The Crab Reviews Summary

Service

Pros:

• "A lovely meal in a lovely pub. Quick service. Far quicker then we expected. Nice friendly staff."
• "Food came out in a timely manner 20 mins and piping hot."
• "The hospitality was attentive and helpful."
• "The service was great cannot fault the waiting staff."
• "Very pleasant and attentive staff."
• "Staff are always friendly and welcoming - even under pressure."
• "The staff were so welcoming and friendly."

Cons:

• "Was greeted whilst ordering food to an irate manageress loudly bashing member of staff serving us."
• "Customer service and waitress/waiter service abysmal."
• "After drinks & starters we wanted to order another set of drinks but couldn't get noticed."
• "The service was appalling."
• "Would not return or recommend, we had far better food and service from other local pubs and restaurants."
• "Service was quite slow however it was down to staff shortages not tardiness."
• "Service was slow to start with."

Food Quality

Pros:

• "The food is delicious and keeps us returning for more."
• "Went here last night we had lamb shank on a bed of creamy mashed potatoes with fresh vegetables, it was amazing the lamb fell of the bone it was cooked perfect and the mashed potatoes were very very nice."
• "With lovely pub food or a more substantial meal, all tastes amazing and is very fresh."
• "The lamb roast I had was superb and the other two in my party thoroughly enjoyed their meals"
• "Fantastic food, especially as a vegetarian I found things I had not had before which had real flavour."
• "Trust me when I say the lasagne was amazing."
• "The food was excellent, couldn't find fault with it worth five stars."

Cons:

• "The starter a soup had warm and cold elements obviously reheated in a microwave"
• "The food was of poor quality."
• "The lamb hot pot looked unappetising."
• "Food was really bad."
• "The fish had been overcooked and was not succulent."
• "The food standard in general was poor and not true to the menu description."
• "The food seemed like it been left in in warmer too long."

Ambiance and Decor

Pros:

• "In my short time here on the Isle of Wight. This place has been warm and welcoming every time."
• "Inside is nicely decorated."
• "Looks very nice from the outside."
• "Given the pretty pub, the excellent location and atmosphere this lunch was damn near perfect."
• "Nice pub with nice atmosphere."
• "It's now light and open planned."
• "Lovely building too in a great part of Shanklin."

Cons:

• "Pub lacked any atmosphere wasn’t busy."
• "Area we sat by fire dirty and unclean, cobwebs on plastic plants."
• "The chocolate box setting and amazing exterior doesn't really carry through to the inside."
• "Pub lacked any atmosphere wasn’t busy but waited over an hour for food."
• "This pub has no charm, it is just a normal local pub"
• "Unfortunately I was disappointed with the inside."
• "The upstairs bar was more like a local boozer - a bit tatty and tired."

Value

Pros:

• "Food choice was good & was enjoyable & very reasonably priced."
• "Prices were better than expected so would definitely go back if I am in the area."
• "Overall very Good value."
• "Less expensive than many of the other pubs. Lovely local atmosphere."
• "The food was very reasonable, and, having found a lot of old Shanklin closed, it was a welcome discovery to find the warm log fire and friendly service too"
• "Nice food reasonably priced."
• "Good menu and food was delicious."

Cons:

• "I object to being approached by charity chuggers while I'm out having a meal"
• "Wouldn't recommend."
• "If only I could give a zero star rating. If sitting outside you will not be served."
• "service very slow slower than a snail 🐌"
• "Then they still charged us over £100 for the bill."
• "The pub food was below standard for a Green King pub, tasteless."
• "Very disappointing! We won't be coming back."