Hunters Tavern — Restaurant in Easton

*Updated Jan. 11, 2023. Hunters Tavern can be great or terrible, based on my two experiences. My first visit earned one star, and that was generous. The second time I visited with a group of tourists and the service and food were all top notch--the crab cakes especially good. Everyone else enjoyed their meals as well. That was on a Friday night. Just four days earlier, the story was much different. I didn't think I'd ever go there again but a tourist group I was with booked the dinner. This earned five stars in my book... so averaged with the previous 1, we're at 3 total.

My previous review is below. I'd also like to comment on the owners response. It seems disingenuous to state that my experience was not in line with "all" of its other reviews, when the record of inconsistency is documented throughout the reviews.

I wrote that the best thing I can say about this restaurant is that is was open on a Monday night. From the first review: "It started well with dinner rolls and butter. I advised patrons to skip the appetizers. Surprisingly bad for such a charming setting. Ordered 4 items, none arrived hot. Fried oysters were more like flat breaded chips, served with cocktail sauce instead of the remoulade described on the menu. Doesn’t matter, they weren’t worth eating.

Divers Scallops, 2 for $20, arrived on cold rice, neither were flavorful. Creamed corn was ok, kernels weren’t cooked to a creamy state but a mouthful of butter, cream and salt is at least something as good as Campbell’s might make. Turtle soup was mediocre. Too late, I asked the waitress why people come and she said the crab cakes and filet. With $47 spent already we couldn’t risk spending on more disappointments. The manager evidently offered free dessert but even without cost I didn’t want to risk wasting a calorie of my budget here. I can’t remember a...

Where can I start? Ever since Covid the quality of the service has gone significantly down while of course, the prices has gone up (like anything else). Every time I go I come out disappointed saying it is the last time I go, but every 4 months or so I end up returning whether it is with my spouse or friends. The hostess is always different and all of them offer the same unwelcoming vibe with a touch of rudeness. You get that same feeling when sitting at the bar from the bartenders. Yesterday for sure it is the last time I visit this place. The hostess was once again unwelcoming, with a serious face like mad. We asked for a table of two and were offered a table that was located in an area where should not even be a table. We proceeded to ask politely if there was another table. The place was sold out at the moment so the hostess told us that we needed yo wait for a table and proceeded to look into her notes and pretended she was reading with that attitude like “don’t bother me”. Since the place was packed and we asked her where was a good place for us to sit so she could find us. Without even looking at us she just said “I don’t know….I guess there, pointing at a table behind her. I immediately left to avoid issues while my wife spoke with the Manager who was very nice and tried to make it up for us. However enough is enough so I just told my wife on the phone to leave and we went to another restaurant nearby where we received an extraordinary service. The problem with this restaurant is obviously the lack of training and I would not be surprised the staff does not receive the best treatment from management. The quality of the service does not match the classy and elevated image that this restaurant wants to portrait and for this reason I would not recommend it to family, friends or...

We had reservations at the tavern on a Saturday evening for 6 people. When I made the reservation, the hostess said the dining room was full but they could seat us behind the hostess stand, which is fine. As it got closer and the weather looked favorable I called to ask if they would be able to seat us on the patio by the fire. They kept our inside table just in case, but if the weather was nice, they’d seat us outside. We did end up eating outside and between the fire and overhead heaters, it was very comfortable. Our waitress, Casey, was wonderful! Attentive and not pushy, very personable. We all ordered cocktails that were served quickly and correctly. We ordered the crab dip and that was easily devoured! Three people in our party ordered the surf and turf with crab cake and all steaks cooked differently. They all came out perfectly cooked and the crab cakes were outstanding. I had heard that I had to try the meatloaf. I was NOT disappointed!! My mouth still waters when thinking about it. Rockfish and lamb chops were also ordered and were also raved about. Dessert consisted of tiramisu, salted caramel gelato, and the cats meow. All were outstanding! Was an excellent experience from...