The last week of term before Christmas called for good food, a great glass of something, and space to put the world to rights, and we found ourselves at Noted.
Just a few months into opening, Noted has been quietly generating plenty of local buzz. The latest restaurant from Andrew Sheridan, it brings his trademark confidence into a beautifully intimate setting: just five tables, a warm, relaxed atmosphere, and a deliberately concise menu of five small plates, five larger plates and three desserts, all designed to be shared.
Noted is the latest chapter in Sheridan’s growing restaurant story, following the success of 8 by Andrew Sheridan in Liverpool, and marks something of a return to Chester, where he first honed his skills at ABode. As with his other restaurants, there’s a clear emphasis on ingredient-led cooking and confident flavour combinations, but here the scale of the room gives everything a more personal, immediate feel. Simplicity doing much of the heavy lifting.
What stands out straight away is the sense of connection. Chefs Dan and Liam personally present each course, stepping out from the kitchen to explain the thinking behind the dishes, the ingredients and techniques. In a room this small it could feel overbearing, but instead it comes across as relaxed and genuinely informative, adding a sense of theatre without tipping into performance.
The drinks list mirrors the menu, concise but thoughtful. We began with a Pinot Noir: silky, well balanced and versatile enough to sit comfortably alongside everything from seafood to richer plates. Later, a Turkish Chardonnay proved an unexpected highlight; rounded, lightly textured, and a reminder that the wine list is curated with the same curiosity and care as the food.
The food itself is quietly impressive from the outset. Handmade salted crisps arrive first, crisp, golden and utterly moreish and served with sour cream and chive dip, before we happily hand the pacing of the meal over to the team. Four small plates follow.
An artichoke, cranberry and Wensleydale dish delivers earthy depth lifted by sharp, fruity notes (and provides a welcome alternative to the potatoes we briefly mistook it for, clearly not paying close enough attention). Tiger prawns with curry sauce and chilli bring warmth and spice without overwhelming the natural sweetness of the prawns. This was our favourite… until we tried the next two.
The hand-dived scallops with celeriac and chestnut (cooked on one side only) are beautifully judged, delicately sweet and perfectly balanced. As confirmed scallop fans, these didn’t disappoint. Close behind is the chalk stream trout with bacon jam and apple, offering a clever interplay of salt, sweetness and fresh pops of roe that really highlight the quality of the fish.
The larger plates are equally assured. Cauliflower rarebit with pickled walnut is rich, comforting and surprisingly complex, while the Noted truffle burger is indulgent without tipping into excess; earthy, juicy and deeply satisfying. The star of the show for us, though, was the cod loin with parsnip and brown butter: light yet indulgent, precisely cooked, and a perfect example of how restraint can be just as impactful as richness.
Dessert continues the understated confidence. A milk soft serve (a Noted signature) with mulled wine and pear is gently spiced and seasonal without feeling heavy. The evening ends with chocolate mousse and orange, finished tableside by Liam; a final flourish that reinforces the personal, immersive nature of the experience.
Service throughout is confident, knowledgeable and warm and crucially, it feels genuine.
Still in its infancy, Noted already feels like a thoughtful and welcome addition to Chester’s dining scene. Refined but relaxed, creative without being intimidating, it’s a restaurant driven by people who clearly care about what they’re putting on the plate and one that rewards curiosity rather than shouting for attention.
Noted
63 Bridge Street, Chester, CH1 1NG
Open Tuesday to Saturday
restaurantnoted.co.uk
