A FRIEND decided he would like to spend his 55th birthday with his daughter and her boyfriend and I was invited along too.

Despite it being a baking hot day (who could have predicted that we have been having so many of those this summer) the chosen venue was Miller & Carter Steakhouse, part of the HQ building complex in Chester.

Just to be clear, because there will be people who are uncertain, there is no customer car parking at the rear of Miller & Carter.

The Castle and Little Roodee car parks are safest bets for diners who need to park their vehicles but it is of course within easy reach of the city centre for those either on foot or who have arrived by bus or taxi.

Once inside, Miller & Carter is a spacious restaurant and there were not too many people in it on a sweltering afternoon outdoors

We were shown to our table and given plenty of time to make our choices from what appeared to be a copious range of meals on the menu.

We intended it to be a no fuss birthday celebration and that is what we got.

We spent two to three house enjoying our meals from the Sunday Set Menu and at no time was any pressure placed on us to hurry up.

Now to the meals and we got off to a good start.

Highlight of the starters were the portions of Sticky Chicken that two of us enjoyed, A third diner opted for Calamari and the fourth garlic prawns.

All were very much enjoyed.

For the main course one diner had a Black Angus steak and a second diner had Bistro Cut Rump.

A third person at the table opted for Buttermilk Chicken and all three of them were pleased with their meals.

The fourth person went for a cheese and bacon burger which was disappointing and uninspiring. He believes he made a poor choice.

All in all, however, this foursome enjoyed their time slowly eating the courses of their choice, followed by puddings for some and a Sambuca for the birthday boy.

How it rated:

Miller & Carter Steakhouse, Grosvenor Road, Chester. Tel: 01244 311023

Ambience: 8/10

Service: 9/10

Food quality: 8/10

Children welcome Yes

Disabled access Yes