Eating
A fresh start at The Swan, Salford
The Swan at Salford has reopened its doors after being given a bright, new look and an all-new menu of delicious things to eat and drink, making it the place to be for great times, whatever the occasion.
The popular village gastropub has had a complete transformation, with a vibrant new design and colour palette, a chic new bar and a gorgeous eatery creating a wealth of interesting spaces to meet, eat, drink and socialise. Its glorious garden has also been given a fresh look for summer, with plenty of comfortable spots for lingering over a plate of something delicious to eat with a glass or two of something chilled.
Everything on the new menu is cooked fresh using the best quality, ethically sourced ingredients from top suppliers, carefully selected by the pub’s chefs. Steaks and free-range chickens are from Aubrey Allen, butcher to the Royal household.
The pub’s free-range pork is Jimmy Butler’s, fish from Brixham arrives daily from the day boats that caught it and every scoop of ice cream is from artisan producers Salcombe Dairy. Prepared with skill and care, every plate is as good as the last.
Rigatoni Pasta, Peas, Leeks, Mint & Gran Moravia – Everything on the new menu is cooked fresh using the best quality
A fresh start at The Swan, Salford. Sweetcorn & Halloumi Fritters, Guacamole & Tomato Salsa – Everything on the new menu is cooked fresh using the best quality.
Lobster Mac ‘n’ Cheese, Mixed Leaf Salad – A fresh start at The Swan, Salford
All of this good stuff can be enjoyed anywhere in the new-look Swan. Inside, the bar has taken on a modern feel, with bar-height tables and stools in bold patterned reds and oranges, soft grey walls with accents of teal and a striking geometric black and white tiled floor. The back bar is sleeker, with dark brushed steel racking softened by leafy print wallpaper showing some of the pub’s good wines and spirits to good effect.
Deep banks of upholstered seats in rich velvet, linen and leather, dotted with jewel-coloured cushions, create a layered look in the eatery, with different textures and fabrics oozing warmth and style. On the walls are floating shelves filled with quirky prints, plates and bowls. The whole space is beautifully lit, with cut glass shades and uplighters creating the perfect ambience.
Mindful of the planet, the pub has been careful to re-use and restore wherever it can, giving all its existing chairs and tables a renewed lease of life with fresh upholstery and a lick of paint. All of these pieces were built to last by The Swan’s expert Rochdale-based furniture supplier, so with their new appearance, it will be easy to fall in love with them all over again.
Peer through the picture window into the kitchen and watch the chefs busy at work preparing the new through-the-day menu which features a wide choice of sharing plates, salads, mains and desserts. With everything made fresh from scratch, there’s lots to share, graze on or tuck into, whether it’s drinks and nibbles with friends, an after-work gathering or a celebration dinner.
Pick a sharing plate and enjoy creamy Petit Lucques Olives, perfect with a glass of bubbles before dinner, or a selection of mouth-watering Dorset salami. There’s also Foccacia Romana with air-dried ham, rocket and pesto and a Vegetarian Board with spinach pakoras and mint yoghurt, buffalo cauliflower and chipotle with roasted peppers, courgette and feta salad.
Lobster Mac ‘n’ Cheese, Mixed Leaf Salad – A fresh start at The Swan, Salford
For an informal bite, enjoy a free-range chicken Milanese with garlic, sage and lemon with skinny fries or green salad; a rich duck Ragù with egg pappardelle and crispy duck crumb or an indulgent lobster mac n cheese with a mixed leaf salad.
New for summer 2019 is a range of classic Neapolitan stonebaked pizzas, made with artisan sourdough for the base, fantastic quality Italian tomatoes and soft Fior De Latte Mozzarella. Choose from a simple but delicious Margherita, a flavoursome Giardiniera with artichokes, mushrooms, red onion and black olives or a spicy Caldo with Nduja, Dorset salami and Roquito red peppers.
To celebrate the pub’s new look, The Swan has launched some really amazing offers making it better than ever before to try it out, starting with the chance to dine at the pub and enjoy £20 off your bill any time before 1st August1. To enjoy this great offer, go to the website to sign up at www.swansalford.co.uk/sign-up/.
There are lots of other reasons to stop by and see the pub’s new look, including a tempting two for one pizza offer every Monday to Thursday from 3pm to 7pm; 25% off all food (except pizza) on Mondays to Thursdays from 5pm to 7pm and a super value Weekday Fixed Price Lunch with two courses for £13.75 or three for £16.50, Monday to Friday from 12pm to 6pm.
At the bar, there are Two for One Grand Gins all day on Thursdays and Prosecco for £15 a bottle all day on Fridays, the ideal way to start the weekend. Pop in early and there’s also £1 off the price of a pint of beer or a glass of wine or fizz, any Monday to Friday from 5pm to 7pm.
Find out more and sign up for the latest news by visiting www.swansalford.co.uk/
“We are thrilled with our new look and can’t wait to share it with our guests, both those who know us already and those yet to try us out,” says The Swan’s general manager Lianne Sargent. “The pub’s bright, fresh and full of personality, with superb food and drink that are perfect whether you want to raise a glass with us on a Friday night, pop in for a pizza or book for a special dinner. Join us, whatever the occasion, and share some great company over a glass or two or a bite to eat. Make sure you find a reason to stop by and say hello soon,” she says.
The Swan’s only a short drive from Milton Keynes and just one mile from junction 13 of the M1. The Swan, 2 Wavendon Road, Salford, Milton Keynes, MK17 8BD Tel: 01908 281008. www.swansalford.co.uk Opening hours are from 10am -11pm on Monday to Thursday, from 10am to midnight on Friday and Saturday and from 10am to 11pm on Sunday.
On 5th November, the newly opened Barrio venue will launch its bingo brunch concept, La Isla Bonita 80s Brunch, in Watford. Translating to ‘The beautiful island’, La Isla Bonita Brunch aims to recreate that perfect tropical holiday feeling, with food and cocktails galore, bingo mayhem and 80s music all afternoon-long.
Already a popular party experience at Barrio Shoreditch, the 80s themed musical brunch is scheduled to run every Saturday from 12pm, and will include a two-course brunch, welcome cocktail and a variety of bottomless drinks (prosecco, spiced rum sangria and Sol beer).
Once guests have finished tucking into a menu of delicious burgers, including Queso Libre as a vegetarian option and Saint and Sinner as the vegan burger plus Barrio Churros, the musical bingo commences, brought to life by a captivating host and nostalgic 80s tunes by Barrio’s best DJs. Brunch goers can expect witty bingo calls, group singalongs and impromptu tableside performances. Prizes for winning the brunch also include a very tasty £100 bar tab.
For £35 per person, over-21s can enjoy 90 minutes of bottomless drinks and then eat, bingo and party until 5pm.
Those interested can book the first La Isla Bonita 80s Brunch at Barrio Watford for a special launch price of £25 (valid for 5th and 12th Nov brunch dates).
More about Barrio Watford
On 20th October 2022, Barrio Familia opened its first out-of-London venue in Watford, bringing Latin-inspired cocktails, authentic Mexican eats, a killer happy hour offering, live entertainment and DJs, plus an immersive 80s Bingo Bottomless Brunch.
Following the announcement of the group’s flagship site, and world’s largest tequila bar, in Covent Garden which is set to launch in early November, Barrio Familia has opened Watford’s first Tequila bar this month.
Bringing the spirit of the Latin Quarter into Watford, the new venue will have space for up to 200 guests to enjoy a brand new, freshly crafted cocktail menu, delicious Mexican inspired food creations, including their signature tacos, and famous Latino party vibes.
The outside terrace is also being turned into Barrio’s popular tropical yard, offering the perfect space for another 80 guests to gather with like-minded ‘amigos’ and sip cocktails, enjoy a meal and experience a fiesta like never before.
Barrio Familia was acquired by Nightcap in November 2021 and has since gone from strength to strength. New venues; Barrio Watford and Barrio Covent Garden will add to their growing portfolio of sites in Shoreditch, Soho, Angel, and Brixton. After opening the first Barrio site in 2007, the group’s vision was to have a Barrio in every big party neighborhood in the UK and Watford will play a huge role in that exciting expansion.
Each of the Barrio Bars sites offer a full-colour, full-flavour experience, and of course, plenty of Tequila. The group plans to open seven days a week and be the perfect new spot in Watford for all occasions, from lunches and daytime drinks to brunches and late night partying.
Jim Robertson, Managing Director of Barrio Familia, commented:
“We are incredibly excited to be taking our Latino party outside of London for the first time. This is a fantastic venue and we can’t wait to welcome the residents of Watford into the Barrio familia and bring the party! I believe Barrio will be a fantastic addition to Watford High Street that will suit all types of occasions and bring a feel good bar that welcomes everyone. We have some amazing things planned for Barrio Watford, so watch this space and get ready for the biggest fiesta in town!”
‘All about the community’, The Almere prides themselves on making living easy for their residents. With residents set to move this month, the exciting new community boasts co-working, communal and event spaces within the building.
The ground floor ‘Gathering Place’ is bookable to the local community and to residents, whilst upstairs on the 11th floor sits an amenity space for residents, where part will be for co-working, roof terraces to hang out, barbeques and yoga classes. Additionally, there will also be a fitted kitchen and dining area which can be closed off for a private dining experience.
The Almere Neighbourhood Hero initiative
With community at its heart, The Almere aims to build relationships and work collaboratively with local businesses to guide residents to the best spots and products in town. The Almere’s new Neighbourhood Hero initiative has handpicked local, and predominantly independent businesses to connect residents with the true value of living in Milton Keynes, highlighting all that there is to offer.
With the recent COVID-19 pandemic having had such an impact on small, independent businesses it’s key to get people back out there and supporting locally. The Neighbourhood Hero initiative is a fantastic example of this, helping businesses to thrive and regain their position within the economy. Current Heroes include Bogota Coffee Co; DeRoka; Fuuudgelife; Suds; Sweat Studios; Doorstep Cocktails; Mollys Pantry; Pup Club; Headonist Hair and Beauty; and Moxy Hotel.
Benefits of the Almere led scheme include:
- Feature on The Almere website, with regular spotlights and tags on social media channels
- Exposure to over 600+ residents, and the ability to send offers and deals to them, without incurring any marketing costs
- Welcomed as a core part of the community, allowing the businesses to use the communal spaces to hold pop-up events for residents and the local community
- Include collateral in the ‘move in packs’ for new residents, for free
- Invited to all community events at The Almere, and work together on collaborative event activations
Community Manager, Holly Birmingham explains, “Community is so important to us at The Almere – it is all about meaningful connections both within our own four walls and the wider neighbourhood. At The Almere, we aren’t just a building, we are a new community in the heart of Milton Keynes. We want to support the brilliant local businesses around us, create lasting relationships and of course, show our residents the best our town has to offer.”
The new scheme offers an exciting experience for local businesses to work on an exclusive basis with the upcoming, Milton Keynes hotspot, offer discounts to residents and in turn help show the rest of the UK what Milton Keynes has to offer!
About The Almere
A pioneering new rental community for Milton Keynes, The Almere, is a collection of 294 rental apartments built across two buildings with neighbourhood and outstanding service experience at its core.
St Albans Comedy Garden presented by heycar is set to light up Verulamium Park this summer with a magnificent series of open-air shows from 27-31st July!
Starring legendary BAFTA and Perrier Award winner DYLAN MORAN, the guv’nor himself AL MURRAY, multi-award winning SARA PASCOE, the Last Leg’s ROSIE JONES, Father Ted star ARDAL O’HANLON, lo-fi hero DAVID O’DOHERTY and many more huge names performing at this year’s astounding set of open-air shows.
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- Father Ted star ARDAL O’HANLON
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- The guv’nor himself AL MURRAY
St Albans Comedy Garden line-up
Stand-up favourites are out in force too with cult poet / comic TIM KEY, German Comedy Ambassador HENNING WEHN, observational master ED BYRNE, Afterlife star KERRY GODLIMAN, Taskmaster champ LOU SANDERS, Edinburgh Comedy Award winner JOHN ROBINS, Netflix star JOEL DOMMETT, the inimitable REGINALD D HUNTER to name a few.
Alongside established names sit some of the brightest breakthrough talent such as the acclaimed CELYA AB, stand-up phenomenon FATIHA EL-GHORRI and the award-winning ESTHER MANITO, fast rising TADIWA MAHLUNGE all making their St Albans debut.
What to expect at St Albans Comedy Garden
Following last summer’s huge sell-out first edition St Albans Comedy Garden returns with another astounding programme of stand-up comedy presented in a fully-seated open-air theatre in the Park’s beautiful Water Meadow.
This year’s comedy extravaganza will once again be brimful with bars serving up a tastemaker selection of craft beers, cocktails and more, plus an array of street-food stalls from the leading lights of the local street food scene.
Tickets are expected to fly as comedy-lovers from St Albans and beyond grab the chance to see these masterfully curated shows, each featuring a host of critically-acclaimed stars guaranteeing a hit of absolute entertainment in the heart of the summer.
The sibling team behind the Comedy Garden, Cass Randolph and Will Briggs of 57 Festivals, can’t wait to return to St Albans. Cass said “We’re thrilled with this year’s line-up and to be back in Verulamium Park, we had such a great first year last summer, the audiences were an absolute riot, far livelier than we had expected! The acts really feed off that kind of energy and in turn give incredible performances.”
Will added “We have some outstanding acts joining us this year, i’m especially looking forward to seeing Dylan Moran headline our opening night and can’t wait to watch stand-out newcomers CELYA AB and FATIHA EL-GHORRI on the big stage.”
This year’s event is partnered with heycar, Chief Commercial Officer Karen Hilton said: “With this year’s Comedy Garden returning to St Albans, it’s shaping up to be an incredible, feel-good summer. We have so much laughter to catch up on after the last few years and I can’t think of a better way to do it. The line-up is truly world-class, and we’re particularly looking forward to seeing the incredible Joel Dommett in action. heycar is honoured to be sponsoring this incredible event and we can’t wait to see everyone in St Albans this July!”
St Albans Comedy Garden tickets
Get your tickets now and be part of this year’s magnificent St Albans Comedy Garden! Visit the website to find out more www.stalbanscomedygarden.co.uk
