The Cricklewood — Restaurant in Scotland

The restaurant looks clean, the staff are friendly and helpful unfortunately this was all undone when my food arrived. I ordered the tempura chicken and Moule.

The chicken was in a thick, golden, crisp batter which tasted and looked exactly the same as the mini fish supper batter. NB: A simple and traditional tempura batter is typically made of ice water, flour, and egg yolks. Nevertheless, it tasted ok nothing to get excited about but okay, it did however set off distant alarm bells considering the Cricklewood advertises as a Gastropub!

The Mussels arrived in a large, very large, covered pot. When I lifted the lid, the smell from within was disgusting, diners either side of me asked what I had ordered and whether it was okay. I took one mussel from its shell, it was not plump, moist and succulent, it was shrunken, overcooked and off. I returned the dish immediately and I was asked by a very embarrassed waitress if I would like a replacement, which I refused. She also asked if I would like something else, I also refused knowing that my replacement would arrive after my fellow diners had finished their meals.

Unfortunately there was no real apology and therefore no reason for me to return. I can accept that mistakes occur but if you are a trained chef and you offer a dish that you cannot cook properly or recognise as off, then please do not put it...

I have over the years had mixed experiences with the Cricklewood, from the highs of hosting my intimate wedding reception there and many other meals/drinks, to the lows!

The lows started with a meal a few years back when the service was so slow (over an hour to receive starters and another hour for a main). We didn't go back after that but last night my friend and I were looking for a local meal before heading into town to see Texas, and given the passage of time I thought there would be no issue......I WAS WRONG!

Arrived at 6pm on the dot, expected to have one course and be gone by 7pm.....but at 6.50pm we still had no food. We queried and were told that it would be there soon, I asked to check how soon and then was advised that the kitchen did not even have our order!!! We were offered a starter instead as that would be quick....clearly declined as we wanted dinner! In the end we had no choice but to go (they did comp a glass of wine and a coke - the least they could do) and we had to have a bloody MacDs drive through on the way!!!

Shambolic service on a night where they were only half full and the 2nd time in a row with issues. Suffice to say that I will never be back which is such a shame for somewhere which held such happy memories. Serious overhaul of their...

Frequented here over 30 year period. Used to be the “in” place in the area. Really busy and hard to get in. Today arrived on a Thursday lunchtime very quiet hardly any cars in car park. Inside empty . Had a light lunch as in hurry . The waitress was excellent very mannerly and pleasant . But the food took ages to arrive and was average at best . One tip in an empty restaurant why would you sit the only other couple that arrived in a table virtually on your shoulder giving both of us no privacy . The restaurant bar has been refurbished and looked really good. Something has to be wrong to go from the busy vibrant pub to this though. I assume they are struggling too as the food was ok but pricey . Think this is a message one doesn’t want to see in the toilet. Don’t warn the minority in this way not really conducive to sell your Premises reputation. Surely these people can be dealt with without putting this in our face while trying to enjoy a bar lunch on a quiet Thursday. Good intentions maybe but unnecessary sign. Charging £4 for A Soda water is not a good way to get your customers flocking back either. Really overall a bit disappointed to see this place looking a bit down on its heels. Hope it survives great history...