The Crown in Babergh

My wife and myself ate here on two occasions during a local stay. On each occasin the food was excellent. Of good quality and well cooked. If we had found the place sooner we would have eaten here more often. The staff were without exception friendly and helpful. Very comfortable surroundings and the background music is, unusually, in the background. It is necessary to register ones car in the car park and the staff ensure that customers are aware of this. We rally enjoyed our visits to this place.

Great food. Steak and fish and chips were delicious. Previously had the liver and roasts and they are also lovely. Staff are always friendly and service is good. They are also dog friendly both outside and in areas within the restaurant. Always a welcoming and lovely meal when we come here

Giving this a 3 but it was purely the delay and apparent chaos in the kitchen. It appeared that they had misjudged the impact of COVID and the eat out to help out scheme. The food when it came was delicious but there was confusion over what items were still in the menu- they ran out of a number of things. But at all times we were kept informed and apologies were numerous . Think it was just bad timing and that once the current COVID climate settles down that this will revert to being a 5 review. Garden was lovely to sit in and eat in- well spaced out tables inside

We stayed on July 16th for two nights the the safety measures in the hotel were tip top.we dined in the restaurant on both nights. The food was top quality as usual. And the stay safe measures were brilliant,.

Delicious roast beef and all the trimmings, fresh pint of Aspalls, friendly smiling chatty staff congratukations a wonderful sunday lunch thank you

Following a long journey to Stoke by Nayland, we found this quaint pub in the village and decided to go for lunch here. This country pub features everything you could want with a log fire near the entrance, a nice bar with plenty of variety and it has its own wine “cellar” type room! My partner and I decided to grab a bite to eat, ordering the flat ironed steak, accompanied with steak cut chips, garlic mushrooms and a garlic sauce, and I ordered the steak and mushroom pie, accompanied with freshly steamed veg and a dollop of mash. Both plates arrived promptly and the food on both plates was superb, tasted fresh and locally sourced. The added bonus was the chef singing I’m a believer in the background, not the best version I’ve heard but none the less a valiant attempt and great to hear the staff in good spirits during the current situation. Overall my partner and I thoroughly enjoyed our lunch and the atmosphere in the pub, we’d definitely recommend and we may pop in before we leave!

My wife and I visit the crown often.. a stylish pub/restaurant with a buzz about it . The best staff anywhere and food and wine that pleases.

We enjoyed an unhurried experience here at the weekend with friends and family. The menu offers a great selection of traditional food and a good selection of fish for those who don’t fancy meat. We enjoyed the wine recommendation with our meal and they do offer an extensive list. Desert was delicious as was the cheeseboard.

Lovely restaurant with great views of the Dedham vale. Good choice from menu ( we went at lunchtime). Fixed price set menu for two or three course,a fish menu and general choices, covers all dietary permutations. If weather fine then outside seating ( some smoke free tables which was great for those of us who don’t like being down wind of the puffers). Staff polite,welcoming and helpful.

We have had occasional family meals here over the past 15 years - this particular day I could tell the business has either changed ownership or management as the experience was not great -. We are used to excellence not just ok. Service was poor and slow with no real friendly relations , had to go up and ask what soup of the day was as nobody told us. - we were not offered more drinks and had been sat empty for over an hour ! That’s your loss not ours - and food was only just mediocre .its a shame as we have always loved this place. Bathroom facilities are not up to usual standards either . Hopefully it was just a one off.

The Crown at Stoke by Nayland – Myself and a few friends thought we would try the The Crown due to a recommendations and lots of reviews of how good it is! It did not meet our expectations! Firstly, the service was really slow and I had to ask several times for my beer, although my friends had been served their drinks I still had to ask, when it arrived it was the wrong beer, as the service was so slow I decided not to do anything about it, as I feared I would have to wait even longer just for a drink. The restaurant did not seem that busy as it was in the middle of the week and where we were sat there was lots of waitresses/waiters walking past as it was near the kitchen, not one stopped until I asked them to serve us. The food was okay but however nothing great and I feel was overpriced. I went for the burger which I did not feel was worth the money - £15.50. It came with lots of chips and the patty was not flavoured at all, it took a long time to come and was poorly presented. I had asked to swap the French fries for hand cut chips (which they would happily do elsewhere) but they were not happy to accommodate my request. We had waited over an hour for the mains with no starters ordered and had to ask the staff however no one batted an eye lid. Presentation was sloppy and unrefined for a place that serves “Stunning food”. The next day myself and my sister woke up with stomachaches and not feeling great, she was sick later in the morning! This may be a coincidence but it is odd how we both felt unwell the next day with similar symptoms. We were extremely disappointed and it has put us off returning any time soon, would not recommend to anyone!

I saw the bad review and almost decide to skip the restaurant. But it is so close to the hotel so we gave a try. The food and service is very good. Waitress are all friendly. So next day I come again. Strak was good and cooked about right. Desert also good. I ordered the chess cake. I will definitely come back for next time.

Wow, used to love The Crown after many lovely visits, great memories. Sooooo lunch today had Large Chicken Caesar Salad @ £15. Served in lovely bowl - hey no croutons AT ALL (apparently should have been sour dough) 3 anchovies, cut-up lettuce & splash of dressing. Really? Worst of it was that the chicken (there was a lot of it) was very badly shredded from a carcass. No breast meat just badly stripped lumps of pinkish meat & sinew. Revolting. Business lunch so in a hurry to get going. No staff returned for feedback. Whoever cleared our table would have seen the bowl full of uneaten meat. Hope the Chef aware. Appalling.

After having used the Crown over the past 15 years we went to celebrate my birthday with my 90 year old father. We arrived got a table and were given a drink quickly. We sat down for lunch. We ordered soon after this. Starters arrived well 2 did and we had to ask where the other 2 were. 5 minutes later they arrived. At £10 each for a starter the quality and size was awful with no flavour. The main course arrived 1 hour after ordering after having to ask where it was. It finally arrived and the portion sizes were unbelievable. 3 skate wings that we half a skate wing. Over cooked and served with none descript veg that tasted of nothing. A lamb skewer that was not described as a skewer on the menu. 4 pieces of lamb 2 of which were tough and inedible. Complained and waitress said she would talk to the chef who returned to say sorry sometimes you get a couple of tough pieces!!!!! Would you like a desert on us. We declined. At £176 for 4 with no dessert or coffee it was terrible. Don’t go.. Didn’t recognise any of the usual staff. Something has changed dramatically for the worst. What happened to the old chef please come back.

Visited for lunch, pleasant welcoming staff. A la carte and set menus available, we chose from the a la carte. Had the cheese straws to start, lovely cheesy taste, hot tasty bread straws with a garlic dip. For mains, the haddock and chips was amongst the best I’ve tasted, golden brown crispy batter coating a large white fillet, accompanied by chunky chips. All our food was excellent, my only niggle being a “large” coke is a small bottle at about £3.95 a time, for that I expect a pint. Nevertheless will definitely return.

Ordered tagliatelle for lunch. Could not believe the portion size which was 5 mouthfuls. My two guests remarked on immediately . Although tasty l came away disappointed and hungry. The waiter was told but fell on deaf ears.

Went for Valentines Day. Had a great meal, loved the staff, just the right amount of attention, left us alone but as soon as we wanted something they were there. Note small room off the bar that allows dogs (not in main area). Only small so probably best to book if you want to eat in there. Really nice time, we both said we could have stayed there all day.

We pre booked a week before for our Family of 16

Went for dinner on Friday night, the menu is very boring and the food quality poor, great wine menu and lovely atmosphere inside and service good. Really need to up there game on quality of food coming from kitchen, steak tough as old boots and fish and chips very oily, it’s not hard to do a good chip or a decent steak box standard stuff. Tempura oysters starter good but that was as exciting and good as it gets, they charge the right money as well for pub grub so defo would expect better food, up your game !!!!!

We have been coming here for over 10 years now, usually visiting 2-3 time a year. We have never had a bad meal or experience. The food and service has always been great and keep an eye out for room, meal and breakfast offers. There is occasional a bargain to be had!

We were able to combine a taste of Christmas with more normal food. My wife had the excellent haddock and chips. I often don’t like battered fish in a restaurant, but here it is reliably good, because the fish is chunky and not over cooked.

My husband and I have been here before and loved the place, food and service. So decided to bring our parents along on a Friday evening. As expected it was busy. One of us was T-total and felt the drinks available were limited (soft or just regular juice, no specialist like Fentemans or J2O). We ordered a variety of nibbles as we waited for our table but were initially brought the wrong ones, however quickly fixed. The crackling which was fresh tasted more oily than of the spices advertised. But the bread sticks are awesome.

Don't know why I haven't reviewed before as regular visitor, had lunch with husband for our anniversary. Love the surroundings but as ever the food was excellent and the service friendly and professional. Will be back soon

I know the pub is in a nice area but I don’t think this can justify the price. £18.50 for a roast dinner is a bit steep especially as it wasn’t that great. We were told the beef would be medium rare which is fine but some of it was actually raw, the fat was inedible and the meat was a bit fatty. The vegetable portions were small and there wasn’t much gravy, in fact as it was already on the plate it was a bit cold. A jug of gravy on the table would have been much better as would big dishes of vegetables to help yourself. I suppose that would spoil the ‘fine dining’ though. My last gripe is the fact that a pint of Cola for the person driving was £4.60! If people think that is OK I must be a bit out of touch. I won’t be hurrying back but then you probably wouldn’t want me!

Lucky we booked on a Sunday evening because it was full. Excellent meal, loved the opportunity on menu to eat small portion of starters and puddings also the recommendation of what to drink with each dish. A treat

We visit family in Colchester and often we go for lunch at the Crown and every time we have great food. Catch of the day dishes are always delicious, everybody is always happy with their choice.Service is also excellent.

Sunday evening dinner was out of this world. The staff were amazing, everyone knew what to do and how to treat customers. The atmosphere was lovely, right balance of busyness and people enjoying themselves.

Just been here for an evening meal for my girlfriends birthday.

Popped in for lunch, having not been here for several years. Decided to have two courses from the set lunch menu. Not a good idea. The portions were incredibly stingy and very much a poor man’s version of the equivalent dish from the regular menu. My husband’s sardine dish was perfectly tasty but my pasta dish was incredibly bland and uninteresting. It was badly in need of seasoning and was very unimaginative, the pasta tasting like anything you would buy off the shelf in the supermarket. Deserts were also lack lustre, minuscule and uninspiring. At no point during either course did the waitress ask if we were enjoying our meal. A far cry from the restaurant we visited previously . Definitely won’t return.

We ordered mains and were surprised at how small the portions were. You have to ask for extra vegetables on top of the main otherwise you will be hungry. For the price this is not satisfactory. Other restaurants provide vegetables for that price.

Very much enjoyed lunch at this super pub. Food delicious with beef rare, just as specified. Trout with scallop and wild mushrooms delicious. Staff plentiful, professional, and friendly.

We visited the Crown as a party of 10 on a Sunday afternoon before Xmas and were extremely disappointed with the meal and the especially the service we received.

We visited for lunch. There is some lovely seating outside- with designated non-smoking tables. Our food was utterly delicious and the fish and chips is one of the best ever tasted. Staff were very attentive and helpful.

Well I finally came. So many of my friends have recommend this restaurant and today we finally got round to trying it out and I'm so glad we did. The venue is furnished really well and the menu is lovely, there is something for everyone and as fish is my preference I was thrilled with the amount of choice and offerings they had. My only problem was having food envy by all the plates that were coming out of the kitchen!

We have been here for lunch many times and have never been disappointed until today. The starters were good but unfortunately it was disappointing thereafter. My husband had roast pork which was 3 incredibly thin slices of meat, 3 roast potatoes, a sliver of crackling and a drop of apple sauce. The vegetables were equally sparse. Perhaps because we were at the end of service there was not enough left. My fish dish was bland and although I expect to find the odd small bone my fillet was FULL of very large bones which should have been removed before cooking.

First day of a week off.... and we decided not to cook. Our local "go to" restaurant, went early, no need to book. Arrived just gone 6 o'clock, drinks and sat outside in the sun, perusing the menu, which changes about once a month.

This delightful pub/hotel is in a beautiful setting with views across Suffolk. The food is amazing and the staff are all extremely friendly and helpful especially the Bar Manager, Sam and Nicole.

A must to visit cute small hotel and nice restaurant. Great service, great fish and chips and landscape absolutely amazing.

Very good atmosphere - Nice and warm welcome - top kitchen, great food - well trained staff - nice beers - very good wines. Certainly worth a visit worht a visit when you are in Suffolk !

Came here for the very first time to celebrate an anniversary with my significant other.

Went with friends to celebrate their 45th Wedding anniversary

Dropped in as we were passing and in need of a light lunch. Cheerful staff as always, who quickly found us a table. We opted for the welsh rarebit - a good portion topped with generous cheesy mix an egg and salad. Just right for a cold day and not expensive

The atmosphere was very good and as I use a small mobility scooter it was very accessible and I was able to leave it next to the table. Meal was fresh and tasty although my friends meat pizza was lacking topping. Would definitely visit again.

Pluses. Nice welcome, good beers and a slightly different menu from the norm with an attempt to provide fresh fish dishes from a board menu. Long wine list.

We love this place. We've been here a couple of times for different occasions and they never let us down. Superb food that's reasonable in terms of cost. We booked here for valentine's because we didn't want anything over the top and sycophantic. And it was perfect. The atmosphere was lovely and staff were superb - attentive but gave you the right amount of space. They've got Adnams and Aspall on tap, which is great! The food is so good - I'd particularly recommend the salmon and haddock hash starter - it was so good I wanted to order it again! Would recommend to anyone.

My husband and I had dinner here on a Saturday night at 8.30pm. The atmosphere was good and the restaurant was busy. The decor is fresh and modern and appealing and it would pitch itself as a gastro pub.

Some of the best food I have ever eaten. My friend and I went three nights on three consecutive weeks and will be back. Great food, well trained staff, lovely atmosphere, privacy and space around the diners, great wine room, great views if you are on the Patio, good hotel attached if you want it. 5* all round. The

This pub is well worth a visit. You are made welcome as soon as you walk through the door and you really need to reserve a table as it gets very busy. We went twice during our week in Suffolk and the first time did not reserve a table. They has nothing free except a table where you would normally have drink as the table was lower than a dining table. We decided to accept this but as we were eating our starters a table came free and they offered to move us to it for our main course which was really good of them. The food is a little on the pricey side but worth every penny. The staff are friendly and helpful and nothing seems too much trouble.

Good food, good service and a lovely atmosphere. Never disappointed after several visits to The Crown.

Excellent beers, seating and garden. Tried to sit outside however none of the patio heaters had gas in them so could not use. Very busy so book well in advance if you want to eat.

Food excellent as always. Great seasonal starters, steak good too and normally a local ale. Possibly my favourite place in Colchester.

Excellent food and wine in a perfect setting, different to the usual pub fare, beer in perfect condition too. The staff are all so welcoming and nothing is too much trouble.

This isn't a bad restaurant by any means, in fact the food was very good, lots of different things on the menu which I love to see. The atmosphere and decor was lovely too and it had a good buzz about the place considering it was mid week when we visited. We just felt that compared to other places we've been it was over priced and the portions were small. I paid £7 I think it was to have a tiny chicken coronation starter. I could have put it all on my fork in one go. If it was more reasonably priced I would happily given it 4 stars.

The staff were welcoming and the portion sizes were good, the food was well priced. Plenty of indoor seating. The food quality was OK. Toilets were poor and took an age to refill once flushed, not good if someone has used the facilities just before you! Good amount of parking.

Nine of us went to this restaurant on a Saturday evening in early April for a celebration meal. The restaurant was busy (the car park was nearly full), with an attractive 'buzz', but the staff could not have been more solicitous when we ordered drinks and waited for our table (booked for 8.00 pm) to become available. The food was great, with an extensive menu choice at very reasonable prices, with the option of 'mini-starters' @ £3.75. (Unlike another local restaurant, there was no fixed-price menu, regardless of dish choice.) Service was impeccable: no wonder the restaurant was full - and highly to be recommended.

Four of us popped in this Sunday evening with no booking but were found a table with no fuss the staff are very helpfull a good choice of dishes and a very good wine cellar . I had the chicken livers to start followed by the venison meatloaf excellent will be visiting again soon.

Have just reviewed the hotel side of this establishment, and have to say that the restaurant also surpassed itself on our latest visit. The food was good and the staff were very efficient and friendly and attentive. We visit often and it never fails.

popped in for a drink following a walk from polstead. very comfortable and modern pub nice little village. Great menu and food.

We started our trip by stopping off for lunch at this very well run pub on our outward journey. This is a place you can always rely on for good food and drink we have never been disappointed with our meals here since it was opened by the present proprietors more years ago that I care to remember now. This lunch was no exception cooking and service were both excellent and well worth the trip off the A12, There is also a great fish specials menu on the blackboard.

Have had lunch here previously. Wonderful food. 10 of us stayed 2 nights over the New Year and we were not disappointed. The breakfasts are brilliant. Accomodation was lovely, standard rooms more than adequate. The staff are friendly and very helpful.

Been to the Crown so many times recently and I can't find one thing I could criticise. Amazing food and amazing service!

the meals were excellent the breakfast was great and the hotel was very lovely and relaxing it was our 20th anniversary and we stayed for 2 days and nights, the staff were great

Returned after a year the last visit being a disaster. Wow what a difference this time. We had the fish which was fantastic and the sweets were great. Service was quick, the food was hot and the server, a young chap with an accent probably from eastern europe, was just great.

I have been visiting The Crown for years since it reopened it's doors years ago after a full refurbishment and I love it! The staff are brilliant (especially Sam who makes you feel so welcome) and the food is superb. Yes, you will pay £15 for a main chicken dish but it will deliver more than just chicken, it will be very well presented and delicious - I eat out a lot and rarely would I rave about chicken!

We often visit The Crown as the food is always absolutely delicious. I'm a seafood lover, and they're is always plenty of choice with the catch of the day menu. Every time I go I have something different. The desserts are also to die for!

Pre booked table , however had to wait for good 40 mins after our booked time! Staff very helpful and friendly . Drinks overpriced. Food average they didn't have what we'd ordered tho offered adequate replacement but dissapointingly vegetables were cold and so were potatoes! Vintage inns offer similar food but cheaper and hot! Nice evening out and couldn't fault the staff/ service

Twelve people great atmosphere lovely staff all food served was beautifully cooked and presented obviously good quality produce good value maybe would have liked more selection of fish starters main courses fantastic choice shame plates were not hot as my food was Luke warm food in my local Italian is sizzling I think their waiters can handle very hot plates would not hesitate to recommend The Crown wish you were nearer thank your staff for an enjoyable Sunday lunch

We just about managed to get a table. Everything was Nicely presented and cooked. Plenty of variety to choose from. Lovely selection of desserts, although disappointed not to see a cheesecake! It is a very busy country restaurant and we felt maybe the service is a little more urban than rural.

Very attentive staff, even when the pub was busy. An especially good place to eat if you like fish, but good alternative options, and generous portions

This is a fabulous place to stay and remains a special getaway for my husband and I, the rooms are all lovely and the food excellent

We visited the Crown on Sunday and had not pre-booked. We were shown within minutes to a lovely table and proceeded to enjoy a truly wonderful meal. Delicious food, great service, even though the restaurant was very busy. We will return!

Superb food, excellent service unfortunately not child friendly. Excellent choice of dishes, very well cooked and presented, sweets were to die for.

This is a nice country pub and one of the better ones in the area. Quite a nice variety of food, great wine and a nice atmosphere sitting outside looking across endless fields with a beer.

The food was fine but the atmosphere is too clinical - I accept that it has moved into a modernistic theme, there is little or no warmth in the place. The price structure is in keeping with the area

Excellent Food in this busy restaurant/small hotel. The service was excellent although it was busy, it has a very good menu and you can have mini starters and deserts if you like, we had fresh mackerel with was excellent.

Heerlijk eten , attente en vlotte bediening, gezellige ambiance, uitgebreide menu keus met produkten uit de regio.

I was invited by a friend as would not have gone back a second time, but very impressed with the Haddock & Chips, they were absolutely lovely. I have no idea what the cost was, so cannot comment on price.

We had lunch here on our way to stay nearby. We didn't have a reservation but we were able to be seated straightaway. We both had roast dinners I had beef my husband had pork, both of our meats were cooked to perfection and the vegetables were fresh and a welcome accompaniment to our meal.

Booked Sunday lunch with a friend at The Crown, the weather was gorgeous for a change so rather than eat a roast lunch in the restaurant we opted to eat outside on the Terrace. It's been a few years since I last visited the Crown and the food and service are still superb. Lunch for me consisted of a delicious warm Goats Cheese salad followed by that good old 70s classic Chicken Kiev, although I was feeling fully fed and watered I still managed to find room for a mini pudding of Banana Bread ice cream crumble, it was truly exceptional!

My girlfriend and I came here for lunch on a Sunday and we had a great one! The trout and the sea bass were just delicious and also the entrants and dessert were great! Fantastic food, splendid staff and a great place to have lunch!

Great food, lovely location, great service. Spicy pork cracklings, mixed starters, chicken salad all outstanding, washed down by a couple of pints of Guinness. A great start to a Saturday!

Our friends brought us here and they rated it quite highly. There is quite a good atmosphere and it was busy. However, the speed of the service was not exactly quick - took a while for our order to be taken. The food was good. The MAJOR gripe I have, and why only an average rating, was the lack of baby changing facilities! I couldn't believe that there was a disabled facility but no baby change. Another female customer also said it was poor that there was no baby change considering how many families use the place. I ended up changing our daughter in the men's beside the sink which was not good for her, me or the chaps wanting to wash their hands although they did sympathise with me!!

This was our second visit and our last time a year ago was excellent. This time service was very good and the 3 taster starters are a must and the skate was excellent. There is a warm and friendly atmosphere and the tables are not to close together. Price is about correct for the venue and for an occasion not just a pub meal. We all agree another visit next year.

Beware Friday and Saturday nights. It gets very busy. Try the flatiron steak and steak and kidney pudding with a glass of merlot of a pint of Woodforde's Wherry

The food was great and the wine with each course where a great match,the crown was packed full but the staff where very helpful and service very quick.Sorry to say, nothing to dislike at the crown.

(Wrote and posted this review on 23 December, but it disappeared. So here it is again...

This restaurant has been a regular destination since it opened and it has never failed to please.

We went on a Saturday evening. A lot of the food had bacon or pork included but what we did have was really nice and filling. Definately worth it.

Having heard good reviews, and as it''s local, we booked in to the restaurant for Christmas Eve. After going to the Carol Service at St. Mary's, just over the road, we entered to a mass of humanity. Obviously popular, too popular. The Carol singers and quintet were a nice idea, but they did seem to be in the staff's way, wherever they stood.

Friendly service and very good food. Dog was welcome too! Obviously well thought of locally as restaurant was very busy on a Tuesday evening. Staff took time to talk to us and were attentive but not obtrusive.

everything about this restaurant is fantastic. There is absolutely nothing to dislike about the place.

We travelled to The Crown as it is in a lovely area and we walked in and my husband asked for a highchair for our 9 month old. We were told "we've never provided highchairs as we don't really provide for children as we aren't that sort of restaurant" this made us feel like we were some down and outs and how dare we think of bringing a child into the restaurant, shouldn't we be at McDonald's or such like?!

My husband & I stopped by here for a light lunch en route to a nearby hotel, all the staff were very pleasant & helpful & food was good quality. There were several areas mainly for eating but also some comfy chairs by a fire (very welcome on a wet & windy day). We were intending to return next day for an evening meal as the menu looked inviting but didn't quite make it.

Seeking a change from the Angel Inn, where we were staying four nights, we twice crossed the road the The Crown. A clubby bar with comfortable easy chairs was ideal for our pre meal drinks and the busy restaurant next door served us well on both occasions.

Excellent food prepared and served with passion. Great range of beers and wines and knowledgeable bar staff make this one of the best country restaurants in Suffolk ,if not the UK!

Loved the setting and friendly service, but didn't enjoy the meal (sadly). Maybe we chose the wrong thing but I struggled to find anything that I really fancied.

we went several times in this restaurant, every meal was excellent, only the Gnocchi are not to be recommended :)

This was our second visit to The Crown and won't be our last. Mum and two daughters for a girls weekend away. Had room 107 which was plenty big enough for 3 adults, immaculately clean and finished to a really high standard. All staff were very attentive. We had a superb meal on Saturday evening, the place was buzzing and it did take a little too long to get a drink but certainly not a problem. We do like an ice bucket rather than a cooler and would love to see that as standard! The food was really lovely and breakfast superb. Always good to see a wide open door to a kitchen - it tells us you're proud of it and very confident about what goes on in there and what comes out if it. We love the decor at The Crown too, good to see Jim Lawrence in evidence everywhere just wish we knew some of the colours you use on walls - it all looks fab. Thanks for another great weekend.

Four of us ate dinner here. The decor was lovely, service was a little slow but it was Friday night and they were packed. All of our entrees were very good and tasty. The menu was limited but good choices. We all walked away full and very satisfied.

We booked here for a Saturday evening meal based on recommendations from holiday cottage owners. When booking we were encouraged to come earlier than our booking time for a pre-dinner drink which seemed a good idea and we did. The restaurant was full and there was a good atmosphere but the bar area was chaotic. It took us around 5 minutes to get the attention of staff to tell them we'd arrived and that we'd quite like to order a drink. Other guests were trying to do the same. Some guests appeared not to have booked but had turned up on the off chance of getting a table - something that seems to be encouraged as numbers were being given out to them with rough waiting times for a table. Staff from behind the bar left the bar area to escort guests to tables leaving others at the bar bemused. Guests who had been given numbers felt the need to go back to the bar several times to ask when tables might be ready for them. Nobody seemed to be taking overall control. We were taken to our table slightly before our scheduled time by a very friendly, polite and attentive member of staff. There was a delay before we got the menu and our wine order was taken by someone who said they weren't very good with wines! The wine was great but it arrived towards the end of our starter. However, I can't fault the partridge starter or the main of pan-fried sea-bass with courgette risotto which were excellent. Not so the panna cotta dessert which was far too set with a very tart compote (sorry but not a patch on the panna cotta just over the road at The Angel). Maybe The Crown just had an off night as it would seem popular and should contain the right ingredients for excellent food and service. If you operate a bookings and first come, first served system alongside each other you need strong management to make sure you don't fail at both.