Promotion
Opera Grill is a new restaurant and bar from Individual Restaurants in Chester - and it’s a real showstopper. The historic city walls run alongside the former Methodist chapel on Pepper Street, while inside, glass floors and exposed brick are part of the landmark conversion. Enjoy cocktails under the lofty eaves of the bar, or go all out on the new menu of British and Asian-inspired dishes in the restaurant, rooftop terrace or Music Lounge.
Opera Grill is a new restaurant and bar from Individual Restaurants in Chester - and it’s a real showstopper.
Inspired by the venue’s history as a place of worship, there’s a weekly entertainment programme that includes live music on Thursdays (7-10pm) and gospel singers every Sunday afternoon (2-6pm).
Lead by vocalist Chan Evans, founder of Chester’s Sing Out Gospel Choir, the singers take a trip through very best in soul and spiritual music on Sundays. The set list changes weekly, as does the backing band – but musicians like drummer Jonathan Rodney and bassist Barry Williams are the kind of world-class performers you can expect to see on stage.
With live music broadcast throughout the venue, listening experiences include cabaret-style seating in the Music Lounge and airy views of Chester from the heated roof terrace mean there’s something to please everyone – and every size of party. We opted for a booth to the side of the stage in the end and absolutely loved it.
Highlights included folk spiritual This Little Light of Mine, Candi Staton’s You Got the Love and gospel takes on pop songs like Snow Patrol’s Run. It’s not uncommon to find the 100-capacity first floor Music Lounge on their feet. We got into the swing of things at any rate, particularly after a glass or two from the wine boutique.
In keeping with the new venue, the menu has been created exclusively for Opera Grill. Pleasure and incredible ingredients are a theme throughout; from oysters and caviar to wild Scottish languoustines, duck cassoulet and Australian Wagyu beef, this is grown up food, with an emphasis on enjoyment.
We shared the Ox cheek bourguignon with slow-roasted baby onions, buttery mash and skewers of chargrilled broccoli. An Aberdeen Angus burger with triple cooked chips was a hit with my 12-year old – and the set lunch and early evening menu, available all day on Sunday, is remarkable value at £25 for three courses.
Small plates include a modern barley risotto, smoked chicken liver pate and yellowfin tuna tataki. Bistro-style mains take in twice-cooked chicken with chilli sauce and kaffir lime leaf salt, teriyaki salmon and a sumptuous baby Spinach and Comte cheese tart with a poached duck egg and truffle butter.
The set menu also includes the house USDA Prime Creekstone Farm onglet steak. Finished for 150 days on a corn diet in Kansas, this 250g cut is an Individual Restaurants trademark, flame grilled on the wood and charcoal cast iron grill. Breathtakingly tender, with a rich smoky flavour, it’s a must for steak lovers. Choices such as chocolate delice, raspberry crème brulee and iced banana profiteroles are the perfect finishing touches.
In terms of live music, Thursday evenings offer something a bit different. The house band, a group of world-class players known as The Collective, play classic and contemporary covers from 7-10pm. Each week they are joined by a guest vocalist. They’re often big names, such as house star, Lisa Millett, who has worked with Paul Oakenfold and Frankie Knuckles.
With world-class live music served alongside your meal, Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons fill up quickly.
For reservations please see the website.
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