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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”.
Summary
After 30 years, in mid-2021, chef Simon Radley left the plush (if windowless) dining room at this city-centre destination. Owned by the Duke of Westminster, and sitting right next to the city’s medieval walls and its iconic Eastgate Clock, the property is unusually grand for a hotel in a provincial city. From soon after his joining in 1998 until he left, Radley held here one of the North West’s most enduring awards from Michelin, bolstered by an impressive cellar (with 700 bins). Closed until 2022, the relaunch should be a significant foodie event when the big reveal of what comes next is finally made. Until then, head for afternoon tea in the hotel’s Arkle Bar & Lounge.
Summary
Acclaimed by some conservative types as “the best dining experience in the north-west of England” – this much-accoladed dining room sits in the heart of an unusually grand city-centre hotel (well, it is owned by one of the UK’s wealthiest men, the Duke of Westminster) right next to Chester’s iconic Eastgate clock. Simon Radley has held a Michelin star here nigh-on since he joined in 1998, and his “awesome” cuisine, the “wonderful service” and the duke’s impressive cellar (with 700 bins) maintains this as one of the region’s culinary ‘heavy hitters’ if you are seeking an experience of traditional luxury and sophistication. “Huge bill” though. The hotel also provides “the best afternoon tea for miles” in its Arkle Bar & Lounge.
For 33 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
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £47.50 |  |
|
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 90.00 | Always available | 5 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £40.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| 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 | 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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