Premier Hospitality

Swan Inn

Swan Inn
Written by Roma Publications

The Swan Inn

Swan Inn

Michelin-starred chef Claude Bosi and his brother Cedric have bought The Swan Inn pub in Esher, Surrey. The brothers have recently undertaken a redesign of the pub with doors opening on 20th May.

Located on Hare Lane, close to Sandown Racecourse, the pub hosts a 55 cover restaurant, 14 cover private dining room and an area for people to come in and relax.
Speaking to Premier Hospitality Magazine, Claude Bosi said: “From where I come from, people seem to think I just want to do restaurants instead of a pub, but I really didn’t want to. I wanted to keep the pub as a pub.”

Whilst undertaking the refurbishment, the brothers tried to keep the feel of the pub as it was when they entered.
Claude added: “We didn’t touch anything on the structural side of things. We just made a hole for the open plan kitchen and then we repainted and decorated but we haven’t put anything into the pub. We have tried to keep the feel of the pub as much as we can and we have a little area where people can come for a drink or for a coffee and sit with the paper and relax in the pub. I really wanted to keep it as a pub where you can come and just have a beer and a bite if you want to and not necessarily turn it into a restaurant.”

Design work has been undertaken by Lisa Foster at LF Design. The feel of the pub has been described as “homely” with details including large chandeliers that were already in place at the pub when Claude and Cedric took over, and a mix and match of old and new styled tables and chairs.

The menu, which is overseen by Claude and head Chef Justin West, is described as ‘English food from a Frenchman’ with many pub classics and British dishes for diners to tuck into. Diners will have nine starters to choose from with choices on the main menu including classic Fish and Chips, Cumberland sausage, onion gravy and mash and pork on the bone. Desserts include treacle tart with clotted cream and Rhubarb Jelly and custard with Scottish shortbread.

Claude has described the food as “something to cater for everybody with some really classic and simple food on offer.”

Lunch is available from noon until 2.30pm and dinner from 6pm to 9.30pm Monday to Friday, with food available from noon to 9.30pm on Saturdays and until 8.30pm on Sundays, when a roast will be available all day.

Claude commented: “This is my sixth opening and every time I open a new place you know its over, but that is part of the fun. I am very proud of what we have done and the team behind the redesign, the designers and the builders have done a great job. I am just hoping that people will enjoy it as much as we have done, because I really just wanted to bring the pub, which is a good local pub, back to life.”

Swan Inn

Lisa Foster Design

Lisa Foster Design provides expert design services for use in commercial and residential projects. The practice provides a ‘hands on’ service, with Lisa and the team working closely with the building contractor(s) or solely with the client depending on the work involved, to support a project to its fullest.

Owner Lisa Foster has worked around interiors and design projects for over 15 years and has been involved in numerous substantial residential projects, especially around the South Kensington area, providing her and her practice with a wealth of experience.

Most recently, Lisa Foster Design has been involved with Claude Bosi on The Swan Inn.

Lisa, said:

“I knew of Claude and his existing restaurants and had worked with the excellent building contractor Kevin Shinnick many times previous, so I could see this project was backed by a good, honest, hardworking team with a common goal in mind – it was a no brainer really.”

Lisa added:

“Claude had a pretty demanding brief & the Swan Inn was a blank canvas, so we were involved from day one with Kevin. We stood in an old empty pub and I started taking photos and drawing up ideas of what could be achieved. The Swan Inn’s interior perfectly complements the amazing menu created by Claude, with fabrics from Italy, lighting from Holland and handmade furniture from some of the best UK craftsmen.”

Lisa is proud of all the work completed by her practice and it is her attention to detail as well as her commitment to each project that has ensured a successful run of work.

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Roma Publications