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Paul Goldfinger photo: This is the Vault area. Click to enlarge
The Black Swan Public House.  4/21/22.  Blogfinger. net

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Black Swan Pub. Paul Goldfinger photo. 4/21/22.

Paul Goldfinger, Editor:

This pub-like restaurant has been open for 14 months. It is located in an impressive building at 601 Mattison Avenue in A. Park.  The building is striking–it used to be a bank, and then a few other restaurants were at that site including “Fish.”

The interior decor is atmospheric and is divided into 4 rooms.  We had a drink in the Pub which is a dramatic and  interesting space where some people were dining there at the bar or at small tables, but the menu is limited in the Pub.

The large open Vault is impressive. (See photo above.)

We ate in a dining room which was well lit and well spaced.  Dress is casual, and the service is excellent.

The Black Swan is moderately priced, and its menu is varied, including shepherds pie, fish and chips, some Indian dishes, steaks, and prime ribs

We enjoyed our dinner,  The chips were hot and crisp, and the onion rings were perfect.   The cod was delicious as was the shepherd’s pie.   We actually shared the fish and chips when we went back 6 months later.  Skip the Cesar salad and the “mushy” peas.  We have recommended this restaurant to others.

Our two sons went there a week ago for dinner on a Monday night at about 8 pm.  Since the kitchen was about to close, they just had drinks and appetizers and then they went to Capitoline  (639 Cookman) for pizza, fried calamari and a Caesar salad.  They enjoyed it.

Michael and Stephen. Grovers at the Black Swan bar.  October 2022. Photo by the bartender.

To get to Black Swan, cross the New Jersey Ave. bridge into A. Park and then walk straight to Cookman and you will walk into it.

You can park for free in the Grove where most A. Parker’s park.

Editor’s note:  The idea of closing a kitchen early when business is slow is a worrisome symptom. What is going to happen to the restaurant scene in and around Cookman Avenue as winter creeps in?    One phenomenon to watch out for is when a fine restaurant loses its summer help, including chefs, who might take off for Miami Beach where it is warm and busy in winter.    This is a known situation in places that are seasonal but try to remain open all year.

She and Him: