Mantra Thai...Posh dining for kids?

If you know me, you know I love to EAT and whilst I really like to cook I have to say I definitely prefer to eat out. I just adore the atmosphere, trying new food I wouldn't maybe temp my self and not to mention no dishes to wash. I'm delighted this is wearing off on my boys, they too love to get "smart" as they say and go out for a meal. As much as this is true I still have a panic on if we are ever going anywhere a bit more up market...or that doesn't have a little soft play in the corner!

So when the boys were invited to try the kids menu at Mantra Thai, the newest and very swanky Thai restaurant just up from Newcastle Quayside I was a bit worried. On the day though the boys were so super excited it was infectious, after seeing the website they wanted to take notepads, little food blogger's in the making and choose their outfits....after talking them out of ninja costumes I also couldn't wait to go now. 

Its half term for us at the mo so we decided on an early supper of 5pm. As we had never been before though and we are coastal Geordie's essentially, so not up to to speed on "Toon" parking options, therefor we were delighted to see they had free customer parking. This is always welcome for people with kids especially on a drizzly February night like this one. There was amble parking along the same street and the Arena multi story is about a 5 minute walk away too though.  

All Ready for dinner.

We were welcomed by the lovely owner Jeab and taken to our table upstairs, there is some seating downstairs but I liked this as we had a window and partial view of the Tyne. My initial fears of the restaurant being too civilised shall I say, for children was quickly put to rest, when there were a few family's already seated enjoying a meal. The decor is lovely, crisp and clean but not too much that we felt out of place with children although it would make a great date night venue too. Every member of staff was so friendly, chatting to Archie about Thailand as a country and its culture which my little scholar loved learning.

The boys do eat pretty much everything and were delighted to see Thai Prawn Rice on the children's menu, they decided together to share this with a Sweet and Sour Chicken and Jasmine rice. There were some plainer options though like chicken and chips for fussier moments which lets face it all kids have just because. For grown ups our reservation was in time for the very reasonably priced Early Dinner Menu at £15.95 with a choice of starter a main, a side and a glass of wine. However we decided to sample one of the Set menus to get a taste of more dishes, we went for A which is £25pp. For this you get a starter platter of Satay Chicken, Spare Ribs, Spring Rolls and Prawn Toast we barley got a look in though with the boys tucking straight in and having to share it all by 4. Everything was yummy though and the kids especially loved the "Thailand Peanut Butter"...Satay to you and I. 

Next up was the main event. The boys portions for a kids menu were huge and great value at £4.95 Our selection of mains of Thai Green Curry, Beef in Black Bean and Duck in Tamerind Sauce were also amazing especially the Beef which came out sizzling...the boys faces were magical and now they want to have "Fire" beef at home. We again had no choice on sharing everything which I was secretly chuffed with though because King Prawn is actually my favourite and the boys rice was delicious...everything was in fact. We were so full from the Smogasbord we had to decline desert but looking at one of the Cheesecakes coming out as we left I think I should have squashed one in!

Think the kids liked it.....

Full marks from us, would definitely return with the children. I also had a little idea it will be great for girls night dinner later in the year before we go and see Little Mix as its so close to the Arena. 

For all info and menu options see

Mantra Thai