'We launched a cool new restaurant in my Shropshire hometown and people are loving it'

Mason’s, in the unit that was Chequers in Butcher Row, opened in late February and has slotted right in among some of the trendiest food and drink spots in the town including Number Four and The Libertine.

The new venture’s owner-managers Marc and Kevin Mason-Eeley pride themselves on grazing plates, platters, food meant to be shared, fine wine and quality hospitality that has brought in five-star Google reviews in the short time they have been open.

Marc, 48, has been running pubs, hotels and restaurants for “big corporate groups” for 20 years but said he “always fancied having a go” in his hometown - and so far Mason’s has been a big success.

“It’s been really good, we’ve had great feedback,” he told the Shropshire Star.

Mason’s launched a new menu just this week, featuring brûléed gorgonzola, small plates including chilli and ale salami, and camembert with hot honey and chorizo.

“We’re something a little different and a little quirky to offer Shrewsbury.

“Each week’s getting better and better!”

It is a small team, with Marc and Kevin both heavily involved in the kitchen and front of house.

Marc said they aspired for an “old-school vibe” akin to a ”gentlemen’s smoking lounge”, and for plenty of customers they have hit the mark.

He said one customer told the team she was reminded of the très cool establishments of Montmarte in Paris.

“We’ll take that!”

Customers have had their say on social media, and so far Mason’s boasts a 100 per cent five-star record based on five Google reviews and 10 glowing recommendations on Facebook.

One Google reviewer said: “Small, friendly independent restaurant, wonderfully decorated. Camembert and sharing platter was amazing, excellent service. Chef's kiss! Made to feel very welcome and have already let my friends and family know how good it was.”

One Facebook user wrote: “Truly lovely place if you fancy some light nibbles and drinks with your loved ones! The charcuterie boards were my favourite. Kev is very welcoming and attentive - can’t wait to come back.”

Just a few weeks after the doors opened the restaurant was visited, unannounced, by a food hygiene inspector -and passed the inspection with flying colours.

Mason’s was handed a hygiene rating of five after the inspection by the Food Standards Agency on March 20.

The restaurant was graded against three criteria. For ‘hygienic food handling’ it was graded ‘very good’; for ‘cleanliness and condition of facilities and building’ it was graded ‘good’; and for ‘management of food safety’ it was graded ‘good’.

Marc said they hope to obtain a pavement licence in time for the summer and continue “onward and upward”.

Learn more at www.facebook.com/p/Masons-Shrewsbury-61579235404364/.