Oh dear.....Crab and lobster but not as we have known it. Came for Sunday Lunch to celebrate my husband's 60 th birthday with 13 of our family and left wishing we had gone somewhere else. My very first impression was the lack of a friendly greeting or ambience from the staff in fact they all looked thoroughly unhappy. It felt uncomfortable asking for anything, like you were being a nuisance . Service was slow and protracted so we were all eating a slightly different times and the foods was tepid I also agree with a previous reviewer the beef was very tough and full of gristle for some of us. So in a nutshell mediocre food, poor service. Very sad as The Crab and lobster has, in the past, been a treat.
Eve B
Visited for lunch with the family, lovely experience. Warm welcome and attentive service, opted for the set lunch menu and really enjoyed the meal. First time visit and will definitely be back!
Arnie57
Sunday lunch was as sad as the flags gamely trying to flutter in the car park. My pint of luke warm lager arrived and rather set the tone. The liver parfait was nice but the single and very small piece of sourdough was ridiculous, it came with some sad dry mixed leaves. Fortunately the mushroom soup starter was delicious. On to the main courses. The chicken and the cod were lovely but the roast beef, served in 2 enormous slices was so tough even the requested steak knife failed in its task. Yes it was brought to the attention of the staff and a substitute was offered and politely declined as there would have been quite a wait. The roast potatoes and veg were barely warm and very disappointing. Perhaps the freezing draught from the door behind the bar was to blame? A bill of just shy of £200 for 4 drinks, starters and mains, perhaps they were having an ‘off day’. Looking at recent reviews they seem to be having quite a few of them.
Traveler37310493131
A much reduced menu. Dessert menu especially poor. Nothing chocolate based, no cheesecake, no meringue in any form. And they now add 10% service charge. I wonder why management no longer comments on reviews. Empty tables speak volumes.
Gavin B
Have visited the restaurant before Covid and the food was outstanding. Not sure if the chef has been changed but the food was terrible. I asked for fish soup and got a large fish finger in tomato sauce it was awful. My partner and I both requested the halibut for mains. Unfortunately the fish had no taste at all and the portion size was small. Service was incredibly slow having sat waiting for 40 minutes to be asked what we wanted to order . All in all it was a really bad experience and as my partner always says when we have a bad meal. “ I wouldn’t rush back”. Pay the prices at your peril folks.
Global40425825993
So much has changed at the Crab And Lobster since Covid. We were real enthusiasts for this restaurant and recommended numerous friends to try it. However, the last visit was far from the standards we had come to expect. From the moment we walked in the door it was very apparent that this was a business in trouble. From being allocated the wrong table, poor service, food that was as far from the old standards as is possible. What is worse is that when we tried to provide feedback to the general manager, he could not even respond by telephone within 48 hours. We will not be going back.
AmyHarr1994
Attended a family wedding here recently and had a lovely time. Food was lovely and they were able to cater to my vegetarian diet with ease. Grounds are really quirky and unique! Loved the decor and have never seen anything quite like it before!
Marie W
If, like us, you have been spending hard earned cash at Crab & Lobster for many years years, you may be disappointed to learn it recently changed hands and the wonderful experience is no more! Food and service were very poor. They now sport a very limited menu (10 mains to be precise and at least 6 of those are either steak or lobster or a combination of both - which they blamed on Covid!). The fab selection and ace chefs left with the previous owners. The food was average at best, small portions and very overpriced. £76 for the surf and turf which we would happily pay for in an exclusive restaurant. They have removed the beer tap (and uniqueness of the hotel) and incorporated a bar which means you no longer can quaff your own drinks or their inclusive Fosters, but instead are only allowed to purchase their drinks for the hot tub. Hot tub camera's will take care of the policing and rest assured they will be all over you like a cheap suit if you dare to take anything in there. The staff were stretched and stressed in parts. Oh, and if you write to complain, the GM will respond to you when nudged again to say "sorry you felt underwhelmed but we feel there are too many items on the list to address." Tbf there were a lot on the list but the experience was so bad and believe me, we are not complainers. We are more than happy to pay premium prices for great food and service. Oh, and did you know that YOU CAN ORDER UBER EATS to your room now? When we checked out and informed the staff of our dissatisfaction on food and service, that was the response which was in innocence tbf, but still, Uber Eats at the Crab and Lobster! lol that says it all. Anyway, If I were you, I would wait until the Angel at Topcliffe opens and spend your money there if you are in the area and staying.
Kristina S
We’ve visited the restaurant a few times before. This weekend was our first visit after 4 years and this place really went downhill. A lot of other people comments say the same.Lobster Thermidor was disgusting, just a sloppy mess, fish soup nothing special at all. The only nice dish was halibut. Menu was really small, they used to have a lot more different fish dishes.We brought some friends as we recommended this place to them a few times. Drove an hour for a horrible food. What a shame, we used to love this place.
Mike Brown
Hotel is getting quite tired now in places.Food is not what it used to be.Fish soup used to be first class but is now what I do not call a fish soup.Reddish brown and very bitter tasting.Service as usual is excellent but rooms could do with a bit of tlc.
We stayed for 1 night sat 11th nov . On arrival we were shown to the ritz room ,No heating on,the room was cold,the bed was far too big for the room we both banged our knees several times, we ate in the restaurant the meal was so salty ,didn't enjoy it at all .definitely won't be returning,,on our way out the chap on reception asked if everything had been OK? When I said not really he said oh sorry to hear that and just carried on taking the payment safe to say won't be recommending to our friends.
Ripon123
First time visit. I don’t eat fish and had always previously dismissed going here on the basis it was a fish restaurant, but there is actually a good choice of non fish dishes. Staff very welcoming on arrival. Staff attentive during the meal, although main courses took a while to arrive. Food was very nice and it was nice for my fellow diners to be able to enjoy lobster etc, whilst I enjoyed steak. The dining area felt a little chilly, a point which I note some other recent reviews have also mentioned. Menu states 10% discretionary service charge, which personally if the service and food has been good I don’t have an issue with and would usually leave such. I asked for the bill and a service charge had been included and did not state the % but it was actually 15% instead of 10%. Pardon the pun but found this rather fishy. Asked for bill to be amended. I don’t like people taking the Michael and this left a bad taste and alone would put us off returning.
E6844LHbillyg
Scott was amazing, brilliant service and brilliant food. Great starters, mains were next level and nicely presented desert
Neil Boyd-Crossley
What an amazing place, best member of staff was Kevin on the hotel bar, what a true delight he is, he made the evening for me! Rooms are great, but our under floor heating was on constantly. Food is great and a good portion.
Jonaline C
First time visit & we enjoyed the whole experience. From the moment we walked in the staff were welcoming, Sasha took care of us with lots of smiles, & that really makes a difference if you know what I mean. They have 2 dinning rooms and we choose to sit in the conservatory, the design was just gorgeous & unique. All the food was divine, but the highlight for me was the mussels that just melted in my mouth and the cocktails that were made to perfection by Abigal. Will certainly be back for more , that's what I told all the lovely managers that checked on us, because a great restaurant is not based on food only. THANK YOU EVERYONE AT CRAB ? & LOBSTER ?
Oh dear.....Crab and lobster but not as we have known it. Came for Sunday Lunch to celebrate my husband's 60 th birthday with 13 of our family and left wishing we had gone somewhere else. My very first impression was the lack of a friendly greeting or ambience from the staff in fact they all looked thoroughly unhappy. It felt uncomfortable asking for anything, like you were being a nuisance . Service was slow and protracted so we were all eating a slightly different times and the foods was tepid I also agree with a previous reviewer the beef was very tough and full of gristle for some of us. So in a nutshell mediocre food, poor service. Very sad as The Crab and lobster has, in the past, been a treat.
Visited for lunch with the family, lovely experience. Warm welcome and attentive service, opted for the set lunch menu and really enjoyed the meal. First time visit and will definitely be back!
Sunday lunch was as sad as the flags gamely trying to flutter in the car park. My pint of luke warm lager arrived and rather set the tone. The liver parfait was nice but the single and very small piece of sourdough was ridiculous, it came with some sad dry mixed leaves. Fortunately the mushroom soup starter was delicious. On to the main courses. The chicken and the cod were lovely but the roast beef, served in 2 enormous slices was so tough even the requested steak knife failed in its task. Yes it was brought to the attention of the staff and a substitute was offered and politely declined as there would have been quite a wait. The roast potatoes and veg were barely warm and very disappointing. Perhaps the freezing draught from the door behind the bar was to blame? A bill of just shy of £200 for 4 drinks, starters and mains, perhaps they were having an ‘off day’. Looking at recent reviews they seem to be having quite a few of them.
A much reduced menu. Dessert menu especially poor. Nothing chocolate based, no cheesecake, no meringue in any form. And they now add 10% service charge. I wonder why management no longer comments on reviews. Empty tables speak volumes.
Have visited the restaurant before Covid and the food was outstanding. Not sure if the chef has been changed but the food was terrible. I asked for fish soup and got a large fish finger in tomato sauce it was awful. My partner and I both requested the halibut for mains. Unfortunately the fish had no taste at all and the portion size was small. Service was incredibly slow having sat waiting for 40 minutes to be asked what we wanted to order . All in all it was a really bad experience and as my partner always says when we have a bad meal. “ I wouldn’t rush back”. Pay the prices at your peril folks.
So much has changed at the Crab And Lobster since Covid. We were real enthusiasts for this restaurant and recommended numerous friends to try it. However, the last visit was far from the standards we had come to expect. From the moment we walked in the door it was very apparent that this was a business in trouble. From being allocated the wrong table, poor service, food that was as far from the old standards as is possible. What is worse is that when we tried to provide feedback to the general manager, he could not even respond by telephone within 48 hours. We will not be going back.
Attended a family wedding here recently and had a lovely time. Food was lovely and they were able to cater to my vegetarian diet with ease. Grounds are really quirky and unique! Loved the decor and have never seen anything quite like it before!
If, like us, you have been spending hard earned cash at Crab & Lobster for many years years, you may be disappointed to learn it recently changed hands and the wonderful experience is no more! Food and service were very poor. They now sport a very limited menu (10 mains to be precise and at least 6 of those are either steak or lobster or a combination of both - which they blamed on Covid!). The fab selection and ace chefs left with the previous owners. The food was average at best, small portions and very overpriced. £76 for the surf and turf which we would happily pay for in an exclusive restaurant. They have removed the beer tap (and uniqueness of the hotel) and incorporated a bar which means you no longer can quaff your own drinks or their inclusive Fosters, but instead are only allowed to purchase their drinks for the hot tub. Hot tub camera's will take care of the policing and rest assured they will be all over you like a cheap suit if you dare to take anything in there. The staff were stretched and stressed in parts. Oh, and if you write to complain, the GM will respond to you when nudged again to say "sorry you felt underwhelmed but we feel there are too many items on the list to address." Tbf there were a lot on the list but the experience was so bad and believe me, we are not complainers. We are more than happy to pay premium prices for great food and service. Oh, and did you know that YOU CAN ORDER UBER EATS to your room now? When we checked out and informed the staff of our dissatisfaction on food and service, that was the response which was in innocence tbf, but still, Uber Eats at the Crab and Lobster! lol that says it all. Anyway, If I were you, I would wait until the Angel at Topcliffe opens and spend your money there if you are in the area and staying.
We’ve visited the restaurant a few times before. This weekend was our first visit after 4 years and this place really went downhill. A lot of other people comments say the same.Lobster Thermidor was disgusting, just a sloppy mess, fish soup nothing special at all. The only nice dish was halibut. Menu was really small, they used to have a lot more different fish dishes.We brought some friends as we recommended this place to them a few times. Drove an hour for a horrible food. What a shame, we used to love this place.
Hotel is getting quite tired now in places.Food is not what it used to be.Fish soup used to be first class but is now what I do not call a fish soup.Reddish brown and very bitter tasting.Service as usual is excellent but rooms could do with a bit of tlc.
Restaurantji Recommends
We stayed for 1 night sat 11th nov . On arrival we were shown to the ritz room ,No heating on,the room was cold,the bed was far too big for the room we both banged our knees several times, we ate in the restaurant the meal was so salty ,didn't enjoy it at all .definitely won't be returning,,on our way out the chap on reception asked if everything had been OK? When I said not really he said oh sorry to hear that and just carried on taking the payment safe to say won't be recommending to our friends.
First time visit. I don’t eat fish and had always previously dismissed going here on the basis it was a fish restaurant, but there is actually a good choice of non fish dishes. Staff very welcoming on arrival. Staff attentive during the meal, although main courses took a while to arrive. Food was very nice and it was nice for my fellow diners to be able to enjoy lobster etc, whilst I enjoyed steak. The dining area felt a little chilly, a point which I note some other recent reviews have also mentioned. Menu states 10% discretionary service charge, which personally if the service and food has been good I don’t have an issue with and would usually leave such. I asked for the bill and a service charge had been included and did not state the % but it was actually 15% instead of 10%. Pardon the pun but found this rather fishy. Asked for bill to be amended. I don’t like people taking the Michael and this left a bad taste and alone would put us off returning.
Scott was amazing, brilliant service and brilliant food. Great starters, mains were next level and nicely presented desert
What an amazing place, best member of staff was Kevin on the hotel bar, what a true delight he is, he made the evening for me! Rooms are great, but our under floor heating was on constantly. Food is great and a good portion.
First time visit & we enjoyed the whole experience. From the moment we walked in the staff were welcoming, Sasha took care of us with lots of smiles, & that really makes a difference if you know what I mean. They have 2 dinning rooms and we choose to sit in the conservatory, the design was just gorgeous & unique. All the food was divine, but the highlight for me was the mussels that just melted in my mouth and the cocktails that were made to perfection by Abigal. Will certainly be back for more , that's what I told all the lovely managers that checked on us, because a great restaurant is not based on food only. THANK YOU EVERYONE AT CRAB ? & LOBSTER ?