Hot on the heels of last month's "Best of Jesmond" feature, we re-visited one of the area's standout restaurants.
Parichat at Sohe offers up a tantalising mix of Asian fusion cooking, a light and healthy selection which was a welcome sight ahead of some pre- Easter weekend excess.
At the helm is award-winning North East chef, Parichat Somsri-Kirby who has devised a menu celebrating the tastes and textures from Japan, Thailand, Korea and beyond all from their base on leafy Osborne Road.
Inside, the restaurant’s décor is exotic and impressive. A large elliptical bar is at its centrepiece, stocked abundantly with wines and spirits. Dark and moody, the restaurant’s spotlighting creates a stylish, club-like atmosphere and also boasts the cocktail menu to match.
Try the Noh Aku Aku an Asian twist on the tiki classic with tropical fruit and rich demerara rum or the ‘Destination Unknown’ a clean, herbaceous long drink, perfect for gin lovers. Either way, all are perfect for sipping on over a bowl of Prawn Crackers served with a tangy Tamarind dip.
Diners are given the choice between the evervibrant à la carte menu with its mix of noodles, stir fry’s and curries or a new tapas selection, perfect for sharing with friends.
To kick off, I chose the Spicy Beef and Mint Salad, featuring a typically Asian “shredded” Salad singing with flavour and freshness. My wife Lisa chose the Thai Fish Cakes, a real favourite of hers, done justice here and served with a cucumber and peanut relish.
The real highlight however proved to be my son Jack’s steamed mussels, served in a deep red curry sauce with a hint of lemongrass and basil.
To complement, our waiter cracked open a light & easy Pinot Noir allowed time to breathe in a very ornate decanter which set the flavours off perfectly.
Next up would be a true taste of Pan-Asian cuisine. Lisa chose the Pan-Fried Fillet of Salmon with broccoli florets in a teriyaki sauce. Jack meanwhile chose the classic beef in a black bean sauce rich and inky with a telling depth of flavour.
I opted for the traditional Pad Thai a prevailing dish of the country, consisting of diced chicken, stir fried with noodles, egg, tamarind and tofu. All dishes were super tasty and smartly presented. They were also nicely filling yet not overpowering as in some cuisines.
If you’re looking for the modern Pan-Asian experience, look no further than Parichat at Sohe Jesmond’s haven of exotic flavours.
For more information, visit www.sohe.co.uk