Review of 'The Crown'
While out visiting a local Christmas market (sadly disappointing) we were on the lookout for somewhere to eat. Our expectations were not very high given past experience but it was getting later and we are stubborn so gave it a go anyway. Thankfully we chanced upon a pub that was welcoming and served good food to boot…a rare thing indeed nowadays.
“The Crown” in “Lower Peover” (love the town name) is a small but warm hearted pub just outside of Knutsford. On this Sunday it was still early in the evening but the car park was full though when we entered we knew why - The front room was jammed with people watching football on the television. About ready to turn around and try somewhere else, we decided instead to check just in case there was a table free for the two of us. Thankfully there was, actually, there was two: One in a front room where the football was playing on a table in the back room, near the bar which was gloriously TV-free. We chose the later.
Immediately on being seated we were made to feel welcome with the staff ignoring the vocal football fans and focusing their attention on us, patiently explaining the menus. We were immediately drawn to the A4 single-sided “Christmas” menu which, it was explained, had just started that day. 2 courses for £24.95 and 3 courses for £28.95 seemed quite reasonable but, more importantly, the options on the menu were very tempting indeed including, it has to be said, a fish option for the main and two veggies options for starters.
Having decided on our choices, Nigel (who I take is the owner) pulled up a chair beside our table to take our order then spent a few more minutes talking to us. “Yes, we are Canadian, we have lived here for a long time, and yes, it is a nice country to visit if you have not been there” (normal sort of chatter we get). It was rather nice and throughout he was focused entirely on us until being called away by what I take to be his wife.
On the approval of Nigel, my starter was the “roasted tomato soup, bread roll” which was, as promised, home made. The soup was not over-seasoned and full of flavour with a nice amount of pulp for some texture. The bun, it has to be said, left a bit to be desired as it looked and tasted like something out of a freezer bag.
My companion had the “cheddar cheese arancini, tomato chutney and mixed leaves” which consisted of two small arancini perched on top of the chutney and salad. She tells me the arancini was good and light, a nice contrast with the taste of the mild chutney.
Her main was the “roast beef - Served with all the trimmings including pigs in blankets” which was great (though, in retrospect we didn't get any “pigs in blankets”) with a large pile of vegetables - Mashed potato, roast potato (delicious and not TOO crunchy, floury inside), roast parsnip (not at all bitter), turnip mash, broccoli (still green), cauliflower (not mush), carrots (slightly crunchy, getting sweet), a couple of Brussel sprouts (wonderful flavour a bit of garlic), and sliced boiled cabbage (still crunchy though) - Topped with the roast beef, then a yorkshire pudding with a ball of stuffing. The whole thing was dosed with a small amount of gravy (being concerned about whether there was enough gravy, Nigel went away and brought us a jug of it). The beef was cooked medium (not at all pink) but very juicy and tender while the vegetables were a delight with each cooked perfectly with none of them over-cooked.
My main was the “roast turkey crown” which was served in the same way as the beef. The turkey was full of flavour (a good amount!) and quite juicy as well.
All in all, a very nice, what I would call, traditional pub with good food and a warm welcome from the staff. The price was reasonable at just under £60 for the two of us including drinks (a cider and a soft drink). It might not win any fancy dining awards, but the food was honest and cooked as it should be and provided at a reasonable price. According to Nigel, who asked our names as he shook our hands on the way out, they have events all the time including sheep competitions in the summer and an Elvis impersonator in the Christmas holidays. The pub seems to be an active part of the small community which is always a good sign.
Despite “The Crown” in Lower Peover being about 30 minutes drive away we will certainly considering seeking it out again.
Rating: “Nearly perfect, but not quite”
Review Date: 2024-12-01
Cuisine: American/British
Address: Crown Ln, Lower Peover, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 9QB ENGLAND
Location: Cheshire (England) - Knutsford
Map:
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Telephone: +44 (0) 1565 722476
URL: https://www.crowninnlowerpeover.co.uk/