Crow's Nest — Restaurant in Newmarket

Strap in, it's going to be a bumpy ride!! Recently, I was out and about and I had an event to attend but was early so I decided to pop in to the Crow's Nest. It was on a Mon, and It also happened to be my 62nd birthday that day and I decided to treat myself to a nice drink and dinner. I was also by myself. As I was being taken to my table, I was hesitantly asked if I wanted a menu, and I said yes. I was seated by the bar in a dark corner where the windows were covered by dark blinds, where for quite a while I was completely ignored even though I was seated by the bar and the downstairs wasn't very busy, with a few diners, and a few people at the bar. I watched quietly as the bar tender and a few servers walked right by me to clear tables, serve people at the bar drinks, and check on the few diners that were downstairs. Apparently there was an event upstairs that was busy, while downstairs wasn't. I was never even offered water, though other customers who came after me were (complete with lemon slices too!!!) eventually the drink I ordered was brought to me, and I placed my food order after I asked a question about the seafood patties, and I was told they were handmade and baked, not fried, which is what I ordered. More waiting, then the bar tender who was my server, who had been on the phone, leaves and goes on a run to get supplies (again, I was seated at a table in a dark corner right next to the bar, heard everything, saw them leave, never told me their name!! ) by now at least 1/2 an hour has gone by, and the lady who was covering the bartender eventually looked over at me, and told me my order would be out soon, I said yes, but I've been waiting awhile, and she asked if the server told me that what I ordered takes quite a bit of time to make, I said no, and I've been waiting a very long time. At that point I asked for it to go because I had to be at my other event shortly. The bill came to almost $30 Her only other comment was to say I was carrying the bag wrong on my way out. So disappointing on so many levels!! The service was terrible, the food slightly better, and I've experienced better atmosphere on the subway!! Do better!! A little advice going forward, *greet people, smile, tell them your name, make them feel welcome *Seat them where you'd like to be seated if you were the customer *don't completely ignore them, even if you pop by real quickly to say you'll be with them shortly, a little acknowledgement goes a long way!! don't make assumptions, you don't know a person's situation, the kind of day they're having, or their financial means, while I was by myself this time, next time I could come with a bunch of my friends, or tell them about my experience (good or bad), or host an event upstairs you never know, even in this day of social media, word of mouth still carries a lot of weight!! *finally, remember the golden rule, treat others the way you would want to be treated, I wish you well, but I...

Size of Party - 2 Reason for going - Dinner & relaxation Overall feeling - Likely won't go back

Positives - Great atmosphere, great staff, true pub feel! Negatives - Food was either bland or overcooked.

Highlights Upon arrival we were greeted quickly and shown to a table Were able to have a few minutes to chat, look around and take in the atmosphere before waitress took our drink order and we did not wait long for them Waitress was terrific and took our 3 appetizer order of Deep Fried Pickles, Onion Rings and Calamari. Food came out in healthy portions - Pickles were great! Calamari was fine. Onion Rings - Way over done. During our chatting /drinking and munching, waitress asked us if she could bring out our mains which we had ordered... Halibut Fish & Chips as to which we thanked her and said yes. At first glance the plate was well proportioned as always with lots of chips and a healthy size of fish. Slaw and tartar sauce with a wedge of lemon - a classic plate. Closer inspection, the chips were way over cooked much to my displeasure they were very tough just as were the onion rings. Halibut was an excellent piece of fish, very well cooked, great size... but it lacked flavour. The batter while crispy as it should be, had no flavour to compliment the fish itself... which brought me to the tartar sauce - there was nothing special about this either. The only way to get any flavour into the mean sadly was the malt vinegar and lemon wedge which is disappointing.

Cost - Prices would have been as expected and spot on for the size of portions if the food was as good as it should have been... unfortunately it wasn't.

Final Thought - The pub is great, from the atmosphere to how quickly it filled on a Friday night, to the staff who were terrific (not just ours as I observed other wait staff also). The clientele appear to be local repeats which is nice to see too!

If you're going there for drinks then head to the bar where the TV's are on and the Guinness is flowing, however if you're going there for more than just finger foods, then I would try the Crow's Next Pub if you've never been... just don't expect to be...

Food: 2/5 (greasy) Service: 2/5 (slow, we got water after asking them several times) Time spent: 65 minutes (40 minutes waiting)

Went on Saturday night with my family. The place was busy, like every other place on Saturdays. We sat down, the menu was on the table and waited for the waiter for 15 minutes and asked what we wanted to drink. We got water and placed our order with appetizers and main dishes with burgers. Appetizers came in fast. We got garlic bread, asiago dip and chicken tenders. Everything was super greasy, even the nachos. After 25 minutes, they brought us food and we started eating. The fries were a bit soggy, not salted, so it was okay. I got Nested Burger and as I was looking through the burger, there was something super greasy under the cheese. It was peameal and I had no idea that it's pork. I asked the waiter if there was any way to change my burger, she said that I'd have to pay for another one. I told her kindly that we don't eat pork and even if I saw that it said Peameal on the menu, I had no idea that it was pork. Then the chief came in and said that he'll remove the pork and cook the same meat on the grease so it won't smell or taste. I declined and asked if he can just get me a fresh beef patty, he said that we'd have to pay as a whole separate burger.

I lost my appetite and was eating their fries. I have an upset stomach now from all the grease. Others food was okay, this is the first time ever that my family didn't finish...