Chill, Stafford

I ventured down to Chill, just outside the hub of the town centre for a mid-week pick me up after a hard day at the office.

Outside the 'main drag', Chill is unlikely to benefit from the passing trade enjoyed in the town centre, but it is definitely worth a visit.

The restaurant and lounge bar offers a range of different menus for a range of budgets and occasions, with 'Mood Food' for those looking for a quick bite in the bar, along with set menus and a la carte dining.

My dining companion and I decided to eat off the a la carte menu.

To start I opted for chargrilled hallumi salad with basil dressing, which was delightful. The portion was a good size, without being too filling as a starter and the cheese was cooked to perfection - in a light, but tasty dressing.

My companion, a meat-eater opted for bruschetta with parma ham, with which he was similarly impressed, particularly with the quality of ingredients, which shone through in the simple yet delicate dish. Both were priced at £3.95.

For a main dish my dining companion opted for pan fried breast of duck on a bed of garlic fried potatoes and oyster jus at £12.95 and I enjoyed filled stuffed mushrooms topped with double gloucester and chive cheese on a bed of stir fried vegetables at £9.95.

Both meals were tasty and substantial. The tangy cheese contrasted well with the taste and texture of the mushrooms and according to my fellow diner the duck was divine and cooked to perfection.

We accompanied our meal with a good quality bottle of Marechal house red, priced at £10.95 and ended with what has to be - and I don't give this accolade lightly - the best cheesecake I have ever eaten in my life (and that's a lot of cheesecake). After starters and main dishes we could only manage one slice of the Baileys flavoured cake between us, but I came extremely close to ordering another.

The thin and crisp base was perfectly complimented by the soft and fluffy topping drizzled with the liqueur. I would, hand on heart, go back for that alone.

Living up to its name our evening at Chill was extremely relaxing and an enjoyable bonus was the live music from Afro Blue, a jazz/soul band which really added to the laid back ambience. Chill has fantastic food with polite and attentive service that isn't overbearing. In short, while it is not the cheapest restaurant in Stafford, you certainly get what you pay for and I for one will be going back.

By Sally Walmsley

The Chill Lounge Bar, Foregate Street, Stafford. 01785 220 077