Swan & Edgar

What I thought would be a cosy and warming little find I was horrified to find a characterless atmosphere free pub. Most importantly there was no beer just a couple of watery lagers. Wont be coming back...

Scrabble floors, a bar made of books, chairs covered in newspapers and a cosy shabby chic atmosphere - the Swan and Edgar is the kind of bar that would be unappealingly rammed if it was located anywhere else. I was surprised to find outside and inside tables free (just the one each, though) on a sun read moreScrabble floors, a bar made of books, chairs covered in newspapers and a cosy shabby chic atmosphere - the Swan and Edgar is the kind of bar that would be unappealingly rammed if it was located anywhere else. I was surprised to find outside and inside tables free (just the one each, though) on a sunny weekday; and even more surprised that this place isn't just about the good looks. We shared a Scotch egg (it was enormous, and came with an old-fashioned flip top jar of hot mustard) and a bottle of Pinot Noir. At the bar, the girl next to me waited until I'd ordered, then said it was her favourite wine and her favourite bar, without prompting. That's the Swan and Edgar in a nutshell; everyone's favourite secret.

What an amazing place this turned out to be. I had gone there with a friend of mine for dinner and drinks on a Friday evening. We started with a couple of glasses of Merlot, and then had the chicken liver for starters and I had the duck cassoulet for the main course. As Josh has pointed out in his read moreWhat an amazing place this turned out to be. I had gone there with a friend of mine for dinner and drinks on a Friday evening. We started with a couple of glasses of Merlot, and then had the chicken liver for starters and I had the duck cassoulet for the main course. As Josh has pointed out in his review, the duck was quite good! But more than the food, it is the ambience which adds most to the experience. Now this place is small. There would be a total of 5-6 tables on the ground floor. It gives a very nice and cosy feel to the place. The lighting is perfect, and the best part was that the bar is made of books! Yes! You heard me right! Also, this place is nicely tucked away in the not-so-busy part of Marylebone. So it is away from the hustle bustle of the area close to the station. We had a long 3 hour dinner at Swan and Edgar, and when we finally stepped out at 11pm, the quiet outside was in stark contrast to the lively and buoyant insides. It made it feel a bit surreal, and that's what made it so great.