Praise Be To Noosh – Food Review

By Jon Corbett on May 27, 2011 in Food

[Rating: 4.75/5]
There aren’t enough superlatives one could use to describe a beaming hidden gem of a restaurant located in the heart of Newcastle’s city centre.

Noosh, based on Amen Corner, is housed on the former spot where the doomed Rockafella restaurant closed its doors three years ago after a painful credit crunch forced the stylish eatery out of business.

Hell’s Kitchen winner Terry Miller could do little to save his vision for food in the North East, but Noosh’s modern international approach to amazing food at a price that won’t cause a stir in your moth ridden wallet will surely save diners from the embarrassment of house bound lonely nights eating frozen fish fingers.

The décor is modern, stylish with a dash of Italian American, and the staff – led by restaurant manager Daniel Daryaie – help create a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere to compliment two scintillating menus and a universal wine list.

Although it has only been open a wee while, Noosh’s relentless quest for perfection has resulted in a staff shake up of late. Newly-appointed head chef Jason Carty has brought with him a wealth of experience and a strong game plan.

Having worked at the famous George V restaurant in Paris, the award winning chef, said: “I’ve only been here four weeks and I’m the longest serving member in the kitchen! I’ve got a life long friend with me now in Flynn McGill, my Sous chef, my second in command. He’s a head chef in his own right and we’ve got a brilliant set up here now.

“With my tutorial we can push things very far here. We deliver good honest food at a good and honest price. We have an extremely eclectic menu. It’s been refreshing for me to have the complete freedom to put it together.”

Buoyed by the words of the Noosh master and pallet firmly moistened, team Kyeo thought it only right and fair to sample the delights.

From the lunch menu/early evening menu (available from 12pm to 7pm) you can have 2 courses for only £12.95.

If you opt for this side of the food fence, we’d recommend getting stuck into a light poached pear and Roquefort salad (normally £4.95). If you back this up with a delightful side of home made baked bread, marinated olives, stuffed bell peppers and hummus for £3.95, you’ll be well on your way to the pearly gates of heaven.

For the main course, a Confit duck leg with wasabi mashed potatoes with a Soy, ginger and sesame seed dressing (£12.50) would be a sound choice. This popular dish exemplifies Noosh’s east meets west ethos and won’t disappoint the adventurous diner.

You can, of course, go wild and opt for the evening menu. For only £7.95 you can be treated to a mouth watering spread of Wan Ton wrapped king prawns with Soy, honey and ginger.

Excited and primed for more, you then, MUST, order the braised shin of beef with a hot and sour salad (£14.95). The portion is outrageously big and the taste is without doubt the finest thing I have ever had the privilege of eating.

This exquisite half way house between modern British food and Thai will blow your very socks off.

Once you’ve calmed down and picked your chin up from the floor, please do try Noosh’s array of home made ice creams. They come in some weird and wonderful tastes that will satisfy and inspire.

Are you ready? You should be. If you’re a hard nut to crack let’s close with the words of Mr Daryaie:

“There are restaurants in the region that have menus that are a similar size to ours but not as adventurous.

“We want to provide a product that people can see value in. We’ve got a new set up in the kitchen and we’ve hit a point where we can deliver amazing quality for a good price.

“The kitchen is on full show but it’s very quiet and controlled in there. People actually request to sit by them so they can savour the cooking process. We’d love new diners to come and see us. We won’t let them down.”

FOOD REVIEW: No. 28

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