As we head into the warmer months, one restaurant in the heart of Newcastle has already begun preparing to welcome lovers of Pan Asian cuisine to its al fresco setting.
The Muddler Bar & Restaurant first made its mark on the North East culinary scene back in 2018, boasting a plentiful menu full of exotic flavours and vibrancy. It wasn’t long before word spread amongst the food savvy, and the venue soon found itself in high demand for evening meals and special celebrations – something that is still a given to this day with weekends booked out well in advance.
Continued success has allowed The Muddler to expand its opulent haunt past the boundaries of its interior four walls, and in 2021 the venue launched a newly improved outdoor seating area – providing diners with a prime position to take in the stunning Georgian architecture of Newcastle’s Grey Street, whilst enjoying a delectable array of dishes.
Al fresco dining has never looked so good – mirroring the extravagant flare of The Muddler’s inner restaurant, the venue has encased its outside seating area in sleek black and gold borders. Paired perfectly against warm wooden tables, it is easy to see why this became a hotspot for outdoor dining and sipping cocktails during last year’s lockdown restrictions. Eager diners can rest assured, despite dining outdoors, that The Muddler’s excellence and quality is maintained to the highest of standards when visiting. The extensive main menu is served in full, but you may want to ‘Muddle’ up your traditional 3 course meal and instead opt for a variety of small plates which deliver a satisfying ‘light bite’ option on a warm day in the sun.
With some recent menu updates there are plenty of dishes to choose from when creating your perfect spread, which is perfect for sharing with friends and enjoyed with one of their unique cocktails. Highly recommended by the establishment’s head chef is The Muddler’s Tuna Tartare, this dish stacks wasabi avocado on top of spicy tuna tartare, adorned with crispy mouli, shallots and finished with a ponzu sauce – bursting with freshness this dish is bound to become a customer favourite. Chicken Katsu has been on the menu since the beginning but now also appears in the form of a Bao Bun – so you can get your Katsu fix served in a variety of ways. Deepfried chicken breast is perfectly served in a crispy golden panko crumb, before being topped with spicy mayonnaise and served in a steamed bun.
Choose from a variety of Dim Sum, Robata and Tempura or sushi to compliment either of the above and you will have a selection of food that will ignite your tastebuds and leave you planning your next visit to sample even more of the dishes on offer.
And what better way to tempt you back than with their weekday lunch time offer – at £17.50 for 3 small plates, you can dabble across the menu and find your favourite combinations. Should there still be room on both your outdoor table and among your waistline, then the stand-out new dish on the mains section has to be the Soft-Shell Crab. A delicate ensemble of soft shell crab in tempura batter and a shezchuan pepper butter, served with a side of grilled tenderstem broccoli and pak choi. A real show-stopper, this dish will linger in your mind long after you have left the table.
An al fresco stint in the sun will make for thirsty work, so its only fitting that The Muddler Menu be complemented by an equally bold and exotic cocktail menu. Discover a unique list of eastern inspired concoctions such as the Lychee Ginger Collins and sesame infused Old Fashioned. If you are looking for a daytime or working lunch alternative, The Muddler also offer a number of mocktails – exuding the same level of intricacy as their alcoholic counterparts.
Relax with the aptly named Samui Sunrise, an enticing blend of Passionfruit puree, lime, pineapple and shaken to a foamy consistency with egg white for a true cocktail experience. There really is an option for all tastes and needs – but rest assured you can still request one of the classics should your cravings consume you.
The Muddler proves time and time again to be the perfect place, whether for a special occasion, date night or lunch time stop off. Next time you plan on visiting, look to book in their outdoor area and take advantage of the stunning surrounds.
