Sticky Walnut — Restaurant in England

What a very disappointing experience. This has to be the most pretentious place I've ever eaten in. The menu looked decent (if a fair bit expensive) and the reviews are great, so I ventured here for a meal.

The confit duck leg was presented really nicely, but the sauce that the red cabbage was served in tasted weird. What stood out for me most of all, though, was the portion sizes. They were small, and I mean TINY. Seriously, I couldn't believe the size of the lamb starter - it was about the size of a five pound note, folded in half. And the halibut was the most pathetic piece of fish I've ever seen in my life - and for £32! It took about 30 seconds for us to get through the starters and about a minute to get through the mains. I didn't bother with a dessert because I needed to go home and make myself some tea first.

Also, it wasn't a busy evening, but they sat us right at the back, directly next to other diners, which made the experience quite uncomfortable, especially as it was so quiet in there. I felt like we were all sat together, and I didn't really want to talk much because the other guests could hear every word of our conversation. I understand why restaurants sometimes sit diners closely together so they're not going all over the place, but this was too close.

I now look back over the other reviews and I can't help but think a lot of diners have given positive feedback because they've been taken in by how up itself the place is, and it's a chance to come across as a bit "posh".

So all in all, I do not recommend this place. The whole experience was style over substance. I've a good mind to sue them for false advertising, as what I was given did not constitute a "dinner".

But I'm in a good mood, so you just...

After hearing good things from locals and seeing the good reviews online we had high hopes for this place, but honestly we were very disappointed. The only positive was the service, staff were attentive and friendly. The atmosphere on the other hand reminded me of somewhere that you may go for breakfast. It didn't have that upmarket intimate feel that you would expect when paying the type of prices that this restaurant commands. Upstairs was hot,cramped, and poorly lit. The toilets were like something you would find at a takeaway - tiny, old, badly decorated. Remember this places charges you £50 per head and £52 for a bottle of average Malbec. Let's be real here.

The food was mediocre at best. We had the braised pig cheek to start, the meat was dry, hard, about the size of my thumb and the sauce lacked any depth of flavour you expect with this type of slow cooked dish. I went into my second course hungry and disappointed. The venison (two ways) turned up well presented but in a bowl. Why? Completely the wrong type of plate for this dish. This dish had a very well cooked piece of meat some celeriac puree, smoked bacon a roasted onion and a venison sausage (dry). It was ok and an improvement from the starter but again nothing that wowed me or left me longing for more. Lastly the desert with was a thimble full of ice cream, chocolate sauce and a huge piece of honey comb balanced on the top. A confused dessert that seemed like an after thought by the pastry chef. I wanted this place to shine but it was such a...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at The Sticky Walnut, located at 11 Charles St, Cheshire, Chester CH2 3AZ, and it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. We arrived without a reservation, but the staff graciously accommodated us as walk-in customers, making us feel welcomed immediately.

Traveling with children can sometimes make dining out challenging, but The Sticky Walnut made it seamless. The staff were incredibly attentive to our kids, offering a special menu and engaging them throughout the meal. It’s rare to find a place that balances family-friendliness with gourmet excellence, but they managed it perfectly.

The highlight of the meal was undoubtedly the food. Each dish was cooked to perfection, showcasing the chef’s skill and attention to detail. We were particularly impressed with the use of local and seasonal produce, which added a fresh and vibrant touch to every plate. The flavors were outstanding, each bite bursting with complexity and harmony.

To complement the exquisite food, The Sticky Walnut offers a lovely wine list featuring a diverse selection that pairs wonderfully with their menu. The staff were knowledgeable and recommended wines that elevated our dining experience even further.

Overall, The Sticky Walnut delivered a dining experience that was both sophisticated and accommodating. From the expertly cooked dishes to the welcoming atmosphere, especially for families, it’s a place we’ll be returning to time and again. Highly...