The curtain will open soon on a new restaurant completing the Chester Dining Quarter within a fabulous building that will feature roof-top dining.
Opera Grill is located in a former Methodist chapel in Pepper Street, sandwiched between the Latin American-style Las Iguanas and American-themed Coast to Coast which opened last year along with Mexican restaurant Chimichanga.
Opening in early August, the 400-cover ‘glamorous’ restaurant will be a flagship venue for Manchester-based Individual Restaurants featuring three bars over two levels including a glazed pavilion on the first floor at the rear.
The marketing blurb on the promotional hoarding reads: “Individual presents Opera Grill – a theatre of dreams.”
Spokeswoman Louise Hitch said the kitchen area, including big wood-fired ovens, would be open to viewing in what she called ‘theatre of food’, similar to a deli experience. Diners would be able to ‘see the production from beginning to end’ and even choose their own steak from the display.
And the ground floor will also feature a stage area for live performers including DJs and singers and possibly even opera.
“It’s going to have the ‘wow’ factor, we are hoping,” added Louise. “Our Piccolino restaurant has been across the road for quite a few years so it's nice to be able to do something new.”
In addition to the food menu, there will be an extensive wine and Champagne list ranging from the high-end to the more affordable.
Staff training is now well under way ready for the grand opening, expected to be within the first two weeks of August.
A blue plaque on the wall of the soon-to-be new home of Opera Grill, says: “The Methodist New Connection Chapel opened in 1835 and closed just after the First World War when the building was sold. For many years the chapel was hidden inside a later garage and was only ‘rediscovered’ during conversion work in 1984.”
The Dining Quarter is located in buildings most recently occupied by furniture retailers Multiyork and Habitat.