Barton Rouge is not the place to send someone looking for the sharpest new restaurant in Chester. It is more straightforward than that: a canal-side curry house with a broad menu, takeaway option, and a location that makes sense for station-side evenings. The annoying bit is that it really can be shut by half ten, which is exactly when you might drift over after a pint at Harkers thinking curry is still a sensible idea. Go earlier than your appetite claims is necessary.
What it is actually like
Barton Rouge sits on Steam Mill Street at Granary Wharf, just off the canal-side run between City Road and the centre. It is one of those Chester restaurants that works best when you already know what kind of night you want: a proper curry, rice, naan, poppadoms, and enough menu width for a mixed group that cannot agree on spice levels. The official menu covers the expected curries, biryanis, tandoori dishes, chef recommendations, fish dishes, and vegetarian options.
The feel is more established curry house than stripped-back modern dining room. That is not a criticism; Chester has plenty of places trying very hard to look current. Barton Rouge is more useful when you want dinner near the station or canal without turning the evening into a project.
What to expect
Expect a long Indian restaurant menu: poppadoms, chutney tray, familiar curry styles, biryanis, tandoori grills, masala dishes, fish specials, breads, rice, and vegetarian sides. The restaurant menu also includes Himalayan starters and dishes, so there is a little more going on than the standard korma-to-vindaloo ladder. Current menu prices put many mains roughly in the low-to-mid teens, with king prawn and some fish dishes higher. The official website lists 5pm opening, while Google Places, Tripadvisor and the PDF/menu sources seen in this pass point to 5.30pm starts, so check before planning tightly.
Avoid if
Avoid if you want small plates, natural wine, quiet minimalism, or a short seasonal menu. This is a full curry-house menu, with all the choice and slight decision fatigue that brings.
Nearby plan
Use it as the food stop on a station-to-city evening. It sits well after a drink around City Road, Steam Mill Street, or the canal, then you can walk back towards Foregate Street, the station, or into the Eastgate end of town. It is also a practical option if you are staying nearby and cannot face another lap of the city centre pretending to compare menus properly.
Photos
Photos from Google Places. The TTDC illustration remains the main image at the top.
If Barton Rouge is full or shut.
The Old Harkers Arms Old Harkers is a Russell Street canalside pub between the station and centre, useful for groups, Sunday lunch, cask beer and rain-proof pints. 
Siam Thai & Teppan-Yaki Siam Thai & Teppan-Yaki is a City Road group-dinner spot near the station, useful for birthdays, families and teppanyaki grill theatre. 
The Yard Mediterranean Restaurant The Yard is a City Road Mediterranean restaurant near the station, useful for group dinners, small plates, cocktails and proper pre-town meals.