Cricketers — Restaurant in Hart

Have enjoyed going to this pub during the day for food but after tonight will not be visiting again. One young 20ish year old tonight who was very apparently on a lot of drugs, was throwing pint glasses and stools around the pub and then in the direction of my partner and his friend, the staff of the pub did nothing to help this situation. My partner asked if they were going to call the police and they said they had, which is why he did not call himself, otherwise he would have. The lad then decided to aim his anger directly towards my partner and his friend (who does not even drink), who were sitting down outside and had not even spoken directly to him, the lad then took a 'swing' at my partners friend, shouted obscenities and tried to hit him and start a fight. My partner and his friend then returned to the staff who said they had "cancelled the police as he hasn't 'really done anything'" followed by closing up the pub, locking it and not letting anyone in, including my partner and his friend who were now left outside with the aggressive lad and his several friends. Very disappointed at how the staff here reacted and handled this situation! The person in question should have not been served in the pub in the first place due to his demeanour, should have been escorted from the pub, not let back in, banned and if continued to be outside on the grounds the police should have ben called. Completely incompetent staff, manager even said as he closed up "ok you all need to leave now, I am closing and you are keeping my kids awake" not "are you ok, do you need any help, did anyone get hurt, would you like to come inside while we wait for the police to escort him away so that you can walk...

Great setting, and well organised for Covid, but among the worst food I’ve had in my life. The lunch dish two of us had tasted disgusting, was grossly overcooked, with separated gravy and a thick dry rind on the mash. They kindly offered to replace it and said they’d prioritise the replacement. Yet the pizza took over 40 mins and three reminders to get, so we were offered a refund too, which was professional. We had to leave for our appointment, so the pizzas were boxed, but without napkins and without being cut into slices! They were inedible too. The dough wasn’t mixed properly and hadn’t cooked underneath so it was like slimy rubber paste, yet the edge was hard and dry, as if grilled rather than oven cooked. The topping was swimming in oil. I could eat even less of it than the first dish. The staff were nice and professional, but are being let down by the kitchen. Sure chefs can be variable and have off days, but when both meals taste truly disgusting, there is a serious problem with the chef. Could I trust another Greene King...

Since we've moved, The Cricketers is now our "local" we have been a few times for drinks & food. Last week we came for steak Thursday & were very pleased. The restaurant wasn't very busy, possibly as 2nd week of January, but the service & welcome we received from Marion was excellent. We ordered food & drinks & didn't have to wait to long for it to arrive. The mixed grill was very tasty & plentiful, my steak was flavourful but did have quite a large fatty/gristly bit on one end. I know this sometimes happens with steak but as the steak was an 8oz it was a shame not to be able to eat more. The steak we've had before was brilliant so hoping this just a one off. It kept the dog happy though 😄 2 dinners & 4 rounds of drinks came to £65 which is reasonable especially as the Abbot was so tasty. All in all a very pleasant evening with friendly attentive service and it's great that our dog is welcome in the bar & restaurant. The Cricketers seems like a lovely friendly community pub & we look forward to more...