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CHOWS Eating House by Si Hall & Nicky Rigby
Chows Eating House, Parkgate – Timeless Dining on the Parade.
At Wirral Life, we love to celebrate the restaurants that truly define a place. In Parkgate, one name has stood the test of time for decades: Chows Eating House. Perched proudly on The Parade, overlooking the Dee Estuary, it’ s not just a restaurant – it’ s an institution. Ask anyone across the Wirral where to go for Chinese food with flair, and Chows will almost always be the first name that comes up.
It’ s easy to see why. From the moment you walk through the doors, you’ re greeted by an atmosphere that blends tradition and style. The décor is polished yet welcoming, with a timeless charm that makes Chows feel both familiar and special. On our recent visit, the dining room was filled with the comforting hum of happy tables – families, couples, and groups of friends, all tucking into dishes that have been delighting Wirral diners for years.
Chows has built its reputation on consistency, quality, and service, and it’ s clear those values are still at the heart of everything they do. The menu is vast, carefully curated to offer something for everyone, while the team strike just the right balance between friendly attentiveness and giving you space to enjoy your evening.
Starters with Flair to Share We began with the Chows Salt n Chilli Siu Mai – a dish that immediately set the tone for the evening. These delicate pork dumplings came alive with the addition of salt, chilli, and a subtle crunch that elevated the classic. Perfectly seasoned, with just enough heat to keep things interesting, they disappeared from the plate almost instantly.
Next came the Hors D’ Oeuvres sharing platter, a Chows classic. There’ s something wonderfully sociable about a platter – the mix of textures, dipping sauces, and bite-sized treats invites conversation and laughter around the table. Each element was freshly prepared, crisp, and full of flavour, making it a perfect start to the meal.
The Main Event Chows has always excelled in delivering mains that balance authenticity with creativity, and our selection showcased just that.
The steamed fillet of sea bass with chilli sauce was a highlight. Light, fragrant, and delicately spiced, the fish was cooked to absolute perfection – tender, moist, and flaking apart under the chopsticks. The chilli sauce gave it a gentle heat without overpowering the freshness of the sea bass, making it a dish that felt elegant yet hearty.
For something more robust, we couldn’ t resist the fillet steak with black pepper sauce. This dish is all about bold flavours: tender slices of prime beef, seared to perfection, and coated in a sauce that packed a punch. The black pepper sauce was rich, aromatic, and deeply satisfying – a perfect pairing with the delicate seafood we had alongside.
The chicken with Chinese greens and seasonal vegetables served in a potato bird’ s nest was not just a dish but a showpiece. The crisp, golden potato basket held a generous serving of tender chicken and vibrant vegetables, each bite full of freshness and crunch. It was a clever combination of artistry and taste, and one that really captured the essence of Chows: inventive, eyecatching, and delicious.
Of course, no Chinese feast feels complete without rice, and the Yeung Chow fried rice proved to be the perfect companion. Fragrant, colourful, and packed with flavour, it complemented the mains beautifully, ensuring that not a drop of sauce went to waste.
Sweet Finishes Despite feeling comfortably full, we couldn’ t resist the dessert menu – and the aptly named Chocolate Dipping Heaven was exactly that. A playful, indulgent finale, it arrived at the table with fresh fruit, marshmallows, and treats ready to be dipped into smooth, melted chocolate. Fun, nostalgic, and guaranteed to bring out your inner child, it was a joyful way to end the meal.
Cocktails with a twist One of the things we love about Chows is that it’ s not just about the food – the drinks menu is just as thoughtfully curated. We sampled three cocktails during our visit, each one beautifully presented and expertly mixed.
The Chows Star Martini was a house twist on the classic, smooth and balanced with just the right touch of sweetness. Their Espresso Martini was bold and rich, delivering that perfect hit of coffee and indulgence. Finally, the Kani Kani brought something a little different – refreshing, playful, and full of flavour, it was the surprise favourite at our table.
The Chows Experience Dining at Chows Eating House is more than just going out for dinner. It’ s an experience that combines tradition with a sense of celebration. There’ s comfort in the classics – the dishes that regulars return for time and time again – but also a sense of excitement in the presentation, the cocktails, and the attention to detail.
The team at Chows understand that dining is about more than just food; it’ s about creating memories. Whether it’ s a family celebration, a romantic meal with a view of the estuary, or a gathering of friends over cocktails and sharing plates, Chows delivers every time.
For us at Wirral Life, Chows Eating House represents everything that makes Parkgate so special. Its views, its atmosphere, and its long-standing reputation are all part of the magic – but ultimately, it’ s the food and the people that keep this restaurant at the heart of Wirral dining. Chows is timeless. A place where tradition meets creativity, where every dish is made with care, and where every visit feels like a treat. Whether you’ re rediscovering an old favourite or experiencing it for the first time, you’ ll leave with the same thought: Chows is a restaurant that never disappoints.
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