Thetownend.com

A subject done to death possibly, and a thread that could be in the takeaways thread but anyway....

Looking for the best place to eat in or around Swindon for 8-10 of us around Christmas time, no budget really, and no real preference on type of food so long as it's belting.

Is the Weighbridge worth the money? Seems extraordinarily expensive, but don't mind if it's actually value for money. What about Greek Olive - decent? The Pear Tree out at Purton still good?

All tips and recommendations welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Silk on the Downs in Ogbourne St Andrew is excellent, albeit you'll pay a decent wedge. Well worth it though.

The Weighbridge is expensive, but it's the best restaurant i've been to in Swindon by far.
It has its own range of beers brewed in-house and is just a nice place in general.

Yep, probably the best in the immediate vicinity, albeit basically Marlborough. The steak is first class. Plus a Swindon legend owns it.

Coles in Marlborough is also very good.  As is 'The Marlborough' (formerly the Sun).  In fact Marlborough offers decent grub all round and it's only 12-14miles from Swindon.

The Weighbridge is brilliant if you've got a few pennies. You won't get much better than that in Swindon.

Yup, the food at the Weighbridge is fantastic. Just make sure you go with people you don't mind talking to for a while because the service is not exactly swift.

The Weighbridge it is then. Don't mind paying, so long as it's decent.

I'd rather sit on the hungry horse floor than go to the weighbridge again.

food is OK/good. service was the most appallingly shit, slow, inattentive I've ever had anywhere.
.
this was a few years ago mind, good luck.

What Tracey . . used to drink at the Rodbourne Arms?

La Carbonara is excellent, superb Italian food, and the service is spot on which helps make the atmosphere, always have a great night in there :pint:

Be different and go to Moshan Island Grill. All homecooked food and the goat curry is ace.

 
This.

I'd still go back as food was good but the service was shit, the girl looked to still be at college was was more interested chatting to the barman and couldn't answer any questions about the beer or wine she was just not interested.

Get smashed down the pub and pile into a curry house.  :beers: :pint: :I'm a complete mofleakin Deak

Changing the subject.

Byron Burger.

Nice food, but overpriced for what you get. Considering it is a burger place, there isnt much choice is there.

Atomic burger has a much larger choice.

Where are they? I thought the nearest Atomic was in oxford and if I were there I'd rather go for a Mission Burrito.

Sorry, i went to byron in MK

Atomic in oxford is amazing

Has Swindon got a Chick-o-land?

Atomic is brilliant.  Really good sweet potato fries.  As a non meat eater as well, the veg burger is brilliant.

the harrow at little bedwyn is great - offer on travelzoo at the moment ( if you are happy to drive)

That maybe due to the expectaions of visiting fastfood outlets and other places where the cover turnaround is quicker. Remember other than the shermans pretty much everywhere else in the world take their time over food as it is and should always be "an experience" rather than a chore.

Just remembered this. I used to do business with Antony & Alyson Windle the owners. One conversation many moons back went along these lines. They only cater for one sitting in the evening which will comprise of mains and dessert because there is not enough time because of the prep and cooking and that is why they do not do starters (well they didn't up to my last visit earlier this year) and never did at the three crowns either. So your dining experience is likely to be longer and more relaxed, which i actually prefer.

Just seen this - we're trying to be different and not go there as we've been the last 5 times we all go out!

Only just saw this, and I can only speak for myself but that is absolutely not the case. It was totally about poorly trained/couldn't give a shit waiting staff who didn't know how to look after their customers.

Its not my thing, but having eaten in triple Michelin starred restaurants I can assure you the staff there do not walk past you and ignore you for the duration of your meal.

And no its not normal to wait 25 minutes to get afirst drinks order in after being seated, and hour to get a main course in (After ordering) and 30-40 minutes after taking a desert order to actually bring the fucking thing. And to ignore your empty glasses for the duration. Especially having making an explicit point in saying that you wanted to try all 6 micro beers.  That's just shit.

I suspect a busy Weighbridge is too much for  Antony & Alyson Windle to handle.

It's all about opinions and experiences. My opinions and experiences of said establishment have always been first class. Trust me, if i go there and spent around £120 like i usually do and it falls below my expectations, they'll know about it. As yet that has not been the case. You're not yhe only one who has eaten somewhere with more cutlery than a sheffield steelworks, however, this is Swindon.

It was your suggest that complaining about service is done by those that eat at fast food outlets that prompted the response.

To be fair, I usually do :)

Anyone tried that kenzo 72 place up old town?

I seem to remember going on the same night as you! Such a stalker.

The service was indeed snails pace, but, I actually like that.  I go out for a night, not just the food so I prefer to have gaps between courses and drink a fair bit!  If they are too slow the bar is worth a visit anyway.  I have to say I loved it, but if service is an issue for you, this place is best avoided.

Oh and having done the Michelin star places as well, I do appreciate that the overall service at the Weighbridge is well short.  Had about 7 people serve me in one place, now that is fun.

The Royal Oak, Old Town, Swindon is superb now. Not sure if any of you lot would get let in there, but the range of champagne & gin is second to none within 30 miles. The menu is spectacular. Shame you'll all be looking in through the window.

oooooh - miaowwwwwww

Sounds as though it'll be full of pretentious wankers, it's good of you to let people know it's a place to avoid.

Sounds just my type of place. Pretentious, moi?

I wonder if they serve green tea?  ;D

Ive got through that stage now. I have however given up smoking, eating meat and drinking Diet Coke. So I am still a wanker.

Cold Harbour has gone to pot food wise. Nice decor after a refurb, but food and service shocking. Not even that busy for a Monday night.

Not Swindon but Wiltshire none the less - this looks like a good place in Trowbridge
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-35484085

It'll probably end up in a burger when caught.

doesnt suprise me. trowbridge is a dump. (no offence to anyone who lives there)

Ha ha

Rats are brilliant animals, and they make excellent pets.

And a tasty lunchtime treat as well in your part of the world FH?

As it happens they are a delicacy in the Northern regions and skwered BBQ's rats can be bought from road-side stalls.

Never tried one myself.

I must confess I had to look where it was, never knew it was the County town of Wiltshire either!

"You don't expect that in a restaurant"

"In a restaurant"

"Restaurant"

FUCKING WETHERSPOON'S

I don't understand how the rat ran up his leg. His trousers must be too big.

Chili sauce?

(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/58494000/jpg/_58494397_rats.jpg)

 :I'm a complete mofleakin Deak

Eugh that pub is grotty and always full of tramps plus it's right by the park -MING!

You should write Michelin reviews. Far better than the bollocks that gets written in them (probably)

Why would you go to the pub when there's a perfectly good park next door to get drunk in? These sound like amateur tramps

i'd try one.

"Sewer sized rat" In other words, a rat.

Oh yeah, Trowbridge  :no:

Quite good they left the tails on, helps lowering it into your mouth to munch on.

It'll always be 'Chicago Rock' to me, none of this Weatherspoons rubbish.

Haha I'm not a Trowbridge-ite thank god but I did go to Chicago Rock once!

Sometimes in Trowbridge, it can be difficult to tell the difference between tramps and normal townsfolk to be fair!
I think just imagine rats sort of congregating in a park for some reason??  :-[

Play on the swings? :D

Yeah! and paddling in the pond and hanging out by the bins!