The Black Swan Public House, Asbury Park, NJ:
A Restaurant Review
601 Mattison Ave
Asbury Park, NJ
(732) 361-7159
Website
The Black Swan Public House: Restaurant Highlights
Fare: British Pub with cultural influences
Price: Expensive
Food Quality: Well-executed, innovative menu.
Service: Friendly, professional, attentive.
Ambiance/Decor: Attractive, upscale, renovated restaurant with British pub styled decor, has a warm and cozy vibe to it.
Overall Rating: 3 Stars -- One of the Best Pubs in Central Jersey
Note: Four star Rating System from 1/2 Star = Poor to Four stars = Best in Class
Noise Level: Moderate - loud
Dress: Casual
Recommended For: Diners who enjoy an eclectic Pub with upscale ambiance and a well-executed, innovative menu.
Not Recommended For: Budget conscious diners who prefer a casual, neighborhood pub/tavern.
Recommended dishes: When available, The Prime Pork Chop w/Perperonata, mashed potato; The Traditional Shepard's Pie w/ Ground beef and lamb, peas, carrots, mash potato. and The Hot Lobster Roll w/ butter, chives, toasted roll, fries.
Liquor: Full service bar with a good variety of Guinness and a modest variety of other stouts, porters and ales. Bar scene is vibrant.
Restaurant Review
The Black Swan Public House, a European gastropub, is the creation of Owner and Executive Chef James Avery, and business partner Sebastian Walker --- both of whom own and operate the successful Bonney Read restaurant in Asbury Park.
The Black Swan is a contemporary version of the traditional Irish-British pub. Patrons come for a variety of reasons; They come to watch a soccer game with pints of Guinness, or for a romantic date, or to meet up with friends for good drinks & food, a good vibe, in a vibrant pub atmosphere. It's a great spot for beer and sports enthusiasts while also catering to individuals who'd rather not dine at a sports bar.
The 5,000-square foot restaurant with indoor seating for 150 plus more outdoor tables wrapping around the building's rounded corner, is located in the Byrum Building, a five-story Romanesque fortress of limestone blocks and arched doorways, originally built in 1886.
The beautifully designed, upscale, renovated restaurant with British styled decor, has a warm and cozy vibe to it. It's divided into four separate areas in order to offer something for everyone.
The Pub area has a dark interior with full-service bar, and large display TV's great for watching soccer games.
The main Dining Room is a an attractive area with dark exposed ceilings, hanging chandeliers, dark wood flooring, and lots of spindly flower arrangements that climb the marble columns.
The Tea Room is done up with ornate carpeting, Victorian-style furniture and walls adorned with paintings.
The 4th area is The vault, an ideal place for a before or after dinner cocktail. The ambiance is charming with oriental rugs covered from wall to wall with and rich wood furniture.
Chef James Avery comes with excellent culinary credentials. He received his formal culinary training at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. He later honed his skills under acclaimed Chef David Burke at the former Fromagerie in Rumson, under Michael Mina's former Sea Blue in Atlantic City, and later on as a consulting chef on Gordon Ramsay's hit FOX television show "Kitchen Nightmares." Prior to opening The Black Swan, he served as Executive Chef of the Asbury Festhalle and Biergarten, and currently remains the Executive Chef/Partner at the Bonney Read.
The innovative menu is approachable and features various cultural influences that appeal to different tastes, including Indian-inspired curries, pastas Shepherd's Pie, and Fish and Chips, Steaks, and other popular pub style comfort foods.
Note: There is a 3% credit card processing fee.
The Black Swan is open five days/Week:
Wednesday - Saturday 4:00 PM - 12:00 AM & Sunday 10:00 AM - 12:00 AM - starting the day with Brunch
(Updated March 2022)
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