Merhaba, Merhaba, Merhaba? Something exciting is going on at the Rose and Crown, so Discreet Diner went along to investigate!
The pub itself is a glorious riot of colour outside, hanging baskets looking beautiful, and a pleasant seating area outside where happy customers were enjoying the last of the sun’s rays with a cool pint.
Inside, although we were dining early, most tables were already full – families, couples and larger groups of all ages, a sign that this place, under its new manager, is very popular! And we were soon to find out why.
We were immediately greeted at the bar with a smiling and very efficient welcome. Looking around, the inside of The Rose and Crown has all the features of a traditional pub, cosy corners, beams, swirling carpets and interesting features. We were shown to a table in the corner to sip our wine and peruse the interesting menu with its Turkish influence.
The selection of starters included the regulars – prawn cocktail, soup etc…but hang on, also featured are three Turkish starters, and we plumped to share the Maze, a generous mixed platter consisting of a selection of dolmans, calamari, fried halloumi and other delights. Our food arrived very quickly and our lovely waitress couldn’t have been more helpful. My companion declared the calamari perfect and we quickly cleared the plate.
For main courses we continued the Turkish theme and I thoroughly enjoyed my Lamb BBQ, served with rice and sautéed mixed peppers. The lamb was tender and perfectly char grilled and the sauce was tasty. My companion ordered the Ispanakli Tavuk which was chicken stuffed with spinach, mushroom and cheese. This was moist and delicately spiced, served again with rice and peppers. Both our meals were just the job and very reasonably priced, both at the £8.50 mark.
If you don’t want to sample the Turkish selection, this menu offers a fantastic range of meals to satisfy everyone, for example, steaks, fish and chips, steak pie and vegetarian options to name a few. Those who fancy spicing things up a bit could choose goulash, Cajun chicken or chicken tikka masala. All meals are freshly cooked, well presented and the portions looked very generous indeed.
There is also a children’s menu, good value at £3.99 and they do a choice of Sunday Roasts at £6.95.
We couldn’t possibly have managed a pudding but the small but perfectly formed dessert menu offered banofee pie, cheese cake, profiteroles and Sutlac (Turkish rice pudding).
The service was excellent, the staff friendly and the food great value and delicious. The Rose and Crown has been transformed into a real Turkish delight!
