New contributor Vicky heads down to the elegant Mango Tree in Belgavia to try their new (and we think quite authentic) regional menu: the ‘Traditional Taste Of Thailand’.
‘Tasting Britain tasting Thailand’, anyone…? No? OK…
Rating
Appeals To
People who usually ‘go for fine dining’, but want to try it in a slightly different (and more…Thai) form than they might have before?
People who read Rowling’s The Silkworm and who like to namedrop (don’t worry, it’s worth the trip)
People who think that Thai food is one dimensional, or that they’re sick of it. Be adventurous, we dare you to try this…
Cuisine
Thai
In a word
Low-Key
This is the restaurant that JK Rowling wrote about…
Jack: The Mango Tree is a Thai fine dining restaurant (yes, this is a category) founded in 2001 by restaurateur Eddie Lim. Mango Tree also has a ‘sister’ restaurant chain – Pan Chai – described as ‘the first pan-Asian restaurant franchise in the UK’.
Mango Chef’s exec chef Ian Pengelley looked after the launch of the legendary Gilgamesh in Camden Stables and has been on TV a bit himself! (Masterchef I believe)x
There also used to be a Mango Tree in Doha, Qatar, though it closed at the end of March 2013, an alcohol ban being a big part of that I think. As of 2012, they also have a concession in the legendary Harrods food hall.
I’m not sure if it’s obvious if you look at the picture’s of the restaurant interior, but it was actually designed with Feng Shui in mind. I am told the original Mango Tree can be found back in Bangkok – presumably still going!
Anyway, onto the menu review…
Vicky: As I walk into the Mango Tree In Victoria’s lovely Grosvenor place I see that the restaurant is spacious and lavishly decorated. And almost entirely empty but for one gentleman and myself.
This evening they are playing loud dance music… it doesn’t feel right for the establishment. This makes it hard to hear my waiter, who is very attentive but also very softly spoken.
The Food And Drink
Today, I am here to try Mango Tree’s new Traditional Taste Of Thailand menu.
I take a look at the wine list (which is quite extensive) – Jack and I decide on a bottle of Malbec. It a good choice, silky, full bodied & heavy in dried fruits. Delicious.
As is Mango Tree’s tradition, we start with prawn crackers (some kind of Thai aperitif?). These are perfectly cooked, not greasy and they actually taste like prawns! Since so many restaurants serve crackers that appear to have come out of a packet (or are fried in so much grease they are inedible) this makes a wonderful change. Delicious!
We are offered 1 of each of the starters off of the new menu…
The Starters
We opt for the following…
Sticky rice and pork mini cocktail sausages (Sai Krok-Esian), which are a little dry but very sweet and flavoursome.
The battered, deep fried chicken thigh (Gai Tod Jai) is my favourite, the batter is delicately fried and not oily, full of flavour and juicy to boot!
The quail’s egg parcels (Kiew Kai Tod) are a little over cooked but very tasty. I feel that they could do with some hot chilli rather the sweet sauce, as it does little for the dish.
The minced prawns with tomato dip (Nanbrik Ong) is my least favourite – it has nice taste but is just a bit boring.
Around 8:30pm, the restaurant starts to get very busy and thankfully, loud dance music makes way for smooth jazz tunes. Much better!
The Mains
We move onto the main event. The main course…
I opt for the Sea Bass Moke and Jack goes for the Khao Soi (a creamy coconut chicken noodle dish).
Sea Bass Moke
Khao Soi
My sea bass is cooked to perfection. All flaky, delicate white fish, well seasoned and perfectly accompanied with a hot sweet chilli oil. Very satisfying. [Ed: Vicky actually leaves leftovers for this one. So I eat them #noshame…]
After finishing the wine and feeling a little warm and fuzzy we move straight onto the dessert menu.
The Desserts
I seek out the coconut creme brûlée pudding, whilst Jack goes for the chocolate brownie. We both order a Moroccan mint tea to help to digest our food – which seems to work.
Coconut Creme Brûlée Pudding
Chocolate Brownie
The brownie is very dry and I am glad I stick to my decision on the brûlée. The brûlée is quite over cooked and also dry – but a lot better, in my opinion, than the brownie. Actually, once I get over the texture, the flavour of the coconut mixed with the egg is heavenly. It turns out to be a perfect end to the evening’s meal.
The Verdict
So yes, my overall rating is a 7. With more attention to detail with how the puddings were cooked, this score would have been a 9. There is much needed room for improvement on the dessert side.
This menu, however, only covers starters and mains (not the desserts), so if we’re rating the menu alone (which was kinda the reason we went(!) I’d give it a 9)
Overall ‘The Mango Tree’ has nice, attentive, staff, a clean restaurant, speedy service and tasty food. I work very near by and will definitely be coming back again.
