Cross Keys - Wiltshire

For my birthday, my family surprised me by booking a table for a Friday evening meal at this restaurant. The menu had a lot of good choices, and the food was excellent. The staff provided great service and were very cheerful. The restaurant had a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, and we all had a wonderful meal. We enjoyed it so much that we plan on making another booking soon, this time for Sunday lunch.

Walked in on a Sunday lunch time for a couple of drinks whilst walking the dogs. Never been here before. We walked in and ordered our drinks and were greeted by a very rude abrupt lady who appeared to be the owner manager. The young girl, who was clearly new to the pub was so lovely; smiley, polite and looked as though she was really enjoying her job which is usually quite rare for waitresses bar staff. We asked the manager owner if she had a menu for the rest of the week and she passed us a leaflet with opening times on. We asked if she had a menu and she said it’s on there it wasn’t it was just the opening times. Again, very abrupt and short. We took our drinks and went outside and it started raining so shortly afterwards returned inside. We ordered another drink and I was observing the manager owner with the new girl and her attitude towards her was appalling I wouldn’t speak to my dogs the way she spoke to the waitress. The young girl put some ice in a glass and the manager owner snatched it out of her hand and said ‘he didn’t ask for ice did he, start listening’. I shouted so loudly I think the whole pub heard me, I said ‘oi don’t speak to her like that you’re bang out of order. I said leave the drinks we’re not staying’. There were no pleases no thank you’s, snatching from the young girl. She was treating her like a child. I was not going to sit there and watch her and listen to her speak to a member of staff like dirt and pay for the privilege. If she can not cope with less than 20 covers on a Sunday afternoon and 2 staff total on the floor then she’s not fit to be a manager. I managed a pub not so long ago after leaving the RAF, being on minimum wage and then within 6 months worked my way up to assistant manager and was running the bar and floor at the same time on my own with over 40 covers at a time. I am not only the person to have come across her appalling attitude as many individuals in other local pubs we visited later that afternoon also said she’s very abrupt and gets stressed easily. There’s being stressed and then there’s being a total cow. You don’t speak to anyone like that, especially not in front of customers. I will NEVER set foot back in this place. I pray that the young girl finds her feet and either stands up to the manager one day or leaves to find something better. She’s 100% wasted in a place that she clearly isn’t appreciated and if that was my daughter sister I’d tell her she’s worth more. Working with a manager like that will wear her down. I’ve been there and done it so I know how it feels hence me being so emotional after the visit. If she carries on the way she acted today being so polite and smiley with such a positive wanting to learn attitude, she’ll be running the place and a hell of a lot better than the current manager. I’m from Leeds and say it how it is I hope the manager owner reads this and it gives her a kick up the backside to think about how she speaks and acts, especially around new customers. The locals might be ‘used to her’ but in my eyes first impressions count and she’s made a bad one, a very bad one. If she carries on the gorgeous pub won’t survive, surprised it has for so long to be honest.

Just shared a Cote De Boeuf with my wife at the X Keys. I have always thought Fillet steak was the best. Wrong. This was l one of the best meals we have had anywhere. Simon the Chef is in a different league to the normal pub Chef, with a wonderful friendly welcome and service from Mandy and her staff. This off the beaten track pub is a “Must” to visit. As one of their signs says. Enter as customers, leave as friends. A1

I recently moved to the village and decided to try the Crosskeys for Sunday lunch with friends who were visiting. I'm so glad we did! Everything was excellent, and I must say it was one of the best Sunday lunches I've had at a pub. The roast potatoes, fresh vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, and ample meat servings were all delicious. I had the pork with crackling, while my husband and friend had the beef and her husband had the chicken. And to top it off, the puddings were amazing. We will definitely be back. A big thank you to the owners and staff for being fantastic and making us feel so welcome.

My wife, in-laws, parents, and I went to this restaurant for Sunday lunch as an extended Christmas gift. It was a fantastic dining experience. We tried all the different roasted meats available - Topside beef, chicken breast, and pork - and each one was cooked perfectly. The roast potatoes were especially delicious. We also enjoyed our desserts, which were all excellent. The Sunday lunch menu changes regularly, offering a variety of meats and dessert options. The restaurant is located in the charming village of Bradenstoke, with ample parking and clean, well-maintained facilities. The atmosphere was great, and the owners and staff were lovely, providing a warm welcome with smiling faces. It's also dog-friendly, which is a bonus. Overall, we had a memorable Sunday lunch and highly recommend this restaurant. Steve and Alison Wills.