The Muddler's new menu gets in on the act...

A FAVOURITE Tyneside restaurant is going through a new stage, with the launch of a pre-theatre menu.

Pan Asian restaurant, The Muddler is based at Grey Street, Newcastle – directly opposite the city’s Theatre Royal.

And its perfect location for theatre-going audiences has led to the creation of a new menu which will be available from next week (Monday 29 May).

The pre-theatre offer is available Monday to Friday from noon until 6.30pm, where diners will be able to pick three small plates for £18.95 or make their own selection from a variety of dishes.

These include Chicken Katsu, Crispy Chilli Squid, Bulgogi Pork Belly – pork marinated in garlic, red chilli, mirin and sesame oil as well as a selection of steamed or fried gyoza (dumplings) available with a variety of fillings.

Vegans and vegetarians are also well served by the new menu which included Mapo Tofu – tofu braised in a spicy and savoury sauce with chilli, spring onions, green beans, ginger and Chinese cabbage, Vegetable Tempura and Yakitori Vegetables.

A number of side dishes are additionally available, with rice, fried noodles, kimchi and Asian slaw among the choices.

Mark Hopkinson, General Manager at The Muddler said the menu included many of the restaurant’s best loved dishes, brought together for those who needed to eat before going to a show.

“Our position near to the Theatre Royal makes us the ideal choice for anyone going there, but also to other venues across Newcastle,” said Mark.

“And because we are running this menu from noon, it means anyone who is attending a matinee during the week can also benefit.

“Asian food is traditionally light so it also means that diners will feel full – but not so much so that they find themselves drifting off in the middle of a performance.”

The Muddler is renowned for its stylish décor and is also open until 11pm Monday to Thursday and to midnight on Friday and Saturday, for anyone wanting to dine post-theatre from the full menu.

For further information visit www.themuddlernewcastle.co.uk