As part of Chaophraya’s Christmas Menu launch, I was invited along with a guest to sample their delicious selection of starters and mains (with the odd cocktail thrown in for good measure).
Chaophraya Thai restaurant sits within the extremely futuristic and stylish metal clad Spiceal Street in the heart of The Bullring.
The view is quite stunning and you can look out over St Martin’s Church, it’s in good company as well with Browns and Jamie’s Italian nearby. But we were here for Thai food and a personal favourite.
The interior is modern and chic, clean and stylish but with an extremely relaxed atmosphere. Staff are friendly and welcoming, which is what you would expect from Thai hospitality.
We were seated by the large plate glass window and left to ponder the menu.
Chicken Satay & Honey Pork
To begin with, my friend ordered a simple coke while I opted for a Strawberry Daiquiri cocktail, which I have to say, was equal to any I have tasted in Birmingham, so good I ended up sampling another later on.
The appetisers arrived quickly and with a smile.
My companion chose the Chicken Satay. A classic dish of chicken bamboo skewers, carefully grilled over charcoal, served with homemade peanut sauce. We shared plates and the chicken was soft and delicious with the peanut sauce complimenting the succulent chicken perfectly.
I decided on Honey Pork. This arrived as marinated strips of pork with honey and coriander, deep fried and served with a tangy dip and garnished with sesame seeds.
The pork was lean, sweet and crunchy, you could really taste the honey. It fused together nicely as the coriander came through too. There wasn’t really much need for the tangy dip but this worked exceptionally well, leaving a great taste and I felt in no rush to move on to the main course.
Green Chicken Curry & Sea Bass Fillet
A personal favourite Thai main is Green Curry, and I was pleased to see the Green Chicken Curry available on the Christmas menu, an obvious choice for me.
Green Curry is a renowned curry made from fresh young green chillies and selected Thai herbs. Tender chicken breast simmered in coconut milk with courgettes and green beans garnished with sweet basil. I ordered steamed jasmine rice as accompaniment, which arrived piping hot and perfectly steamed.
You could feel the kick of the chili in the curry but it wasn’t overpowering, and the chicken was tender and melted in the mouth. The courgettes were a real delight and I could almost have eaten these without the need for the chicken. The flavours were spicy, however, not too strong individually and the coconut didn’t swamp the curry which I have sometimes found. Overall, the ingredients blended together harmoniously, I left not one morsel of rice or curry on my plate.. Delicious!
My companion enjoyed the Sea Bass Fillet with sweet and sour dressing made with pineapple and tomatoes which was not on the Christmas menu. I am told this was equally as enjoyable and fish tasted fresh without being over cooked.
Staff were attentive and very courteous without being a nuisance. By the time we left, the place was packed, literally every table taken with bookings, and diners walking in off the street.
Overall this is a busy restaurant, in an ideal location after shopping in the Bullring, with a broad but value for money menu of mixed traditional and non traditional dishes. I would definitely return and suggest booking a table in advance with some larger groups arriving mid way through our meal.
Review by Nick Byng for Grapevine Birmingham.