Dean Bailey heads east to Parichat at Sohe, Jesmond, Newcastle
It’s been a long day, a really long day, in fact, which has included a crumpet and some Shreddies for lunch. Even Appetite HQ lunches are dull some days.
I need a midweek refresh, so I head to Parichat at Sohe. Led by Parichat Somsri-Kirby – former head chef at 21 in Newcastle, no less, and admired among her peers – the menu promises flavours of the Far East, perfect for a wet Wednesday.
While the decor may be more Geordie Shore than Victoria Harbour, the food is bang on, buzzing with complex combinations of chilli heat, sweetness and spice. Special mention goes to the hot tamarind dipping sauce served with the prawn crackers – an excellent start – and the slap-in-your-face chilli, coriander, shallot and peanut dipping sauce with the Thai fishcakes. The tempura king prawns, meanwhile, are light, crisp and happily partnered by their sweet chilli mayo.
I like a waiter who knows his/her stuff, and they are all well versed in the intensity of each dish and – important, this – the cocktails which will best match our food. Our highlight is a pan-roasted halibut topped with lemongrass and chilli with jasmine rice. Meanwhile, a roast chicken supreme is glazed in honey and ginger, served again with that sweet jasmine rice and pak choi.
A light mango cheesecake follows to settle our buzzing taste buds, which are cooled further by a second Singapore Sling. Green tea, white chocolate and raspberry mousse is attractive to the eye and the tongue, its subtle tea notes lingering after the tang of the raspberries.
Three courses for two, a pre-starter and cocktails (I told you, it had been a heavy day…) comes to £90. Roll on next Wednesday.
Parichat at Sohe Osborne Road, Jesmond, NE2 2TJ, tel 0191 281 8161, www.sohe.co.uk