Eastern promise at Charters pan-Asian restaurant 

[prev] …palm sugar and coriander seeds then shallow fried and served with a cool cucumber and sharp chilli dip – an irresistible marriage of crunch and warmth. ‘The perfect starter or snack dish.’

But East isn’t a slave to authenticity. ‘The dishes are authentic when they need to be. Some dishes are original but others have been designed by us.’ Restaurant manager Bee has been with the restaurant from the start and has designed many of the dishes on the menu. ‘She’s my right-hand woman,’ adds Patcharee. Mandarin Rolled Toast – toast rolled around duck and spring onions and served in a Mandarin sauce – is just one example of Bee’s creations.

At the heart of East’s menu is its range of pan-Asian curries. Unlike many Indian equivalents, staples such as the Massaman and Thai green curries start with a base of coconut milk. A plethora of fresh ingredients then combine to give a luxurious, moreish quality to the curries that’s second-to-none. Patcharee is particularly partial to the Penang curry – a rich and creamy curry flavoured with Thai spices and kaffir lime leaves. ‘It’s great for those who love spicy food,’ she says.

Not all dishes are spicy – there are plenty of mild choices plus an extensive range of vegetarian options, such as tamarind tofu or black pepper Quorn. Set menus cater for all wallets, with prices starting at £18.95 per person for a three-course vegetarian set menu and running to £35.95 for the marathon tasting menu, complete with East’s legendary aromatic duck. Like most restaurants, East also runs a discount day when hungry punters can pick up a starter and main course for just £10.

‘We cater for people who are discerning, for people who really love good food and who like to be pampered while they’re enjoying it’

‘We started our £10 Tuesday nights a few years ago and it’s proved hugely popular,’ says Patcharee. A typical meal might start with Mu Ping – pork marinated in palm sugar, garlic and soy sauce – and follow on with a beef Massaman curry or perhaps spicy crispy chicken, topped with home-made tamarind sauce with pineapple, peppers and onions, served with coconut rice. The normal menu runs alongside the £10 Tuesday offering.

If this isn’t getting your mouth watering and your stomach grumbling, then you really have to head down to the river and climb aboard to try this all for yourself. The food may be from exotic climbs, much of it is locally sourced, with meat from Stilton Butchers and all those magical Oriental herbs, spices and vegetables supplied by a local Asian ingredient specialist. East is much more than just another Asian restaurant. ‘We cater for people who are discerning, for people who really love good food and who like to be pampered while they’re enjoying it,’ explains Patcharee. The restaurant manages this effortlessly, creating a magical atmosphere in which to sample the culinary delights of the Orient. And while the barge won’t be sailing off into the distance anytime soon, your taste buds certainly will!

Upper Deck, Charters, Town Bridge, PE1 1FP. 01733 315702, www.east-restaurant.co.uk