The essence of Thailand has arrived at Liverpool ONE with the opening of Chaophraya Thai Restaurant. Overlooking Chavasse Park, this stunning restaurant with 200 covers offers the finest Thai cuisine in a luxuriously modern setting, and has its own Palm Sugar VIP bar next door.
Chaophraya (pronounced Chow-Pie-A) takes its name from the main waterway that runs through the central region of Thailand. The Liverpool ONE review panel recently put the restaurant’s claim to unrivalled levels of service and gourmet quality menus to the test during a recent visit, and we weren’t disappointed.
On arrival, we were warmly welcomed by a hostess and escorted upstairs to the first floor restaurant where a giant aquarium is situated in the centre of the room, and amazingly extends into the luxurious and immaculate washrooms.
Seated at one of the dark wood tables with plush velvet chairs we looked out onto a decked terrace that’s perfect for al fresco dining. Our cheerful waitress dressed in a Thai silk dress took our starter order, the Chaophraya Special Mixed Appetizer for two (£6 per person). This was a selection of starters, comprising chicken satay and grilled pork on bamboo skewers. Plus spring rolls, prawn toast and tempura prawns that were crisply cooked without a trace of grease.
Our main courses were generous portions of Gai Nutty (chicken marinated with Thai herbs and peanut sauce, £11.50) and Pad Numman Hoy (stir fried prawns with mushroom, onions, carrot and peppers in oyster sauce, £8) accompanied by Khao Niew (Thai sticky rice, £2.60). The prawns were plump and juicy and the stir fried vegetables were full of flavour. The deliciously tender chicken breasts were served on bamboo sticks, coated and grilled in a rich peanut sauce.
Our first experience of the restaurant, and certainly not the last, was completed with a Thai pancake (a green, sweet-tasting pancake served with cream and ice cream, £5).
The lavish décor including Buddha’s and chandeliers make Chaophraya an ideal location for business lunches, intimate dinners for couples, as well as celebrations for large parties. Lunchtime and a la carte menus are available and prices reflect the combination of good quality food and service.
To make a reservation at Chaophraya call 0151 707 6323 or visit www.chaophraya.co.uk