Chester Fields – it’s all about honesty #Blog
Stephen Wundke
14th October 2019
There is a fabulous sign in the Chester Fields and I paraphrase – it says. We are proud of our local suppliers. If you are a local supplier then make yourself known to a member of staff and we will find out more about your product. You see, lots of places jump on to the “local agenda” but not that many make it their reason for existing and that is why the Chester Fields has been so successful. Year after year they live by their local produce motto and they just keeps winning awards. It’s not just the words they say, it’s the people that work for them. They all buy into what they preach and that honesty comes through the moment you walk in the door. It’s what all places should be, first and foremost – honest. So, the opportunity to try a new menu at Chester Fields is always welcome and we did.
For those who haven’t been, this is an attractive pub. Large, well equipped outdoor areas, a great bar, drinking area and a nice restaurant that knows what it is and what it isn’t. Again honest. This catering lark isn’t tricky. Tell people what you are trying to be and then just be it.
Once we were seated by the young, smiling and engaging staff we took time to look through the new menu. At least we did when Amy overheard me say to Gaile that I had forgotten my reading glasses and she promptly returned with 4 pairs of spectacles for me to try. The first observation of the new menu was that it has evolved. Without jumping on band wagons there really is something for everyone and that includes not just new dishes but also in the style of eating. Choose your own or share, taste the local flavours in their simplest forms with the many grill dishes or see the world influences through the slow bakes and braising techniques. There are a lot of choices and decisions needed and it took us a while, rightly so. It is also well priced. Something that doesn’t go unnoticed in these days where pubs think they can charge like restaurants. The philosophy here is clearly, feed them well for an honest price. I like it.
Gaile decided on the Goats Cheese Bon Bons. Deep fried, crumbed, little morsels of delicious goats cheese and whilst she could have done with a bit more sauce this was a generous and tasty starter to kick off. I, however, hit the jackpot by choosing the “Full English” starter. This was perfect, a tight cylinder of food that started with a crumpet on to which were placed mushrooms, bacon, Cumberland sausage, black pudding and an egg, surrounded by Baked beans. This was not only top quality presentation but simply great eating. I loved it. Guarantee this will be a winter winner. We were delighted with our choices and the evening was off to a cracking start.
Our main courses were presented and it was obvious from the outset that Gaile was going to struggle. She chose the Fisherman’s grazing platter, which can be shared as a starter or simply have it as a main, on your own. It was quite a feed, whitebait, fabulous soft shelled crab, cod goujons, calamari, smoked salmon, lovely chunky bread and three different flavoured mayonnaises. It was the kind of dish that when you put it down there is food envy around the restaurant and you could see why. My main course was chosen because it was a cold night and raining and the idea of clotted cream mash with two types of Beef and a confit carrot, cunningly called Never mind the Bullocks – or something like that, really did the “winter warmer” job that I was hoping for. A nice piece of blade beef and some shredded, braised shin made for a hearty dish but the star was the mash. So creamy and smooth. I can still taste it.
We were pretty full after our two courses but we decided to share a dessert. The agreed upon favourite was the Vanilla and Caramel cheesecake. Lovely cooking, didn’t really need the Italian meringue on top as that made it even sweeter but had our son been with us I am sure he wouldn’t have agreed. Sweetness is a personal taste and if you have a sweet tooth you will love it. Either way it’s a great way to finish a terrific meal.
The Chester Fields is a pub at the top of its game and with another 40 odd people all eating before 8.00pm on a Thursday it seems we weren’t the only people who think the same. Why should you go? Its affordable, the staff are fabulous, the food taste great and it’s a particularly nice place to be – as I said – its simply really.
Taste Cheshire were gifted this experience by The Chester Fields but we stand by our comments, if you don’t believe us, or even if you do, we encourage you to check it out for yourself.
The Chester Fields
Sandfield Farm, Bridge Trafford, Chester, CH2 4JR
The Chester Fields is a place for friends to gather Inn, a place for families to share great times Inn, a place for all to have fun and make memories Inn.
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