East at Charters, River Nene: Venturing upstairs for oriental delight
Charters pub at night on the River Nene by Peterborough's Embankment. (METP-04-11-10GM226) Picture: Georgi Mabee
Restaurant review: ET reporter a samples the oriental fare on offer at Peterborough’s popular Charter’s Bar:
AS Charters pub is happily situated halfway between ET Towers and home for the majority of the reporters it has become something of a haven.
After a hard day working on graphic murders, hard-hitting council exposes and adverts for car boot sales we like nothing more to break up that time between the office chair and the sofa with a quick beer, or two.
And during the World Cup and beer festivals it was usually a case of drinks and ordering a quick dinner. For me it was regularly Thai green curry, from the upstairs restaurant East, which kindly caters for the less formal downstairs by bringing you a meal to your beer.
So it has been a while since I sampled the proper oriental welcome upstairs in the restaurant, where they have cloth napkins, and I am so glad they did.
It had been a long, wet and windy day, but when you sit on the top deck, watching as swans serenely glide by on the River Nene and watch the lights from the restaurant glittering on the water – you genuinely feel calm wash over you.
But enough of that, as my northern friend said “it’s all about the food” and East doesn’t let you down on that score.
They promise the finest dishes from Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and China and it is this variety that makes it an ideal venue for big parties.
We started in Japan and China with seven spiced squid (£4.25) and honeyed spare ribs, marinated in honey and grilled to perfection (£4.95)
The squid was soft, without being too chewy and the flavours of the batter packed a punch without being overpowering.
The ribs were the perfect combination of sweet and sour and were gloriously sticky with the meat falling off the bone.
I would have let myself, and everyone else, down by having my favourite curry so I asked for a seafood recommendation from the waitress.
My sake scallops and king prawns –stir-fried scallops and king prawns with a medley of mushrooms in a light sake sauce (£9.95) – was simply delicious.
Soft, succulent meaty scallops, juicy big prawns and the cheeky boozy sauce with the earthiness of the mushrooms was fantastic and definitely something I would order again, and again.
Katie couldn’t be persuaded away from her crispy chili beef – tender shredded beef marinated in Chinese rice wine and herbs (£ 7.25) – which was hot and flavoursome with a lovely thick sauce.
We both had sweet, sticky coconut rice (£2.50) and we washed it down with a bottle of Pinot Grigio (£15.95), before then having another couple of glasses of wine – it had been a long day.
The staff are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable and the dining area was very busy and by ear wigging on some nearby conversations (we are journalists, we are supposed to be nosey) it appears it was repeat custom.
Dinner was wonderful, and came in at just over £60 including tip, and I doubt it is going to take much to prise me from the downstairs bar and into the restaurant again.
4 out of 5
Information: Charters Bar and East, Town Bridge, Peterborough, telephone 01733 315702, visit www.east-restaurant.co.uk
Opening times: Lunch: Monday to Saturday, noon to 2.30pm; Sunday, noon to 3.30pm
Dinner: Friday and Saturday, 5.30pm to 11pm; Sunday to Thursday, 5.30pm to 10.30pm
Menu examples:
Buffet menus for larger parties will be arranged upon request.
Special buffet served every Sunday from noon to 3.30pm
Starters
Basket of prawn crackers, served with a sweet chilli dip. Thailand. £1.95
Fried baby squid with Japanese seven spices and green chilli salt. Japan. £4.25
Succulent slices of beef marinated in coriander seed and palm sugar. Thailand. £4.95
Crispy vegetables deep-fried in light batter.Japan. £4.25
Mains
Duck served with cucumber, spring onion. China. Quarter £8.95, half £16.75
Chicken fried with roasted chilli and water chestnuts. £5.95
A platter of fresh ginger, lemon grass, chilli, shallots, shrimp. Thailand. £4.95
Larp. Beef or chicken, finely chopped meat of your choice tossed with lime juice and chilli, £5.95
Soups
Tom Yum – Lemongrass and fresh chilli soup with prawns. £3.95
Tom Kha – Coconut milk-based soup favoured with galangal, lemon juice. £3.95
Curries
Singapore chicken curry with turmeric spices, the favourite signature. £6.95
Thai green curry made with coconut milk, green chillies. £7.25
Massaman lamb with onions, potatoes. £8.95
Panaeng curry, favoured with Thai spices and kaffr lime. £7.25
Seafood
Chef’s special sea bass fillet, lightly seasoned, £8.95
Sizzling medley of seafood (king prawns, mussels and squid) quick-fried. £9.65
Zesty sea bass fillet steamed with chilli. £8.95
Details correct at 18/11/10
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Friday 25 May 2012
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