The Tawny Owl Review
Our mum about town Kelly Jobanputra enjoys lunch at the North Swindon pub
Review of The Tawny Owl
by Kelly Jobanputra
Having a special diet, a husband who is vocal when he doesn’t like the food in front of him and a 5 year old who just wants to play – it can be a challenge when eating out at restaurants. But The Tawny Owl in North Swindon gets a big thumbs up as it impressed all three of us when we ate there last Sunday.
First there was the nice, chilled atmosphere that we felt as soon as we walked in and the excitement of my daughter as she realised there’s a little play area on the pub’s grounds, which is perfect for the upcoming summer months. (And I was told they are being refurbished soon).
Then came the impressive menu, which offered up a really varied selection of dishes for both adults and youngsters. For starters, you could have a tiger prawn cocktail, soup of the day, duck breast or chicken liver pate; but instead we decided to go straight for the main dishes and leave some room for dessert. We’re not stupid!
I chose the classic roast dinner, which contained beef as well as pork as the meat options. I was impressed with how they cater to dietary needs, by offering a gluten free gravy option for people who might be intolerant. When it arrived, it was a very generous portion and I especially liked the way they were not stingy with the potatoes like a lot of places can be. Another plus is that they were roasted in butter instead of industrial oil like rapeseed, which can cause issues for many folk. My husband went for the New York burger dish, accompanied by chunky chips which he said were the best he has tasted in Swindon; they were crispy on the outside and fluffy in the middle and he used the word “perfection”! (Apparently the previous winner of the best chips is somewhere in Bath many years ago, so this is quite the honour now bestowed on the Tawny Owl!)
The little one opted for a hot dog, accompanied by chunky chips and beans. Not the most nutritious of dishes but her eyes certainly lit up when she saw what was put in front of her!
Other main dishes on offer include classic burger, Cajun chicken burger, battered fish and chips, venison burger and a gluten free tomato and beef meatball dish.
For afters, there were another fairly comprehensive list of delights; with my husband choosing the petit fours (mini taster desserts) and my daughter going for the choc brownie with ice cream. I didn’t go for anything on this occasion as I was so full up from my large roast dinner and was happy to just sip their organic red bush tea and relax. My husband liked the fact that he could try a selection of sweet treats, while my daughter seemed to inhale her dish before I could even ask her thoughts. I got a thumbs up though and that means a lot in the world of a kid.
Great staff, nice open spaces, a clean environment – we will definitely be going back again soon. |
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The Tawny Owl - website | |||||||
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 Tawny Owl, The |
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