Rachel Romma

Review of Crown and Harp

It's too affected/curated and it ruins the dining ...

It's too affected/curated and it ruins the dining experience.

Cons:
The security detail they have for this restaurant is ridiculous. They chose form over function.

Do not have dinner at the two-top tables along the banquettes. This is the worst idea I have ever come across in a restaurant setting. The tiny, non-adjustable TV Dinner tables are useless unless you are having one round of drinks. It is really uncomfortable. The seats are deep and the back cushions too thick and springy. You are seated with your dining partner side-by-side, forced to keep your head turned one way for most of the meal if you want to have a conversation. I am 5/10 and my feet could not touch the ground, making it difficult to adjust your sitting position while trying to gain a comfortable angle to eat your food. Add to that, if someone is seated at the next TV Dinner table, you will be rubbing thighs with them, as they are trying to adjust to a comfortable position, too. It ruined the whole dining experience.

The bowling alley area downstairs is a cool space but at $100 an hour, not sure if anyone will play much. The leather club chairs along the one wall are so low that you are squatting the whole time you are trying to enjoy your cocktail. The server taking your drink order also has to bend over, bending her knees to take your order.

The restaurant cared more about the decor and atmosphere than they care about the comfort of their patrons.

Pros:
Great service. Everyone takes their job seriously and service is attentive.

Good food: although I thought my papparedelle was good, it needed a bit more salt and then it would have been great. Halibut was a winner and seasoning on point. Mushroom Farro and burratta also good.

Good cocktails.

On a side note, there was a "service" dog sitting *at* the table with his owner. Not on the floor. The owner was sticking his two fingers into a container of food, and then letting the dog lick it off his fingers. It was a turn off for me.