Blue Chilli Restaurant, Newcastle-under-Lyme, England

...has got to be the Blue Chilli, which is a relatively newish establishment in the heart of Newcastle under Lyme. I have been there around 5 times now over the past 6 months and their food and service never fails to disappoint me.

My first visit, I was quite intrigued at what to expect. I went with quite a few colleagues from work and we had had the menu faxed over to us. Looking at the menu, I honestly didn't think I would like anything, ...
...yourself.

The Blue Chilli itself is a rather large restaurant, with big glas windows overlooking the town. I think originally it may have been some other form of business. The building itself has character, it could have been a house before, not sure but the features inside it lead you to believe that and thats how I associate it. When you walk into the Blue Chilli, you have what can only be described as a hallway, with a spiral staircase ... more

Its only recently that I have been really adventurous with what I eat. Until a year ago, the only thing that I ever indulged in was Indian food and loved it, my idea of Chinese food was Beef Curry and Chips with a few prawn crackers and I had never even tasted any form of Mexican or Thai food, I always used to turn my nose up and think that I wouldn't like it for some reason.

Well, what have a been missing. Certainly I think I have been missing a lot and can never get enough of indulging in a taste of the Orient or other food from various countries. I have now even got my favourite restaurants for each variety of food that I now enjoy and make regular visits to them.

My favourite Thai restaurant has got to be the Blue Chilli, which is a relatively newish establishment in the heart of Newcastle under Lyme. I have been there around 5 times now over the past 6 months and their food and service never fails to disappoint me.

My first visit, I was quite intrigued at what to expect. I went with quite a few colleagues from work and we had had the menu faxed over to us. Looking at the menu, I honestly didn't think I would like anything, however after the experience I find that by just reading the names and descriptions of the various foods, doesn't actually account for much until you actually try it yourself.

The Blue Chilli itself is a rather large restaurant, with big glas windows overlooking the town. I think originally it may have been some other form of business. The building itself has character, it could have been a house before, not sure but the features inside it lead you to believe that and thats how I associate it. When you walk into the Blue Chilli, you have what can only be described as a hallway, with a spiral staircase to your right, leading upstairs to the toilets or what would have been the bedrooms, as the size of the toilets is absolutely huge and one of the most impressive bathrooms I have ever been fit, fitted out with the latest, modern sinks and toilets, laminate floor throughout and is a room in its own. It also has sofa's in there, I wouldn't imagine many people actually sitting on them, but it adds to what is a superb bathroom. Downstairs directly as you open walk into the Blue Chilli you have a smaller room, which is available for dinners, looks like a living room converted now. The bar is also in there however you never need to make a trip to the bar as the staff are that efficient. The main dining area is not too big, probably caters for in the region of 80 covers per sitting, with various table sizes, rectangle around the edge of the room and circular and square in the middle. The decor is very oriental and has a huge crystal modern chandelier in the middle of the room. The seats are very modern yet comfortable and its a pleasure to dine there.

All served for you, the staff are very friendly, no complaints at all and to be honest they have came to know us as regulars and wil spend time telling us about their recent visits to their home country of Thailand. Always smiling unlike us British that look miserable as sin when working in a restaurant.

On my last occasion, we decided to have a nice bottle of Chateauneuf Du Pape. Before pouring it into your glasses or just leaving the bottle on the table they will make a point of asking would you like to taste the wine first, which I think adds a nice touch to your dining experience and makes you feel special as guests in there establishment, another thing that us British should take a leaf out of their book.

Every occasion that we have been the Blue Chilli, there has been at least five of us dining and to be honest we always have the same thing everytime we go. We always opt for King Prawn Wonton Soup as a appetiser, Blue Chilli Platter as a starter, followed by Thai Green Curry, Chicken and Cashew Nuts, Beef Massaman and the Blue Chilli Duck, with rice, chips and noodles to go around.

Wonton Soup - I had never had King Prawns until I had this and to be honest I was a bit reluctant to try them at first as they still had their claw on at the end, never been much of a seafood person, but thought I might as well give them ago. Within this dish, it normally has around 4 King Prawns, diced mushrooms and a quarter of a tomato dropped in, al within a extremely spicy tasting juice.

Blue Chilli Platter - Each platter has various Thai delicacies on it including Sesame Toast, which to me is different as it hasn't got prawns in it and they use chicken instead. Quite generous of size, very thick and very tasty too. Chicken Parcels, which is a piece of chicken in a crispy filo pastry and obviously deep fried. One of my favourites from the platter. Chicken Wings, a mini spring roll and chicken on a skewer are also present on this platter with a very nice decoration of sald that look as if that may have taken longer to prepare.

I don't always go for the Chicken and Cashew Nuts, I haven't tried that one yet, however the other three I can't get enough of. The Beef Massaman is fantastic, which plenty of shredded beef within in and nice sized potatoes cooked to perfection in a sauce which must have cocunut in it because of its sweet flavour. The Thai Green Curry has pieces of chicken and various green vegetable including green beans and broccoli. Its too hot, it has an acquired taste, somewhat different to how I would have expected a curry to taste but is very nice in its own way and I would definitely have this as a dish on its own. The Duck is sliced up for you, with duck I always find that it is quite a fatty meat and greasy, somewhat like Lamb but it tastes sensational. With this there is never enough to go around as people dive in and have too much, leaving just a little bit for everyone else.

I have never tried dessert at the Blue CHilli or Coffee. The service here is exceptional and I will always return. I like to try and introduce new people to the BLue CHilli because the food is just divine.

Its not cheap though, for five of us, including drinks the bill came to just shy of £180, but we had indulged in the best red on the wine list. Well worth it for a special occasion or to take clients. 

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