The Rose & Crown English Food & Ale House
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: No
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Lunch, Late Night
- Music: Juke Box
- Best Nights: Thu, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour: Yes
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
- Smoking: Outdoor Area/Patio Only
- Coat Check: No
106 reviews
Palo Alto, CA
"The last time I went here was sort of a date, I guess you could say. I arrived ahead of time to get seats. I was quickly ushered to my…" read more »
116 Reviews for The Rose & Crown English Food & Ale House
i came here for pub trivia last night, and it was packed!! i hadn't done pub trivia in many yrs, and it was just as fun as i had remembered. of course, it would have been more fun if we actualy had a table, as we had to eat while standing at a ledge and answering questions.
trivia starts at 9, and i got here at 820, which was way too late. there were already no tables at this pt, so it's best to get there early. food here isn't that great...your typical pub fare, which means everything is fried, but i guess you can't blame the effort.
there are a lot of beers on tap as well as bottled, including a wide selection of belgian beers, yum!
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Unpretentious, quaint place where their halibit and chips (~$10) where pretty darn good! The batter was light, not too greasy and the fish was flaky and moist. Didn't try any of my friend's dishes, but maybe I should have...just means I'll have to come back!
I love this place. Do you know why? Because there are British people here.
Now, why would I give this place 4 stars based on their clientel? Well, I used to date a Brit for a few years on and off, he's a Scouser. We still talk, but not to the length that we used to (aka no phone calls). The whole reason why I started dating him was because I absolutely fell in LOVE with his accent. I could sit there and listen to him talk all day long, and after having racked up a 1500 dollar phone bill I think you can start to believe how madly in love with his accent I was.
During our time together, I learned how to understand Scouser-speak. Do you know how hard it is? It's gah-HETTO. When we first started dating I had to have him speak very slowly and enunciate to this nth degree, and by the time we broke up I could understand everything, and that is difficult, because everyone else would just sit there wondering what the hell he said and I'd be laughing.
There are quite a few bits of vocabulary I use on a regular basis because of him:
Cunt (my favoUrite word)
Knickers
Tossers
Wankers
Bloody
Gobshite
Twat
Fuckwit
Slag
So when I can walk into this bar and have a conversation with a couple of guys from London (cockneys) using every piece of dirty venacular talking about whether or not I'd wallop Sean Connery even though he's like, 100 years old, because of how awesome a Bond he was--you'll find me in a very happy, happy mood.
But, no, I wouldn't slam Sean Connery. But I'd bang Daniel Craig in a heartbeat.
Minus one star because they don't have Harps. You bloody wankers.
******
This what we'd talk about:
Me: i met a couple of brits last night
cockneys
Michael: Yuk
Tossers
Michael: Well they are Southern Cockny twats. So ignorant and arrogant in their ways.
I LOVE the Brits. It reminds me of Nor Cal vs. So Cal. Just the way I like it, only with less tans and more teeth.
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Being English I can't really give this place too high a mark. There's no real draught beer and the food is only "OK". Hmm, I guess I should qualify my review by adding that I have actually been here for about 4 years, so my thoughts could be well out of date.
Something tells me this place will be exactly the same though. It had that kind of feel...
This place is very chill. Great place to bring a group of friends to throw darts, have a large variety of beer, and lounge either indoors or outdoors. Music bumps in the background. I like this place a lot more nowadays because I don't feel the need to dress up. I could come in my pj's and still feel like I won't be judged (Palo Alto bars are turning into a 'dress-to-impress' kind of atmosphere. I don't like this change). The bartenders are always nice and if they're grumpy, they don't show it. The decor is dimly lit with wooden tables and chairs. Good ol' English pub. It gets really packed on Tuesdays for their Trivia night. Most of the time, it's not packed, but when it is, it gets really really loud and you can't really talk to your friends unless your friends are uber loud. One volume: Loud.
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I had been here for drinks before, but had dinner for the first time last week. Shepherd's Pie was very good and the rest of the group liked their sandwiches quite a bit. I love the atmosphere, nice and relaxing, although I am a bit intimidated by one of the bartenders. Nice place.
If you are a beer snob, I mean, connoisseur, then park your butt on a bar stool at The Frozen Clown. They have introduced a rotating seasonal tap collection that includes some rare treats like Sierra Nevada Southern Harvest, Firestone Walker's Velvet Merkin, and Full Sail Brewmasters collection (varies), and have a Belgian beer list with taps and bottles to suit any beer snob's desire.
The bartenders are no nonsense and appear to be striving for Toronado (SF) attitude, but once you come by 2 or 3 times and make it clear you don't drink bad beer, they warm up. We've had a few chats with Darian about good beers and I really appreciate that they are stepping it up a notch compared to the average beer offerings in downtown Palo Alto.
We usually swing by on weekend afternoons and have enjoyed some fish and chips or bangers and mash occasionally. The kitchen seems hit or miss, but when the fish and chips they are spot-on, says a Brit-born.
Beer selection: freakin' awesome.
duh duh duh, duh duh DUDES! (set to the theme from super mario).
I would say this is the biggest downside to the R&C, but I guess that's what you can expect from a pub that doesn't serve hard liqour. I stop in here every once in a while when i'm looking for a low key night (rare), or wanna make some new man-friends (rarer), or wanna catch a soccer game that's not on TV (rarest, nothing against soccer, I just don't keep up).
They have around 20 different beers of all flavors, and serve them all in the traditionally intended glasses, which is kinda cool, unless you get stuck holding something slightly embarrassing while trying to hit on THE girl in the bar. Sometimes mid week the bar staff is a little slow, so you have to be persistent.
Iv'e only eaten here once, and the food was pretty good. deliciously battered fish and chips.
The decor and set up of the place is awesome. It really has the feel of a british pub. The outside seating also is reminiscent of euro drinking establishments, being a small crowded alley.
So if you're in PA and tired of the usual Old Pro-Nola's-Bluechalk crowd, give it a shot.
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Came here on a Friday night, loved the extremely laid back, chill environment this bar carries. As mentioned beforehand by my friend, there's an older crowd here at this bar plus Stanford graduate students when compared to the rest of downtown Palo Alto.
Reasonably priced beers and a bartender with attitude made for an amusing stop before continuing the night elsewhere. No cutting or shoving your way to the front to get a beer, the bartenders do a good job of helping people in order so wait your turn and get in line. Not even having a girl order for you will give you an advantage. Fail attempt. I didn't get a chance to try out the food but if you love beer, they have a good selection of beer on tap to complement any of your tastes. Add one to my goto spots in PA.
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Hoeegarden on tap!?!?! Dude.....yes.
Try the triple carmelat, complex and smooth just like a round rubix cube.
Went here on a sunday afternoon for some futbol. The Stoke City Potters were playing a game that they had to win or tie in order to get promoted to the Premier League. Even though the game ended in a nil-nil tie, my friends and i had a great time sitting around eating curry chips, fish and chips, and shepherd's pie while downing pints of our favorite beers on tap. The beer selection was great, the food was classic pub fare, the other customers were nice, and the bartender was happy to change the channel and turn up the volume so we could watch the game.
The place is pretty small and i can see it getting crowded on friday and saturday nights, but on a sunday afternoon it was nice and mellow.
While the Old Pro is my default sports bar for 'American' sports (college football, basketball and baseball), for all of my soccer needs i will be visiting the Rose and Crown in the future.
Good place for Irish and Belgium Beer. Pretty good burgers for lunch as well.
Happy Hour Anyone!?!?!?!?!?!?!
A tiny English pub with a lot of charm. They've got a decent selection of brews and dice... what more can you ask for?
Edit! They no longer have comedy night. Sad. Yes, I know I'm late to the game here, since evidently they _haven't had_ comedy night for uh, 2+ years. But this was news to me. Their "website" (aka their myspace page) still says they do. Hmph.
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I will always love the Rose & Crown. This has been my main watering hole since the tender age of ... well, not old enough. But I was very convincing. For a good two years, my best friend and I were posted here every. single. night. If you were there, you'd know that I'm exaggerating (too much). I have so many fond memories of the R&C, it will always have a place in my heart.
I rarely go now, but that's only because I've gotten my bar-dwelling days out of my system for the most part. I still swing by once every month or two. The draught beer selection can't be beat in this area, and while the burgers used to be better for sure, they're still pretty great. Stilton burger for me, please. I recently discovered a new beer here called Leffe, and I want to marry it.
The best part about the Rose & Crown is the laid back atmosphere. It's dark, quiet, has nice outdoor seating and the crowd is usually great -- until those prime Friday & Saturday night bar-hopping times roll around, at which point the joint fills up with infinite douchebags spilling over from Blue Chalk and the Old Pro -- don't bother. It's a complete waste of time at this point.
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If you love great beer on tap in a tiny, cold place - go. It's a classic dive in the middle of Palo Alto - which is probably why it's 5 stars to some - I just didn't feel the love - but plenty do so don't take my word for it.
I came here last night as a post-work get together and was pleasantly surprised at this nice English pub! Here is the only negative aspect: they only serve food until 9. Since it was post-nine pm and we were all starving we were a little sad (I would have loved to try their garlic chips!).
Now let's talk about the beer. Great selection. Has all of the usual suspects plus a Belgian beer list (it is new...?) They have a TON on tap (always better than in a bottle) and they had a couple for 3$. On average, however, it was about 5$/pint.
A little noisy (but what bar isn't) and they have a great patio, someplace that is sure to be packed in the summer. I recommend an 8:30 trip here so that you could be graced with some food along with your drink.
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The Rose & Crown is a nice little English pub slightly hidden behind the parking lot (middle of Emerson between University and Hamilton). The small menu for lunch/dinner includes some English fare (e.g., Bangers and Mash, Shepherds Pie, along with some good cheese for the burgers). A good place for a pint.
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Meh. That one simple sentence pretty much sums up my opinion of this establishment. They do actually have one of the better selections of beer on tap in the south bay, but the prices are a bit high. I just cannot justify spending 6 bucks for a pint of Guinness. Other beers are within the same price range. The bartender was a bit spacey and flustered considering the place wasn't even that busy. I don't think I'll be returning. I will give them credit for what they are trying to accomplish with a beer bar, the execution was just not there.
I have fond memories of the Rose and Crown Pub since I've always gone on Fridays with friends, drank beer, and stayed perhaps a little too long. But I will try not to allow my buzz-addled memories sway my vote too much.
Something about the configuration of this place (main entrance off a city parking lot, adjacent to an alley) and the ambiance (poorly lit, eclectic British pub) lets you feel like you're off the grid. The blackboard above the bar lists the beers on tap (at least 20!). Scarves for many soccer teams hang above the bartender and the walls are littered with pub signs, dartboards and paraphenalia (my favorite is the breastplate [I mean that literally!] with the royal Scottish flag painted on it). The inside is clean but can feel kind of small and confining. Thankfully, there is a small patio outside if you prefer the fresh air.
Burger -- Nicely done and a good size; Quality meat on a really good, fresh bun. Doesn't come with fries but we usually buy a plate of fries to share. Fries are thick cut and delicious, good enough to cause a little elbow bumping competition for the last few.
Fish and Chips - I tried this on my most recent trip since it was recommended. This consisted of light, flaky fish inside with a nice crunchy batter outside. I'm not a fish & chips connoisseur, so I can't comment on how they compare to others in the area, but they were damn good! Still a little greasy for me, but I can be kind of an anti-grease fanatic. Fries (chips) were excellent as before. Enough food that I couldn't quite finish. The two-piece plate plus one beer and tip ran me about $14. Without the beer it would have been about $10.
On my last visit, our waitress/bartender neglected us too much, and then she gave us a check with a total and no breakdown. But that is not the norm. On most of my visits here, service has been friendly and helpful. But they take their time, so don't go if you're in a big hurry.
Best beer bar outside of SF. They have a lot of really hard to find stuff, including some things I've never seen in a store in the bay area.
Food is just pub food, but sometimes that's a good thing.
Tuesday trivia night is pretty fun.
Since I'm such a beer snob, this place gets a 5 :)
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This is the closest I've ever gotten to "comfort food" in Shallow Alto. Was a little disappointed that they didn't start serving food until 6 (even though their menu said 5:30). I came here right after work at 5 and was starving! Had their fish and curry chips. Their happy hour is $1 off your drink. Nothing spectacular really. Just a great place to catch up with friends. This place does get pretty packed after 7 ... with a lot of men. Though I cannot comment on if any of them were good looking. I was too engrossed in my friend's story.
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I agree with J.L. The fish and chips were very surprising. Unfortunately I was surprised at how bland and plain they were, not how unbelievably delicious they were.
On another visit I had the banger sandwich. Now THAT was tasty. Wash it down with a pint of Franziskaner Dunkelweiss with Ipswich on the TV and you're good to go. The formula is tried and true - no singles scene, no ridiculous DJ or horrible music - just good beer and friendly locals.
The staff is plain and no-nonsense - and that's how I like it. Thanks for keeping good German and Belgian beers on tap. I'll be back.
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A standard place to get beer and beer food in Palo Alto. The cider is also rather strong. Nothing comes cheap in Palo Alto (I think the beer averaged $5 for a pint), but there are cool banners representing soccer teams of each country hanging under the bar. The food looked edible for pub food, though, again, a $7.50 burger in Palo Alto is about standard fare for basics.
The sierra nevada my mate had was also a 9%, rather strong. Cheers!
GREAT food, loved my fish and chips. Normally this alone would warrant at least a 4-star rating. HOWEVER, the service was AWFUL. The waitress was super rude, and made it seem like it was the biggest inconvenience to even speak to us. Today is St. Patty's day, so forgive me for asking if they had green beer, but the waitress rolled her eyes when I asked and didn't even answer. Right after I asked, she had one of the other employees write up a sign that said "No green beer", among other things, to post on the door. I realize that it is technically an English pub, but if you are going to put up loads of St. Patty's day decorations, you should be willing to oblige the St. Patty's day crowd!
Also, my Black and Tan was horrible. At a pub, I would think that it would be difficult to mess up any drink involving Guinness, but some how they managed to do just that.
I always use Yelp to help find places to go, but I have never been moved to write a review before... she annoyed me just enough to write one... that says a lot.
Nice pub. I liked the cozy atmosphere. Once you enter the door, you don't really feel like you're in the middle of PA.
I decided to order the fish and chips since they have had so many reviews about how excellent they are. I have to say I'm a little disappointed. They looked great, but they weren't really tasty. I asked for curry on my chips (since I was looking at getting the curry chips) and was pleasantly surprised. They were much better than I was thinking they would be.
I'd be back to this place but definitely not for their fish and chips. I'd give something else on their menu - like Shepherd's pie - a try.
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Solid neighborhood bar. Good beers on tap, casual scene, curry on Monday nights. Drawbacks are 1) it's really not very clean, but I guess that's not such a big deal since it's a bar after all... 2) the veggie burgers taste like meat juice and 3) there are rarely any women here, so it's not a very welcoming scene for someone like me unless I go with dudes - which is fine, i guess, because i roll with a lot of programmers, so I got that goin' for me ;-D
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They have Hoegaarden on tap.... that earns 5 stars right there. Other than that not a bad little place. They have a pretty extensive selection of beers and a little side patio, so if your a smoker thats a + right there. Over all... i recommend it.
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This is a great pub in Palo Alto. No club music, not really a singles scene to speak of, just a great place to go and socialize. Lots of regulars. Usually they have rugby, football (soccer), and/or cricket playing on a couple screens - plus there are two dart boards. GREAT selection of beers - maybe only Empire Tap Room's is better in Palo Alto.
It can take time to get a drink when it's packed and they only serve beer and wine. No happy hour that I know of - but there are theme nights:
Sunday - Cool Jazz at 7:30 p.m.
Monday - Comedy Showcase at 9 p.m.
Tuesday - Pub Quiz at 9 p.m.
Wednesday - Music Showcase at 9 p.m.
Afterwards, people usually head to Pizza-My-Heart (across the parking lot on University Ave) to order a slice or two from stoned Paly students.
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I got roped into going to Palo Alto one night to check out The Rose and Crown with a friend who wanted some unfamiliar Belgium suds. He thought that their variety and panache for having many good beers with a wide selection would be just the fill he was looking for.
He was right. Like him, I too get pretty excited when I can't pronounce the name of the beer I'm about to partake. If I remember correctly, they have 18 rotating beers on tap (most you've never heard of, but are always delicious). And usually about 40-50 beers that are in bottles or cans.
If you're looking for a place to stock up on your Coors Light intake (or insert other terrible beer here) this place is not for you. For beer connoisseurs and those just beginning in their journey of professional beer tasting, this is where you belong. Whenever I'm feeling the need for some barley, hops, or oats in liquid form, you'll find me at the rose.
usually a fun place to get a few pints and throw some darts, but i find it more fun earlier in the night before it gets too crowded (it's a bit small)
This is my favorite bar in Palo Alto.
As an Ann Arbor man I'm a big fan of Dominick's (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) near UMich because I never fail to have a good conversation sitting on the patios or in the rear garden.
The Rose and Crown experience -- although a very different environment -- is the most satisfying bar I can find in the Bay Area. Although small, the ambiance can't be beat. Certainly on par with sitting at Dominick's on a breezy summer evening. The variety of beers is solid and the prices are fine, right around $5.
I've never had the food here but it looks pretty good if you like fried pub food.
I came here a couple times in the summer when all the Stanford bros were gone. It was bearable. I grabbed a seat at the bar, did the quiz with some friends, and enjoyed the $2 Stella Artois.
I returned a few weeks later, and the place was crawling with polo shirts, baseball caps, and cargo shorts; in short, the type of guys who love you for your brain, but only if you keep it in your boobs. I can't stand these dudes. I asked for a Boddingtons, but they didn't have any cos they have that annoying rotating tap thing going on. An Abercrombie and Fitch model reject shot a glance my way, and I threw up in my mouth a little.
I left and drove to downtown San Jose and grabbed a REAL pint (aka 20 oz) at Trials. HELL YEA, BRAH !
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overpriced for me.. post-college and not-really employed :D $5.75 for a pint of Guinness made me cry a little on the inside.. and i know fuck all about beer selections etc, so wasn't digging that either. the food is very yummy though, and the crowd is merry and not as old or as on-the-prowl as some of the other places (read: old pro, nolas..) service is a little odd..um, could NOT understand what the barkeep was saying at all..but then i'm kind of deaf. on the other hand, LOVED loved loved that they had a guy playing the bag pipes on st. patty's.. doesn't get better than that.
This review is written in dedication to Danielle's liver
1980-2003
We hardly knew your potential.
Ok so once upon a time I use to come here with a very close friend of mine. She could have her vodie and I could have my beer. We could go outside and smoke cigarettes together. It was in downtown Palo Alto without feeling like PA if you catch my drift. Fun was had by both. On occasion there was live music or stand up. There was usually a bad game of darts being played.
However this place holds one of my favorite bar memories EVER!
We were sitting outside when this comely young man sits with us. He has some friends (off to a good start). They're all a bunch of fun. All of a sudden, someone pulls out a pipe we shall say. We all start on the 60's fun when someone mentions to us to keep an eye out for trouble. My smarmy self asks,"why? are you a cop?". He shows me his badge. As I slowly exhale (and hastily hand the pipe over), I raise an eyebrow. He laughs and explains, different city, different county, I didn't see you do shit. And to reassure me, he introduces me to his sister who is under drinking age but is chug a lugging happily; she will be taken home by her older bro, the cop. He is officially one of the coolest older brothers EVER.
Rose and Crown, never tried your food. But you treated my friend and I to some lovely memories. Cheers.
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I always feel out of place in Palo Alto. Like I'm traipsing among the natives of a foreign land. Quietly moving around the people so as to not disturb them.
Mostly though i avoid them because I don't want to catch any of their cooties. People who live in PA totally have cooties.
Especially those that attend Stanfurd. Those people should just cease to exist....period.
Still...in the middle of "The Farm" and all it's cray-cray people there was an oasis.
An oasis with Chimay and friendly bartender and tons of dark wood.
Not to mention BAR HOOKS!!! That is truly the best feature of ANY bar.
I forgot I was in PA for an hour and had a blast just drinking beer and shooting the shit w/ the bartender and other patrons.
Oh yeah....Stanfurd Sucks!! GO BEARS!!!
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A refuge - a sanctuary - an oasis.
Great selection of beer with a no-nonsense atmosphere. If you need a break from the scene you would get at places like Blue Chalk, Nola's, or F&A's -- do yourself a favor and have a pint at the Rose 'n Crown.
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Best. Fish and Chips. in the bay.
And the beer selection is quite fine as well. but seriously, the fish and chips are to die for. Fresh fish, freshly beer-battered, fried up hot and juicy. You know it's good when it's burning the roof of your mouth in its flakey juicy goodness. Nothing makes you want that cold beer than that :). Nothing goes better with your black and tan, or caffreys, or whatever other fine beer you'd like to have.
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This place has some of the best music selection. I've never found another place that has The Stone Roses on the jukebox.
Went to a jazz concert here. Great beer selection. It's a fun Standford hang out where I hear they have trivia night on Tuesday nights and live music on Thursday night. The bartenders are really nice with a great sense of humor. :)
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I have now been to the R&C twice and had two totally different, but very fun, experiences. The first night, friends and I wandered in after dinner for a drink- one of my friends wanted to see if one of his favorite beers was being offered in the rotating taps (sadly it was not, but he found something else that he liked). I wasn't surprised that an English pub didn't have my favorite Irish cider, but was surprised at how much I liked their cider, Aspall. It was a huge bottle, and pretty good! The place was fairly crowded- it was a Friday night- but not so loud that we couldn't chat in just slightly raised voices- no yelling required. We also had enough seats for the four of us- at the small bar that runs along the the side of the room (as well as the back corner).
My second experience was on a Tuesday- Trivia Night! The questions were a little harder than I was expecting- a lot more arcane than, say, Cash Cab! Luckily, we had a wide knowlege base in our group and ended up in the top five! The other participants (as in, the other groups) were really funny and pretty friendly- we had a great time!
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