The Crown - Bures

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SquareMeal Review of The Crown - Bures

The buzz and banter from a gregarious throng of happy diners and drinkers says it all. Just take note of the glorious views of the Essex/Suffolk border country, the soothing interiors, historical charm, good beer, really excellent selection of wines (for consumption on or off the premises), and a gutsy menu that sources as much local produce as is practical – who could deny that this “fabulous country pub” comes close to perfection. The seasonal array of hearty dishes might include the likes of pressed corn-fed chicken with pistachios and crispy chicken skin, lamb Wellington with apricots or slow-roast pork shoulder with cider crème fraîche, port sauce and curly kale. Fish specials change daily and game is also given deserved attention in winter. And if you are looking for a weekend bolthole, the superb bedrooms show great attention to detail.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £30 - £49
Cuisines
British
Food Hygiene Rating

Location

Stoke by Nayland, Bures, Suffolk, CO6 4SE

01206 262001 01206 262001

Website

Opening Times

Mon-Sat 12N-2.30pm 6-9.30pm (Fri-Sat -10pm) Sun 12N-9pm

Reviews

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1 Review 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Toby N

01 December 2010  
Food & Drink 3.5
Service 2.5
Atmosphere 3
Value 4
I took my dad here for lunch on his 61st birthday – a snowy day at the end of November meant that it was very quiet and somewhat lacking in atmosphere as we were one of only around 4 tables occupied with a few people at the bar and there is also no music. The venue itself is perfectly pleasant; a typical large country pub (they also have a boutique hotel on the same site) that is well maintained and clean with wooden tables and comfy seats all painted in restful greenish and brown hues and with a selection of art for sale on the walls and views over the Suffolk countryside, though I suspect this would be better when it's sunny and you could sit outside rather than look at fields full of snow. Service was mixed – all the staff were very friendly, polite and helpful in the manner that you only ever get outside cities but they were also somewhat disorganised despite it not being busy; we must of had at least 3 different waiters/waitresses during a couple of hours and menus had to be asked for on more than one occasion and a replacement dessert spoon had to be asked for as the original didn't look absolutely clean. Food was mixed – I started with celeriac, chestnut and roast almond soup and it was excellent, rich, creamy, packed with a range of flavours and perhaps most surprising compared to a lot of restaurants it was properly hot – only somewhat spoiled by the accompanying bread being a bit of ready sliced thick cut Hovis and the butter being too hard to spread. My main course was pheasant breast with redcurrants, calvo nero, caramelised parsnips and bacon – a commendable effort but the pheasant was just a bit drier and more chewy than ideal. Desert was bread and butter pudding with whisky soaked prunes and vanilla ice cream – fine, just unexceptional. Credit though that the menu changes regularly and there is always fresh fish and locally sourced ingredients and the previous occasion I've eaten here the food was a bit better and more consistent between courses. Value for money is good – 3 courses for two people plus drinks came to around £65, though there is no service included. Worth a visit – but save it for the sunny days and enjoy a seat in the garden.
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