Following a 9-year closure, The Crown Hotel reopened on the 26th May. This grade II listed building is situated in the heart of Boston Spa. I live ten minutes down the road and had been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to visit this village institution for the past 12 months
as I watched the renovations taking shape. After being stood empty for so many years, the pub has undergone extensive renovations by Further Afield pubs.
It will come as no surprise that I jumped at the opportunity to spend a child-free evening there. We went on a Wednesday, the weather was fab and there was a good atmosphere - it quickly became apparent that this pub is made for summer dining. The doors were open on the newly constructed conservatory, which spills out on to a charming courtyard filled with pretty, wrought iron tables and lots of greenery, creating a Mediterranean feel.The interior feels contemporary with a few different rooms. The Crown is perfect for lounging, from the light and airy conservatory to comfy velvet sofas in the original building.
We ordered a middle of the range, crisp Pinot Grigio at £28 to accompany an Antipasti for two: bread, olives, cured meats and mozzarella. The perfect nibble on a summer evening. I opted for a light Thai-style, crispy chilli beef, with spicy chopped salad and crushed peanuts for my main, whilst my husband, Phil, had the 10oz Rib-eye. This was cooked as requested (med-rare) and accompanied with vine cherry tomatoes, rocket and triple cooked chips. To end, the Sticky Toffee Pudding, with honeycomb and vanilla ice cream was both generous and delicious. Phil’s Apple Crumble was the perfect sharing size for two, I’m pleased to say quantity didn’t compromise the quality. The menu is very well thought through and well-priced with children also catered for on a separate menu offering little mains for just £6.
I’m a sucker for a proper pub roast and The Crown’s look delicious, so I’ll be back on a Sunday to sample one soon. traditional roasts with all the trimmings and locally reared meat are served from 12 noon. The Crown welcomes walk-ins but it’s a popular destination, so booking is advisable.
Although we certainly didn’t struggle to order from the existing menu, it will be expanding in the near future, with the promise of lobster and a ‘catch of the day’ line caught from the East Coast, coming soon on the blackboard.
The Crown is a classy, charming pub with a bit of something for everyone. For the sport fans out there, you can expect to be able to catch up on those all-important matches in the snug and front bar too. The extensive wine list and well curated cocktail menu make this the perfect stop for after work drinks.
Contact us
The Crown Hotel
128 High Street,
Boston Spa LS23 6BW
Tel. 01937 229900