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Summary
“An ex Michelin Star dining room with its eye on repeating the award for the new chef” – this “very traditional” dining room deep within the Duke of Westminster’s old dowager hotel next to the city’s ancient medieval walls (built in 1865) has a serene (its windowless) and “romantic” aura that’s either timeless or old-fashioned, depending on your tastes. “Service is personal, slightly relaxed in a good way, but still has some formality”. And when it comes to the food, chef Elliot Hill (who replaced Simon Radley in 2022, who had been in post over 20 years) seems to be hitting his stride better now, with many positive reports here this year. There’s either a five-course menu for £90 per person, or longer tasting menu for £115 per person. The wine list here is heavyweight too, although “with limited cheaper options reflecting the nature of the restaurant”. Top Tips – there’s a three course ‘choice’ menu for £75 per person (excludes Saturdays). Top Menu Tip – “The venison dish is a particular highlight with ‘hedgerow’ components (my partner who doesn’t usually eat venison absolutely loved it!)”
Summary
“After a promising return, the food has dropped off quite dramatically”, according to a number of reports at this long-running culinary icon: a plush, if windowless chamber at the heart of a grand hotel, owned by the Duke of Westminster and next to the city’s emblematic Eastgate Clock. For many years under Simon Radley (here from 1998-2021), it was one of the then-few destinations in the North West to hold a Michelin star. More than one reporter this year opined that “having lost its star on Simon’s departure, it needs to improve considerably to justify the high prices”. One bright spark though – in the adjoining lounges there’s a “reliable afternoon tea: recommend the Gentleman’s version, which includes excellent fish sliders”.
Summary
Chef Elliot Hill has big shoes to fill at this well-known dining room, which is one of the North West’s most consistent culinary icons, having held a Michelin star under Simon Radley from 1998-2021 (at a time when such recognition was thin on the ground in this and neighbouring counties). Lacking natural light, this stately chamber sits deep within this unusually grand provincial hotel, which is owned by the Duke of Westminster, and is right next to the city’s emblematic Eastgate Clock on its medieval walls. While acknowledging that it’s “pricey”, all reports are very positive on the start he’s made with a “scrumptious five-course tasting menu”; staff who “make you feel valued and well looked after”; and the “elegant, comfortable and quiet (but not too quiet!)” interior. “An incredible, if expensive, experience” that’s “well set to regain his predecessor’s accolades”.
Summary
Owned by the Duke of Westminster, and sitting right next to the iconic Eastgate Clock, the city’s flagship hotel has a plush (if windowless) main dining room, which in March 2022 was relaunched after a £250,000 refit. The change was to mark a turning of the page from its time under Simon Radley, who held one of the North West’s more enduring Michelin stars here from 1998 till his retirement in mid 2021. So his replacement, Elliot Hill (arriving from Liverpool’s Panoramic 34) has big shoes to fill. He made a start in November 2022, winning three rosettes at the AA Awards… although under Simon, the hotel held four. Our limited initial feedback on his start here is all positive (if too limited for a rating), including for afternoon tea in the adjoining lounges – “attentive staff and excellent sandwiches and pastries... they also serve a Gentleman’s afternoon tea, with crispy haddock bloomers, and coronation chicken on spiced curry bread”.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Arkle, The Chester Grosvenor?
56-58 Eastgate Street, Chester, CH1 1LT
Restaurant details
Arkle, The Chester Grosvenor Restaurant Diner Reviews
"We went after we had a good experience of their other restaurant, La Brasserie. Having recently moved from London, we were keen to have a regular spot at a high end dining room. Firstly, the ambience, has the 'old' feel of a hotel this age, not a modern dining room but nicely done. Room was nice, full but not feeling too busy. The service was personal, slightly relaxed in a good way, but still had some formality. The sommelier a particular highlight! The food was utterly delicious. Our favourite restaurant in London was Chez Bruce so we're a little bit disappointed not to have an a la carte menu which I would say is the only draw back. The venison dish was a particular highlight with 'hedgerow' components, my partner who doesn't usually eat venison absolutely loved it. Their little predessert around hay and rhubarb also a delight, something I've never experienced before. Overall we had an incredible meal and will be back. "
"Excellent restaurant that is flying under the radar. One of our best experiences in recent dining, and usually the sort we avoid as prefer less formality but had the balance. Dishes that stood out particularly were the venison and dessert of apple and caramel with caramelised chocolate. "
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £45.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £7.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £5.50 |
| Service | 12.50% |
56-58 Eastgate Street, Chester, CH1 1LT
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | CLOSED |
| Thursday | 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 12:30 pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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