http://www.essexrestaurants.com/ 159-1350 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/stansted-venues/stansted-restaurants/the-cricketers-clavering-essex.html I am so relieved to read that other people have had the same experience as me as I don't often complain in restaurants. On arrival the waitress was very abrupt and rude. We were then put on a table in the bar area which was freezing and not served for 25 minutes. I had to go up to the bar to order drinks as we could not get any attention. I also had to go up to pay the bill!!! The food was good but not worth it for the service we received. When the waitress asked me if everything was ok, I explained that we were very disappointed with the service and she said sorry. I would expect more than a sorry from a restaurant which rates itself and that is associated with Jamie Oliver! I think it is also disappointing to read so many bad reviews and that it has not been noted or rectified. ]]> Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:58:35 +0000 159-1332 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/stansted-venues/stansted-restaurants/the-cricketers-clavering-essex.html Not as exciting as one would have expected given the pub/hotels association with Jamie Oliver. The room was cold (it was i have to say a very cold night ) Cold air gushed through the single pane windows. Stupidly the thick curtains when shut completely covered the only radiator.There does not appear to be sound proofing in the rooms for one can easily hear conversation from the next door occupants and the hum of the restaurant below.( The next door occupant banged on the walls at 3 am believing , I think that there was the beep of an alarm clock consistantly going off next door - when it turned out to be coming fom the restaurant below) The knowledge that the occupants could hear was not condusive to their, or my, romantic weekend!!. The restaurant was overated too many tables squashed together - one becomes part of a shool dining room!Far too many tables ans so little elbow room - the food,at best, mediocre - I had pork swimming in a red sauce(?) that had a tin tasting quality that seeped into the mash.The cheeseboard at £9 consisted of 4 small pieces of cheese - totally overpriced and over rated. The Arms is situated in a rather boring setting with a small industrial estate situated behind it. This is not the place to visit if one is wanting to find somewhere special to visit. Although it is now a couple of weeks ago that I visited I still feel let down - we had travelled 120 miles to get what indeed was forgettable. I would have quite happily told the reception on leaving - but they never asked! I would not like to suggest that the arms is living off the a famous reputation rather than supplying quality Maybe Jamie who is trying to educate the people of Rotherham to good food should revisit his heritage and apply his skills for I cant see this type of quality enhancing his reputation!!. ]]> Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:16:20 +0000 159-1032 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/stansted-venues/stansted-restaurants/the-cricketers-clavering-essex.html Took my girlfriend for dinner here, the staff were so kind & friendly, my girlfriend loves partridge but would be unable eat the beetroot that it was served with, The waitress overheard and came back less than a minute later to say that the Chef would be more than happy to modify the dish to suit her needs - she was so impressed and really really loved the modified dish. It was busy for a monday night but we almost felt like the only people there - such was the level of care and attention that we received. Prices were reasonable bearing in mind the very high quality of the food & ingredients. We absolutely loved this place - a real treat ]]> Wed, 11 May 2011 12:49:20 +0100 159-907 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/stansted-venues/stansted-restaurants/the-cricketers-clavering-essex.html It was my Husband & Sister-in-Laws birthday lunch & although the food was excellent the edge was taken off the celebrations by the VERY off hand attitude of the staff. Although they had their cards & presents on display there was never any reference made by staff that they had a occasion on their hands. We especially DID NOT like that one of the waiters was serving in SHORTS !! This is supposed to be an elegant venue NOT A BEACH IN GREECE !! ]]> Fri, 23 Jul 2010 08:11:30 +0100 159-740 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/stansted-venues/stansted-restaurants/the-cricketers-clavering-essex.html Our party of eight dined in the bar area on Saturday evening and all enjoyed the experience.Wide choice of tasty food,generous portions and plenty of vegetables.The local venison and the sticky toffee pudding especially praised.Friendly service.Also very comfortable,warm room in Courtyard section and excellent breakfast ]]> Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:23:49 +0000 159-730 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/stansted-venues/stansted-restaurants/the-cricketers-clavering-essex.html Before Jamie was famous..if you can think that far back..this restaurant was buzzing..I would have given a rating of 10 for everything. Been once a year since for the past three years and unfortunately standards have dropped in all aspects. It is such a shame.
I will not now go back as I think I have given them a fair crack of the whip. ]]> Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:17:59 +0000 159-677 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/stansted-venues/stansted-restaurants/the-cricketers-clavering-essex.html We went here on Sunday lunch for a special family occasion and were disappointed with both the food and service. There was no atmosphere (no music), the toilets were small and only two for a place that seats over 100 people!, the 3 waitressess were surly, one elderly lady was far too friendly, one of the waitresses was rude to another one and clearly did not like her. The kitchen chef could be heard swearing from our table.
The food was average and not inspiring or inviting. There was so much choice and the menu was a hodge podge of old and new and really looked at though it had been put together from various cook book recipes amalgamated. The cranberry starter was AWFUL - the craberries were soooo sweet and it had one round piece of goat's cheese on top. The plates were cold, the tables crowded. To be honest the restaurant had about 20 more people than it could comfortably accomodate. It was difficult to get in and out of many tables as they were so close together and on two tables the cutlery was up on the mats to accomodate more diners at the table. The first table as you go in could comfortably sit 6 and they had laid it for 8! ]]> Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:08:46 +0000 159-650 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/stansted-venues/stansted-restaurants/the-cricketers-clavering-essex.html If it wasn't for the fact that this is "the pub run by Jame Oliver's parents," I wouldn't have given it a second thought. My parents live in Essex and so we went there as a party of 8 to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary over Sunday Lunch. We were not given a great table - the elderly waitresses kept bumping into my chair everytime they passed. Although the waitresses were friendly enough I don't think they were very professional. They kept interrupting at important family moments - like when we were taking photos or handing out presents. The food was awful. I was suprised and disappointed. My main course (roast lamb) was luke warm and tasteless - no gravy and a puny version of mint sauce. The roast potatoes were a joke. And don't get me started on the starter... but since you ask the Goats cheese crotin and cranberry tart was very bad. It tasted like someone had poured some cranberry suace out of a jar into a tart and plonked a piece of cheese on top. Far too much cranberry and little else. It would have been better as a dessert. We arrived at the Cricketers Arms in Rickling Green by accident, to start with, whuich is about 7 minutes drive away. I really wished we had gone there, as it seemed much nicer. All they are doing is trading off Jamie Oliver's name, and they think that will carry them. It won't. It is not enough. ]]> Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:48:29 +0000 159-479 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/stansted-venues/stansted-restaurants/the-cricketers-clavering-essex.html We had my mother's 80th birthday and parent's Diamond Wedding lunches there and it was fantastic, absolutely perfect for both, great food and service, and lovely informal atmosphere for this type of family occasion. On top of which you can buy signed copies of Jamie's books. ]]> Sun, 19 Apr 2009 22:07:41 +0100