The Crown
Hastings , East Sussex
CONTINUE READING
Already a member? Log in here
Subscribe to our newsletter to gain access to limited free articles, reviews, news and our weekly newsletter.
The Good Food Guide Membership: Save £100s at Britain's best restaurants - try for free for 30 days
All Saints Street is one of the most intriguing 'olde' roads in Hastings Old Town, with many a fascinating façade and quirky window to peek into. The Crown’s prettily kept red-brick corner site is close to the Hastings Contemporary Art Gallery and fishing huts but set back enough to feel like a locals’ secret. Service is young and jolly, and there’s a sense of enjoyable teamwork when the pub gets busy. It’s a popular place for small celebrations but never gets shouty. The menu is interesting, in the sense that few star ingredients get away without a considered tweak. Asparagus in season comes with sauce gribiche, and a main of cod-cheek scampi gets a northern nod with chips and curry sauce. Romney Marsh lamb, so good with minimal intervention, is cheffily done two ways, while whole mackerel is simply roasted but served with hazelnuts and shallot vinaigrette. Fried treats are sensible in a drinking establishment, and a bar snack of salt-and-pepper shrimps was a sheer delight, but tempura mussels and oysters were sadly drowned in batter. Fritters feature on the indulgent pudding list, too, while cream and sorbet flavours include shortbread, and stout caramel. The drinks list is immense and exciting, featuring a dozen local gins, IPAs brewed in Brighton and Hastings, and vinous highlights such as nearby Tillingham’s Col ’20 natural sparkler, and organic Zibibbo from Sicily. The Crown is more than a pub or restaurant; it’s a community hub with really good art exhibitions, a snug stacked with toys and games for children, and frequent music, literary and craft events. You can even call in for a Black Velvet in a silver tankard.
