Mandarin

One of Newcastle's most popular Chinese restaurants, Mandarin operates on the banquet basis, starting at £10.80 for the happy hour banquet, and working up to the climax of the imperial at £32 each for a party of six or more.

Enter the restaurant and you are immediately conscious of the mini Chinatown atmosphere with red and gold as prominent colours, pleasantly shaded areas for those seeking an air of intimacy, and smartly dressed staff. Table settings are tastefully presented, and the restaurant is very handy for pre- or post-theatre suppers.

The Chef's banquet, at £25, starts with won ton soup prawn crackers, going on to two appetisers, prawn toast with ribs, and satay chicken skewers, and aromatic duck with pancakes and salad and chef's hoi sin sauce. For main course there are seven choices, including sizzling beef and black bean sauce, sweet and sour pork, or fish with ginger and spring onion. Seasonal fresh fruit provide a refreshing finish.

To those for whom nothing but the best will do there is only one answer, the Imperial banquet, starting with seafood soup and prawn crackers, followed by lobster with ginger and spring onion with seafood platter. Amongst the main courses look for the fillet steak Cantonese, kung bo prawn and cashew nuts, and Mandarin fried rice, before finishing with fresh fruit and liqueur coffee.

The subject of Chinese cuisine linked to wine has frequently been the cause of often heated debate, but here at Mandarin the approach is fairly uncompromising, indeed positive, in that it is assumed you accept food as much steeped in history as that served here, is well able to have a satisfactory liaison with decent wine. Sparklers start with Asti DOCG San Silvestro, going on to Moutard Grande Cuvée.

In the view of many, white wine is an especially good match with Chinese dishes, so think of a Pinot Grigio IGT Cielo e Terra, or a Tuatara Bay Sauvignon Blanc, both of which carry a dryness that seems to bring out the best in the often delicate flavours. Two house wines are listed, II Saporito Chardonnay Garganega and II Saporito Merlot Raboso.

Although Chinese menus tend to change less than European, it is always worth a click on their Website to see the latest listings, or if you are looking for an excellent location for a group or conference venue. Their private room seats up to forty people and is available for a variety of uses.