Chaophraya – come graduate in style

Chaophraya’s views over the city makes the restaurant a glamorous place for drinks or dinner. Especially now in the light summer nights. This week, I went to try out their graduation dinner and found myself reminiscing about my own university days over a glass of prosecco and a plate of Weeping Tiger.

The tower of tempura: asparagus tempura was a bit of a relevation.

The tower of tempura: asparagus tempura was a bit of a revelation. (In the background, Christopher’s earning his dinner by photographing it. Welcome to food blogging.)

The graduation menu offer comprises three courses and a glass of prosecco for £35.00. We decided to also share a bottle of Gewurstraminer – its scents of honey and rounded flavour works well with aromatic foods. I choose from the standard graduation menu, Christopher from the vegetarian version. Both offer a selection of classic Thai dishes.

Tower of tempura

I started with the soft shell crab and prawn tempura. Soft shell crab is sweet, soft and delicious and lends itself well to the tempura treatment. As well as crab and prawns, I got onion rings and asparagus. A most impressive tower of goodies to dip in a hot and tangy sauce.

Christopher was tempted by the Thai tacos as well as the spring rolls but decided to go for the sweetcorn cakes. Crunchy with nice sweetness, this dish is also available on the carnivore menu.

Sweetcorn cakes, tofu pad thai, Weeping Tiger (plated), White Chocolate Box.

Sweetcorn cakes, tofu pad thai, Weeping Tiger (plated), White Chocolate Box.

Weeping tiger

In my imagination, Weeping Tiger* gets its name from the heat of the sauces it comes with but don’t quote me on that. Maybe the big cat is crying with envy. Sliced sirloin on a sizzling plate served with rice and sauces on the side, one thick, hot and sweet, one clear, hot and sour. I’ve had it before but couldn’t resist having it again. It’s good: meaty, sour, hot. Moreish and intriguing from the first mouthful to the last.

Christopher had the tofu pad Thai. A huge plate of rice noodles with vegetables and tofu, decorated with lime and chopped peanuts. I adore pad Thai and enjoy trying it in different restaurants. I passed on the chicken version since there was Weeping Tiger and I didn’t think we should both have noodles when the menu also featured other dishes like a classic Thai green curry.

Weeping Tiger, sizzling and tempting.

Weeping Tiger, sizzling and tempting.

And to finish…

Christopher really enjoyed the sticky toffee pudding. I ate his ice cream as well as my own dessert, the glamorously named White Chocolate Box. A cube of white chocolate mousse with s raspberry centre, served with a macaron and passion fruit sauce and mango salad it was a fun way to end a meal.

We floated happily over the roof-tops of the city in our bright glass box, joined by couples on dates, colleagues catching up after a hard day at work and families celebrating graduations. Everyone seemed to be happy and in a celebratory mood.

Tables of well-dressed graduates and proud parents lifted the mood of a normal Tuesday to something quite special.

When Christopher and I graduated – back before we knew each other – we each went for beers instead of dinner. We’d do it differently now. If you haven’t booked anywhere yet, why not give Chaophraya a call?

Floating over Edinburgh's roof-tops.

On top of the world, floating over Edinburgh’s roof-tops.

* £5 supplement.

Chaopraya

4th Floor, 33 Castle Street
Edinburgh EH2 3DN

Telephone: 0131 226 7614
Online booking: Chaophraya Edinburgh at Bookatable.com

The graduation menu runs until July 30th. Book soon!

Caroline was invited to dine by Chaopraya.

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About Caroline von Schmalensee

Cooking, eating and drinking is fun as well as necessary. I do food for fun and I write for a living. Good food makes the world a more delicious and satisfying place. Good writing, meanwhile, can make the world a less confusing place.

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