Chester’s Carvery and Steakhouse

The day started well, I used there online website to book a reservation but I am guessing they manually book that at their end as I had no confirmation to my booking until a while later, I was a little concerned due to the time to get a reply I also phoned up the place directly, to which a polite young woman took my details down to book there and then in case. I then received my email copy afterwards saying that they were aware of my previous online booking and all was sorted.

We booked our taxi to arrive 20mins before we needed to be at Chester’s but that was running late, so I again phoned them and the young lady was fine with our delay.

On arriving at the pub/restaurant we were greeted by a young woman who I explain we had a booking, they already knew our name I am guessing from being the only booking at that time off the evening, and we were shown to our table, which was laid out very nice, with our name and date of our booking noted on stone message board, which was a great touch.

The table was well laid out, using black napkin’s which were great, clean knife and forks and sharp too, unlike many places, yes its the little touches that make you take notice off the details they go to, a small glass vase of flowers and a sale and pepper pots with holes on the side, again very different but great visually.

Anyways we were asked if we like a wine list to which my wife did, and she selected her drink as did I, we knew from the website there menu, so we ordered our drinks and food at the same time.
Our drinks arrived a few moments later and then the young lady brought over 3 different slices of bread and olive oil for us to sample while waiting for our starter, great addition I thought myself, 20 mins later our starters arrived. We both went for the Boneless chicken bites, but with different sauces. They arrived lovely and hot and in a frying mesh container as a way to show them off, which again was a nice touch. I really enjoyed these myself, and both sauces were great, but the bbq was better than the buffalo (hot sauce).

Once we finished our table was clean and items removed and then a little while later our main course arrived, I went for the millionaire fillet steak and my wife went for the Beef Stroganoff, I was pleasantly surprised when ordering mine I asked for no greens if possible to which they updated my order to make sure off this, which was again nice, the lady then explain what the green were as I said I do not like pea’s and she said that the green are seasonal and they would be asparagus, which I do like, so they amended the order again to add the greens. The meal again was brought out freshly cooked and hot, now this is were you see there quality, the steak was out off world, we have been to many steak house, and I know what I like when it comes to a well cooked steak, and they hit the ball out off the park, and I will say the steak was clearly the best steak I have had in all off Portsmouth, in fact the only close competitor was a close second was in Winchester (Porterhouse Steakhouse Restaurant) So I know were I will be going from now on being so local to us. The wife’s Stroganoff had a few piece thou that had fat still on, so would be great for a place with this calibre to make sure all fat is removed on other menu items, but the veg was perfect and fresh and not over cooked leaving a great Bite to it, the chips were to die for, triple cooked and it shows, so crispy yet amazingly fluffy inside. Could eat them all day long, but the steak was still the star off the meal for me, just blew me away, perfectly cooked, well rested, and the flavour was just stunning. The only one downside to my meal was the peppercorn sauce, the portion was to small for the size of my steak, and a little more was needed, other than that the main meal for me was spot on.

We finished our main meals and the lady again remove items and asked if we would like to see the menu again for desert, as we didn’t order these to start with in case we didn’t fancy them, at the same time I asked for another drink. My drink arrived again very quickly (the place was pretty quiet, as we booked for 6pm) and then our deserts arrived. I asked for the Northney Dairy Sorbet (3 Scoops) and my wife asked for the Strawberry & Marshmallow Chocolate Fondue. My desert I was given a large desert spoon but in all honesty a small tea spoon would have suited the meal better, specially for the bowl size, as for my wife she was handed a plate off marshmallows and some strawberry that were cut in half, a very simple desert, but they forgot the chocolate fondue, so we had to remind them it was to come with chocolate. Again the amount of this was just so small, and did not last for half the desert, so I asked for another chocolate dip, which they happily brought over (and I will point out now with no extra charge).

We finished our meal and asked for the bill, to which the young lady said that they do not take cash and were we aware of that (which I was, but it would be great to say this before ordering in case thou) so they handed us our bill, along with some after 8 mints, and took payment. Now I do not dine often in places like this price point, its maybe once or twice a year style dining for me, but I will say based on menu prices this would now be my first choice when coming for a romantic meal (thou there was kids crying on a few tables away and a dog also near by) which kind of makes it not as romantic but you know were I am coming from.

Overall we had a wonderful time, and the food was stunning….. would I come again, yes I would but I would hope maybe when more off an adult only night maybe, so it could be enjoyed more and not need to raise our voices over the crying kids to speak to my wife. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

What an amazing welcoming place! Dog friendly, lovely staff and so friendly. I have definitely found my new local. The food smells amazing and I can’t wait to eat here xxx

Reviewed on Facebook

Just spent the most wonderful evening here with 30
Family and friends. The staff couldn’t have been nicer. The food was amazing, as was the service. Will definitely be going back. Thanks for making it a night to remember. X More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Called in for lunch today. Although food was a bit slow in coming it was well worth the wait. Having just had a knee op, Mark went out of his way to make sure I was comfortable. Great chatting. See you again soon to try the gins and rums More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Grat food cooked from scratch very tasty heads down to the chefs ..bar staff and waitresses were very pleasant and professional? .. perfect pub to take your family to...also dog friendly (they even have a dogs menu ) the biggest selection of spirits and wines in hampshire and first ever pub in uk that doest take cash wich is great would highly recommend to everyone ! Fantastic experience will be back soon xx More...

Reviewed on Facebook