30th January 2012
Valentines Day menu
2012 Valentine's Menu now available
Chester Races
The season is underway - and we're more of a fan of the races than ever.
We've always been in two minds about Chester races. On one hand, everybody tells you it's great for business; that Chester's bars and restaurants get a real boost from the events and that huge numbers of visitors flood the city and spend their money. On the other hand, as a small independent business with a fantastic group of regular customers, we've been apprehensive of the races because most of our regulars steer well clear of Chester on races days (and nights!).
To begin with, we also felt that we were a bit 'off the radar' of most of Chester's race-going public - we are a touch further than staggering distance from the race course - and also a bit less about the glitz and the glam than some of our competitors. However, we remained confident that with time (and the added exposure of our expanded restaurant), we could attract a more discerning race-goer. I'm pleased to say that this seems to be the case. May festival - the season opener - was a bustling week of people out and about enjoying themselves and we really enjoyed it too. Our experiment of offering decent cooked English breakfast turned out to be a big hit, as did our specials and early lunch starting time of 11am. These will continue.
Our aim is to build a reputation as somewhere you can rely on NOT to rip you off, squeeze you in or take advantage of you just because 'it's the races'. It seems to me that far too many restaurateurs think that the races is an opportunity to up their prices and treat people in a way that they would never normally even dream and then complain that they only ever get the 'wrong sort of people' - it's a self-fullfilling problem. Instead, let's maintain standards, attract repeat business from 'real' race-goers and enjoy what can be a great spectacle for the city.
Right, the next meeting is only a week-or-so away. Bookings welcome for any time of day!
Here's the rest of the years schedule to add to your diary - i've just added it to ours!
Saturday, 21 May 2011 Roman Day
Saturday, 11 June 2011 Ladies Day
Friday, 24 June 2011 Ladies Evening
Saturday, 25 June 2011 Midsummer Meeting
Friday, 8 July 2011 Ladies and Gents Evening
Saturday, 9 July 2011 totesport Day
Sunday, 31 July 2011 Family Funday
Saturday, 20 August 2011 totesport Summer Festival
Friday, 9 September 2011 Autumn Festival
Saturday, 10 September 2011 Autumn Festival
Saturday, 24 September 2011 Chester Finale
Saturday, 11 June 2011 Ladies Day
Friday, 24 June 2011 Ladies Evening
Saturday, 25 June 2011 Midsummer Meeting
Friday, 8 July 2011 Ladies and Gents Evening
Saturday, 9 July 2011 totesport Day
Sunday, 31 July 2011 Family Funday
Saturday, 20 August 2011 totesport Summer Festival
Friday, 9 September 2011 Autumn Festival
Saturday, 10 September 2011 Autumn Festival
Saturday, 24 September 2011 Chester Finale
Deli Picnic Ingredients:
We're also doing a pre-order picnic service from the deli. If you’d like us to prepare sandwiches or a picnic for you to take to the races, take a look at this flyer and email us, give us a call or pop in to discuss your requirements.
Getting all your freinds together with a huge picnic on the open course (casual, warm clothes just one optional bonus) could be a really enjoyable way to do the races in real style.
Click here to view the Picnic Menu.