You would think all is fairly quiet on the restaurant front right now, but that is not the case. Its Michelin time in the culinary world – and that doesn’t stop for anything, a global pandemic or otherwise.
So et’s celebrate our fabulous local restaurants who are deserving of the most prestigious food accolades in the world.
#chesterdiningguide
#chestermichelinguide
Simon Radley at The Grosvenor
We have to start off with the King of Chester Food himself. Simon Radley is not only a fabulous Chef, but an absolute gentleman as well. I was honoured just a few years ago to be allowed into his kitchen to commis for him for a day, such an incredible experience that I will treasure for ever. Simon has retained his Michelin star this year, for the 30th year on the run. What an incredible achievement, and what a truly wonderful man. It is sad news however that Simon will be leaving The Chester Grosvenor at the end of this year, and I can’t wait to see what he does next, as well as the exciting new dining experience to be unveiled by The Chester Grosvenor in the new year.
hypha
You could say that Nik Friar is a rising star, but I think his rise to Michelin excellence has been pretty meteoric. He was awarded his first Michelin recommendation just six short months after he opened his hugely celebrated, plant-based and fully sustainable restaurant hypha, and more recently was awarded Michelin’s brand-new and highly-prized Green Star. Absolutely fantastic!
Upstairs at The Grill
Upstairs at The Grill is one of my all-time favourites. I was lucky enough to work there with Neil and Mark when I first returned from London, and now it has become a tradition to treat my better half there every year for his birthday. It is a decadent, luxurious, steak-lovers dream and always a very special experience, so it’s no wonder it has a Michelin recommendation. We’re seriously looking forward to one of our all-time favourites reopening this Autumn.
The Forge
I was so lucky to have interviewed Chef Mike Robinson on the day he opened his fabulous new restaurant ‘The Forge’ at Hotel Indigo, right next to the picturesque Grosvenor Park and just a few minutes walk from the city centre. He also served me his signature dish Slow cooked shoulder of roe deer from Bathurst Estate in the Cotswolds – with wood-fired beetroot, dirty mash, rainbow chard and deer gravy. It was a truly phenomenal dish and the very first to be served from his brand-new kitchen – what an honour! Just three short weeks from opening, Mike and his team were awarded their Michelin recommendation – a true testament to their unwavering commitment to delivering superb food sustainably, as well as true and authentic hospitality to every guest.
The Chef’s Table
Another restaurant which I hold dear is The Chef’s Table, and one of the main reasons is Chef Patron Liam Mackay was a very young (but clearly super-talented) Sous Chef at Upstairs at The Grill when I worked there back in 2004/5. They say the best things come in small packages, and The Chefs Table – with its intimate 30 covers is one of the very best in Chester, and Michelin agree!
Joseph Benjamin
Jospeh Benjamin is adored by so many. This restaurant epitomises Independent Chester from a food and drink point of view, having first been awarded their Michelin Bib Gourmand award nine years ago, and they have retained it ever since. Michelin say ‘This personally and passionately run bistro is named after its owners, Joe and Ben. The light, simple décor mirrors the style of cooking and the monthly menu offers tasty, well-judged dishes’. We say consistently fabulous and superb quality, every mouthful is a delight.
(Joseph Benjamin continue to trade with their much-loved JB at Home service for takeaway, check their socials for details).
Porta
Porta is a tapas and wine bar which opened in 2012 by respected restaurateur brothers Ben & Joe Wright and is super-relaxed, informal and intimate. They take their inspiration from those beautiful little tapas bars of Barcelona and Madrid, where the atmosphere is always buzzing. These guys thoroughly deserve their Michelin status for serving truly delicious and authentic Spanish flavours with a wonderfully happy vibe, and it’s exciting times all-round as they are now set to take over their legendary sister-site Joseph Benjamin within their post-pandemic expansion plans.
Covino
Covino is a light and airy restaurant on Northgate Street serving the most delicious small plates, using the very best local produce. Michelin say ‘This small, intimate establishment with high level seating is more than just a wine bar. Charcuterie and small plates sit alongside some more substantial dishes on the appealing menu – and are a perfect match for the organic and low-intervention wines’. I totally agree! Get yourselves booked in.
Da Noi
Da Noi was an instant hit in the city when they opened back in 2018. The star of this show is most definitely Chef Valentina Aviotti with her sublime authentic Italian cooking – she is hugely respected and revered here in Chester for her incredible commitment and passion for the industry. So it’s no surprise that Da Noi have retained their Michelin plate for 2021.
