This is one of the places that has been on my list for a while but I have failed to visit. I've heard a lot about their cocktails, as well as how cool the place is. Of course, I'd also heard a lot of brilliant reviews about Bar Soba's food and - let's face it - it was this that made me want to go there.
As soon as I got the good news that I'd won, I booked a table for me and the husband and kept looking at the menu to see what I fancied, which was everything as all of their South-East Asia-inspired street food dishes sounded so good my mouth watered. Because the competition was for Restaurant Week, the prize included a two-course meal from Bar Soba's special menu for the week, which was on offer for £10 per person, as well as a £20 cocktail tab, which could be used with their two for £10 cocktail offer.
The bar is decorated with neon lights, comfy seats, lots of colour, graffiti-style art and awesome hanging light bulbs. We had a bar table as upstairs is where the Boozy Brunch happens so wasn't open at that time. Our table looked out on the Grand Arcade, offering a bit of a different view from the super cool bar we were sat in.
As well as looking great, the service was phenomenal. The menu was explained to us - including what wasn't available and the special that was available instead - and we were taken through the cocktail menu, with suggestions being offered based on what we liked. Both the husband and I opted for a starter and a main, although we knew full well we'd split a dessert as they looked so good.
I've never had tempura vegetables before as I always thought it seemed like a boring option, however, I hold my hands up to admit I was wrong. I'm actually obsessed with tempura broccoli now as it was so delicious. The tempura was light and crispy while the vegetables just melted in my mouth. They came with mint yoghurt and sweet chilli sauce that had just the right amount of heat but didn't overpower the delicate veggies.
The husband's starter was a really generous portion, especially when compared to other satay skewers he's had that look fairly sad and dry. He had two skewers that each had almost a whole chicken breast on each, which were topped with spice and crushed peanuts and served with a thick and flavourful satay sauce. While I didn't try the meat, I did try the sauce and it was incredible. He ate it all so fast it barely touched the side, but he still gave the review that he "could quite happily eat that again right now."
Quite often king prawns end up a bit dry and chewy but those in my curry were fat and wonderfully juicy. The sauce had a kick but the spice didn't mean flavour was sacrificed. I could honestly have drunk the curry sauce like it was a cup of coffee as it was just too good. Even the jasmine rice was packed with flavour. My only regret was that the portion was so generous, I couldn't manage it all.
My husband's meal also looked incredible and came with plenty to eat. When it comes to noodle dishes, he's quite difficult to please, but he said there was just the right amount of sauce to stop it being dry and that the flavour was amazing. Unfortunately, as his meal had meat in it, I didn't get to try anything, but I take his word for it as that bowl was cleared in record time.
We also tried the deep-fried Japanese doughnut with peanut ice cream, although by this point I was fit to burst. The doughnut was light and sweet while the ice cream had a slightly savoury aftertaste that worked really well. I kind of want to go back just to have dessert so I can really appreciate it. As it was, the husband ate most of it was very happy.
My husband was obsessed with the Kiwi Chi and tried to save the last bit of his to enjoy as his final drink. Unfortunately, when the table got cleared, his half-empty glass got taken too, which was the only mini gripe either of us had about our experience at Bar Soba.
I already want to go back and try more of both the food and cocktail menu, especially as they do have some great offers on quite regularly - including the £7 lunch menu. If you haven't tried the place out yet, I highly recommend it, but also suggest that you make a visit when it's a bit quieter as it is fair to assume that the drinks and food are so good, the bar gets packed.