London, UK – Reported by Elite Traveler, the private jet lifestyle magazine
Mango Tree has been serving fine Thai cuisine in Belgravia for ten years, and still locals and visitors come flocking. As well as this expansive venue near Victoria Station, Mango Tree has a new branch in Harrods Food Halls and well-established branches in Doha and Bangkok. The Thai capital emblazoned on menus certainly lends the brand credibility, and happily the food follows suit.
A good place to start is the comfortable bar adjacent to the main dining room. Pick up a cocktail list and arm yourself with something kaleidoscopic—the Thai martini is especially good, with its punchy mix of Wyborowa vodka, Gabriel Boudier lychee liqueur, fresh lemon grass, thai red chili, lychee fruit and sugar syrup. Taking your seat in the lively dining room, you’ll notice very few empty seats, and a relaxed atmosphere more akin to eating in Thailand than traditional Western fine dining.
The menu was devised by Executive Head Chef Ian Pengelley, who was inspired by his time living and working in Thailand, Vietnam, China and Malaysia. The goong mung korn (lobster tempura) is an excellent starter, served with a piquant tomato sauce. For the mains, we recommend the ped makham (sliced roasted duck breast with a sweet and sour tamarind sauce) or the highly prized gaeng kiew wan nuer wagyu (marinated sirloin of wagyu beef with grilled eggplant and green curry sauce). Other highlights include the roasted corn-fed poussin with garlic, lemongrass and coconut milk, and the crispy fried pork belly with Thai vegetables.
Choosing a dessert is made easier by the selection of four sweets served on one platter. This way you get to try the bestsellers—honey mango sticky rice, caramelised banana and coconut pudding, chocolate brownie and vanilla pandan ice cream. Standout wines on the list include the Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatieres and the Albert Morot Beaune 1er Cru Bressandes (both 2007), as well as some Pétrus vintages. All this combined with friendly, attentive service makes Mango Tree an easy place to get comfy.
See more top London restaurants in the Elite Guide to London