With my friend Aislinn's birthday just around the corner, I decided to treat her to a night of wining and dining at the Muddler.
This inviting restaurant offers an exquisite selection of Pan-Asian cuisine from its luxurious base in the heart of the city centre. Situated on Newcastle’s Grey Street, the Muddler is in an ideal location, perfect for those who fancy a few drinks in the city before or after their meal.
Upon arrival, we were immediately impressed by the restaurant’s stylish interior. Set against a backdrop of brown, black and gold, the restaurant exudes sophistication and luxury, whilst maintaining a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. The beautifully finished restaurant is complemented by a distinctive drinks & cocktails menu, which fuses various modern classics with Asian inflections.
We kicked off proceedings with a Pandan Espresso Martini, which blends the traditional favourite with the South Asian Pandan plant, as well as a Szechuan Peach Cooler, an innovative fusion of haku vodka, peach aperitif and Szechuan syrup. Both cocktails proved extremely delicious, and customers can also delight in other exclusives including the Braemble Gin Fizz and the Zen Garden.
In terms of food, the Muddler serves a range of Pan-Asian small plates, which can be ordered as a sharing selection or as part of a starter and main course approach. Small plates include classics such as dim sum, tempura, spring rolls and chargrilled robata, and offer great value with three available for only £15 from 12pm – 5pm Monday to Friday. Main dishes include favourites such as Pad Thai and Thai Green Curry, whilst customers can also enjoy sashimi, maki and nigiri from the venue’s extensive sushi menu.
Eager to try it all, we tucked into some tasty small plates to start. Here, we enjoyed the Japanese Prawn Tempura served with salad and dipping sauce, alongside the hand-rolled Duck Spring Rolls, embellished by a zingy hoisin sauce. We were also delighted by the Teriyaki Salmon, which I have to say was the stand-out dish of the night. Marinated in garlic, ginger, sake and coriander, the salmon was exquisite and was accompanied by a delicious side salad and teriyaki sauce. The starters offered both quality and quantity, with both mouthwatering flavours and hearty-sized portions.
For mains, I devoured the Chicken Katsu Curry – breaded chicken breast, steamed rice and pickles enlivened by a thick, tangy Katsu sauce. Aislinn meanwhile tasted the juicy Massaman Beef Fillet. A chef’s recommendation, the dish included beef skewers, massaman spiced puree, oyster mushrooms and crispy shallots. Providing a real depth of flavour, the mains were absolutely delicious, and paired nicely with a bottle of Pinot Grigio from the venue’s expertly crafted wine list. Throughout our meal, we also noted the excellent service, with attentive staff who were happy to accommodate to our needs.
Feeling replete, we swerved desserts in favour of coffees and liqueurs. Whilst we were unadventurous with our usual Baileys’, customers can enjoy a selection of Asian digestifs, including Hakushu Distillery Japanese whiskey, and Roku craft gin, in cherry blossom and yuzu citrus fruit flavours.
All in all, the Muddler provides delicious Pan-Asian fayre from its luxurious setting in the heart of Newcastle. With unique dishes, beautiful surrounds and impeccable service, the venue really has much to offer the region. We can’t wait to return.