Chester Grosvenor's Arkle restaurant has Michelin star in its sights

The new venue has enjoyed a highly successful first year - serving almost 5,000 diners

This month marks a year since The Chester Grosvenor's newest restaurant opened its doors - and in that time the venue has taken huge steps towards regaining the five-star hotel's Michelin star.

Arkle, the fine dining restaurant headed up by Cestrian executive chef Elliot Hill, was previously the ‘Simon Radley at The Chester Grosvenor'. In October 2021, the hotel's former executive chef, Simon Radley, departed following more than 30 years.

It resulted in the temporary closure of the venue so it could undergo a £250,000 revamp and rebrand ahead of a new era under 2021 National Chef of the Year finalist Elliot. It also signalled that The Chester Grosvenor - and Cheshire as a whole - was no longer home to a Michelin star restaurant for the first time in decades.

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As a result of the temporary restaurant closure to allow for the Arkle rebrand, inspectors were unable to assess the offering at the hotel. General manager Richard Grove said at the time of the opening: "With the restaurant closed for a prolonged period, it simply wasn’t possible for the Michelin inspectors to assess our offering.

"With the Arkle now fully open and boasting a team that’s been immersed in our 30-year history of Michelin-standard fare, we are excited to be delivering the same exceptional standards of service and food for which we have always been known."

Those standards he refers to has seen the new venue enjoy a hugely successful first 12 months in which it has served almost 5,000 guests. Arkle has stamped its place firmly on the culinary map.

Since opening, the restaurant has been awarded three AA Rosettes, received an AA Notable Wine Award and been named in the Michelin Guide, a collection of the UK’s most impressive eateries.

Looking back on the first 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."

Elliot added: “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."

Arkle was entered into the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland in September last year, shortly before being awarded its three AA rosettes. Surely that coveted Michelin star is next on the menu?

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