Ben Franks: Spotlight on The Chequers

Most people in Bath have heard of The Chequers. The growingly popular gastropub on Rivers Street, situated in a Georgian building just minutes from the Royal Crescent and Circus, has quickly developed a reputation for its AA Rosette dining. Delicious food, a roast to die for, and – what many people overlook – an excellent wine list.

The pub’s elegant interior design brings a certain level of comfort but the true atmosphere comes from the service (and the great grub, of course). During the week a group of friends and I popped in to enjoy a moreish bottle of Spee’Wah Crooked Mick Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot. Made by Aussie winemaker Elizabeth Richardson, the award-winning wine is a fruit salad of juicy dark berry fruit and sweet spices. A marvellous wine to enjoy on its own for £20.50, a very reasonable price for a wine of this quality in the on-trade.

Service was provided by Ben Reeves and Kim Szczotko, two familiar faces in The Chequers who deserve a shout out for making everyone feel welcome and glasses are filled plentifully.

It’s really worth popping in and it’s almost a sin not to try some of the excellent food on offer, but I’m really excited by how innovative The Chequers are getting with wine. Lianne, the pub’s manager, has helped local heroes like The Pig Guide team put on fantastic culinary and wine flight events and the pub company is planning to launch more wine-related events in the summer.

Great news for wine lovers like us.

Not to mention a wine list with icons like Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru La Garenne 2010 from Domaine Gilles Bouton and a 2008 St Hallett Old Block Shiraz, both on other ends of the taste scale but both full bodied and tantalisingly tasty. Not to mention superb food wines if you fancy a real treat.

If you haven’t been to The Chequers, there’s never been a better time to go than now. Trade an evening in with a delicious meal and some brilliant wines, because there’s few better ways to escape a blustery cold night in March.

Ben Franks

I’m always on the look-out for new wine lists to try and I’m here to help any restaurant or pub who think their wine list needs a seasonal update. For more information or to get in touch about some more of my favourite wine & dine destinations, call Ben Franks Wine on +44(0)7545353147.

For wine recommendations and free-to-view tasting notes visit www.benfrankswine.com or follow him on Twitter @BenFranksWine