Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
changes completely every few weeks but may include free-range chicken, shallot, and
thyme terrine with plum chutney, or slow-roast shoulder of Welsh lamb with peppero-
nata, fried potatoes, and green-olive tapenade. It's invariably packed, but on a fine day
a good alternative is to arm yourself with sandwiches from the deli counter and picnic
in the cathedral gardens.
140 North Gate St., Chester.
&
01244/344295.
www.josephbenjamin.co.uk. Reservations recom-
mended. MC, V. Main courses £13-£18. Tues-Wed 9am-5pm, Thurs-Sat 9am-midnight, Sun 10am-5pm.
Simon Radley at the Chester Grosvenor
MODERN FRENCH Holder
of a Michelin star, this fine-dining restaurant within the city's most revered hotel was
revamped and renamed in 2008 (it used to be The Arkle). Resolutely formal (smart
attire is requested, no children 11 and under, and cellphones have to be silenced), it
may be a little stiff and rarefied for some. Dishes such as watercress whip with cray-
fish tails, garlic snails, and frog's-leg bonbon, and roast cushion of veal sweetbread,
lobster knuckles, almond milk, and chickpea will be too far out for many non-foodies.
For the latter, however, the eight-course tasting menu will be a slice of gourmet
heaven. There's a similar vibe (and no children 11 and under rule) in the hotel's chic
Ark Bar and Lounge,
where you can enjoy morning coffee, light lunches, and
afternoon tea—the latter with champagne if you wish, or in a “Gentleman's Indul-
gent” version accompanied by a gin and tonic or Eastgate ale. A more casual option
is the Parisian-style
Brasserie,
open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, which
features lots of traditional English and Continental favorites with a twist, from steak
and kidney with veal grenadin, veal kidney, and creamed spinach, to Parmesan gnoc-
chi with wild mushrooms and pumpkin fritters. There's also a great children's menu.
The Chester Grosvenor & Spa
itself—which belongs to the Duke of Westmin-
ster's family—is the
grande dame
of the city's hotel scene, although its rooms are
lightened by boutique-hotel-style touches, and there's a super-modern spa with a
steam room, herb sauna, ice fountain, themed shower, and salt grotto in addition to
treatment rooms. The various packages include spa rituals and retreats, plus several
family offers, some including tickets to local attractions such as Chester Zoo and one
including a ghost tour of Chester followed by spooky movies and popcorn in your
room. Doubles start at £220, suites at £425.
Eastgate, Chester.
&
01244/895618.
www.chestergrosvenor.co.uk. Reservations required. A la carte
menu £69; 8-course tasting menu £90. AE, DC, MC, V. Tues-Sat 6:30-9pm (last order), plus Sun pre-
ceding a bank holiday Mon (but closed Tues after that holiday).
15
Afternoon Tea, Cheshire-Style
Cheshire's many lovely tearooms are
great for a decadent afternoon tea of
traditional goodies plus sometimes
local specialties such as spinach and
Cheshire cheese tart. Most tearooms
also serve morning coffee and cakes,
hot and cold lunches, and children's
meals, making them great all-day
options for family eating that won't
cost the earth. These are some of our
favorite venues:
Restaurant at
Lyme Park
(p. 576).
Stables Restaurant,
Tatton Park (p. 576).
Wizard Tearoom,
Alderley Edge (p. 575).
Zugers Tea Rooms,
St. John's Street,
Chester (
&
0151/334-1904;
www.
zugerstearooms.co.uk).
