The Chester, a popular restaurant located in the Gansevoort Hotel in the Meatpacking District, has recently opened a second location in Midtown East at the base of the Hilton! The interior is cavernous, with a cozy bar and a lot of dining space. The restaurant’s classic cocktails make it a great spot for happy hour or a first date, and the food is amazing too! The menu is American with plenty of NOBREAD approved options! The Meatpacking location has been a go-to spot of mine for some time now, so I’m thrilled to go check out the restaurant’s latest spot…
My favorite gluten free starter is the blistered shishito peppers with lemon zest, fried garlic, and sea salt. They are honestly addictive and have just the right amount of spice! The mussels with herbs and white wine are also delicious; they also have a bit of spiciness. For the dairy lovers, cool down your palette with the cheese board, but be sure to request NOBREAD. I ordered the market salad because I love beets and ricotta, and I’m happy to report there was plenty of both! The Caesar salad is a no-fail classic as well. Unfortunately there is no gluten free bread offered, so you’ll have to skip all of the pastas and pizzas. The stout-braised short rib should cheer you up though. It’s served with parsnips, pears, and beet oil. I have never heard of beet oil before this, but I’m kind of obsessed with it now! Last but not least, definitely order a side order of steak fries, but only if cross-contamination isn’t an issue for you. If you’re sensitive, the charred cauliflower is a must!
I’ll definitely be back to the Chester. I’m still dreaming about the shishito peppers… I also need to try the pork belly! It looks so creatively prepared with dill yogurt and zatar honey. Indulgent! You also have to try their signature cocktail, The Hellfire. It has jalapeno-infused avion with lemon juice and agave… spicy, sweet, and gluten free; the ultimate combination!