Rose & Crown

bbothen

California

3.8/5  rDev -1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3 | $$

** Updated 1/2009 **

Wanted to update this review since my initial visit about a year ago.

Have had the opportuinity to come here to meet some other South Bay Area BAs for tastings. The owner, Kasim, is very hospitable to allow us to do this. He also goes out of his way to offer great seasonals & hard to find brews on tap & cask. This is the best brew selection in the lower peninsula/south bay.

Where else can you get a Racer 5 on cask, Double Red Rocket, or a Drake's Hopocalypse on tap around here?

My initial visit "is what it is", but I'm glad I saw past that and went back.

If you're looking for an interesting craft brew, Belgian, or English Ale in the south bay, this is the place.

** end update **

Stopped in on a random Wednesday evening. Took a look at the board & ordered a Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye.

Al, the guy behind the bar, pulled out a Bear Republic Red Rocket, opened it up set it in front of me & then stared at my wife for her order. Never said a word to us during this.

Me: "Do you have the Hop Rod Rye? It's on the board?".

Al: "No, we don't have it."

I guess it was close enough for him to give me something from the same brewery. Never offered anything else or gave me the opportunity to request something different. Didn' feel like dealing with it, so I drank it. I like that beer.

Ordered something deep fried from the menu. When big Al brought them to us he just put them on the bar. Didn't offer napkins or utensils. Granted it was finger food, but what is Al's problem?

Against our better judgement we ordered another round. I had a Speakeasy Double Daddy, which was delivered about 3/4 full and glass soaking wet after he bumped it after pouring it.

My wife ordered a Scotch Ale from a brewery I can't remember. She asked him where the beer is from and Ahole Al responded with "It's local". Gee thanks.

Wasn't expecting 5 star service by any means, I was in a pub. But Al was rude & classless.

Needless to say we wont be back.

They do have a nice selection of brews you won't find elsewhere in the South Bay. WHen I was there they had Speakeasy Double Daddy, Full Sail Slipknot, Blue Frog Big Dipa, and many others to go along with a nice belgian bottle selection including Piirat, Golden Draak, Rare VOS, and others.

02-14-2008 23:46:28 | More by bbothen

bring

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +17.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | $$$

The Rose and Crown definitely is worth checking out. Their beer selection has vastly improved and is probably now the best in the Peninsula and South Bay area. The draft selection is diverse (US, UK, Belgian and German) and is rotating regularly with something new generally available. Seasonal beers are also part of the mix. Several German Octoberfest beers were featured in September/October and fall/winter beers are now available. The bottle selection also is pretty good, although the Belgian selections can be a bit pricy. Haven't eaten there, so cannot comment on food, but standard pub fare is available in the evening.

11-04-2007 19:01:04 | More by bring

dougnboston

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -4.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | food: 2 | $$

Not a place to dine ... grab a burger okay, but it's all burgers and fried foods. I had a steak sandwich and onion rings. Not a lot of steak on that sandwich and the rings tasted of old oil.

The beer is well worth your while. The taps change frequently with stuff from Belgium, Germany and the states. I had a Maredsous on tap (proper glasses too!) and then a bottle of Triple Karmeliet.

Both the tap selection and bottle selection seemed above average to me. I'm a Belgian fan and noted three on tap as well as about 10 bottles, all with their glass for service.

The bar tender got the job done, not fast, but he got to everyone. I got a few laughs out of him.

Several tv's with ball games playing. Two dart boards open for play. Outdoor seating. Free wireless.

This place is a little hidden at the back of a public parking lot.

I give it a beery thumbs up.

09-30-2007 05:08:47 | More by dougnboston

mitchfor3

California

3.59/5  rDev -6.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 2.5 | selection: 4 | $$$

Nice place in downtown Palo Alto. Bar tender was rather surly, didn't seem particularly interested in helping, but did a decent enough job pouring pints. Roughly 20 taps including some good ones like Rare Vos, Drake's IPA, Fuller's ESB, Chimay Triple. Nice bottle list as well including some good Belgians - Rochefort 6, Gulden Draak, Karmeliet Triple, among others. Pints on the pricier side - Rare Vos+Chimay Triple = $14.50.

Relaxed atmosphere with a couple dart boards and some patio seating. I'll be back, if for no other reason due to the lack of good beer options in Palo Alto.

06-10-2007 23:58:50 | More by mitchfor3

Georgiabeer

Georgia

3.23/5  rDev -15.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 2.5 | selection: 3 | food: 3 | $$$

There are not too many decent places to drink in Palo Alto, but this is one of them. This place is very much an expat hang-out for Brits who pine for home. The place is small, and has a kind of fake English atmosphere about it inside and out, but its not bad. It is a little dingy and dark- definitely more of a bar feeling. There is also a small alley of outdoor tables that are pleasant. The service is rudimentary at best- everything must be ordered at the bar, even food, although the will at least bring the food to your table. At least its very quick. I'm pretty sure they still have a cash only policy. I was there tonight, and I paid in cash, but forgot to ask if it was still that way. There is am atm machine right inside the door, but it wasn't working when I was there, so be forewarned. The barkeeps are pretty indifferent unless you are a regular.

There is an okay draft selection whose highlights are Fullers ESB and Charles WellsBombardier on tap, as well as a few decent California brews like a couple of Drakes and Anchor Steam. Altogether they had about 15-16 taps of all at least decent stuff and some bottles that were mostly macro swill. The Bombardier I had was very well kept.

The food is average- all vaguely English or burgers. I had the fish and chips and while not bad, it was nothing to right home about. All the food is at least passable to decent, but all a little greasy. Piccadilly style bread sausages anyone? The place is a little pricey as well, but not terrible. As I said, Palo Alto lacks lots of real beer options, so this place is okay as a change of pace if you find yourself in the area.

08-14-2006 03:59:44 | More by Georgiabeer