en en fi en oc en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en it en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en de en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en es en en en en
Since I no longer live locally, I had not visited The Crown since very soon after the ‘Chestnut Group’ bought it from its creators. Sadly, there is now a great difference:
First off, the car park had a large pile of beer kegs in it, plus four more blocking the route to the hotel. A car, (I assume a staff member), was parked against the hedge by the building, with a ‘For Sale’ notice on it!
Next I noticed that the clever & subtle ‘The Crown’ logo on the front gable (& everywhere else), had been replaced with a brash ‘Clown’s hat’ device; in the case of the front gable without removing evidence of the original, or filling the holes, or painting over. These were the warning signs!
Inside was much as I remembered, but with some bad re-decorating. The main problem was, of course, the food. The nuts, olives & bread ‘nibbles’ were OK, though the walnuts were burnt & the olives were cheap Spanish ones.
Main courses: My lamb rump, pea & mint puree, confit new potatoes, garlic & shallot mange tout, & shallot sauce, (£18). It wasn’t very tender & rather fatty piece of lamb, in a basic lamb gravy, with three tiny squirts of pea puree, three tiny roasted (confit?) new potatoes, and a few mange tout, made up with small peas that were probably frozen.
The garlic & shallot mange tout was not present in any way in the flavour of the sauce which was very salty and in no way a separate sauce or flavour. In short, it was presented ‘on the cheap’ for £18! Not impressed! I mentioned my concerns to the server, but nothing was done.
Two of our party had the smoked paprika chicken burger, (£15.50). This was a half of a small breast of chicken, cut flat wards, so it was thin & dried out badly in the cooking. Barely edible at all. My partner took most home for the dog! The gem lettuce was dark, old, flat-leaf stuff, & I don’t think the chips were made ‘in house’. For the price, can you really not afford a whole breast of chicken? The meat menu is very limited; if you don’t want a steak (£25.50/£32.50), or offal, then just two choices! One of our party said they enjoyed the smoked fish, but the portion was tiny.
Come on Crown, we all know too well what happens when a successful eatery is taken over by a greedy chain; it happened with the same owners previous creation, The Angel in Stoke By Nayland; a raving success in the ’80s & ’90s, then almost run into the ground by stupid new chain owners. From what I see, you need to be aware of the approaching threat from a new, re-vamped ‘Angel’, If you charge too much & don’t deliver on your menu, your future is very uncertain. I, for one, will not be happy to consider returning for some time, I fear. Such a great shame, you were handed the ‘Golden Goose’, but fail to see it.
Become a member to receive exclusive benefits
Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.
Exclusive holiday offers and discounts
Travel insights delivered direct to your inbox
Plus a free copy of The Silver Traveller magazine and much more!
Already a member? Sign in
Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube Linkedin
©2021 Silver Travel Advisor, All Rights Reserved. ABTA: P8411. Silver Travel Advisor is a UK registered limited company. Book with Confidence. We are a Member of ABTA which means you have the benefit of ABTA’s assistance and Code of Conduct. We provide financial protection for your money when you buy a package holiday. If you buy other travel arrangements such as accommodation only this protection doesn’t apply.
Silver Travel Advisor sells travel services on behalf of Hays Travel Limited and benefits from Hays Travel’s membership of ABTA with membership number P8411. ABTA and ABTA Members help holidaymakers to get the most from their travel and assist them when things do not go according to plan. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct.
For further information about ABTA, the Code of Conduct and the arbitration scheme available to you if you have a complaint, contact ABTA, 30 Park Street, London SE1 9EQ. Tel: 020 3117 0599 or www.abta.com”
Hays Travel Limited are registered in England and Wales with company number 1990682 and VAT number 193167195. Registered office: 25 Vine Place, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear SR1 3NA. Silver Travel Advisor is a trading name and are registered in with company number 7408308 and VAT number 100952746. Registered office: 9b Hurst Road, Milford on Sea, Lymington, Hampshire, SO41 0PY.