Chaophraya | Thai | Spiceal Street
Chaophraya (formerly known as Chao Baby) located in Birmingham’s new Spiceal Street, has overhauled its menu to offer the Bullring customer an a la carte menu which makes for a classier, if slightly pricier, dining experience.
[by Sanjeeta Bains]
atmosphere
Chaophraya’s Thai identity is apparent as soon as you walk in. Between the Buddhist-inspired statues and the soft blue and orange mood lights, the play for Oriental glamour is hard to miss. Don’t forget to say hello to the luminous inhabitants of the jellyfish tank.
food
After tasting an array of appetisers, I really savoured the sweet and spicy duck salad - crispy duck, cucumber, shallots, spring onions, celery and pomegranate in a fresh chilli and lime sauce. It was the perfect kick to start off our meal in style.
Amongst a quality cast of dishes, I couldn’t get enough of Chaophraya’s twist on the lamb shank – a spectacular serving of braised lamb with peanuts, potato and deep fried shallots in a Massaman curry sauce served with grilled pumpkin and broccoli, tasted as divine as it looked - the meat was melt in the mouth sublime. There is also a vast vegetarian selection available.
Many fabulous meals can tail off depressingly once the dessert menu arrives but not so at Choaphraya. The clementine and ginger cheesecake was refreshing. Give the green pandan pancakes with green custard a chance; they’re nicer than they look.
drinks
Rioja Blanco, Bodegas Artesa went down very nicely with most of the menu. At the start of the evening I whetted my appetite with the recommended Siam Smile from Chaophraya’s Authentic Thai cocktail menu – vanilla vodka, passion fruit & pineapple juice topped with champagne.
The revamped menu and my resulting dining experience was anything but bland and uninspiring. I can’t wait to visit again.
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