REVIEW: Crabsolutely fabulous surf 'n' turf fine dining

Surf 'n' turf is order of the day at an award-winning South Yorkshire eatery.
Signature crab dishSignature crab dish
Signature crab dish

Fish dishes don't come any fresher than at the new restaurant that seamlessly, simultaneously promotes grill power.

The seafood specialist, whose signature dishes include Huge Hot 1kg Fresh Crab and Jumbo Bengal Tiger Prawns, is fast making waves in the culinary world of cuisine, proving there's no catch with catch of the day that reaches chefs within 12 hours of capture.

Restaurant entranceRestaurant entrance
Restaurant entrance
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Already crowned Eastside Restaurant Awards Best New Restaurant within three months of opening, Crab & Moo is now also National Hospitality Social Media Awards nominated.

And It's easy to see why newest addition to Doncaster Racecourse Quarter, hard on the heels of £100,000 city scene facelift styled by home grown decor designer Nicky Murray, is fast becoming front runner in catering stakes.

The Grand St Leger Hotel ground floor renovation enjoys prime location for prime steaks, locally sourced, dry aged and cooked to order, which with specialty home-made burgers make up staple of an adventurous yet affordable menu, scaled down for dinky diners.

Starter-wise we selected Stuffed Mushrooms (£4.95) - a taste medley rich with cheese, spring onion, pesto drizzle; tomato, lime and ginger chutney - and (£5.50) Trio of Stuffed Yorkshire Puddings - crammed with beef, horseradish & chive butter, pulled pork, BBQ sauce, grilled chicken with caramelised onion.

Seafood medleySeafood medley
Seafood medley
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Mains of choice came in the form of hot plate Cajun Chicken Sizzler (£12.95) - complete with fried mushrooms, peppers, onions and coleslaw - and (£17.95) Mixed Grill - meat feast combining 4oz rump steak, lamb chop, Cumberland sausage, chicken breast, grilled mushroom and garlic roasted tomato. Rustic chips accompanied both dishes to ensure full platters. And stomachs.

So much so, dessert could only be shared in the shape of palate-cleansing great After Eight Chocolate Cheesecake. Washed down by a pint, the bill came in just shy of £50 for value for money fare that didn't break the bank. Yet threatened to bust the waistband.

Excellent service from attentive staff was exemplary while mid-week atmosphere was subdued. Two dining rooms, seating over 100 guests, are guaranteed to generate more ambiance at weekends and on race days - remember, remember, to book in advance for flat season finale Fifth of November Betfred Handicap.

And cocktail concoctions such as Espresso Martini are making adjoining lounge bar, scene of Thursday night live music, a popular watering hole with 75-space car park often busy.

It's name may be quirky but Crab & Moo - Grand St Leger Hotel, Bennetthorpe, Doncaster DN2 6AX, 01302 366470 - makes complete sense if you want to enjoy competitively priced fresh fare.