The Cranleigh

My parents first took me to The Cranleigh decades ago and still it remains one of my favourite local restaurants: Always a friendly welcome to a very clean and well presented restaurant. Food is good and adequate portions are served by very friendly and polite staff. We all thoroughly enjoyed our Sunday lunch so on the way out we booked for the following Sunday...Well done Cranleigh!

We booked a funeral wake with Christine for 15 people due to current restrictions. We were socially distanced in a seating plan in the restaurant in such a way we could speak to each other. This meant the world to us on such a sad day. We were served a top class 3 course meal of soup with a warm roll, roast chicken and apple crumble and custard it was delicious. We were served drink all the time by very kind, caring staff and the whole experience on such a sad day was incredible. Thank you to them all.

Fantastic food and Darryl, the singer, was brilliant even when we asked him for random songs! Staff were very Covid aware and we felt safe. We were served a top class 3 course meal of soup with a warm roll, roast chicken and apple crumble and custard it was delicious. We were served drink all the time by very kind, caring staff and the whole experience on such a sad day was incredible.

Had the Sole fish with sautéed potatoes and peas, took forever to arrive. The fish was quite tasty, the sauce was nice. The potatoes were 4 times cooked, more akin to thick crisps dark brown and tough, I could have made peace with this, but you have to pay extra for your veg, feels like a slap in the face when you get some old chopped up beer mats. Tiramisu was quite nice at the top,but towards the bottom was pure bitter alcoho as it had clearly been sitting in the fridge for days. My partner had the linguine with roasted pepper and sundried tomatoes, however it turned out to be just spaghetti with some heated up tinned tomatoes (no roasted pepper or sun dried tomato in sight). She also had the chocolate and caramel tart - the pastry was somehow soggy and dry at the same time and tasted stale. Eating the thing was a battle of attrition - the chocolate mousse was rubbery and stiff and the caramel was tough and tasted burned. Clearly a “pre-bought, has been sitting in the fridge for a week“ situation. The waiting staff needs more training and a firm guiding hand,as they were fumbling, getting in each other's and the customers' way and didn't seem like they knew what was going on. The rest of our party was also rather underwhelmed by the whole experience and the quality of the food. On a final note, this was not bad food for the Harvester, but not for the premium price we paid last night it was found lacking.

I do not normally write reviews about my experiences, however, on this occasion I feel I must. Thank you to ALL at The Cranleigh they made a very difficult time with all the constraints in place, very special for me and my guests at my birthday/retirement celebrations. From start to finish they made me feel special. Nothing was too much trouble and all my friends commented on the excellent food, service and entertainment. The food was served steaming hot and the service was attentive. We ordered from a set menu with at least five choices from each course. There was consideration for those with special diet requirements too. Social distancing was dealt with brilliantly and if more establishments were to do the same I feel sure it would give everyone confidence, knowing that the restraints are put in place to keep everyone safe. Being able to go out and enjoy yourself in an environment that you know that everyone around you was tested before they were allowed in the building was reassuring. One BIG thank you again and we will see you again in the future.