Restaurant at The Westleton Crown Reviews

We’ve enjoyed meals at Restaurant at The Westleton Crown for several years whenever we’ve stayed in Suffolk, but we won't be going there again. Last Wednesday, we arrived ten minutes or so before our booking and found only one person behind the bar who gave us a menu, showed us to our table and left us - no offer of a drink and no one to take the order. Just as we were about to leave the order was taken and a very scruffy wine list was produced after requesting. We eventually got a tasty, imaginative meal, which had small portions. The whole place appeared to be so understaffed that service could not help but be poor - few staff to cater for too many covers.

We dined at Restaurant at the Westleton Crown last Sunday. The food was outstanding and cooked to perfection. The choice, quality and presentation were first class but sadly, I think the whole experience was let down by the staff - while the manager and front of house staff could hone their customer services skills, the serving staff tried to do a good job. The chef ought to receive a medal.

It was an excellent meal - food was delicious and the service, friendly and polite. We completely disagree with a reviewer who found the portions small - they were ample, but not so big that we couldn't manage pudding, and prices were completely fair for the quality. We would recommend it and we'll definitely visit again.

The Sunday lunch set menu was exactly as an English Sunday lunch menu should be: £20 and with the option to start with a prawn cocktail and followed by beef. The food was good and unfussy. When my beef came as rare as would ever be sensible, which is exactly what I had asked for, I was as surprised as I was delighted. They serve a great pint of Adnams. A good wine list sat on the table, with short and bizarre tasting notes that would be great to keep children amused (full of classic nuances of pencil shavings). There was nothing prompt about the service, the staff were very polite and nothing went wrong. It was as if they had employed all the nicest people they knew but had forgotten to put anyone in charge. It seemed to work. They give you a lot of time and space, which I like. You could go there to relax. Oh, and they let me use their phone without asking why, which is one of the finest courtesies a reception can provide.

Visited Sept 2006, despite booking well in advance and expecting a restaurant seat we were dumped on wooden benches near the bar and the main door. We were subjected to constant cold draughts and smoke from the bar. The service was barely acceptable. The main course of duck was luck warm and so raw it was still flying. The 'al dente' vegetables needed a pneumatic drill to cut them. They were also lukewarm. Partner's chicken was acceptable. Portions were not very big, but the prices were. The manager was 'unavailable', but would ring me in a couple of days. I am still waiting nearly eight months later. Not a very pleasant experience.