Crown & Anchor — Restaurant in Winchester

The Crown & Anchor... Well, what can I say about my experience in this lovely pub?? Let me paint a picture of my day. On a Sunday my rather lovely girlfriend and I like a lovely stroll and a cosy pub lunch... Sounds pretty normal right? Anyway, her favourite place is Winchester, she enjoys the atmosphere of the place and I enjoy the history of the city and looking at the fish in the river Itchen. Oh yes that sounds lovely doesn't it? As we were strolling hand in hand through the magnificent city of Winchester we began to get a little peckish and, after a brief look at the menu we decided on a roast dinner in the Crown and Anchor.. Now dear reader let me tell you something... Make sure you're sitting down.............. Takes a deep breath!! I'm a vegetarian!!!! Wow!! I hear you say. Is this guy breaking new ground??? Is he some kind of pioneer??.. Well guess what.. I'm not alone, there are millions of vegetarians all over the planet.. Millions!!!! The Crown & Anchor did however offer a vegetarian option, a vegetable Wellington with roast potatoes, kale and seasonal vegetables. "That sounds nice" I foolishly uttered to myself. At this point I should point out that my girlfriend had roast beef.. (Just for clarity). Well dear reader as I waited for my vegetable Wellington with roast potatoes, kale and vegetables I sipped on a rather cool and refreshing Pepsi Max.. How could I possibly be aware of the trauma that was about besett me? And when I look back now, I can not help but think how innocent I must have looked, perhaps like a dog that is about to be taken to the vets to be put to sleep staring up at his owner excited to go on another fun walk in the forest.

Pow!!

And then it happened, our food arrived.

Now my lovely girlfriend started tucking in to her juicy and succulent roast beef. No complaints from her.. She was chowing down like nobody and nothing else mattered.. But what about the author of this witty review? "How was the vegetarian roast dinner? " I hear you say. All I can say is this..... It wasn't a vegetarian Wellington but seemed to be a Mediterranean tart of some kind, packed full of tomatoes and olives.. Yes folks, your eyes are not deceiving you... OLIVES IN A ROAST DINNER!! BLINKING OLIVES!! I struggled to comprehend what was happening to me. Was I hallucinating? Had I lost my mind? No was the short answer. I got confirmation from my sane girlfriend, I HAD OLIVES IN A ROAST DINNER!!!

OLIVES

OLIVES

What happened next?

Whilst slightly perplexed I finished my rather unusual meal and continued with my day. Did I feel sick? No. Did you complain? No We ate up and left just like every good British person should.

In conclusion. That lunch will probably always haunt me and perhaps I will never be the...

Read to last update.

Very popular venue for both locals and visitors. Good menu and offers locally sourced ingredients where possible. Good cellar conditions ensure a decent pint...priced just north of average, for Winchester. Very welcoming staff and management. Does tend to attract the 'local pub characters', but not in a bad way.

Interesting artefacts are displayed on the walls, along with pictorial history of the city. Free WiFi. Situated metres away from Winchester Bus Station, this is a nice place to enjoy a pint and a meal, while waiting for your bus. National Express coaches stop directly opposite.

There is a small garden to the rear of pub. Paid parking is available immediately outside the property...under the watchful eye of King Alfred's beautiful statue.

UPDATE: Dropped in here today 09/05/2018...and was told that they are a cash ONLY venue. Not a problem for those able to walk...but I'm a disabled pensioner and the nearest ATM is at least a 30-40 minute walk for me...EACH way!!!

All my previous observations still stand.

UPDATE II: I took my girlfriend in here yesterday (13/04/19) and was confronted by 4, obnoxious, rowdy, rugby supporters. They were yelling, swearing and simulating singing, with a total disregard for everyone else. In my days as a publican, they would have been thrown into the street had they attempted this behavior in ANY of my bars.

I complained to ALL 3 bar staff, but nothing was done. The noise and disruption was so bad, that 3 women simply left their meals unfinished and walked out...we did the same with our drinks. Absolutely appalling behavior, absolutely appalling staff attitude...but they now accept cards for payment.

Use this bar, but expect a VERY noisy visit. ...

Me and my coeliac girlfriend went to this establishment and was very excited as we heard they are very gluten free friendly. We ordered two gluten free burgers which to our surprise when cutting them were completely raw! I politely asked the waitress if we could receive new burgers as we were not comfortable eating them and she kindly returned them to the kitchen. We received two new burgers a little later which AGAIN were unhygienically raw in the inside. We addressed our concerns to (who we believe) was the manager and she told us as the meat was fresh (which it absolutely wasn’t) it should be pink. As I chef of 6 years I understand there may be a slight pinkness of fresh beef however not bright red all the way through and cold to the touch! The same lady later noticed we hadn’t touched our meal and quoted, “It won’t kill you”. Absolutely terrible behaviour from a hospitality member of staff, especially when the customer is already feeling anxious regarding their meal. We were offered a, “free dessert” after barely touching our meal, we were not offered a refund and we had already paid as this establishment makes you pay at the bar before even receiving your meal, I see why now. Do...