The Muddler Bar & Restaurant opened its doors in 2018 and has been wowing diners with smoking sushi platters and a unique cocktail menu ever since. Just before the pandemic you would be lucky to score a table on a weekend, unless you had reserved weeks in advance.
And whilst lockdown made it feel like the world stood still, The Muddler has only progressed – with its new dining room, outdoor seating and refreshed menu – this restaurant and bar has firmly claimed its place as the go to dining experience in Newcastle.
The Muddler is a favourite haunt for date nights, special celebrations and everything in between. The restaurant is opulent, but at the same time offers a relaxed and welcoming environment with friendly staff who ooze personality, ready to guide you through the extensive food and drinks menu.
The small plates selection is a customer favourite – rather than a traditional 3 course affair you can mix up your meal with a variety of dishes bouncing with flavour. The Wasabi Prawns are juicy and covered in a light tempura batter served with a wasabi mayonnaise – just the right amount of kick to bring the dish to life, leaving a pleasant and memorable taste in the mouth. The Mushroom Bao – another one of the Chef’s recommendations from the small plates menu, is packed full of Oyster mushrooms, seasoned to perfection with classic oriental flavours and served in a steamed bun.
Food is made for sharing and the Dim Sum and Sushi platters were designed with this in mind – fresh salmon and tuna Sashimi, katsu Uramaki and spicy salmon Gunkan are just some of the choices that beautifully adorn the Chef’s Choice Platter – decorated to perfection the platters are as stunning to look at as they are to taste.
One of the latest additions to the menu is the Massaman Beef Fillet main dish – tender beef skewers served with a massaman spiced puree, oyster mushrooms and crispy shallots. The fusion of Indian spices and Thai aromatics give this dish its signature flavour, and the balanced mix of textures create a plate that you will want to devour all to yourself.
You need a strong and confident cocktail menu to accompany these bold dishes, and this is where the General Manager comes into his own – Rob Firth brings his flair for mixology and passion for unique ingredients to these very special cocktails. Giving the classics an exotic twist with unexpected combinations – The Pandan Espresso Martini is rich with hints of grassy vanilla and coconut, provided by the Pandan leaves which give it that Southeast Asian flavour. Expect a cocktail menu like no other but rest assured, the bar staff are well versed in the classics should you wish for something a little less adventurous.
Although you may want to savour this place for a special occasion, the plentiful mix of dishes to try makes for a very alluring repeat visit. Their weekday lunch time offer is the perfect excuse – at £15 for 3 small plates you can work your way through the variety of dishes and find your favourites. Available Monday to Friday from 11am – 5pm.
This restaurant is perfectly situated on the magnificent Grey Street and whether you want to take your tastebuds on an exploration or just enjoy the splendour of the architecture that surrounds, The Muddler is the place to be no matter what the occasion.
To book visit www.themuddlernewcastle.com
Facebook – @MuddlerNewcastle
instagram – @themuddlernewcastle
