Treating yourself to a meal out at a new or favourite restaurant can be wonderful.
Whether you’re looking for an excuse to spend time with your significant other, all the family, or a group of friends, here are five excellent eateries – all an easy drive away.
Warning: Could cause feelings of extreme hunger.
1. Upstairs at the Grill – Chester
“Inspired by the legendary steakhouses of New York”, Upstairs at the Grill balances tradition with contemporary dining.
If you love steak, classic cocktails, and fine wine served with flair in elegant and relaxed surroundings, then this restaurant should go straight to the top of your list.
With a Master Butcher responsible for sourcing the very best cuts from traditional breeds, you’ll find both classic steaks using British and Irish beef, as well as signature steaks from further afield.
As any steak lover worth their salt knows, the side dishes are just as important as the main event, and you won’t be disappointed.
Whether you tend towards healthy salad and veg (wild rocket salad, heritage tomato salad), prefer to stick with a trusty potato choice (fries, thrice-cooked fat chips, dauphinoise potatoes), or go all out with mac ‘n’ cheese, mushrooms, and onion rings – it’s all here for the taking.
With more than 1,000 Google reviews and a further 3,200 TripAdvisor reviews, both with an average 4.7 rating, there’s a good chance you too will rave about a visit here.
2. La Popote – Church Farm, Marton
With a Paris-trained chef at the helm, La Popote takes pride in crafting dishes that taste great while also telling a story.
Focusing on locally sourced seasonal ingredients, the team ensure that each plate encapsulates fresh authenticity.
The restaurant’s “Secret Garden” offers the perfect place for outdoor dining, and you may be reassured to learn that there are both heaters and a canopy to protect your decision to head outside in the British summertime!
Whether you’re after a seven-course feast with wine pairings, or a simple two-course lunch, you’re all set.
To whet your appetite, the Four Seasons menu offers dishes such as:
- Torched mackerel, wasabi cream, green apple and celeriac remoulade
- Burrata, rocket pesto, Isle of Wight tomato essence jelly
- Saddle of Lamb, tempura courgette flower, courgette and mint cream, green asparagus salad.
And for dessert (because it would be rude not to at least take a look):
- Rich chocolate mousse, ginger crumble and confit ginger
- British strawberry salad, baked white chocolate and meadowsweet ice cream
- Apple Mille-feuille, apple crème pâtissière and salted caramel.
On Sundays there’s sirloin roast beef, served with all the usual suspects, plus the all-important cauliflower cheese.
3. The Boars Head – Nantwich
If you believe life’s best moments happen over great food and drinks, head to The Boars Head in Nantwich.
Whether it’s a casual lunch, a celebratory dinner, or a quiet drink with friends, you can be sure of a warm welcome and a fantastic meal.
The menu encapsulates high-quality ingredients, offering a perfect blend of English pub classics (Haddock fillet in Beer Batter, Chicken, Gammon and Leek Pie, Classic Burger) alongside more creative international dishes (Chargrilled Thai Chicken Skewer, Keema and Potato Pie).
Whatever your preference, every dish is prepared with care and passion and served in a contemporary yet cosy setting.
We could tell you about desserts, but you may not thank us for it…
Okay, if you insist! How about Toffee Apple Crumble, White Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwich, or Toasted Passionfruit Marshmallows?
Head to The Boars Head with your crew any day of the week. If you’re partial to a Bottomless Brunch, head over on a Saturday between midday and 5.30 pm.
4. LI-LY Restaurant in Knutsford
An independent, owner-operated restaurant, LI-LY offers guests a “warm, inviting space where regional and fresh produce take centre stage”.
Sticking firm to the belief that exceptional service is as important as exquisite food, the team focus on making you feel like you’re part of something unique.
Focusing on locally grown produce, the seasonal tasting menu uses the freshest ingredients from local suppliers.
Menus are short and sweet.
This month, three dishes that feature on the Spring Dinner Menu are:
- Asparagus panna cotta
- Braised lamb breast
- Rhubarb mousse and sorbet.
There are gluten- and shellfish-free menus too.
5. Next Door – Frodsham
Set in an old butcher’s shop, Next Door is run by husband and wife team – Richard and Vicki Nuttall.
If you’re keen to do your bit for sustainability, dining here will go a long way to meet your objectives.
Not only do they work to reduce the use of non-renewable energies within the building but they also work with suppliers that offer full traceability.
Operating on a strictly seasonal basis, the menu changes every month, and includes a daily market menu, that changes according to the best available ingredients.
May’s menu features: asparagus, spring lamb, and rhubarb.
You can pop “Next Door” and enjoy an exquisite meal – lunch or dinner – from Wednesday to Saturday each week.
Walk-ins are welcome, though to avoid disappointment, you may be best to reserve your table before heading over.
Get in touch
We are here to support you in ensuring you can enjoy the finer things in life. If you have any top restaurant recommendations you’d like us to feature in a future article, we’d love to hear from you.
Email contactme@kbafinancial.com or call us on 01942 889 883.