it all. Recommend the lamb adraki had a nice subtle kick but also full with flavour. Cod tikka as a starter was sublime Service: Dine in Meal type: Dinner"

The Cross Keys

➤ 5 Burycroft,SN4 0AP, United Kingdom, Swindon

Speisekarte • Steak • Pizza • Cakes • British

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"I have visited The Cross Keys many times in the past and so was really happy that it was open again, but sadly do not where to start with our experience last night. Service was slow, staff didn’t seem to have a clue what was going on. When I asked about the Specials Board I was told that the specials were sold out, despite the board being almost the first thing we saw when we entered the pub. We were then told there was no lasagne but when we ordered it turned out there were no pies either or soprano burgers. I ordered a chicken burger on a normal burger bun and not a brioche as advertised and the food quite frankly looked like it had been dropped onto the plate from a great height. The staff got our drinks confused and then when we asked for the dessert menu, took so long coming back to us that we just got up, paid the bill and left. I’ve read other reviews on here and noted Management comments and I would just like to say that there wasn’t any sign of management on a Saturday night and the floor appeared to be being run by very nice, but slightly disinterested teenagers. I have been in hospitality for over 20 years (maybe this makes me slightly more critical) and actually did a management stint at The Cross Keys a long time ago so would just like to say to the (new) owners that some staff training would be a great idea and clean glasses would be even better! It was very disappointing all round."

The Brewers Arms

➤ High Street, Swindon, United Kingdom, SN4 0AE

Speisekarte • Meat • Steak • Salads • Cheese

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"We were not sure what to expect it looked like an old pub from the outside plenty of tables outside and no real indication as to the entrance there was a front door and a side door so with trepidation we entered the front door (I suppose that would have been logical). Once inside it was massive and most tables were full (it was 7pm on a Saturday). All nicely spaced, it was warm and comfortable looking and we we were shown to our seats. A couple of beers ordered and then what to have questions asked and answered honestly about portion size (i couldnt work out whether to have chips) and honest and accurate in the answer. We started with a Greek Sharing platter salad, olives, feta cheese, halloumi and dips and as i told the waitress the best houmous i have ever had. Nice Sourdough bread too. For mains my wife had Scampi and chips (massive chunky ones). I opted for the Hungarian Beef Hotpot (Gulasch) and no chips as it came with bread (3 slices would have been nice but 2 were enough) and this was excellent second only to one i had in Austria in 1984. After a lovely 2 courses, it started to get busier and you had to get the waitresses attention not that in anyway we were ignored and nor was it difficult or a long time to get served but, we ordered desert nice choice of proper puddings! My wife opted for tiramisu and i had warm apple and cinnamon cake with custard. Overall the food was great, the service was excellent and the place was great we will certainly come back. Thanks everyone for making such an enjoyable evening. M!chael Tracy"