If there’s one thing I love possibly more than music, skincare or Topshop, it’s going out to eat. I’m still getting the hang of rustling up clean, healthy meals at home (my fridge has never looked greener!), so going out for a meal feels like a real treat, when I can take a break from the daily grind and screens of all shapes and sizes - except when I’m whipping out the camera on my phone to take snaps of the delicious scran, of course.
My hometown of Chester is packed full of amazing places to drink and dine, and recently a brand new and rather suave looking one just opened up called Luke’s Eating House, run by 21-year-old chef Luke Thomas. The eatery sits just above its very own gin bar called Gin Rickey’s - coolest bar name or what? - where bearded barmen dressed in braces and dicky bows will knock up anything you please. Gin is their speciality though, and with 96 bottles of the stuff lined against the wall, you’re guaranteed that the cocktails are pretty special!
Luke has worked with all the top names in the culinary biz - Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsay, Heston Blumenthal - and already owns his own bistro in the Cotswolds. He’s also set to open another in Dubai…not bad for 21!
With his sparkling repertoire, I was expecting the food to be pretty incredible. I ordered a crispy duck starter with pink grapefruit, toasted cashews and baby leaves - it was as delicious as it sounds! Leon ordered the quail and pancetta scotch egg, pork toast and fig chutney - the “mmmmm” sounds were enough of a sign to tell me that his plate of grub was pretty delish, too.
Next up, I opted for the lamb with mint salsa verde, tzatziki, aubergines and grilled gem lettuce, followed by a warm chocolate fondant with pistachio ice cream. Both heavenly, both completely more-ish. The white chocolate cheesecake came second only to the huge Raspberry Collins the size of my head which had me sipping and smiling all night. The cocktails didn’t stop there, though - my S.O. treated himself to a “zombie”, which he then ordered one more of as it was that delicious.
The next time you’re around my pretty Roman city, dip into Luke’s Eating House for some scran and a Raspberry Collins, and promise me that you won’t skip the desserts!
Thanks to Luke’s Eating House and Gin Rickey’s for inviting me to try out their menu. Part of our meal was complimentary - but all thoughts etc. are my own as always.
