Chester hotel’s refined dining restaurant celebrates first anniversary

A five star hotel in the heart of Chester is celebrating a highly successful first year at its refined dining restaurant, which has served almost 5,000 guests — stamping its place firmly on the culinary map.

The Chester Grosvenor, nestled on the iconic cobbled streets of Chester adjacent to the famous Eastgate clock, is home to Arkle, a unique and memorable dining experience hand-crafted by Executive Chef, Elliot Hill and his talented kitchen team.

Since opening in March 2022, the restaurant has been awarded 3 AA Rosettes, received an AA Notable Wine Award and been named in the Michelin Guide, a collection of the UK’s most impressive eateries. It has also received an abundance of positive feedback on key platforms like TripAdvisor, whilst proving a popular choice among Chester locals and visitors alike.

Commenting on the past year, Elliot Hill said: “Launching Arkle has been a real high after such a difficult time, and the feedback we’ve been getting has been truly humbling. Achieving 3 AA rosettes was a proud moment for all of us and we are looking forward to an incredibly bright future here at The Chester Grosvenor”. 

“We wanted to make Arkle a unique dining experience, that is both modern yet fitting in with the traditions of The Chester Grosvenor. The tasting menu comes with a few choices along the way which are dictated firstly by the seasons, then the whole team gets involved in the creative process and flavours are complemented by interesting and carefully selected wines”

“The restaurant’s knowledgeable front-of-house team is genuinely passionate about food and drink and are a vital component of the overall guest experience. Like a fine Swiss watch, every cog is vital in producing what we do. With the right team, motivation and inspiration, the sky's the limit.”

The Chester Grosvenor also has a strong apprenticeship offering, with a handful of future talent having already passed through Arkle under the expert guidance of Elliot and his team — an achievement it is immensely proud of. As the restaurant continues to go from strength to strength, they continue to champion and nurture the next generation of culinary talent.

Elliot continued: “We take the philosophy of continuous improvement, so we are constantly and objectively looking at every aspect of what we do. From work-life balance for the kitchen, produce-led dish development and even the coasters we serve drinks on, we recognise that these are all important to creating the memorable guest experience we strive for. There are a few exciting developments in the pipeline for Arkle including trial running Saturday lunches, as well as extending our wonderful menu.”

With the existing building dating back to 1865, The Chester Grosvenor is actually home to two highly reputable restaurants — the relaxed two AA Rosette La Brasserie, which offers all-day casual and à la carte dining, as well as Arkle, which offers a more refined dining experience. Both restaurants embody the culture of quality at the hotel and form a significant component of its highly regarded guest experience.

For more information on The Chester Grosvenor, please visit: 

https://www.chestergrosvenor.com/ 

Pictured - Arkle Restaurant at The Chester Grosvenor.