Food and Drink at Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel in Chester

At the Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel near Chester, we know that quality tastes good. That's why we serve only the finest Scottish beef, lamb, pork and wild white fish and source local, organic suppliers for our vegetables and dairy products where possible.

Dine in style at The Garden Room, our delightful hotel restaurant, which has been awarded a prestigious AA Rosette in recognition of the quality of its food and impeccable service. Settle into a snug corner of the lounge with a drink or snack, refresh with a healthy juice or coffee in the Vital coffee bar or watch the squirrels play on the lawn from the conservatory!

The Garden Room Restaurant & Conservatory

The Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel's award-winning Garden Room is an airy and inviting hotel restaurant with an adjoining conservatory and restful views over the gardens. Enjoy a relaxed breakfast, conference lunch or romantic dinner, prepared and served with care and creativity. Make an enquiry

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  The Garden Room Restaurant

  Set yourself up for the day ahead with a wholesome breakfast in the Craxton Wood Hotel's welcoming restaurant. Whether that's a light fresh fruit buffet, warm baked bread with sweet comb honey, crunchy cereals, freshly squeezed juice or a full English breakfast made from the finest organic produce and free range eggs, it's a great start to the day! Return in the evening for a delicious meal in candlelit intimacy.

  Specialities include roast tenderloin of Norfolk Pork or try roasted butternut squash soup followed by loin of Highland venison and finish with a wicked dessert! View our wine list for the perfect accompaniment. Make an enquiry

  Opening Hours

  • Breakfast
    Mon - Fri 7am - 9.30am
    Sat 7am - 10am
    Sun 8am -11am
  • Dinner
    Mon - Sat 7pm - 9.30pm
    Sun 7pm - 9pm

  At Your Service

  • Dress code: Smart-casual. No jeans, trainers or mobile phones please
  • Child policy: Accompanied children welcome. Children's menu available.
  • Seats: 60
  • Special requirements: Catered for on request

  Booking Information

  Due to the popularity of The Garden Room Restaurant we advise you to book your table when you make your hotel reservation.

  Make a Reservation

  If you have a question about our dining policy or would like to enquire about a table reservation, please send us an enquiry form or contact 0844 879 9038.

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• Reserve a Table Now

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• Sample Menu

  STARTERS

  Roasted Butternut Squash Soup £5.95

  Course Free Range British Pork Pata £6.50
  Apple Chutney, Toasted Bacon & Onion Brioche

  Scottish Salmon Ballotine £6.45
  Cornish White Crab Meat

  Creamed Pantagawn Goats Cheese £5.95
  Marinated Beetroot, pine Nuts and Red Curd
  Home Smoked Breast of Duck £6.95
  Toasted Pistachio Salad, Orange Compote

  Seared Loch Fyne Scallops £9.95
  Cauliflower Puree, Crisp Pancetta

  MAINS

  Roast Tenderloin & Caramelised Belly of Free Range British Pork £17.95
  Dauphinoise Potato, Crepe Mushroom Cream

  Poached & Roasted Supreme of Chicken £16.95
  Confit Leg, Creamed Savoy Cabbage and Smoked Bacon

  Shank of Highland Lamb £17.95
  Crushed Root Vegetables, Shallot Sauce

  Grilled Scottish Rib Eye Steak £16.95
  Hand Cut Chips, Bearnaise Sauce
  
  Herb Pancakes £13.95
  Filled with creamed mushrooms & Shallots glazed with Parmesan

  Pan Fried Fillet of Wild Seabass £19.95
  Wilted Pak Choi, Mussel Escabeche

  Grilled Whole Lemon Sole £17.95
  Morecambe Bay Shrimp, Lemon & Parsley Butter

  SIDE ORDERS

  Hand Cut Chips £2.50
  Creamed Potato £2.00
  Selection of Green Vegetables £2.50
  Mixed Salad £3.00
  Lemon and Parsley New Potatoes £2.00

  DESSERT

  Caramelised Orange Tart £5.50
  Chocolate Ice Cream

  Vanilla Creme Brulee £5.50
  Homemade Shortbread

  Dark Chocolate Pave £5.50
  Carway Ice Cream

  Pear & Walnut Pudding £5.50
  Walnut Praline Ice Cream

  Trio of Homemade Ice Creams or Sorbets £5.50
  
  *A tasting of British Cheeses, each with their own garnish £7.50

  The Chef will be pleased to offer our guests alternatives to the dishes shown on this menu. All dietary requirements will be catered for and a different style of cooking can be accommodated

  Please advise your waiter before ordering of any allergies you may have, so we can help you choosing your dishes.
  Macdonald Hotels in conjunction with our suppliers do not knowingly supply any food requiring to be labelled as containing "GM" ingredients.

  Only the finest Scottish bred beef and lamb are supplied to our hotels by Scot Beef who source from accredited Scottish mainland and island farms, our beef is hung for a minimum of 21 days to improve taste and then hand cut by butchers using time honoured techniques.

  Marine life around the coast of the British Isles is colourful and fascinating, yet marine life and the sea on which we depend is under threat from pollution and over fishing, we are committed as a business to ensuring that the wild fish we buy is from accredited, sustainable sources, our smoked fish is supplied by Loch Fyne oyster, only using the finest quality ingredients, traditional methods of smoking and a care and respect for a very fragile environment.

  Executive Head Chef - Rob Pritchett
  Head chef - James Peter Cooke
  Restaurant Manager - Sharon Littler

  Asterisked items may incur a supplementary charge for dinner, bed and breakfast guests.

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• Wine List

  WHITE WINES

  Willowood Chardonnay,Central Valley, California NV £21.25
  A superb wine from the renowned Central Valley in California. The wine is made using state of the art techniques to produce a crisp, dry white wine with refreshing citrus fruit characters and a typical light buttery finish.

  Pinot Grigio, Marchinise Italy 2007, £19.25
  A strong yellow straw colour. The bouquet is unmistakable and immediate, with an intense impression of acacia flowers. The palate is dry and full-bodied.

  Viognier De Waal Estate, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2007, £24.25
  The Viognier grape continues to grow in popularity. This wine has a rich, creamy texture and hints of honey and spice. The only unwooded Viognier in South Africa.

  Chablis J. Moreau et Fils, France 2006, £29.25
  Very dry, crisp flinty wine with excellent fruit and acidity, yet retains its essential elegance

  Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc, La Tiare du Pape 2006, £31.50
  A classic combination of over 60% Grenache Blanc, blended with Bourboulenc, Roussane and Clairette. The wine has an attractive nose with hints of apricot and pineapple. On the palate it is rich and full, powerful and generous, with a full and complex finish

  Sancerre, les Comtesses, Paul Thomas, Chavignol, France 2007, £34.50
  The wine comes from a particular slope called "les Comtesses" on the best part of the south facing hill of Chavignol, just outside the hill town of Sancerre. This is an elegant and appealing Sancerre, full of "gooseberry" fruit with a delicious citrus tang.

  RED WINES

  Merlot, Willowood, Central Valley, California NV, £21.25
  California is becoming recognised for the high quality of the ripe merlot grapes that it produces. This example is a delicious soft rounded red with soft hints of ripe red berries and supple tannins.

  Pinotage, Cape Bay Winery, Western Cape, South Africa 2007 £22.95
  From a grape variety unique to the cape, this is a delicious red wine with attractive berry fruit and plenty of grip. Once you have tasted this grape variety, it will become a firm favourite.

  Shiraz/Cabernet, Katherine Hills, South Australia 2005 £19.25
  This wine has smooth, ripe fruit with softtannins. The delicate spice of the Shiraz blends perfectly with the red fruit characters of the Cabernet Sauvignon.

  Cabernet Sauvignon, Fortant, France 2006 £21.25
  A smooth, generous wine with intense aromas of blackcurrant, vanilla and pepper.

  Cotes de Beaune Villages, Louis Latour, £31.50
  An earthy red wine, typical of the heart of a Burgundy, selected from the best of the villages around Beaune.

  Gevrey Chambertin, Domaine Rossignol Trapet, France 2004. £43.75
  A delicious wine from a top individual grower with superb fruit and structure. It has ripe cherry fruit and great depth.

  CHAMPAGNE

  Champagne Mansard Brut, Vegan NV, £38.95
  Pinot Noir gives elegance and length, Pinot Meunier gives body weight and Chardonnay contributes aroma and finesse. There is a good amount of bottle age on the brut non-vintage, making this a very attractive and enjoyable champagne.

  Moet et Chandon NV, £42.75
  Consistently good champagne from this well known house; A classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

  Moet et Chandon, 1999, £50.95
  A classic vintage Champagne made from 40% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 25% Pinot Meunier. A wine which offers the Champagne aficionado one of the best bargains in the vintage Champagne market today.
  £21.25

  A superb wine from the renowned Central Valley in California. The wine is made using state of the art techniques to produce a crisp, dry white wine with refreshing citrus fruit characters and a typical light buttery finish.

  Pinot Grigio, Marchinise Italy 2007, £19.25
  A strong yellow straw colour. The bouquet is unmistakable and immediate, with an intense impression of acacia flowers. The palate is dry and full-bodied.

  Viognier De Waal Estate, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2007, £24.25
  The Viognier grape continues to grow in popularity. This wine has a rich, creamy texture and hints of honey and spice. The only unwooded Viognier in South Africa.

  Chablis J. Moreau et Fils, France 2006, £29.25
  Very dry, crisp flinty wine with excellent fruit and acidity, yet retains its essential elegance

  Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc, La Tiare du Pape 2006, £31.50
  A classic combination of over 60% Grenache Blanc, blended with Bourboulenc, Roussane and Clairette. The wine has an attractive nose with hints of apricot and pineapple. On the palate it is rich and full, powerful and generous, with a full and complex finish

  Sancerre, les Comtesses, Paul Thomas, Chavignol, France 2007, £34.50
  The wine comes from a particular slope called "les Comtesses" on the best part of the south facing hill of Chavignol, just outside the hill town of Sancerre. This is an elegant and appealing Sancerre, full of "gooseberry" fruit with a delicious citrus tang.

  RED WINES

  Merlot, Willowood, Central Valley, California NV, £21.25
  California is becoming recognised for the high quality of the ripe merlot grapes that it produces. This example is a delicious soft rounded red with soft hints of ripe red berries and supple tannins.

  Pinotage, Cape Bay Winery, Western Cape, South Africa 2007 £22.95
  From a grape variety unique to the cape, this is a delicious red wine with attractive berry fruit and plenty of grip. Once you have tasted this grape variety, it will become a firm favourite.

  Shiraz/Cabernet, Katherine Hills, South Australia 2005 £19.25
  This wine has smooth, ripe fruit with softtannins. The delicate spice of the Shiraz blends perfectly with the red fruit characters of the Cabernet Sauvignon.

  Cabernet Sauvignon, Fortant, France 2006 £21.25
  A smooth, generous wine with intense aromas of blackcurrant, vanilla and pepper.

  Cotes de Beaune Villages, Louis Latour, £31.50
  An earthy red wine, typical of the heart of a Burgundy, selected from the best of the villages around Beaune.

  Gevrey Chambertin, Domaine Rossignol Trapet, France 2004. £43.75
  A delicious wine from a top individual grower with superb fruit and structure. It has ripe cherry fruit and great depth.

  CHAMPAGNE

  Champagne Mansard Brut, Vegan NV, £38.95
  Pinot Noir gives elegance and length, Pinot Meunier gives body weight and Chardonnay contributes aroma and finesse. There is a good amount of bottle age on the brut non-vintage, making this a very attractive and enjoyable champagne.

  Moet et Chandon NV, £42.75
  Consistently good champagne from this well known house; A classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

  Moet et Chandon, 1999, £50.95
  A classic vintage Champagne made from 40% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 25% Pinot Meunier. A wine which offers the Champagne aficionado one of the best bargains in the vintage Champagne market today.

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Cocktail Bar and Lounge

The Craxton Wood Hotel's cocktail bar and lounge is so warm and inviting you'll want to stay all day! Pick a cosy corner and relax with a creamy cappuccino or one of our famous afternoon teas; in fine weather you can soak up the sunshine on the outdoor terrace.

Make an enquiry

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  Lounge and Cocktail Bar

  Ideal for a morning coffee, afternoon tea or a tasty snack during the day, the Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel's appealing lounge and cocktail bar offers plenty of comfy sofas and lovely views over the surrounding gardens. Relax with the weekend papers or meet with friends or colleagues for a pre-dinner drink.

  Make an enquiry

  Opening Hours

  • 12pm - late
  • Lounge Bar menu available between 10am and 5pm
  • Afternoon Tea served between 3 and 5.30pm
  • Full bar service for residents

  At Your Service

  • Dress code: Relaxed
  • Child policy: Accompanied children welcome
  • Seats: 60 (inside) 25 (outside)
  • Special requirements: Catered for on request

  Booking Information

  No reservation necessary.

  Make a Reservation

  If you have a question about our Lounge and Cocktail Bar, please send us an enquiry form or contact 0844 879 9038.

  Close Menu

• Sample Menu

Vital Coffee Bar

Choose the healthy option and order drinks or nutritious snacks poolside at the Vital Coffee Bar. Set within the Vital Health, Fitness and Beauty Spa, this bright and airy coffee bar serves snacks and refreshments throughout the day.

Make an enquiry

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  Consort Bar

  Naturally lit with full-length windows overlooking the pool and hotel gardens, this bright, comfortable coffee bar is an ideal retreat for mums and dads while older kids swim. Order a coffee and find a quiet corner to read your book or, when the sun's shining, take your drink out onto the terrace.

  Make an enquiry

  Opening Hours

  • Mon-Fri 7am-10pm, Sat 8am-8pm, Sun 8am-10pm

  At Your Service

  • Dress code: Relaxed
  • Child policy: Accompanied children welcome
  • Seats: 30 inside, 20 outside
  • Special requirements: Catered for on request

  Booking Information
  No reservation necessary.

  Make a Reservation
  If you have a question about the Vital Coffee Bar, please send us an enquiry form or contact 0844 879 9038

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Room Service

Tired after a long day? Tempted by a leisurely breakfast in bed? Our Room Service menu has been designed with your convenience in mind. So kick off your shoes, pick up the phone and let us serve you in comfort.

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  Room Service

  Sandwiches, salads, side dishes, beverages, light meals and desserts can all be served to your room between 7am and 10pm and there is a limited menu available 24 hours a day.

  Opening Hours

  • 7am - 10pm daily
  • Limited menu available at all other times

  At Your Service

  • Child policy: Children's room service menu available on request
  • Special requirements: Catered for on request

  Booking Information
  We like to deliver your room service requests as quickly as possible

  Enquiry Form
  If you have a question about our room service policy please send us an
  enquiry form or contact 0844 879 9038.

  Close Menu

• Sample Menu

  Light Bites

  Seared yellow fin tuna loin, nicoise salad
  Char grilled corn fed free range chicken, Caesar salad
  Loch Fyne smoked salmon, lemon, caper berries
  Home made soup of the day, freshly baked bread
  Greek salad, feta, cucumber, olive, red onions, tomatoes
  Classic prawn cocktail

  Mains

  East Anglia Farms, premium pork sausage, creamed mash, shallot gravy
  North Sea beer battered cod, hand cut chips, tartar sauce
  21 day aged prime Scottish rib eye steak, traditional garnish
  Traditional cottage pie, seasonal greens
  Smoked Loch Fyne haddock, omelette, "Arnold Bennet"
  21 day aged prime Scottish beef burger, hand cut chips
  Goats cheese, mozzarella, sundried tomato, black olive panzotti
  Traditional fish pie, seasonal greens

  Sandwiches

  21 day aged prime Scottish steak ciabatta, caramelised onions
  Loch Fyne smoked salmon, rustic baguette
  Club sandwich with free range chicken and eggs
  Corn fed free range chicken Caesar wrap
  Greek salad, feta cheese wrap
  Seared tuna niçoise wrap
  Home cooked ham, grain mustard, bloomer
  Prawns, Marie Rose, bloomer

  24 hour food

  Homemade soup of the day, freshly baked bread
  Corn fed free range chicken Caesar wrap
  Greek salad, feta cheese wrap
  Seared tuna niçoise wrap
  Home cooked ham, grain mustard, bloomer
  Prawns, Marie Rose, bloomer

  Desserts

  Granola, natural yogurt, berry compote
  Ice cream, from Arran Dairies
  Cut fresh fruit
  British cheese, oat cakes
  Dark chocolate and orange truffle
  Classic lemon tart

  Hot Beverages

  Cafetière of coffee, served with shortbread
  Cafetière of coffee (decaffeinated), served with shortbread
  Large Cafetière of coffee (serves 2), served with shortbread
  Pot of tea, served with shortbread traditional English, Earl Grey, Assam, Ceylon, Darjeeling or Lapsang Souchong

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• Wine and Champagnes

  Champagnes

  Champagne Mansard Brut
  Blended with the three main champagne grape varieties; Pinot Noir
  gives elegance and length, Pinot Meunier gives bodyweight and
  Chardonnay contributes aroma and finesse. There is a good amount
  of bottle age on the brut non-vintage, making this a very attractive
  and enjoyable champagne.

  Sparkling Pinot Grigio Rosé, San Orsola
  A fashionable pink sparkling version of Italy's most popular white grape;
  light, dry and refreshing.

  White Wine

  Sancerre, les Comtesses, Paul Thomas, Chavignol, Loire Valley, France
  The wine comes from a particular slope called 'les Comtesses' on
  the best part of the south facing hill of Chavignol, just outside the
  hill town of Sancerre. This is an elegant and appealing Sancerre, full
  of 'gooseberry' fruit with a delicious citrus tang.

  Chablis, J Moreau et Fils, Burgundy, France
  Very dry, crisp flinty wine with excellent fruit and acidity, yet retains
  its essential elegance.

  Sauvignon Blanc, Dos Hermanos, Curicó Valley, Chile, Fairtrade
  Fairtrade Wine means that the growers are guaranteed a fair and
  stable price for their grapes. Winemaker Peter Bright was one of
  the original flying winemakers and this Sauvignon is typical of his
  excellent wines - fresh, zesty and aromatic with a lively crisp acidity.

  Chardonnay, Vin de Pays d'Oc, Fortant, France
  A delicate wine with subtle aromas of pears, figs, hazlenut and honey.

  White Rioja, Marqués de Cáceres, Spain
  The best of new style wines from Spain with ripe, lively fruit and
  a fresh, dry finish. This young white is perfect as an aperitif.

  Colombard/Chardonnay, Katherine Hills, Australia
  Lifted, tropical fruit characters, balanced by citrus and melon
  flavours, dominate the nose. These enticing characters follow
  through to a palate showing length and lingering fruitiness.

  Pinot Grigio, Marchesini, Italy
  A crisp, dry wine with the fuller style typical of this highly popular
  grape variety. Cool fermented for maximum fruit and acidity
  retention, the wine is bottled while young and fresh.

  Chenin Blanc, Cape Bay, South Africa
  This popular young wine gives delicious ripe Chenin fruit balanced
  by a dry, long finish.

  Chardonnay, Willowood, California
  Made using state of the art techniques to produce a crisp, dry
  white wine with refreshing citrus fruit characters and a typical
  light buttery finish.

  Red Wines

  Fleurie, le Roitelet, Henry Fessy, Beaujolais, France
  Soft, silky, raspberry fruit and an attractive purpley red colour
  characterise this well made wine from the Gamay grape.

  Pinot Noir, Vin de Pays d'Oc, Robert Skalli, France
  Intense flavours of small black fruit, chocolate and liquorice give
  wonderful complexity to this smooth, delicious wine.

  Pinotage, Cape Bay, South Africa
  From a grape variety unique to the Cape, this is a delicious red
  wine with attractive berry fruit and full flavours. Once you have
  tasted this grape variety, it will become a firm favourite.

  Cabernet Sauvignon, Vin de Pays d'Oc, Fortant, France
  A smooth, generous wine with intense aromas of blackcurrant,
  vanilla and pepper.

  Merlot, Willowood, California
  A delicious soft rounded red with hints of ripe red berries and
  supple tannins.

  Shiraz/Cabernet, Katherine Hills, Australia
  This wine has smooth, ripe fruit with soft tannins. The delicate
  spice of the Shiraz blends perfectly with the red fruit characters
  of the Cabernet Sauvignon.

  Merlot Refosco, Altana di Vico, Italy
  A light bodied yet convincing all-rounder. Fruity and well balanced -
  great with pasta dishes and cold meats.

  Rose

  Grenache/Syrah/Cinsault Rosé, Wild Boar, Provence, France
  A refreshing dry rosé from the heart of Provence. Bright red berry
  and mint aromas with a supple yet dry and crisp finish. Very versatile
  and matches perfectly with grilled white meats, seafood, dry cheeses
  and salads.

  Pinot Grigio Rosé, Marchesini, Italy
  Pinot Grigio is neither dark or light skinned (actually somewhere in
  between) as such it lends itself well to the production of pink wines.
  Just off-dry and subtly flavoured this fashionable combination is a
  good choice for many wine lists.

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