On Thursday evening myself and the other half headed into Newcastle for a very overdue and much needed 'date night'. Grandma was on babysitting duty and we were looking forward to a few hours of childfree time and to enjoy a meal in peace. Our destination for the evening was Chaophraya Thai restaurant on the top floor in Eldon Squares Grey's Quater, right next to the monument in the city centre. You may remember I actually visited Chaophraya last November to take part in their cooking school classes with my friend Laura, so I knew it was the perfect location for date night with it's luxe feel and on-trend decor.
We had a reservation for 5pm on a weeknight so the restaurant was fairly quiet when we arrived with a few groups of friends, however when we left at around 6.30pm it was getting busy so I would recommend booking a table online to save any waiting around when you arrive. We were quickly shown to a table with a great view of Greys Monument and Grey street below, being on the third floor and having floor to ceiling windows meant this was one of the best views of Newcastle. Great for people watching with a drink and complimentary prawn crackers whilst pursuing the menu.
As the other half had never visited Chaophraya before our server recommended the Maeklong platter, which is a sharing platter (£9.50pp) and I am so glad they did as it give us a real variety of Thai dishes. The Maeklong platter comes wonderfully presented and consisted of four chicken satay skewers, four pork dumplings, two chicken spring rolls, two sweetcorn cakes, two Thai vegetable tacos and two dipping sauces.
The chicken satay was so tender, the spring rolls were really crispy and the pork dumplings were utterly delicious. The Thai vegetable tacos were so beautifully presented with dainty edible flowers and were almost too pretty to eat.
We found service to be really friendly and all the staff were really discreet, no interrupting you when you are eating - we all know there is nothing worse then being asked if food is ok when you have just taken a bite of food!
Onto mains and I ordered Chicken Pad Thai (£10.50) which is my absolute favourite and the Chaophraya version was most definitely the nicest one I have tasted so far. It is not hard to see why it is the national dish of Thailand. Stir-fried rice noodles in tamarind sauce with chicken, tofu, spring onions, carrots, eggs, sweet turnip (they taste so much nicer then they sound, trust me), bean sprouts and topped with pickled vegetables. This dish was full of strips of delicious tender chicken breast and was so filling that I could not finish it all.
The other half spent ages deciding what he wanted before finally settling on Chicken with Cashew nuts (£12) and I have to say he choose well as it was extremely scrummy. Stir-fried crispy chicken with cashew nuts, onions, peppers, mushrooms, spring onions served in a roasted red chilli sauce and topped with a roasted red chilli for added heat. It was really tasty and I will certainly be ordering this myself the next time I visit. You do need to order a side with this dish, I imagine it would be proper lush with one of rice dishes, however, the other half ordered himself a side of steamed noddles (£3.50) which wasn't quite the same.
I was so full from my Pad Thai I was not planning on dessert, that was until I seen the dessert menu and I just had to order the White Chocolate Box (£7.50) and I am so glad I did. A white chocolate mousse with a raspberry coulis centre and shortbread base and shaped like a box, topped with a mini macaroon and passionfruit syrup and a side of fresh berries. It was the nicest dessert I have had in a long time.
The total bill came to just over £60 for three courses for two and three soft drinks, which I think is good value for such a lovely meal. They also have a lunch menu available on weekdays between 12-5pm which is brilliant value with three courses just £17.95 and is perfect for a lunchtime catch up with friends or lunch whilst out shopping in the city.
We really enjoyed our date night at Chaophraya, the staff were so lovely especially our server although I didn't catch her name. Every dish we tried was delicious and wonderfully presented and the setting is beautiful, the restaurant is cosy with low music, a nice atmosphere and amazing views of the city below. If you are looking for somewhere to head for date night in Newcastle then I really do recommend Chaophraya.
Disclosure We received a complimentary meal for the purpose of this review, however, all opinions are my own.
Chaophraya
15 Upper Level
Greys Quater
Eldon Square
Newcastle Upon TyneNE1 7AP
You can book online and view the menu at www.chaophraya.co.uk
Oh how lovely to have a childfree evening. That food looks really amazing. Mandi (Big Family Little Adventures)
ReplyDeleteIt was so good, portions were much bigger than they look in the photos too x
DeleteOoooh I love Thai food and the chicken pad thai looks and sounds really good - yum!
ReplyDeleteIt was delicious xx
DeleteI have never visited Chaophraya but believe we have one in Manchester. All the food looks amazing, I need to head down! Sim x
ReplyDeleteYes they have a few branches around the UK, it is well worth a visit x
DeleteLoving your food choices. We are heading here on Saturday and now I can’t wait!
ReplyDeleteI bet you have a lush time, food and service were so good x
DeleteThis is somewhere I keep meaning to try but haven't managed to yet. It looks lovely, I will have to go soon
ReplyDeleteOh you really should visit, they do so many great dishes x
DeleteOo the food all looks delicious - I love the attention to detail when it comes to the presentation :)
ReplyDeleteThey really made it look pretty, especially the tacos x
DeleteI have not had Thai food in the longest time but this looks absolutely yummy, loving the desserts too, looks incredibly tasty.
ReplyDeleteIt was so good xx
DeleteI've not had Thai food in ages it all looks delicious also sounds like a lovely restaurant.
ReplyDeleteIt really was a lovely restaurant xx
DeleteOh wow that chocolate box looks incredible! Love the sound of the platter too x
ReplyDeleteIt was amazing, such a great taste combination and so pretty too x
DeleteI am ashamed to say I have never eaten in a Thai restaurant but the food in Chaophraya looks amazing
ReplyDeleteYou should visit if you ever get the chance, I only tried it for the first time a few years ago and now I am a big fan x
DeleteThis looks so delicious. Pad Thai is my favourite dish too. The desserts look amazing x
ReplyDeleteIt is such a simple yet delicious dish. x
DeleteI love thai food and this looks amazing x
ReplyDeleteIt was so good x
DeleteI’ve got food envy right now! All looks so delicious.
ReplyDeleteIt really was x
DeleteOh look at that with a flower on! It looks so pretty and very yummy
ReplyDeleteIt was almost to pretty to eat x
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