Gastrogirl said on 23rd July ... "I’m a big fan of the Morgan Arms, the Crown’s sister pub, so was looking forward to eating here when it opened recently.
It’s taken a couple of months to get round to going there because it was so busy with interested locals at first, and they (rather arrogantly) decided not to have a booking policy.
But now the fuss has died down, I’ve been twice (and both times it's been pretty empty... now I know why).
The first time I ate there for lunch I was unwell so just wanted something small and healthy - but the only thing on the menu that came under that description was the parma ham, strawberries and balsamic vinegar. It was tasty enough but an incredibly mean portion. My mum and boyfriend had fish and chips which they liked well enough - but then, how hard is it to get fish and chips wrong?
Then I went back the night before last for dinner, and had a dreadful experience. My starter - tomato, mozzarella and basil salad - had tons of very under-ripe green tomatoes, and barely any basil. My boyfriend’s soup was broccoli soup with a blob of stilton in the middle, and neither of us was offered any bread. So far, so average. But the problems really started with the main courses. I ordered a seafood risotto which was so indescribably awful that I couldn’t eat it. I have to tell you that this is the first time that has EVER happened to me in a restaurant - normally I am a dustbin for food, even if it’s not that great. As I’m not the type to complain, I tried to hide the fact I hadn’t eaten anything by putting my napkin on the plate, but the waiter came and told me the kitchen were asking if there was a problem as they’d noticed I hadn’t eaten it. That’s a sign of a good restaurant. However, after telling the waiter how awful it was (soggy, very over salted, very fishy, couldn’t taste the crab or the mussels for the overwhelming taste of seawater - basically they put far too much fish stock in and it hadn’t absorbed properly!), we got the bill and I had been charged for it! Unbelievable.
My boyfriend’s main course, the only vegetarian option on the menu, was a few salad leaves, two huge lumps of goats cheese, and six pecan nuts.
The waiter is lovely and the building has been decorated beautifully, so I really wanted to like the Crown, but I will not be going back.
Needless to say, we didn’t stay for the unimaginative puddings (lemon tart, ice cream, creme brulee, yawn yawn).
Very disappointing."
agree, disagree? post a comment or reply

David said on 19th June ... "Just read the other reviews for this Pub and they are so different from my experience, so thought i would re-address the balance.

Tried the new Crown for Sunday Lunch, we sat upstairs on the terrace. The Staff were friendly and we were all pleased with our different dishes. The house red and white is very drinkable. I especially was very satisfied with my Beef roast dinner. Our waitress was very friendly and really helpful. For pudding we opted for the cheese board, which was a little disappointing, could of had a better assortment of cheeses. I felt that it was fairly priced and we all shall be returning.

The no child policy after a certain time...I can understand is annoying for some people, and I guess only time will tell if it's the right decision. However some parents...and not all! do not control their children in public, and so disrupts other peoples enjoyment of a meal out. "
agree, disagree? post a comment or reply

Tom said on 05th May ... "Although we had read Molly's review before going to The Crown we thought we'd give it a try. We took our little boy along to meet a group of six friends for lunch but at 3.30pm we were all asked to leave (rather rudely) because we had a toddler with us. In our opinion this was not only foolish behaviour but more to the point (as Molly suggested) a foolish policy - we won't go back.

Suffice to say that if you have children with you, if you like good food or a friendly service then don't go to The Crown!"
agree, disagree? post a comment or reply

Molly said on 25th April ... "I generally got the impression that children were not welcome. I hope for their sake this is not the case as if they've checked their demographic they would find the area is teeming with young families who still like to eat out!

I went to this place with high expectations. Sadly these were dashed almost upon entry. We took our baby with us for an early evening meal at around 6.30 and were told NO KIDS AFTER 7 downstairs, oh and by the way there are no highchairs.

So, we had to carrythe pushchair up to the restaurant and leave our baby in it.

The starters were ok. Field Mushroom soup and Liver. The mains were less satisfying. My husband was asked how he wanted his lamp steak cooked but I was not asked about my burger. When they arrived the lamp steak was too thin for it to matter, whereas the burger was big and juicy and a choice would have been nice.

The service we had was officious. That's the only word that I can use.
We won't be rushing back"
agree, disagree? post a comment or reply