http://www.essexrestaurants.com/ 284-1260 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/colchester-venues/colchester-restaurants/the-crown-hotel-manningtree-essex.html my daughter took me here for my 60th birthday. I really wish she hadn't, and I have since forgiven her! I will tell you why this pub should be given a wide berth. The drinks prices are astounding! I really was gob smacked and immediately insisted on going to another establishment, but as she was paying, she insisted we stay. I decided to only have a pot of tea as it was so expensive. When the food came, I felt I was being served up the food of my childhood. Colourless over boiled vegetables, bland and tasteless food with absolutely no care or consideration as to how it was put on the chipped plate! When we were asked how our meal was, I said it was very lack lustre and flavourless and noted the waiter saying something to a lady with red hair behind the bar who shot us a rather unsavoury look. I felt the staff did not care one bit about our custom except payment and did not care about our dining experience at all. Clearly they do not offer one. I read the reviews on this website and agree with the person who says that it is quite clear the people giving the reviews with top marks all the time are clearly written by the staff of this establishment. They must be, unless they are turning up on the only days in the year when the food and service are astoundingly perfect! ]]> Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:05:52 +0100 284-1245 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/colchester-venues/colchester-restaurants/the-crown-hotel-manningtree-essex.html I went to this pub/restarant the other weekend. It wasn't terribly busy, but the wait for food was REDICULOUS. The waiter kept getting everything wrong and did not know what he was doing. The food was mediocre, veg absolutely disgusting, drinks prices must be paid for by taking out a re-mortgage. But to top all of THAT off, we witnessed the landlady BERATING and SHOUTING at customers!! She called them rude, and some other things I care not to mention. I have never EVER witnessed such appalling behaviour by the owner of an establishment and the atmosphere went right down, it was horribly embarrassing. After visitng this 'place' I have made a point of reading EVERY review there is available about the Crown and I am absolutely amased that this place is still open for business. The only reason it is, is because of passing trade, a few loyal locals and the views, which really aren't anything special at all! I also feel that a great many of the 'good' reviews are quite obviously written by locals or staff or even the repulsive and rude landlady herself as they score 10/10 for themselves for everything, and the 'reviews' read more like advertisements... (wake up review sites!!!) You have to be totally bonkers to visit or even freqent this place and associate yourself with such a rude woman who treats her customers like RUBBISH and surely gives her town a bad name and must be well-known for it. Shame on you. The staff must be so embarrassed as well. I feel very sorry for them and the poor customers. ]]> Wed, 05 Oct 2011 11:41:22 +0100 284-984 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/colchester-venues/colchester-restaurants/the-crown-hotel-manningtree-essex.html I absolutely had a really lovely meal here today with my wife,and with my dad and my stepmum.We all had a very good portion of food,very good service from the staff.The portions were all very good,the dessert was lovely,the staff made a fuss of us all.By checking to see if everything was ok with our food.It was lovely and clean had a lovely atmosphere.It was good value for money.

We can't understand what is wrong with some people dissing/moaning about this place,as to us it's the best pub in Essex with stunning river views of the river Stour.And we would highly recommend that anyone passing by this glorious establishment pop in to give it a try.And if you fancy dessert,do give Julies chocolate monster a try as it is out of this world.And it's also a real treat for your tastebuds. ]]> Sun, 03 Oct 2010 19:11:05 +0100 284-943 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/colchester-venues/colchester-restaurants/the-crown-hotel-manningtree-essex.html A friend of mine and I stayed here on a rambling tour. The accomodation was adequate although the room we stayed in had an overwhelming smell of feet. The food we had was greasy and overcooked, most especialy the breakfast. Not very nice or appetising. My companion could not eat the breakfast I'm afraid as it was just too greasy. The staff are not warm at all and it all just seemed too much effort for them. I really enjoyed my tour of the area and would definitely come to Manningtree and Mistley again to explore the area further, but will decidedly give this establishment a miss and find somewhere more welcoming. The best and only positive point of this establishment that I can proffer is the views and location only. The Dedham Vale is most spectacular. ]]> Fri, 20 Aug 2010 08:44:01 +0100 284-819 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/colchester-venues/colchester-restaurants/the-crown-hotel-manningtree-essex.html Following a very warm welcome from the young lady behind the bar, we were taken to our table over looking the river.
The restaurant and bar were very busy, but our order from the extensive menu was taken quickly and food arrived hot and in good time.
The cod was fresh and the chips were obviously from fresh potatoes, although the peas and carrots were slightly over cooked.
Staff are well turned out, friendly and efficient, although the landlady could be heard shouting at staff behind the scenes, which was a little off putting.
Toilets and the customer area in general were very clean. ]]> Mon, 26 Apr 2010 17:40:28 +0100 284-811 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/colchester-venues/colchester-restaurants/the-crown-hotel-manningtree-essex.html How can you mess up burger and chips? And at nearly £9- I would expect better than a pile of greasy mess on stale baguette.Definately wouldnt recommend this pub-manningtree has much better establishments. ]]> Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:26:19 +0100 284-769 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/colchester-venues/colchester-restaurants/the-crown-hotel-manningtree-essex.html Aftering recieving a very harty welcome, we enjoyed fine food and ale. The accomodation was first class in a refurbished property across the road and was extremely comfortable. A full breakfast set us up for our journey home and would reccomend a stay at the Crown Hotel to the masses. ]]> Sun, 28 Feb 2010 13:56:17 +0000 284-666 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/colchester-venues/colchester-restaurants/the-crown-hotel-manningtree-essex.html this pubs food is not what you expect. forget the 'waterfront location'. The food and the service is very poor for what you pay for. I am 65 and retired and I really thought this was a lovely place to eat. The staff are not friendly and the food is 'home made' by a mother that hasn't got the war rations or is pre-occupied by the gents to pay attention to cooking it properly. VERY very disapointing. The whole thing I would give a 3/10 ]]> Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:48:37 +0000 284-620 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/colchester-venues/colchester-restaurants/the-crown-hotel-manningtree-essex.html Wife & I stayed for two nights at the crown & our room was very clean & comfortable the food was very good especially the full breakfast,for the evening meal I had steak & kidney pudding stated as homemade but suspect was bought in none the less was very tasty veg was well cooked as I like it.all in a very pleasant hotel with on the whole friendly staff would recommend & visit again ]]> Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:52:53 +0100 284-605 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/colchester-venues/colchester-restaurants/the-crown-hotel-manningtree-essex.html food - fresh produce bought locally, good quality. High proportion low cost, poor quality frozen goods such as apple pies. meat top quality, locally sourced. poor hygeine methods in kitchen, food often served to customers after having been on the floor.

food sampled on visit one- sirloin steak. steak slightly overcooked. came with chips,onion rings, mushrooms, tomato and peas and carrots. The peas and carrots very overcooked, with no taste or nutrition in them. 6/10

food sampled visit two- cottage 'pie'. shepherds pie served with choice of new potatoes or chips and veg. Vegetables cooked as above. Pie had an overwhelming flavour of Worcester sauce and had virtually no peas, carrots or onion in it. The mash was nice, with melted grilled cheese on the top. 4/10


service - there are some good staff at the Crown. However, several of them have been there for donkeys years and are very surly and disatisfied, and can be downright rude, unhelpful and unfriendly.You would not go to the Crown for good service. The landlady can be very friendly, especially to locals, but should a complaint arise, her customer service skills are non-existent. All staff could benefit from customer service training, to make this establishment more successful.

ambience - on a busy night,the ambience can be very good. there is often live music, usually of a cabaret type

value - bearing in mind the comments this professional secret shopper has made regarding the food and service, it is felt that the standard of food recieved and lack of good customer service is reason to believe that it is of at least average value for money. Drinks are markedly more expensive here than in other pubs in the town.

toilets - the toilets are in generally good state of repair and kept clean and tidy.

This establishment would not be considered for recommendation. ]]> Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:57:35 +0100 284-593 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/colchester-venues/colchester-restaurants/the-crown-hotel-manningtree-essex.html Had lunch (August bank holiday Sunday) with elderly Mum, sister and brother in law. We were on our way to Flatford and found the Crown at Manningtree after looking for somewhere for lunch. The Sunday roast was excellent, three courses for £9.95. Food cooked to perfection and served hot. All service was done with a smile, nothing seemed to much trouble. The Crown was busy and we were warned there was a wait for food, but it really wasn't that long. Once we had a drink and sat chatting the time went quite quickly. We would have liked to sit outside for lunch but there were only backless benches available for seating. We sat in the Haven room that didn't have many people inside, so I have marked the ambience down a bit for that reason. Would recommend the Crown, though. Will certainly go back when we're next in the area. ]]> Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:10:35 +0100 284-480 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/colchester-venues/colchester-restaurants/the-crown-hotel-manningtree-essex.html I visited The Crown At Manningtree over the Easter break.The premises are steeped with history and this 16th century Inn was much beyond my expectations.The staff were efficient and welcoming .I had a meal in the restaurant which i could not fault.I eat out on a regular basis and found the menu extensive, but not over powering and it catered for all tastes.The meal was excellent value for money and my steak was cooked to perfection hurrah!which is very uncomman nowadays.The Pub itself had many forth comming events advertised and offers accomodation which I would not hesitate to book.All in all what a great experience .Well done to all staff at The Crown .An old fashioned pub filled with character, run effiecently and I will be recomending this establishment to all my friends and will certainly be revisiting The Crown at Manningtree in the near future. ]]> Mon, 20 Apr 2009 10:21:11 +0100