The ViewLondon Review
A splendid jewel has come to Belgravia in the form of the Mango Tree restaurant. The food is so amazing that it provides good competition to the wonderful Blue Elephant Thai restaurant in Fulham, and it is a restaurant not to be missed by all discerning Londoners.The VenueIn a prominent position in Belgravia, near Hyde Park Corner, Victoria Station and the gardens of Buckingham Palace, Mango Tree is a wonderful destination for people wanting to go out to eat after work or for a business dinner. The feng shui decor is swish and elegant with white painted walls, bamboo blinds and tables adjacent to comfy leather seats. The tables are decorated with bunches of fresh orchids.
The AtmosphereUplifting is the word to describe the atmosphere at Mango Tree. The staff are attentive and very polite, the service is perfect and precise but never rushed. The ambiance is very lively, with the restaurant proving popular with West Londoners, and it’s fills up quickly – even on weekdays.
The FoodThe food here is excellent. Starters include mixed platter of food like kong wang luam, hot beef and chicken satay, fish cakes, shrimp cakes and vegetable spring rolls. The main courses include things like Gang ped ped yang, which is red curry with barbecue duck in a red sauce served in a pineapple; or Pla plow, which is seabass fillet wrapped in banana leaves. Excellent accompaniments to these dishes include food like the pad thai noodles and the steamed jasmine rice.
Every dish is beautifully presented like a picture on the plate. For dessert, choices include dishes like banana and coconut cake served with a scoop of banana ice cream. All the desserts look incredible.
Mango Tree is not just the place for lunch and dinner but the restaurant has come up with the novel idea of serving Thai high tea on week days. The Thai tea is the creation of executive head chef Mark Read and is a medley of sweet and savoury and different textures and is served on a banana leaf on a raised bamboo platter. Hot tea is served in beautiful glass teapots, which fit neatly inside glass cups. The choice of tea includes black current, citrus mint, raspberry nectar, Darjeeling and jasmine.
The platter is beautifully arranged and everything is served in threes. The savoury delights include three delicate aubergine filled cups which have a perfumed taste thanks to the use of the herb coriander. The crisp texture of the cups contrasts with the soft vegetable filling. There are also three pieces of pickled mackerel on toast which provides a similar contrast of textures and is reminiscent of sushi. The other savoury snacks include spring rolls and paper thin pastries with a centre of chicken with a hint of chilli.
Halfway through the tea, warm and hospitable staff bring you a scoop of green pandan leaf sorbet and a scoop of coconut sorbet with fruits to cleanse the palate. The sweet part of the tea includes banana cake which tastes of very ripe bananas with a slightly salty coconut and caramel dip. There are also mini passionfruit cakes which melt in your mouth and mini madeleines.
The DrinkMango Tree offers a delicious range of champagnes, including one made from six different grapes called Moutard 6 Cepage 2001. Their wines have been selected because they are a perfect marriage with Thai food.
The Last WordEverything about this restaurant is impeccable – the flawless service, the immaculate decor and the classic Thai cuisine is beyond compare.