The Forge

Bit of a wait on arrival but once we got our seat the meal was lovely. We particularly enjoyed the venison tartare. The wine list was excellent, but as with many upper end restaurants these days very little choice of quality beers. Just a couple of big standard lagers or similar. Craft beer offers such a great variety, and there are several good local breweries. There doesn't have to be loads. 4 or 5 quality cans would make a huge difference.

We really enjoyed our short stay at The Forge. The hotel is modernly decorated and has a very elegant atmosphere. The room had everything one would need for an overnight stay and was nice and clean. The bar has a nice variety of cocktails and the service is good. It can get busy and the split service between the restaurant and bar can introduce a wait but the staff do well to respond as quickly as they can. We didn't dine in the restaurant for lunch or dinner so I can't comment on the food in that respect, but we did have breakfast which was pleasant. It was also nice to see vegan options on the menu. Lovely modern hotel located in the centre of Chester within walking distance from plenty of bars and restaurants.

At The Forge, we had the pleasure of trying their wild venison scotch egg, which was hands down the best scotch egg I've ever tasted. The flavours were exceptional, and it left a lasting impression. On the other hand, the sirloin of beef didn't meet my expectations. The fat wasn't rendered down enough, resulting in a chewy texture that was a bit disappointing. One of the highlights was the captivating open kitchen, allowing guests to witness the skilled team in action. However, there were occasional fumes from the open kitchen that was unpleasant at times. Nevertheless, the service team was welcoming and friendly, adding to the overall positive experience.

Amazing food, really well cooked and presented and lots of interesting choices and twists on original dishes. Staff were also brilliant and the kitchen is open to the seating area so you can get a feel for what's going on! Totally recommend.