Excellent food and service.Helen our server was knowledgeable and efficient.Let down by being slight squashed in a corner table and the use of large industrial wine glasses for the Port and Pudding wine that slightly spoilt the last course.
Dave “konfliqt” A
Disappointing long evening meal for us. Something delayed our main 1 hour after the starter and dessert over half an hour after ordering. The food definitely prioritises presentation over taste. Sadly, I can't say I would recommend The Forge to anyone.
Oana Buhus
We had very high expectations of this place but unfortunately it ended up being a bit of a disappointing experience for us. The food was okay but nothing to rave about.
Marie Ellis
We were not very happy with the food, very small portions. We were given this meal with a bottle of wine as a Christmas gift, when we arrived we were shown to a very small table in the corner, in front of a private door. And when we asked for our wine, we was given a small glass of wine. The pork was almost raw. We will not be returning. The parking is very very bad. We had to walk at least half a mile.
Paul Slater
Quite expensive, no fillet or chateaubriand, which is strange for a predominantly steakhouse, paid around £101 pounds per kilogram for sirloin.
Henry E
I decided to leave this review after talking to multiple people about my experience and they all confirmed it was an odd one.My experience:I was a guest at the restaurant early this week, courtesy of a surprise birthday meal from my partner. The food was good, and so was the wine selection. The atmosphere was calm and cosy, with a touch of class from the friendly waiters.What went wrong:We had starters and main, with an initial plan for some dessert. At some point during the meal, I excused myself to the bathroom and when I got back my partner had a distraught look on her face. When I asked what happened, she reluctantly told me she had inquired from the waiter that if we ordered some dessert, could it be brought on a plate with the words "happy birthday' written on it. She was then told by a red-faced waiter (who she saw asking the chef multiple times) that "The chef we have in today refuse to do that"This is what I cant seem to understand, and everyone I have spoken to about it agrees.Now... it would be easy to bring in the race thing here, but i cannot see any definitive reason for this. My partner had the thought that the chef maybe did noy want to "cheapen" the dish. Here's my thought on that, if I'm the one ordering the dessert, then surely the dish will be more valued because of the personal service.Either way, I will be paying full price for the dish, even though its been cheapen with the words "happy birthday"Needless to say, that incident ruined the rest of the evening for us and we paid and left as soon as we could.Interestingly, i have been to other brilliant restaurants in Chester like 'Upstairs At The Grill' and 'Sticky Walnut'... they had no problem doing that for their paying customers. In fact, for my previous birthday celebration at Sticky Walnut, no one asked the staffs to do that, but I was presented with a dessert and the words "happy birthday" written on it (SEE ATTACHED PIC FOR STICKY WALNUT DESSERT PICTURE). That meant a lot!Can anyone give an adequate reason why the chefs at The Forge refused to do that?
Thomas Pullen
Went to the forge for a quick birthday meal last night.Bread- I think the bread may have been a day past when I would have served it but It was adequate. Butter I found slightly too salty, flavours were good just a little bit too much salt for my taste. Not sure if the bread contributed to this.Starters-The croquettes are very good, beautifully seasoned, great flavour.Beef cheek- a tad disappointing had to add our own salt as the meat was slightly under seasoned. Decent flavours but a pinch of salt would have made all the difference.Main-Dry aged sirloin, exceptional to be fair and I don’t say that lightly. Beautifully cooked to a perfect medium rare. I’ve had worse steaks in eateries that have and retain stars on a yearly basis. Very very good cookery and fantastic flavour.Sides-Triple cooked chips were light yet flavourful. Nothing special but what can you expect from triple cooked chips. Decent.Dirty mash, highlight of the sides. I wouldn’t bother with the chips next time. That’s not to say they were bad, but the dirty mash made them look very average. Great flavour, beautiful gravy and great texture.Service- Good. The blonde lady (sorry I didn’t catch your name) was attentive and knowledgeable, I also like that they did not stop us during our meal to ask if the food is too our liking, we would have said if it wasn’t and it’s refreshing to see eateries without any stars practicing this. If I’m being really picky when our wine needed topping up it would have been nice not having to pour it ourselves but with 2 waiting staff and a fairly busy evening I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect this. Overall good service.Overall- enjoyed a pleasant meal, steak by far the highlight and really was very very good. Nice quiet ambiance and great music. Also enjoy the open kitchen format, great to see professionals that are passionate about what they do at work.4 1/2 out of 5 for me. If the beef cheek had a pinch of salt would have been 5.
Amy B
Great service. Very good food. Loved the starters. The steak was good. The desert was amazing. The service was four star.
828sarahl
We particularly like the booth seats for two, although we have used the private dining room too, which is a real treat if you’re after a special family meal. The staff are extremely friendly and helpful. The food is consistently excellent. Thank you. Sarah
paula t
We went for the lunch with cocktails offer, and it didn’t disappoint. The food was great, waitress and staff at the bar were really friendly and we were made to feel very welcome. Great value for money.
Visited the Forge after Christmas and New Year and had an amazing meal, although it was a Wednesday evening and quiet Helen made us feel very welcome and explained how the menu could be adapted for my dietary requirements. The young waiter was professional and knowledgeable as he served us during the evening and the chefs did an amazing job. Will definitely be returning.
ClaireJames123
We booked for the three course lunch for two with a Buy a Gift Voucher. The food was lovely, a bit different to the norm so it felt like a really special treat. Not overly huge portions but enough so you were comfortably full so it wasn’t a problem. The waitress was really lovely and attentive. The only downside is the parking, the nearest car park is a bit of a walk but if you were getting a taxi it wouldn’t be a problem
Paul G
fantastic meal and thanks to the lovely older lady who was our waitress, she really made our evening so enjoyable and was very attentive to all our needs, thanks to her.
EveryDayIsACakeDay
We visited for a truly wonderful New Years Eve. Fantastic food (although wouldn’t have said no to a potato of some sort or two ?) wonderful service and fabulous atmosphere. Staff were friendly and super efficient. It was the perfect evening! Thank you so much to everyone involved. We all left feeling so thankful that we spent New Year’s Eve with The Forge. We can’t wait to visit again. x
Michael Lee
Phenomenal experience at a delightful venue. Food was consistently outstanding, not the best ever but not too far from it! Service was outstanding, attentive and warm. Will be returning soon.
Excellent food and service.Helen our server was knowledgeable and efficient.Let down by being slight squashed in a corner table and the use of large industrial wine glasses for the Port and Pudding wine that slightly spoilt the last course.
Disappointing long evening meal for us. Something delayed our main 1 hour after the starter and dessert over half an hour after ordering. The food definitely prioritises presentation over taste. Sadly, I can't say I would recommend The Forge to anyone.
We had very high expectations of this place but unfortunately it ended up being a bit of a disappointing experience for us. The food was okay but nothing to rave about.
We were not very happy with the food, very small portions. We were given this meal with a bottle of wine as a Christmas gift, when we arrived we were shown to a very small table in the corner, in front of a private door. And when we asked for our wine, we was given a small glass of wine. The pork was almost raw. We will not be returning. The parking is very very bad. We had to walk at least half a mile.
Quite expensive, no fillet or chateaubriand, which is strange for a predominantly steakhouse, paid around £101 pounds per kilogram for sirloin.
I decided to leave this review after talking to multiple people about my experience and they all confirmed it was an odd one.My experience:I was a guest at the restaurant early this week, courtesy of a surprise birthday meal from my partner. The food was good, and so was the wine selection. The atmosphere was calm and cosy, with a touch of class from the friendly waiters.What went wrong:We had starters and main, with an initial plan for some dessert. At some point during the meal, I excused myself to the bathroom and when I got back my partner had a distraught look on her face. When I asked what happened, she reluctantly told me she had inquired from the waiter that if we ordered some dessert, could it be brought on a plate with the words "happy birthday' written on it. She was then told by a red-faced waiter (who she saw asking the chef multiple times) that "The chef we have in today refuse to do that"This is what I cant seem to understand, and everyone I have spoken to about it agrees.Now... it would be easy to bring in the race thing here, but i cannot see any definitive reason for this. My partner had the thought that the chef maybe did noy want to "cheapen" the dish. Here's my thought on that, if I'm the one ordering the dessert, then surely the dish will be more valued because of the personal service.Either way, I will be paying full price for the dish, even though its been cheapen with the words "happy birthday"Needless to say, that incident ruined the rest of the evening for us and we paid and left as soon as we could.Interestingly, i have been to other brilliant restaurants in Chester like 'Upstairs At The Grill' and 'Sticky Walnut'... they had no problem doing that for their paying customers. In fact, for my previous birthday celebration at Sticky Walnut, no one asked the staffs to do that, but I was presented with a dessert and the words "happy birthday" written on it (SEE ATTACHED PIC FOR STICKY WALNUT DESSERT PICTURE). That meant a lot!Can anyone give an adequate reason why the chefs at The Forge refused to do that?
Went to the forge for a quick birthday meal last night.Bread- I think the bread may have been a day past when I would have served it but It was adequate. Butter I found slightly too salty, flavours were good just a little bit too much salt for my taste. Not sure if the bread contributed to this.Starters-The croquettes are very good, beautifully seasoned, great flavour.Beef cheek- a tad disappointing had to add our own salt as the meat was slightly under seasoned. Decent flavours but a pinch of salt would have made all the difference.Main-Dry aged sirloin, exceptional to be fair and I don’t say that lightly. Beautifully cooked to a perfect medium rare. I’ve had worse steaks in eateries that have and retain stars on a yearly basis. Very very good cookery and fantastic flavour.Sides-Triple cooked chips were light yet flavourful. Nothing special but what can you expect from triple cooked chips. Decent.Dirty mash, highlight of the sides. I wouldn’t bother with the chips next time. That’s not to say they were bad, but the dirty mash made them look very average. Great flavour, beautiful gravy and great texture.Service- Good. The blonde lady (sorry I didn’t catch your name) was attentive and knowledgeable, I also like that they did not stop us during our meal to ask if the food is too our liking, we would have said if it wasn’t and it’s refreshing to see eateries without any stars practicing this. If I’m being really picky when our wine needed topping up it would have been nice not having to pour it ourselves but with 2 waiting staff and a fairly busy evening I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect this. Overall good service.Overall- enjoyed a pleasant meal, steak by far the highlight and really was very very good. Nice quiet ambiance and great music. Also enjoy the open kitchen format, great to see professionals that are passionate about what they do at work.4 1/2 out of 5 for me. If the beef cheek had a pinch of salt would have been 5.
Great service. Very good food. Loved the starters. The steak was good. The desert was amazing. The service was four star.
We particularly like the booth seats for two, although we have used the private dining room too, which is a real treat if you’re after a special family meal. The staff are extremely friendly and helpful. The food is consistently excellent. Thank you. Sarah
We went for the lunch with cocktails offer, and it didn’t disappoint. The food was great, waitress and staff at the bar were really friendly and we were made to feel very welcome. Great value for money.
Restaurantji Recommends
Visited the Forge after Christmas and New Year and had an amazing meal, although it was a Wednesday evening and quiet Helen made us feel very welcome and explained how the menu could be adapted for my dietary requirements. The young waiter was professional and knowledgeable as he served us during the evening and the chefs did an amazing job. Will definitely be returning.
We booked for the three course lunch for two with a Buy a Gift Voucher. The food was lovely, a bit different to the norm so it felt like a really special treat. Not overly huge portions but enough so you were comfortably full so it wasn’t a problem. The waitress was really lovely and attentive. The only downside is the parking, the nearest car park is a bit of a walk but if you were getting a taxi it wouldn’t be a problem
fantastic meal and thanks to the lovely older lady who was our waitress, she really made our evening so enjoyable and was very attentive to all our needs, thanks to her.
We visited for a truly wonderful New Years Eve. Fantastic food (although wouldn’t have said no to a potato of some sort or two ?) wonderful service and fabulous atmosphere. Staff were friendly and super efficient. It was the perfect evening! Thank you so much to everyone involved. We all left feeling so thankful that we spent New Year’s Eve with The Forge. We can’t wait to visit again. x
Phenomenal experience at a delightful venue. Food was consistently outstanding, not the best ever but not too far from it! Service was outstanding, attentive and warm. Will be returning soon.