“Without Fault”
There are various approaches pubs take to food. One is “pub grub” and when done well, it’s a delight. Simple dishes cooked well at a reasonable price, but so often they fail on one, or both, of those criteria. Another approach is the “gastro-pub” which often amounts to a chef who imagines that they are running a Michelin-starred restaurant; needlessly complicated dishes which they can’t pull off, and the end result is near on twenty quid for Fish and Chips.
Thankfully, The Crown has found the rare third way. The food is definitely well above standard pub fayre, without sounding too pretentious or being overly expensive. The menu is a delight to read and certainly does not lack variation; and the specials seem to change from week to week, which is exactly as it should be. Complimentary bread is very welcome – maybe the owner has spent some time in France? Not too bad for vegetarians either: as will always be the case; that could be better, but certainly better than most. The pub itself is a nice old building, the atmosphere great and service always delightful. I would happily say that this is, in my opinion, by far the best place to eat in the local area. As always, there has to be a “but”. The cheeseboard is overpriced, and should come with bread rather than biscuits, and ditch the celery which no-one in my experience ever eats.
Would I return? Yes, and I often do.
