The Three Crowns - Hackney

Food was pretty good, lacked seasoning but not bad for the price. Service was some of the worst experienced living in London. Had to ask for more to drink at a PUB. Server seemed more interested in other things. Had to find someone to ask for the bill. Probably a better place for Sunday Lunch.

It's a pub, with the bar open to a back room with tables in, yet the prices are rather elevated for what it is. And the service charge! Oh come on, you're a pub, not a restaurant. Stop gouging your customers for an extra 12.5% and let use decide on a tip.

I've been here four or five times now and have only positive things to say. The exterior speaks to this location's history as a local boozer, but inside, you'd be forgiven for not noticing that there is a lively bar at one end of the long dining room (handily separable by a curtain if the drinkers get too boisterous. I took my parents visiting London here the night they arrived. The service is attentive and friendly. The menu is genuinely interesting but not annoyingly avant garde. The open kitchen subtly suggests their (deserved pride in the quality of the cooking. Crab and avocado starter, crab soup with rouille (so crabby! and fresh beet salad started us off with confident and delicious flavours. For mains, we had in season grouse with classical fixings and a special of Bavette, simply prepared with horseradish sauce and some cress. Portions are just right. Couldn't have been happier. I have also had brunch there a number of times I particularly recall a wonderful dish of polenta and mushrooms that was like the plate good. Bottom line, I'm not quite sure why this place is not packed every night...it's bustly, but there were a few open tables. Old Street (especially west is oddly lacking in interesting spots. Thank goodness for The Three Crowns.

Four of us met for lunch and we had varieties of liver, pork and haddock; all well cooked and served fresh within a reasonable time. Very pleasant ambiance, although building works across the road just now did leave something to be desired. No opportunity to eat outside, but this is right in the centre of a busy area, so not exactly a surprise. We enjoyed our meal and were not harassed to leave, which is another plus.

We really loved this place when we visited the first time, and it was just as fabulous going back. The service was outstanding, I am wheat and dairy intolerant and the waiter was incredibly helpful, his dish recommendations also went down very well with my less awkward dining companions. The cod was wonderful, as were the super-crispy chips and elderflower sorbet