The Crown at Pantygelli — Restaurant in Wales

We visited with friends for a midday meal. The place was deserted at 11.30 am but soon filled up and is clearly very popular. The service was warm and attentive from a lovely blonde lady, and we were so pleased that dogs were allowed. The sun room (dog friendly) was somewhat sparsely decorated and felt a bit like an echoey garage; a few soft furnishings could help improve the space and the acoustics. We found most items on the main menu to be at a decent price point, and the drinks were very reasonable (£6 for a glass of prosecco is excellent compared to other restaurants). We ordered a large selection of starters to share, and they were delicious: the artisan bread and the burrata especially. There weren't as many non-fish options as we would have hoped, leaving little choice for the husband who can't eat fish. It was chicken or exceedingly pricy steak (32). I ordered the Lobster Linguine, which i found to be a little too rich: it was very dark, presumably from the use of the darker lobster meat in the sauce? The meat in the half shell of lobster itself was sweet enough, but i couldn't eat much of the pasta, especially as there were occasional tiny shards of shell. For £28 I confess I was disappointed as I'm used to a fresher, lighter sauce. We also thought it was quite cheeky to charge £7 for a pudding and then £1.50 on top for a scoop of ice cream. I've never come across that before! The location was gorgeous; right on the English/Welsh border, ample seating outside, and very cosy spaces within where it wasn't dog friendly. I would...

We came for Sunday evening pizza, pub was busy - good for them, pubs need to be busy, not going to be upset for that. Pizza was meh, 4 or 5 choices only, bases are pre made not fresh. The pizza is okay, is it £15 a pizza okay? Not sure. Not upset by it, won't be returning for it. The thing that ruined it for us, we brought our 2 and a half year old. We looked up the menu beforehand - kids menu with fish fingers and chips, asked the little one if she wanted it and she was so happy, literally talking about it for hours before we went, she couldn't wait to have her fish fingers and chips, was telling grandad and everyone who would listen. Then we got there, went to order, and nope, kitchen closed, only pizzas. Wasted a tenner on a Margherita she didn't even touch, and ended up with an hour of crying toddler because she was hungry (thankful had a yoghurt and a doughnut from the morning with us), plus an hour drive home with the same. Our fault for not calling ahead? Maybe? Our fault for bringing a 2 year old to a pub? Maybe. But nowhere does the pizza evening say the rest of the kitchen is closed, and in checking the website again it says children's menu served 12-6pm on Sundays. I get why you would close the kitchen - pizza evening allows you to focus on one thing. But it's a Sunday, people have kids (the owners have two!), what are they meant to eat if they don't like pizza? I'm all for independently owned pubs doing a good job, but unfortunately we won't be returning. I only hope the owners can see this and take this...

Whilst holidaying nearby, I took my partner for an evening meal for her birthday having booked a table only 2hrs prior to going.

Little tricky to find following sat-nav directions which took us through some very narrow lanes, when a more direct and certainly wider route (we found out when leaving) is available.

You know you've hit the 'jackpot' when on a Wednesday night the car Park to both front and back is bursting to capacity.

The welcome from the Landlord/lady was great and the different local real ales on tap gave food for thought on its own.

Seated at the table, the young waitresses were polite and explained the menu when asked a couple of questions, even checking with the chef on one occasion to make sure.

The menu was varied from the more traditional Pub fare to more seasonal and local fare. If anybody is a lover of Game, then this is the place for you. Venison, Duck were on the menu in different guises and no doubt a bit later in the season then Pheasant etc would be too.

Their was complimentary bread and dipping oil as soon as the order was taken and within 10 mins, starters were on the table and both of us were impressed with just how well presented and tasty these were. The mains followed with a suitable break after starters were cleared and didn't disappoint either and nor did the desserts.

Overall a friendly, clean, well presented, tasty meal was had and certainly wouldn't hesitate recommending this place.

Not pub grub in the traditional sense, but high quality good honest...