Crow & Gate Pub — Restaurant in Area A (Cassidy/Cedar)

An experience of a visit on a busy bank holiday Monday afternoon….

The four of us arrived at about 1315 looking forward to an authentic English pub experience.

On arrival, we were told it was a 45 minute wait for a table. Asked if we could get a drink whilst we waited - this is not allowed at all.

A cursory look inside the pub and onto the outside patio could see a large number of completely empty tables.

We were in a surreal busy ‘English pub’ where most of the tables inside were completely empty and only a few souls were drinking. This enhanced by a 45 minute queueing system in the ‘waiting garden’.

Surrounding the pub is a lovely manicured English country lawned waiting garden. With a few single seats scattered around.

This garden is exclusively for customers to spend time waiting for a table in the pub to become available. Of course it is not possible to take drinks from the pub into this waiting garden.

We did find out that there is one single bench inside the pub that fits three people. This seems to be reserved for customers bold enough to enter the pub to wait for a table and actually order drinks at the bar.

Three of you (of a party of four) can sit comfortably consuming your drinks whilst watching the empty tables.

After 45 minutes eventually we were led to a section of the pub that was completely empty and devoid of any atmosphere. We were allowed to sit at one of the empty tables specially chosen for us.

Ironically from this table we could observe hoards of people sat on the lawn in the waiting garden amusing themselves by playing cards and other games - without a drink in sight.

We were told the empty tables inside and many outside on the patio were kept to reduce the pressure on the kitchen. No one seemed to consider the option of asking if anyone wanted to have a drink whilst waiting for their turn for the food order.

This pub wouldn’t survive 10 minutes in England - we have things called beer gardens and allow customers to make decisions for themselves.

Beer and food when we got it were extremely...

So DELICIOUS, and now with table service!!

Most recently, we were there on Father's Day, which just so happened to be my 53rd birthday as well this year. They don't always coincide.

Because of the momentous occasion, and also I've no doubt, the libations and yummy food, the place was at capacity!! My Aunt and I, and our friends had a 45 minute wait. We took ourselves off for a walk down to the entrance where I had an impromptu photo session with "Honey" their Golden Doodle and the family. I MUST remember to get people to remove their hats...cause with the strong sun overhead, it cast deep shadows on faces. Bad news if you want a decent photo. Good thing dogs don't wear hats! She was a perfect subject!! You can find pics of her (and other stuff) on my Instagram here: @positiveimpressionphotography

After our walk and photo session, we returned to chit chat, and only had to wait about another 15 minutes before they called us to say our table was ready.

I KNEW before I went there what I wanted...so I ordered the Pan-Fried Oysters, Caesar Salad with a bowl of Smoky Corn Chowder. Talk about HEAVEN...Yumm and Yummer!! My Aunt had the same, but with Smoked Salmon Chowder. Brian & Jack had Burgers and Corn Chowder, Sue had the Ploughman's Plate...and a stacked Shrimp Sandwich to share with Jack. Me and my Aunt both had Lime Mojitos, the guys had lagers, and Sue had Merridale Cider. Everyone was THRILLED with their meals, and it would have been PERFECT if I hadn't knocked my Mojito all over my lap! Damnit!! My Aunt and I shared a slice of the the Chocolate Bailey's Cheesecake and Brian had a piece of the Pecan Pie...could it get ANY better?? Only if I hadn't dumped my drink, and that's on me, no pun intended!! LOL

**the red hue in the food pics is because of the sun through...

My family’s frequent tradition and favourite, this British-style pub (with the timbers actually transplanted from the UK in the mid 20th century), this pub is an experience. You are sat at a variety of different tables, and the rest of the service is up to you. Both food and drink are ordered at the bar, and food is brought to you.

When we went we had the chance to sit by the fire for a table, a nice treat on a chilly rainy day, and the pub was very busy. As there were a lot of tables, our food took longer than expected and we received our food after some other tables who were sat and ordered after us.

My partner had the Reuben and salad; the amount of beef was not stellar and the sandwich was unevenly made, but otherwise tasty and standard fare.

I got the steak and mushroom pie and was disappointed, as I’ve had their pies in the past and they were far superior. As per the picture I included, it came with salad and potato salad, and the pie was essentially a pre-baked round of pastry, which was over baked and crumbled into the pie insides, which were ladled into a bowl and topped with the baked pastry mentioned before. It’s fairly common to serve pie like that these days, but usually puff pastry tops the bowl/ramekin instead of a round of pastry not attached like it was that day.

I’m giving it a 4/5 as historically speaking, I’ve had stellar experiences. This experience was still enjoyable for the company I had with me and the beer selection is still pretty good. I would chalk it up to kitchen difficulties and a huge rush of people on a Thursday lunch. This place is wonderful for sunny weather as the grounds are well-kept and...