Our Inspector's View

The hotel has a prime spot within the ancient Roman walls of the city, next to the historic Eastgate Clock, and with its Simon Radley restaurant, The Chester Grosvenor is the undoubted epicentre of the city’s culinary activity. The opulent dining room is rich with shades of gold and cream, with plush chairs to sink into, and a smart and well organised team on hand to service your needs. The dress code is smart, but this is the 21st century, and the mood is suitably buoyant. The fixed-price menu and eight-course tasting menus (vegetarians get their own bespoke version) offer up Mr Radley’s creative take on contemporary British and European cookery, with superlative ingredients and flavour combinations that are nearly always compelling. Take an idea of beautifully caramelised scallops and tender suckling pig, with wild nettles and gooseberries adding layers of sharp and sweet, or another seafood-meat combination, with braised turbot and chicken wings, wee dumplings and blackened artichokes. A lobster and fennel roll is the star of a halibut main course (with poached mussels and saffron sauce), while two might share Edge’s beef sirloin, smoked on Douglas Fir needles. There’s just as much skill and modern pizzazz in desserts such as the en coque – a chocolate and apple combination that is something to behold. The wine list is an epic journey into some of the world’s best vintages.

Awards, Accolades & welcome Schemes

4 Rosette Award for Culinary Excellence