DESPITE the Covid lockdowns, there seems to be no stopping Chester city centre's insatiable appetite for more restaurants, with three more planning to open soon.
We previously reported on the former Chimichanga site on Pepper Street becoming a Japanese-style tapas venue, serving alcoholic drinks, under the name Izakayu.
The former Chimichanga site on Pepper Street.
Izakayu comes from the word Izakaya, an informal Japanese bar which serves alcoholic drinks and shared-plate snacks.
Now entrepreneur Des Pheby, founder of successful eateries Wok&Go and Dough Dough Artisan Pizzeria, has confirmed on social media he will be one of the businesspeople behind the new venture.
He wrote: "Really excited to announce we are partnering up for the very first time and taking over the Old Chimichanga in Chester Pepper St. Pan-Asian restaurant and cocktail bar coming soon."
Adding to the Pepper Street restaurant renaissance is Artezzan, which is currently scheduled to open this spring.
The former Las Iguanas site on Pepper Street, Chester.
The restaurant and bar is due to open at the site of the former Las Iguanas site, which inside has remained fully furnished since its closure.
Details of the new restaurant are scarce, but job adverts posted for the site talk of an "exciting new premium fresh Mediterranean food concept in the heart of Chester."
The return of two restaurants and bars will be a welcome sight for Pepper Street, which had seen its list of dining destinations dwindle to just the Opera Grill by the end of 2020.
Should both the new restaurants in the making open their doors in the next few months, that will leave only the former Coast to Coast/FireJacks unit vacant on that side of Pepper Street.
Finally, an Italian restaurant is also seeking to open its doors on Bridge Street Rows.
The former Mad Hatters Tea Rooms site on Bridge Street Row, Chester.
Carbonara is looking to open up at the site of the former Mad Hatters Tea Rooms, which closed in June 2020.
A premise licensing application has been submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council, looking to serve alcohol between 11am-10pm Sunday-Thursday, 11am-11pm Friday and Saturday, and 11am-midnight on race days and over the Christmas/New Year festive season.
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