Mel finds more than she expects at the Racecourse

As we were heading to Chester Rocks at the Racecourse we thought it would be a great chance to visit 1539 Restaurant - one that had been on my wish list for a while. The restaurant is in the main grandstand and we could see out onto the racecourse as the first festival goers climbed onto the big wheel.

The restaurant has a cool decor with the bustling open kitchen in widescreen at the back of the restaurant. The subtle dark colours along with statement furniture pieces like the paisley high stools adding something unique and a genuine touch of class. The decor certainly struck a cord with us as we planned which elements we could try to copy at home.

Onto the star turn... the lunch menu offered 2 courses for £15.39 or 3 for £19.50. We certainly felt like we could turn this lunch into a long lazy lunch. We got comfy. A bottle of the light, crisp and refreshing Austrialian Pinot Grigio was opened as continued to browse the menu. On offer is a great choice of dishes, even when ordering my mind was wandering between the dishes.

My partner opted for the Manx scallops. They were well presented and perfectly cooked. The black pudding was delicious and soft, the apple sauce providing a tarty edge to balance the dish. Wow! I was tucking into my bowl of Welsh mussles, easing each out before giving it a big dunk to mop up some of the lovely creamy, white wine and garlic sauce.





The waiting staff moved around setting up more diners in the opposite booth or by the window overlooking the racecourse. At every moment offering a friendly and assured service, with knowledge and a certain level of pride in the restaurant. Happy faces around a restaurant always prove the best measure of its success to me, customers and staff here were both in jovial mood.

The smiles on our faces grew a little more as the main dishes were placed in front of us. The grilled Chicken with Linguini of Welsh goat’s cheese, confit garlic & preserved lemon, wilted cress looked stunning. The Chump of Lamb was served on a bed of gnocchi and charred ratatouille vegetables and topped with a light basil ricotta. The word Chump perfectly described the Lamb - perhaps not to the dictionary definition ("a stupid or foolish person") but it was a Chump, not a Chop, not a Lump but something in-between. It made me think how this restaurant didn't take itself too seriously. Also on the menu were Titbits and a Coupe of Ice Creams. The relaxed attitude of the staff and the background hussle of the kitchen all teamed with the decor and atmosphere. It makes a wonderful place to spend your time.





The dishes were delicious. The Chicken succulent the Chump of Lamb sublime and silky. Great flavours and texture combinations throughout. After the (empty) plates were taken away the dessert menu was offer... we couldn't possibly... but of course we did. And soon the Dark chocolate tart salted caramel arrived. It was an explosion of caramel and chocolate. The tart was indulgent - the perfect way to finish our lunch.



On the way out we had a peek upstairs. There is a cracking sun terrace overlooking the racecourse, perfect for a lazy lunch... it was tough for us to leave!

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Posted: Thursday 19th June 2014
ID: 5489 - 1173