Taste test: Old Harkers Arms, Chester

With the sun finally shining after all the storms we decided upon an impromptu Saturday afternoon lunch in Chester.

After mooching around the shops we wanted a venue that was on our walk back to the railway station.

The Old Harkers Arms, set by the canal, has always been a firm favourite with us, so I went online and booked a table.

It was a good job we booked because as always, there were plenty of people at the bar and every table was occupied.

I have to say I have always enjoyed the food at Harkers, and other venues in the region that are part of the Brunning and Price chain.

For drinks, I opted for the gin of the week, Malfy blood orange, with elderflower tonic. This was deliciously refreshing. My partner opted for a trusty pint of Eastgate, which he enjoyed.

Starters and nibbles include:

• Chicken liver pâté, carrot and apricot chutney, toast £7.25
• Parsnip and apple soup, parsnip crisps, thyme coconut yoghurt £6.25
• Garlic and rosemary baked Camembert, fruit chutney, warm ciabatta for two £12.95
• Nocellara olives (vg) £3.95

Mains include:

• Seared fillet of sea bass, saffron and chorizo risotto, piperade sauce £17.95
• David Joinson Chester pork and herb sausages, buttered mashed potatoes, green vegetables, onion gravy £14.75
• Crispy buttermilk chicken burger, bacon, garlic mayonnaise, coleslaw, fries £14.95
• Smoked haddock and salmon fishcakes, tomato, spring onion salad £14.25
• Moroccan vegetable and chickpea pie, tomato sauce, roasted vegetables, toasted almonds (vg) £13.95
• Crispy beef salad, sweet chilli sauce, roasted cashew nuts £14.95

Food wise we both opted from the light bites and sandwiches section of the menu.

I chose the halloumi and red pepper hummus wrap, which came with a zingy cucumber and sun blushed tomato salad (£7.95). 

Halloumi wrap

I also chose a portion of chunky chips, which were yummy but with hindsight we should have shared a portion, as the chips were huge and real value for money at £3.95!

My wrap was really tasty. More often that not I find myself choosing the vegetarian options when dining out and this did not disappoint when it came to flavour. I could have easily eaten a whole pot of the red pepper hummus, a real taste treat.

My partner went for the crispy beef wrap, sweet chilli sauce, pepper, onion, radish salad (£8.95). He also went for a separate portion of chips.

He too enjoyed the wrap and regretted ordering the extra chips! He said the crispy beef was flavoursome and the salad zingy and more interesting than the usual side salad you tend to get when eating out.

Beef wrap

The only thing that let the lunch down slightly was the service.

The staff were friendly but I think the area in which were sat at the back of the pub and next to the kitchen tends to get forgotten.

We were not given menus when we were taken to our table, leaving us wondering whether they'd resorted back to their original policy when customers used to order food at the bar.

Time passed and just as we were about to go and get a member of staff, we were spotted.

That aside, Harkers is well worth a visit. It's popularity makes sure it has a great atmosphere and the food is always spot on.

Bill total: £50.80