Chester: Bridge Street restaurant Bohème nears opening date

Bohème, located on Bridge Street, is an ambitious new project from long-time friends and business partners Andi Lowe-Smith and Ben Iles. The stylish restaurant is the latest in a long line of collaborations between the pair and will offer café-style dining, refined restaurant dishes, unique drinks options and a snack menu.

The idea for Bohème came from a lockdown walk around the city centre. Andi says that the pair had been waiting for the "right opportunity" and despite a very difficult period for hospitality, their "glass half full" outlook meant that both of them were convinced that this was it.

A local and national award-winning mixologist and Michelin kitchen trained chef, Andi says the restaurant and its menu will draw from a wealth of culinary experience from himself and the rest of the chef team.

Owners Andi Lowe-Smith (left) and Ben Iles. (Image: Matthew Dougherty)

Andi said: "My favourite hobby is going out to eat in good restaurants, but it's food focused, it's not about spending big money on the most expensive taster menu.

"Some of the best food that Ben and I have eaten has come from street-food stalls in Mexico. Our passion lies in taking from all the places that we've loved over our time.

"[Bohème] is an amalgamation of all of that."

Classically trained in European cuisine, Andi says that he enjoys cooking dishes that people are familiar with, but "going into the finer details" to make something with added "modern flair".

Ben adds: "Andi's style of food is taking a recognisable dish but always with another level of creativity on top of that. It pushes [the dish] much further than what you would expect."

Boheme will cater for a variety of dining experiences, with lighter lunch options alongside its fine dining. The restaurant will also have an onsite patisserie and bakery contributing fresh bread and deserts, and cheese selected from local independent stores.

Andi said: "It's accessible food, so even if it's soup and a roll it'll be the best that it could possibly be.

"The areas lend themselves to different dining experiences throughout the building. The front is more of a café and cocktail bar, and then a restaurant with an open kitchen towards the back, where you can see each dish being made."

The drinks menu will contain 'signature' re-imaginings of popular cocktails, including a 'Burnt Butter Manhattan', and will feature Agave Thieves tequila, which is produced by Andi and Ben out of Mexico.

Ben explains that each element of the restaurant's layout has be carefully considered, from the wood fixtures and fittings to the marble bar tops and even bespoke chairs. The pair also praise the work of award-winning designer James Roberts in helping to bring their vision to life.

"We're trying to create a timeless look, but to be honest to create a timeless look you have to pick stuff that's available now, which means it's quite difficult," Ben laughs.

"You have to predict the future and then be better. The style has come from mine and Andi's tastes."

Bohème is on-track to open on Thursday, February 15.