"During my recent stay at the Crowne Plaza, I had the chance to dine at their on-site restaurant, 1269, on three separate occasions. Regrettably, my overall experience left me feeling disappointed and unsatisfied, prompting me to give it a 2 out of 5-star rating. On the first night, we started with a pleasant bread selection that paired nicely with the rest of the meal. The lamb shank, which I enjoyed so much that I ordered it again on the third night, was tender and full of flavour. However, the club sandwich we tried was fairly unremarkable and didn't leave a lasting impression. As for dessert, the profiteroles were a let-down due to their hard texture and lack of flavour, while the crème brûlée was a delightful and creamy contrast to the disappointing profiteroles. During lunch on the third day, I opted for the Margarita pizza. Sadly, it was smothered in excessive amounts of cheese, overpowering the other ingredients and detracting from the overall taste. Its the first time in my life I've not finished a pizza as it really takes a lot to mess up a pizza. On our third night, we decided to give 1269 another chance. While the lamb shank was consistently delicious, the steak was a significant disappointment, arriving undercooked (arrived blue) despite my request for a rare preparation. Furthermore, it was overpriced, considering the quality. Dessert, once again, proved to be a mixed experience. The brownie was overcooked, giving it a cake-like texture instead of the desired fudgy consistency. The syrup sponge pudding, though, was satisfactory and provided a comforting end to the meal. The service throughout our visits was subpar. We encountered communication difficulties with the servers, who seemed to be inexperienced and lacked proper supervision. Unlike other dining experiences I've had, the staff here were neither attentive nor engaging, merely asking about the food without offering any genuine connection. In conclusion, 1269 has potential but falls short due to its inconsistent food quality and lacklustre service. I cannot confidently recommend it to others, as there is much room for improvement in both the culinary and hospitality aspects of the establishment."
