I have visited The Cross with a friend for an evening meal without a booking, the place was buzzing. We were greeted in a very professional way and informed that it will be a little waiting time for a table, we were directed to the bar from there.
Great selections of wine and spirits at the bar and what a professional and good bartender! We enjoyed a drink and shared a starter at the bar during our wait and were directed to our table shortly after that.
The food was fantastic with great attention to detail. My friend and I are both working in the industry and we know our food. This experience at The Cross will definitely be repeated, and I would encourage anyone to do so. Great food, great service and superb place. Keep up the good work guys.
Amarone
Dining experience Saturday 23rd march 2008:
now managed by the chap from the Malt Shovel in Barston & a website with great customer feedback should have been a precursor to great things but what a terrible experience. Seated promptly but then had to wait 15 minutes for drinks to be served and then another 15 minutes to have our food order taken. Waitress displayed no knowledge of the menu or specials (more of that later)or experience in serving customers. Starters arrived spasmodically and due to the wait were swiftly eaten. Another 20 minutes and the mains finally arrive with one being completely the wrong dish and cold. The other was simply a pork chop (over cooked) with red onions - no vegetables/potatoes. When question I was advised that the menu tells you what you get, so no input from waiting staff is required to "up sell" the extras. Wrong dish was replaced and removed from bill. We were actually served by four different waiting staff including the manager which took a total of two and half hours for 2 people. Weird thing was the four people sitting next to us were wined, dined a eating pudding in an hour and a half, while we struggled to get a second round of drinks between courses - perhaps they telephoned their order beforehand! I was assured that the service would improve on my next visit - we will see.
Food - borderline pedestrian, Service - risible = 2/10