Chester’s Much-Loved Upstairs At The Grill Is Back! #Blog

Victoria Hayes
3rd May 2022

The secret is out! The local owners have announced that one of the city’s favourite dining destinations is set to open its doors again after a major refurbishment….

Upstairs At The Grill is set to return to the Chester dining scene next month – with a whole new look and some very exciting additions. The team are counting down to the opening & their dry-aged beef is already maturing in their specialist ageing room.

The team behind the restaurant and cocktail bar that was first established in 2002 have been planning these changes for the last 2 years. Their plans include extending the building enabling them to welcome more guests and re-imagining the hugely popular, split level, Manhattan inspired restaurant. Elements of the old restaurant have been carefully preserved and fused with some exciting, new design features that promises to deliver an unforgettable dining experience.

The speakeasy style cocktail bar upstairs is being reborn, creating an intimate setting to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail or aperitif. The much-loved bar-sofa table remains (a favourite spot for regulars) and guests will also be able to dine in style on the original oak bar.  The new drinks menu is everything you’d expect from a Manhattan inspired steakhouse including twists on classics, unique cocktail creations & a selection of whiskies, bourbons & cognacs.

In the restaurant downstairs expect a dramatic makeover, including some new classic New York style booths for a more personal dining experience and ideal for business lunches and entertaining. The re-designed terrace area comes complete with a fully retractable awning for when the sun shines making this little corner of Watergate Street the perfect spot for lunch all year round.

Owner Jason Bligh said: ‘We are beyond excited to unveil the new look and welcome back guests old and new. We don’t want to give all the secrets away, but we will soon reveal our very own ‘meat ageing room’ and a contemporary wine cellar, that will be home to our extensive wine collection including some of Napa Valley’s most sought-after wines.’

Speaking about the new menu, fellow owner Rob Bacon said: ‘We have always prided ourselves on showcasing some of the finest steaks whether it be supporting British farmers, the finest beef from the United States or other great cuts and breeds from across the World. We have worked closely with our master butcher to source the very best, well marbled cuts from traditional breeds. ’

Rob goes on to explain, ‘We’re excited to bring back some of our guest favourites such as the Delmonico & New York strip steak, as well as introducing our signature steak selection, such as the Porterhouse. All expertly aged in a state-of-the-art maturation facility including Himalayan salt wall to create perfectly dry aged beef, every time.’

If you’ve previously dined at Upstairs At The Grill you will be pleased to hear that some favourites from the past 20 years including the blue cheese soufflé and French onion soup, along with the iconic Sunday Roast will be making a welcome return.

So the wait is almost over, and the team have just announced they are now taking bookings for when the restaurant reopens in late May. They will be opening 7 days a week from midday, for lunch and dinner and it will most definitely be a popular return to Chester’s dining scene for a restaurant that first opened its doors almost 20 years ago.