The Cricklewood

Went here for our work Christmas night out and the service was incredible. There was 15 of us and they made sure everything went perfectly. One person wasn't a fan of their meal (nothing wrong just not to their taste) and the server offered a replacement and when she said no offered her something else in the house. The male server we had (sorry didn't catch his name) was incredible making sure we were all looked after and drinks kept coming. We will definitely be back and will go again with family as the environment was amazing!

Funeral reception party. We had to ask when food was arriving as we waited so long. It is understandable to wait as it's a party of 22 and food is not pre-ordered. However, food made to order should be warm. Most steak pie orders were cold, some to the point of being inedible; the chicken was not greatly warm and was tough; the tea out of flasks was 'stewed'. Management accepted comments and gave free sticky toffee pudding to everyone, although quite a few didn't actually want it by this point. The pudding was actually the warmest and nicest thing served. The room was also very cold and we had to ask for radiators to be turned on. It was a stress that the family could have done without on the day - listening to their guests complain. That being said, the staff were friendly and did their best.

I enter and as I check my phone, the mobile reception is poor. Surely they have WiFi? I ask the lady behind the bar (round spectacles and v-neck jumper) and she coldly (disgruntled/carefree attitude/Stoney faced) gives me the details. I can actually see the router so distance/walls shouldn't be an issue but I still can't connect. Showing her my phone, I ask her to confirm the details...looks once, says yes and walks away. My first impression?...not impressed. The order is taken and there's an issue, mine is the last to arrive...they've apologised for a mix-up. Anyway, it finally arrives and to be fair is delicious. Despite the food which was lovely, I had a poor experience overall and wouldn't return as it gave me the impression this was a poorly run establishment run on the back of a once great restaurant...new owners I suspect. The girl behind the bar (round spectacles/v-neck jumper) is not cut out for a customer-facing role but if necessary, needs urgent training for such a position. I would replace the current new, untrained, inexperienced or carefree customer-facing staff. The volume level and choice were superb as was the food...shame about the staff.