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Summary
Ex-Simpson’s chef Matt Cheal decamped from smaller premises in Henley-in-Arden to the former Jacques fine dining restaurant in Knowle two years back, gaining a cocktail and tapas bar along the way. There’s a lot of love for the “wonderfully plush surroundings (my old branch of HSBC!) which lend any visit the feeling of a special occasion”, while early reports on the food – à la carte or a tasting menu – praise some “beautifully presented” dishes (even if some feel “the flavours aren’t quite as impressive as the surroundings”).
Summary
Stop Press – in February 2023, ex-Simpson’s head chef Matt Cheal closed down his popular Henley-in-Arden venture, which was too small for his planned expansion, and upped sticks eight miles down the road to Knowle High Street, where he now co-runs things with the manager of the Jacques fine dining restaurant which previously stood in the new location. According to early reports, “the exceptional quality of Cheal’s food, not up till now as appreciated as it ought to be, has not deteriorated in its relocation”, while the new space – a former bank with a posh cocktail bar – is “comfortable” (if “a little too glitzy” for some tastes).
Summary
Ex-Simpson’s head chef, Matt Cheal’s “smart but comfortable” venue occupies “a timbered building on Henley in Arden’s picturesque high street”. The six-course tasting menu offers a succession of dishes described in reports as “delightful” and “accurately cooked”.
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 Cheal’s?
1630 High Street, Knowle, B93 0JU
Restaurant details
Cheal’s Restaurant Diner Reviews
"This is a very stylish, if somewhat old-fashioned feeling, operation. Both in the downstairs bar and in the dining room upstairs, service was attentive and professional, if occasionally a little slow. The food was uniformly very good, if perhaps a little unadventurous - mains choices of lamb, sea bass or chicken. Good wine list, overall an excellent evening."
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £35.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.50 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
1630 High Street, Knowle, B93 0JU
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | CLOSED |
| Thursday | 12:30 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑8:45 pm |
| Friday | 12:30 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑8:45 pm |
| Saturday | 12:30 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑8:45 pm |
| Sunday | 12:30 pm‑2 pm |
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