The last time I had a lamb burger was one of the best moments of my life.

It was a great burger no doubt but that wasn’t the only reason I remember the occasion.

A gloriously hot summer’s day it was, a couple of years back. I was with some of the best people I’ve ever met and none of us had a care in the world.

The Swan in Tytherington had a lot to live up to then.

Before I got to the burger I had some garlic mushrooms to tackle. They came on a bed of garlic bread and covered in a blue cheese sauce.

Blue cheese is something I am usually wary of, but I was rewarded for stepping outside my comfort zone with a delicious dish.

It was perfectly cooked, with the garlic bread crucially neither too crisp nor soggy.

The whole thing was a combination that so obviously worked it made you wonder why the starter is every served any different.

Then it was time for the burger.

Lettuce, tomato, gherkins, onion rings up top, chips to the side – this is a burger with all the trimmings.

A very generous slab of lamb is the centrepiece. It is smothered in tzatziki, an infinitely more interesting sauce than mayonnaise that gave a fresh feel to a classic dish.

The food was washed down with a refreshing pint of Symonds Founders Reserve.

So how did it compare to the last burger?

It didn’t quite match those heights but in truth nothing could and it is not The Swan’s fault.

Back then the burger was the start of a wonderful day, a long walk, a few beers and camping out under the stars.

Here it was after a day at work, before a council meeting and bed before getting up to do it all again.

Food, I think, is about shared experiences. It's about savouring you food over long conversations, rather than rushing through it.

Having to keep checking the time so you aren't late for your next appointment somewhat detracts from the experience.

These musings shouldn’t take anything away from The Swan’s excellent food.

The lighting and layout of the pub give it a lovely, cosy feel, somewhere it would be nice to hunker down for the winter and watch the snow fall outside.

Something that might not be to everyone's tastes was the music, Busted and S Club both got an airing, but unfortunately this reviewer is a 90's kid so there are no complaints here.

I left the pub with a full stomach, a newfound respect for blue cheese and a desire to text some pals I hadn't seen for a while.You can't ask for much more really, can you?

For more information about The Swan visit theswantytherington.co.uk/index.