The White Swan in Fetter Lane between the City of London and Holborn is one of those transformations that works, it is instantly recognisable by its flavour, and its formidable ambience that casts a spell from the moment you enter. Converted from a former pub to what is popularly called a gastropub, offering modern British food, the transition is almost unbelievable, with smart wooden floors that resist the temptation to be chic, plenty of high quality woodwork in the detail, well ventilated when required and a light airy lofty dining room with floor to ceiling windows.

A ground floor pub pays homage to the traditional element and fresh flowers add a touch of that extra mile feeling. Free parking is available in Fetter Lane after 6.30pm Monday-Friday, after 1.30 on Saturdays and all day Sunday. Three NCPs are all within easy distance.

Even in these days of financial gloom people still eat lunch, and the White Swan is near enough to the City to be handy for those looking for style coupled with value. The magic number is six, so plenty of choices through all three courses and side dishes with a typical midday meal of rabbit terrine, prunes, figs, pickled girolles and hazelnut dressing followed by whole roasted lemon sole, clams, tomato, samphire and Jersey Royal potatoes, perhaps with some hand cut chips, peas and bacon or braised radishes to accompany.

This being essentially a City pub there is a highly worthy cheese board from Britain and France, and a choice of tempting desserts that includes milk chocolate ganache with cinnamon and raspberry doughnuts, or Eton Mess.

The evening menu follows much the same modern British direction, in the dishes, such as fine tart of mackerel, baby onions, black olive tapenade and balsamic accompanied by pan fried skirt steak, braised cheek, artichoke barigoule and bone marrow before ending with peanut butter parfait with Kirsch cherries.
 
Some dining room dishes are singled out for inclusion in an attractive bar menu, which also offers such sound brasserie numbers as fine tart of mackerel served with baby onions, black olive tapenade and balsamic, and Spanish olives followed by Atlantic cod and organic salmon fishcake with greens and tarragon butter sauce. An interesting list of homemade ice creams speaks for itself.

Fine food and wine evenings are a regular feature, though it has to be said that every evening has its merits. The menu has the feel of having been honed on the basis of what customers want rather than the other way round and whilst this is always a welcome sign the ailing economy seems to be lending it even more emphasis.

The White Swan is well able to cope with the demands of private events any day or night of the week. Spread over three floors it can be hired as a whole, for 150 people, with a 3am licence available at weekends, or piecemeal to suit smaller parties from 20 to 100. Dj nights are speciality.

Weddings as an item have changed for the better, and The White Swan will be more than happy to look after the arrangements for your reception at Fetter Lane. A maximum of 52 can eat a sit-down meal, or 24 for a seated buffet. A standing reception for 150 guests is a doddle, and if by any chance you are getting married at Islington Town Hall you are only a mere 15 minutes from the action.

For further details of this excellent and attractive pub and dining room a quick click on their Website should answer all your queries.