By Holly Grahamslaw
To celebrate our anniversary, myself and my partner Josh were delighted to visit The Muddler, a restaurant offering a range of Pan-Asian cuisine from its elegant base within Newcastle’s city centre. Situated in an easilyaccessible location on Grey Street, The Muddler provides both delectable food and impeccable service within its beautiful setting.
Set against a sophisticated backdrop of black, brown and gold, The Muddler boasts one of the most luxurious interiors within the city. With plush leather seating, gold panelling and marble features, the venue takes inspiration from the old Savoy lounge and from 1920s Shanghai. This setting provides the ideal place for a special occasion, whilst also maintaining a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere.
Upon delving into the menu, we realised there was an abundance of choice. The restaurant couples its authentic Pan-Asian cuisine with a unique selection of cocktails, which includes favourites such as Margarita and Espresso Martini, alongside a selection of speciality drinks. This sounded delightful so we kicked off proceedings with the Szechuan Peach Cooler, featuring a mix of Ukiyo rice vodka, peach aperitif and Szechuan syrup, as well as the Sesame Old Fashioned, a sesame-infused take on the modern classic of bourbon and bitters.
The food at The Muddler looked equally inviting and included a variety of Pan-Asian small plates, such as spring rolls, gyoza and tempura, which can be ordered as a sharing selection or as part of a starter and main course approach. These small plates offer great value with three available for only £18.95pp from 12pm – 5pm, Monday – Friday. Diners can also enjoy a plethora of large plates, such as the Thai Green Curry and Mapo Tofu, whilst a lavish sushi menu of Sashimi, Maki and Nigiri is also available.
Eager to try it all, we ordered a few small plates to start. Here, we enjoyed the Japanese Prawn Tempura, served with a tasty Asian side salad and dipping sauce, as well as the crispy Chicken Katsu Bao Buns. We also devoured the hand-rolled Duck Spring Rolls, an aromatic dish accompanied by a zingy hoisin sauce. These small plates possessed a real depth of flavour and were beautifully presented, demonstrating the attention to detail offered at The Muddler.
Following on, I sampled the Teriyaki Salmon. Marinated in garlic, ginger and coriander, the succulent dish was served with steamed rice, vegetables and a tangy teriyaki sauce. Josh meanwhile chose the chicken & prawn Pad Thai, a favourite of his that did not disappoint, which consisted of stir-fried rice noodles, bean sprouts, spring onion and a peanut sauce. Both dishes were absolutely delicious and were served in large, hearty portions.
Feeling totally replete, we swerved desserts in favour of coffees and liqueurs. However, we did make a mental note to return to sample the fluffy Dorayaki pancakes or the Cantonese Steamed Custard Bun, which sounded exquisite and would pair nicely with the wide selection of Asian digestifs on offer.
All in all, it is easy to see why The Muddler stands out within Newcastle’s restaurant market. With its flavourful food, exciting cocktails and luxurious setting, this is a restaurant that offers elegance, service and taste in abundance.
The Muddler can be found at 69 Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6EF. For more information, visit their website at www.themuddlernewcastle.co.uk or call 0191 222 0125.