Opera Restaurant Bar & Grill — Restaurant in City of Chester

I sent this email to you on Monday 19th October Unfortunately you have not acknowledged my email !!

To whom it may concern.

We had a reservation at your restaurant on Friday 7th October at 6pm

When we arrived we were early and stated we were to your front of house for the lady to say we were early which we knew .

We said we would have a drink at the bar and the young lady asked use if we wanted a bar tab card which we accepted.

After chatting to the barman about the offer we ordered two cocktails as they were on a 2 4 1 offer on the bar tap card which we sat at the bar and drank the majority of our drink .

Our table was ready so off we went up stairs and was showed our table which I had to ask for a seat as there was only one at the table . Ordered our meal and wanted more cocktails only to be told I had to go down to the bar and order and pay for them there as our tab card had been taken off us not impressed to be honest but I had no choice walking down then back upstairs with drinks not very health and safety really .

Our waiter was very polite and helpful.

Starters were lovely and enjoyable. Our mains came I asked for my steak to be cooked medium ,when it came it was more like rare and was cold in the middle so the meal went back by the time I received it my friend had nearly finished hers hence had to wait for me to eat mine before we ordered our desserts . The waiter ask if my meal was better it was ok still a little too pink for my liking but wasn’t sending it back again as that meant my friend sitting there whilst I ate. Our dessert were ok crème brûlée not the best as it was runny .

We asked for our bill and checked it over as it was not right I’d only been charged full price for the 2 4 1 cocktails ,telling the young waiter about it he went and got a what I presume was the restaurant manager to be told because we paid on the bar tab card they were full price and this time they would honour the price as if it was our fault and seemed to be doing us a favour “ how condescending “!! It wasn’t our fault as we did not know as the front of house never told us that the offer you had to pay for at the bar and not on the bar tab card or did the bar man when we ordered

The whole experience was not great as you could imagine by reading this email!!

Very...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Opera, and the experience was nothing short of spectacular. From the moment we stepped in, Garry, the host, set the tone for our evening with his warm welcome and impeccable service. His attention to detail and genuine hospitality made us feel like honored guests throughout our meal.

The Food was a highlight, showcasing a menu that blends creativity with classic flavors. Every dish we tried was prepared with an evident love for culinary excellence. The presentation was artistic, almost operatic in its own right, with each plate resembling a miniature stage set. The flavors were deep, complex, and utterly satisfying - from the succulent steaks to the perfectly al dente pasta dishes, the food was a symphony of taste that left us wanting more.

Drinks at Opera were equally impressive. The cocktail list is inventive, featuring unique concoctions that complement the food beautifully. The wine selection was extensive, with options for every palate and budget, and the staff, including Garry, were knowledgeable, guiding us through the choices with expertise. Whether it was a crisp white to start or a rich red to accompany our main course, each glass was chosen to enhance our dining experience.

The atmosphere at Opera is where the magic truly happens. The decor is elegant yet comfortable, with a nod to the grandeur of opera houses. The lighting is just right, creating an intimate ambiance that's perfect for both a romantic dinner or a celebratory gathering. The background music, often operatic, adds to the experience without overwhelming conversation. There's a sense of occasion here, a feeling that you're partaking in something special.

In summary, Opera, with Garry's charismatic hosting, offers a dining experience that is both luxurious and welcoming. The combination of exceptional food, carefully crafted drinks, and a uniquely enchanting atmosphere makes Opera a standout choice for any food lover. Whether you're a local or a visitor, make sure to make time for this operatic feast...

Visited over the weekend for an early Christmas party, this is the last time I’ll ever book this restaurant.

Visited in the past so was aware that the food can be hit and miss here but nonetheless this was the venue we chose.

The food was appalling. For a group of around 20 people most of it went back to the kitchen untouched. I sympathise that it must be difficult with this number of people on one table however for a restaurant of this calibre it’s shocking how awful the food was. Steaks over-cooked, under-cooked. Chicken skewers also sent back untouched. They were pink and many people thought they were undercooked. It does not state on the menu they are chicken thigh which would explain the pinkness to an extent but this wasn’t explained to us until we sent them back. Food sent back for being cold. Desserts not touched as they came out 2.5 hours after our booking time at 10:15pm and everyone was fed up and wanted to leave.

It’s also worth noting that the band in the gallery is far too loud. Loud enough to give you a migraine. Although they were fantastic, it would be better to tone it down a notch.

The man who seemed to be the manager on shift, or potentially the head waiter couldn’t have been more helpful or understanding with our complaints and I honestly felt really sorry for him. Clearly too much pressure on the kitchen. Chefs unable to deliver and then to finish it off FOH staff dealing with a number of complaints. Bar staff were borderline rude. Waits at the bar stupidly long, which was avoidable had they not been chatting away rather than serving customers.

Pints were stale and tasted like the lines needed a good clean. Coca-cola served in bottles also tasted off. Definitely not full fat regular coke as the bar man said.

A waste of time and a waste of money, I would honestly deter people from visiting here in future. So many wonderful options to dine with in Chester and this is not one of them. Completely embarrassing experience.

Hopefully these matters...