Foods from Heart and Crown
Comments
2011 Jul 16
I had a quick bite with a buddy at heart and crown this evening. I ordered the bison burger with a side salad.
The service was pretty good, nothing special. The bison patty was topped with thin slices of pickle, tomato, caramelized onions, mayo and lettuce. The burger was very dry and perhaps a tad over cooked. The toppings were fine, but I could have done for a more creative burger, even if it was just some kind of unique sauce.
The salad wasn't great either. The chef took a handful of prewashed salad mix and drizzled very little bottled salad dressing.
I wasn't expecting great food so I can't complain. I can't say I will come to the heart and crown by choice anytime soon. Problem is, it seems I periodically end up here...
The service was pretty good, nothing special. The bison patty was topped with thin slices of pickle, tomato, caramelized onions, mayo and lettuce. The burger was very dry and perhaps a tad over cooked. The toppings were fine, but I could have done for a more creative burger, even if it was just some kind of unique sauce.
The salad wasn't great either. The chef took a handful of prewashed salad mix and drizzled very little bottled salad dressing.
I wasn't expecting great food so I can't complain. I can't say I will come to the heart and crown by choice anytime soon. Problem is, it seems I periodically end up here...
2011 Jun 3
Went for a work lunch here on a Friday afternoon. We thought we were beating the rush by getting there at 11:45 - there were lots of seats on the patio and inside. We didn't leave until 1:50. Absolutely ridiculous.
The server was pleasant enough, but she took about 20 minutes to take drink orders, it took another 15 for the drinks to arrive, and she only checked in to apologize about the wait about 5 minutes before the apps arrived. Apps and mains arrived at exactly the same time.
One person in our group got the beef stew - 2 pieces of beef in the dish. Another person got the fish and chips. The batter was heavy with grease and the batter right next to the fish was not cooked. The third person got the angus burger, and it didn't look like anything special but he had no complaints. I got the steak salad. The greens were fresh, but I could only eat 1/2 the steak as the other 1/2 was full of gristle and silver skin.
The apps - crab dip with baguette. The dip was pinkish mush and not very appetizing. The deep fried pickes were the best thing about the meal - hot, fresh, crispy and salty.
Totally not worth the time or the $40 parking ticket. We won't be back.
The server was pleasant enough, but she took about 20 minutes to take drink orders, it took another 15 for the drinks to arrive, and she only checked in to apologize about the wait about 5 minutes before the apps arrived. Apps and mains arrived at exactly the same time.
One person in our group got the beef stew - 2 pieces of beef in the dish. Another person got the fish and chips. The batter was heavy with grease and the batter right next to the fish was not cooked. The third person got the angus burger, and it didn't look like anything special but he had no complaints. I got the steak salad. The greens were fresh, but I could only eat 1/2 the steak as the other 1/2 was full of gristle and silver skin.
The apps - crab dip with baguette. The dip was pinkish mush and not very appetizing. The deep fried pickes were the best thing about the meal - hot, fresh, crispy and salty.
Totally not worth the time or the $40 parking ticket. We won't be back.
2011 Jan 2
I have been here three times now and have not left satisfied. The atmosphere is charming, but the food is mediocre pub fare at best and the service was awful ALL THREE TIMES. The last time there was a shift change halfway through our meal. The new server introduced herself to our table then promptly forgot we existed - never asking to replenish our drinks or ask if we wanted dessert. She ignored us even after we put on our jackets and stood up indicating our intentions to leave. We finally had to catch her as she walked out of the kitchen with another table's drinks at which point it was clear she had forgotten our table assignment. I really wanted to like this place as I live so close and the "snug pub" is quite cozy.
2009 Dec 5
went for dinner tonight with a group of 5. none of us were happy with our meals. the only good thing were the sweet potato fries, which are an extra $1 charge on the main.
one angus burger was sent back - it was burnt and dried out, this meal was comped. the side order of fries were bad, they came out cold and overly salted to the point of not being edible (almost the entire order was sent back). the french onion soup was also over salted - it couldn't be finished.
the beer is over priced, pints can be had for cheaper at other places on preston (prescott, moon room, pub italia & rochester).
i didn't want to go here, but was out-voted. after our meal no one wants to return.
one angus burger was sent back - it was burnt and dried out, this meal was comped. the side order of fries were bad, they came out cold and overly salted to the point of not being edible (almost the entire order was sent back). the french onion soup was also over salted - it couldn't be finished.
the beer is over priced, pints can be had for cheaper at other places on preston (prescott, moon room, pub italia & rochester).
i didn't want to go here, but was out-voted. after our meal no one wants to return.
2009 Jul 5
I went for dinner and drinks here last night. I was actually quite impressed with the food because I really wasn't expecting much.
When I think Pub food, I think deep fried anything. I ordered the Shannon Salad with dressing on the side. It was basically a take on a chef salad with ham, eggs, irish cheddar, tomatoes, grilled chicken, cucumbers, pickled beets and coleslaw. The dressing was a creamy, I think housemade variety. The salad was HUGE ($13). I was impressed with the presentation and everything was extremely fresh. Overall, very tasty.
We started off with an order of Springrolls- again huge serving- ($8)- nice, and not greasy, a little chili heat to them. They were served with sweet chili sauce and hoisin.
My friend ordered chicken curry and chips. The chips looked awesome and the chicken curry was nice- mild with coconut milk in it. The portion wasn't overwhelming.
I also sampled many gin and tonics. These also met my approval.
Service was surprisingly good. The servers were friendly and attentive.
I also give top marks for the washrooms- clean and spacious.
When I think Pub food, I think deep fried anything. I ordered the Shannon Salad with dressing on the side. It was basically a take on a chef salad with ham, eggs, irish cheddar, tomatoes, grilled chicken, cucumbers, pickled beets and coleslaw. The dressing was a creamy, I think housemade variety. The salad was HUGE ($13). I was impressed with the presentation and everything was extremely fresh. Overall, very tasty.
We started off with an order of Springrolls- again huge serving- ($8)- nice, and not greasy, a little chili heat to them. They were served with sweet chili sauce and hoisin.
My friend ordered chicken curry and chips. The chips looked awesome and the chicken curry was nice- mild with coconut milk in it. The portion wasn't overwhelming.
I also sampled many gin and tonics. These also met my approval.
Service was surprisingly good. The servers were friendly and attentive.
I also give top marks for the washrooms- clean and spacious.
2008 Dec 22
Went there a few weeks ago with some friends. Nice place but it was 7pm and the music was far too loud for dinner service. The beer list is disappointing. Blue, Blue light, Bud, Bud light, 50, Coors Lite, Keiths, Moosehead... bland. They have the usual suspects of British imports (Guiness, Harp, Smithwicks, Bass) but these are very old news and not that interesting. Why not include some Ontario micro brews? Or Quebec? Bottled beer list is similar. I asked the waitress if they had Creemore and she said "No because it's not good." What?
The food... I ordered some fish and chips. Fries were excellent. The fish batter was not seasoned at all and had no flavour. Also very greasy (more so than usual for battered fish). I peeled off the batter and ate the fish which was cooked well.
Apart from the waitress commenting on my beer choice, the service was ok. I would go back if they had a better beer selection but until then there are too many well stocked pubs to revisit the Heart and Crown.
The food... I ordered some fish and chips. Fries were excellent. The fish batter was not seasoned at all and had no flavour. Also very greasy (more so than usual for battered fish). I peeled off the batter and ate the fish which was cooked well.
Apart from the waitress commenting on my beer choice, the service was ok. I would go back if they had a better beer selection but until then there are too many well stocked pubs to revisit the Heart and Crown.
2008 Jun 24
I live right behind the H&C on Preston and can say that the only thing going for it is the alcohol. The food is subpar and it's crazily inconsistent. Also, nothing bothers me more than seeing the cooks out on the sidewalks smoking and then going in to cook my food. Gross. I know this happens a lot of places, but at least at other places I don't have to see it happen. And New User, you must have gotten the servers on their good days, because normally my service stanks.
Older
2009 Jun 3
oops, i first put this on heart & crown in the market. i didn't realize there were two entries....
my husband, son and i went here for "snack" one saturday afternoon for a pint and sweet potato fries. the beer selection was dismal! (as others have noted). it just reminds me again that i don't like this bar/pub. also, i am certain our waitress was wearing a tube-top as a skirt. i can understand the tight/sexy clothes working for you in the evening, but in the middle of the afternoon when there were other families there? yikes.
anyway, the sweet potato fries were not my favourite. first i had to convince the waitress that they could do a serving of fries as an appetizer. it is not on the menu and our waitress was sure they wouldn't accomodate us, but i asked her just to check. i told her if they couldn't no big deal. she never returned after checking to say yeah or nay, but someone did bring us a good sized cone of fries with mayo.
the fries were lightly battered and more like sweet potato tempura. good, but not my favourite. they weren't really fries in my opinion. they were tasty though.
also, there was a shift change during our meal and our waitress was changed with someone else. she never came to say good-bye, so i am assuming she didn't get any portion of the tip. i thought that was strange since she did all the work.
my husband, son and i went here for "snack" one saturday afternoon for a pint and sweet potato fries. the beer selection was dismal! (as others have noted). it just reminds me again that i don't like this bar/pub. also, i am certain our waitress was wearing a tube-top as a skirt. i can understand the tight/sexy clothes working for you in the evening, but in the middle of the afternoon when there were other families there? yikes.
anyway, the sweet potato fries were not my favourite. first i had to convince the waitress that they could do a serving of fries as an appetizer. it is not on the menu and our waitress was sure they wouldn't accomodate us, but i asked her just to check. i told her if they couldn't no big deal. she never returned after checking to say yeah or nay, but someone did bring us a good sized cone of fries with mayo.
the fries were lightly battered and more like sweet potato tempura. good, but not my favourite. they weren't really fries in my opinion. they were tasty though.
also, there was a shift change during our meal and our waitress was changed with someone else. she never came to say good-bye, so i am assuming she didn't get any portion of the tip. i thought that was strange since she did all the work.
Pasta lover
Things went uphill though and our waitress came around promptly to take our drink orders. The beer selection leaves much to be desired IMO but they have Kichessippi Blonde available so I was a happy camper-;)
I ordered the steak and fries for dinner asking for medium-rare. The steak was really juicy and tender and I was pleased with my selection. The fries were good but when it comes to fries I am pretty easy to please. I also like dousing alot of salt and vinegar on my fries-;)
Two of my dining companions mentioned that they really enjoyed their mediterranean wraps and sweet potato fries so I will have to make a note to try them next time.
The service was pleasant and the waitress came by regularly to top up our water, to replenish our beer, and to make sure everything was okay. I am looking forward to a return visit.