The Red Lion, Chester

This pub has had a major refurbishment since our last visit and looks much better for it. It's now a Nicholsons pub, so it's a little corporate, but very friendly. Wooden floorboards and several distinct area at the front, mainly consisting of dining tables & chairs. There's a separate area towards the rear which is badged as the restaurant, but really it's more of the same. Several changing ales on the bar and the two pints I had were in good nick. We decided to eat here, which wasn't the best decision we've ever made to be honest. I ordered Lamb Shank pie which came with mash & veg. "We don't have any mash" was the reply from the server. I asked if he wanted me to show the chef how to boil and mash a potato, but apparently this wasn't an option. This sums up the food quality. It's all bought in and there probably wasn't an actual potato in the kitchen. The other half fancied their signature dish of sausage and mash, but of course the same problem was evident. When the food came it was served with frozen chips and was edible, but was pretty poor value for the price. We'll call in again for a drink, but we'll never eat here again. As a pub I'd score it as a 7, for food it's a 3, so a 5 it is then.

Red Lion pages at the Nicholsons site - www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk

Red Lion pages at the Nicholsons site - www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk

End terraced pub, with set back entrance, overhung by the hotel part of the building. The interior is open plan and mainly white and wood panel, with mostly wood floor. Aimed mainly at the food side of things, so we ate here. After being unable to supply our first choice the reserve food was ok. There was Sky TV, with louder modern music as a back drop. Service was fine, the clientele mixed. Beer; usual tap stuff, with Thwaites Lancaster Bomber, which was ok and Tetley's Cask Bitter on handpull. A little bit of another non-entity really, been to better and certainly worse.

popular with students at night and sports fans during the day, shows all the football and rugby games, great value beers and friendly staff, a great place to start a stag or hen night if ever visiting chester.