Swindon’s newest food critic has landed a writing job for The Swindonian! Why should you care and why The Swindonian? Well after reading and speaking to quite a few digital outlets, these guys were the only ones who wanted to hear what I have to say. They want me to be honest and have a free rein.
STOP! Before you click on the next story because you have heard all this guffle before, you might want to know why these guys have given me a green light to write for them. You see I am not a trained chef, there I have said it. I have never eaten at a Michelin starred restaurant. My palette has not been trained by a bunch of monks on a chilly hillside, who fed me on bread and water for months, slowly introducing different food so that I would appreciate food more. I have never baked a loaf of bread and have no interest in telling people about their soggy bottoms.
I thought it would be wise to introduce myself before my first review, so this is why I am keeping it short and giving you a reason to want to come back and follow my food adventures. You see I am in my 40’s and like some lucky people I try to go out at least once a week to enjoy a really good evening meal. I have always struggled to find new, great food venues in Swindon and it has taken months of trying (sometimes regretting) different eateries, I hope to guide you to the right place.
I know there is this website called “Tripadvisor” or something like that, which in all honesty is a great place to start for most but for me, I like going somewhere which has been recommended to me, rather than having to search for it. An evening meal should not only be about the food, don’t get me wrong food play’s a large part otherwise I would order a pizza and stay in. No for me a great meal out is as much about the location and facilities than it is about the grub.
Now, how many times have you found a great venue but the food sucks, or been told about another which is serving fantastic food but you are not sure about the parking and don’t know the area so never bothered and wasted the evening? Most reviews on line are from people who visit Swindon and do not know a lot about the town. They keep their reviews to the food and/or the service by chance alone. This is why I have teamed up with The Swindonian to root out those harder to find places and put some great places on the Swindon food map. We are going to put the record a little straighter. Yes a Swindon food critic, for Swindon food reviews that is as much about the venue, the staff and facilities as it is about some great food. These reviews are about giving you ideas, inspiration and a want to grab your keys and go out for the evening.
I like good food, I know what I like and I know what I don’t. I am not worried about pointing fingers and have in the past got some free or discounted food because I complained about the food or service. My other credentials… well I am carrying a few extra pounds (OK more than a few) so I feel qualified to recommend the good eating places and I can string a sentence together so I can warn people about the not so good.
Once a week, I hope to visit a local Swindon eatery and trust me everything is on the menu (apart from celery, why do we still farm this stuff?). I will be visiting pubs, restaurants, café’s and venues to try out these establishments. I promise to give an honest and ethical review, that means I will be paying for all these meals myself, I might use my Taste card once in a while, probably in some of the more expensive places, only if they take it but this will only be of benefit to those who have one, so I won’t be using it all the time. The venues will not know I will be there to write a piece on them, which should guarantee a similar experience for you, should you want to go there?
Starting this weekend, I will be picking a pub probably around North Swindon to try the beer, the food and the ambience. So until then, make sure you pick wisely!
Vincent Penne.
