The Swan Inn

The food was the highlight for us. We tried the squash risotto and cheddar Ritebite to start, then shared the pork belly. The quality, presentation, and flavours were all impressive. Diana, the sommelier, was friendly and knowledgeable, and happily talked us through the dishes and pairing ideas. The wine list is small, but there are some good wines by the glass. From the outside, the Cygnet in Islip looks like an ordinary inn, but inside it feels cosy and welcoming, with an elegant atmosphere that isn’t stuffy. One small detail: the animal heads on the walls are carved from wood, not real, though most of them look that way. I wish there were more places like this closer to London.

We sat in the bar area, where you can watch the cooking, which was a different sort of setup. There’s a restaurant area as well. The tasting menu was exciting course by course, with excellent presentation and amazing flavours. The food was cooked really well, and they cater for both meat and vegetarian preferences. I was very happy with the meal and would come back.

Every dish was introduced clearly once we sat down, and the wine pairing was explained really well. The sample menu was lovely, so compliments to the chefs. The cocktails were delicious, and the serving staff were wonderful throughout. We had a fantastic evening at The Swan for my mother-in-law’s birthday, and from the moment I walked in, the team made everything easy. Even the plates and cutlery stood out as especially nice. Thanks to the team at Swan/Cygnet. I’m looking forward to coming back.

The Sunday roast left us bitterly disappointed this time. I came with a foodie friend, and we’d both been impressed on earlier visits. The chicken was dry and the portions were so large that, although we’d planned on three courses, we were too full for dessert. The knives were still blunt, despite having mentioned it before, and the mushroom butter for the bread tasted sweet. There was none of the finesse with flavours and textures we’d enjoyed when Paul was chef. I used to seek out wherever he was cooking, including 215 in Summertown and here. It’s a shame he’s moved on, though I wish him the best with his new adventure.