We were excited to try The Crown. We made a reservation, and were seated upon arrival. Then, The. Waiting. Began.
We ordered two cocktails (one for each of us). We perused the menu after ordering, and then sat there. And sat there. And....sat there.
Only one of the other booths was taken, so we were wondering as to why the delay. We managed to get our Server's attention as she was quickly trying to pass by our table. She commented "We only have one bartender".
Okay....?
We placed our appetizer and dinner orders.
And we continued to....WAIT. The Server came over and told us "Sorry, but we only have one bartender".
Okay.....weird.
Approximately 30 minutes after ordering our cocktails, they finally arrived. When the server delivered them she informed us "We only have one bartender". We were not sure why she kept repeating this to us - did she forget that she had told us this already TWICE before?
Then we waited for our starters and dinner. Same experience - the "WAIT".
My Ravioli Fritti arrived, and it was DELECTABLE! Mushroom heaven! Our server advised us that if we wanted another cocktail we should order it right then, as "we only have one bartender". Sigh.
We did order second cocktails as the first ones were very good. But then we....waited. I got up out of sheer boredom to check How busy the restaurant must be.
Not.
Two couples outside on the back patio. And by this time the other couple that had been in the "booth" section had finished and left. I came across a group of servers (perhaps five?) who were standing in another room and chatting. Well, if the drinks, appetizers and entrees weren't ready, what were they supposed to do, right?
Entrees finally arrived. By this time I was full from the appetizer, so I asked for mine to be boxed. The server apologized that our drinks were still not ready. She added "we only have one bartender".
Husband had the chicken with the square potato. He said it was good, "but nothing special...chicken and a square piece of potato".
By this time we were REALLY frustrated with the long time we spent just waiting. I checked my watch - we had been there TWO hours. Ugh.
Husband finished his entree, and we quickly asked for the bill as we had no idea how long THAT would take. Server said she would get it and return.
She came back with our second cocktails. She apologized for the delay and commented "we only have one bartender". Okay, this was now ridiculous. The restaurant was fairly empty, and there were plenty of servers. If they "only have one bartender" and he/she is this backlogged, they should hire a SECOND bartender. HOW do they manage when they are BUSY?
We heard a lot of speed racing outside, and thought it was teenagers bored on a weekend. Our server came over with our bill, and she told us "No, that is a local racetrack". Wow, that racetrack was super loud.
We paid the bill and the server said "Sorry for all the delays, but we only have one bartender".
Seriously? It was as if she was a recording...."enough already!".
Our appetizer and entrees were also super delayed, and that was never explained. We just wanted to get out at this point. A very sad experience as while we did like the cocktails and ravioli, however we did NOT appreciate the insane WAITS...for everything!
The racetrack became busier, and even MORE loud, so we left. On our way out we noticed (again) that the restaurant was NOT busy. The group of servers were again standing in a circle chatting with each other.
Frustrating night as the food was GOOD, the cocktails were GOOD, but we were now at 2 1/2 hours since we had been seated, and we wanted "outta there".
We left, and the sounds of the racetrack were REALLY loud. Some people were eating outside in front of the restaurant - we don't know how they could hear each other with the loud roaring sounds of racing cars!
We both agreed that we won't be returning. Sad, as the mushroom appetizer and my husband's entree were good, but WHY were we subjected to SUCH long waits?! That was so weird, and frustrating. And that racetrack ruins the lovely peace of the location where the restaurant is located.