The Mango Tree Restaurant had been recommended to me as one of London’s best Thai eateries, and as a result I have been trying to find time to visit for quite some time. At full capacity on a Wednesday night it certainly looked like a popular destination.
Entering the restaurant we were immediately impressed by the décor, which was modern and stylish, yet still maintaining a traditional Thai feeling. Before being taken to our table we were guided to the bar where we enjoyed a cocktail, selecting from a wide choice of drinks, with the expected Asian influence. After enjoying a Thai Sunrise and a Green Dragon, which were both delicious, our appetites were rising and we were led into the main restaurant.
As we entered, the large size of the room and number of tables was certainly noticeable, with bustling teams of table staff all across the floor. With such large numbers of customers and courses per person I was of course interested to see how they coped and with the volume. Both our own service and what we saw of other tables was impeccable.
As with many leading restaurants a tasting menu is offered, as well as different ‘banquet’ options and a full a la carte menu. We both opted for the tasting menu, familiar with the usual Pad Thai Goong that was included, but keen to try some more unusual dishes from the long list offered, which we would have been lost in choosing from the other menus. The presentation of each course was stunning and the portions were the right size to satisfy without leaving us feeling too full. Starting with a salad, then a soup, then a noodle dish, then a curry before moving on to a desert gave excellent variety too.
Unusually for a Thai meal, we tried, and particularly enjoyed, the Som Tum & Meung Cum green papaya salad which was served with cherry tomato, snake beans, Betel nut leaves, peanut, shrimp, lime, ginger, chilli, and toasted coconut with a spicy lime sauce. Fans of Tom Yum soup we also really enjoyed the second course, Tom Yum Jay & Satay Talay Luam Mid, which as the name suggests came with satay sticks of fish, squid, scallop and prawn.
We would certainly recommend a visit.