There’s something quite special about sitting by a river watching the world go by (even if we did have to listen to Cliff Richard singing his heart out from a nearby tour guide)… 
I was really surprised last weekend when we stayed with friends in Chester (never been there before). It’s a really lovely Medieval walled city – reminiscent of Canterbury for the benefit of my Kentish friends – and what an excellent place to shop till you drop!! Sooo many wonderful (designer) shops – there’s no doubt you could do some serious damage to the plastic here.
Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately - as far as J was concerned) we were running too late to do anything other than window shop (even at the bears). Although we did stop at the Cheese Shop to buy some famous Colston Basset stilton (the best in the world). We called-in to see the Cathedral (dark and austere on the outside, but light and refreshing on the outside) while Evensong was just beginning.
Very restful... 
But dinner was calling us at the wonderful (one) Michelin-starred Arkle Restaurant at the Grosvenor Hotel in the centre of the cobbled Eastgate.
It was great to see that the chef (Simon Radley) has got a real sense of imagination and humour e.g. hats off to E who went for the ‘Pond Life’ for a starter (frogs legs and snails, of course) and amongst other interesting things on the mains was ‘carpetbagger’ (which J had) – ‘Welsh black fillet, studded with native oysters, Corned Ox with all things Carrot’ and ’24 hour mutton’. I think mine won (Turbot) but then I’m always biased towards that fish dish…Service was spot-on and the restaurant was ambient and busy without being chaotic. And the cheese selection meant we were very impressed (although it wasn’t quite as impressive as our experience at Winteringham Fields). The good thing about Michelin-starred places is that they have to have a place to sit down and enjoy a drink before (and after) dinner. The Arkle’s place is one of those relaxing warm, welcoming, comfortable, library-type rooms – the kind of place you could easily just sit down and talk with a glass of something for hours…
The next morning, we thought we’d never have room for that big BBQ breakfast - but somehow we managed it….
another Michelin-starred place crossed-off the list… with thanks to P & E for such wonderful company and an excellent 'foodie' weekend.
I was really surprised last weekend when we stayed with friends in Chester (never been there before). It’s a really lovely Medieval walled city – reminiscent of Canterbury for the benefit of my Kentish friends – and what an excellent place to shop till you drop!! Sooo many wonderful (designer) shops – there’s no doubt you could do some serious damage to the plastic here.Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately - as far as J was concerned) we were running too late to do anything other than window shop (even at the bears). Although we did stop at the Cheese Shop to buy some famous Colston Basset stilton (the best in the world). We called-in to see the Cathedral (dark and austere on the outside, but light and refreshing on the outside) while Evensong was just beginning.
Very restful... 
But dinner was calling us at the wonderful (one) Michelin-starred Arkle Restaurant at the Grosvenor Hotel in the centre of the cobbled Eastgate.
It was great to see that the chef (Simon Radley) has got a real sense of imagination and humour e.g. hats off to E who went for the ‘Pond Life’ for a starter (frogs legs and snails, of course) and amongst other interesting things on the mains was ‘carpetbagger’ (which J had) – ‘Welsh black fillet, studded with native oysters, Corned Ox with all things Carrot’ and ’24 hour mutton’. I think mine won (Turbot) but then I’m always biased towards that fish dish…Service was spot-on and the restaurant was ambient and busy without being chaotic. And the cheese selection meant we were very impressed (although it wasn’t quite as impressive as our experience at Winteringham Fields). The good thing about Michelin-starred places is that they have to have a place to sit down and enjoy a drink before (and after) dinner. The Arkle’s place is one of those relaxing warm, welcoming, comfortable, library-type rooms – the kind of place you could easily just sit down and talk with a glass of something for hours…
The next morning, we thought we’d never have room for that big BBQ breakfast - but somehow we managed it….
another Michelin-starred place crossed-off the list… with thanks to P & E for such wonderful company and an excellent 'foodie' weekend.
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