Mango Tree
46 Grosvenor Place
London SW1
Tel: 020 7823 1888
Mango Tree is a Thai restaurant
with a great buzzy atmosphere perfect
for large parties. The clientele
is mostly thirty something executive/professionals
who probably have come straight
from the office via a wine bar.
It was also surprisingly busy in
view of its slightly off the beaten
track location in Belgravia. The
only restaurant amongst office
buildings on one side and the garden
wall of Buckingham Palace on the
other; nevertheless it is only
a few minutes walk from Victoria
Station. The vast dining-room which
can seat about 150 diners was almost
filled to capacity; the room is
modern with a minimalist wood and
white walled décor. Tables
are well spaced, with gleaming
cutlery and beautiful modern wine
glasses. There is banquette seating
throughout the centre of the room,
modern lighting and enormous vases
of orchids adding a touch of elegance
to the surroundings. Throughout
the evening I was impressed by
the team of courteous and professional
staff who went out of their way
to ensure we were looked after.
Before being seated I had had a
top notch Mojito at the fancy bar
which helped to sharpen my appetite.
We began with a selection of starters
from the choice of fifteen on offer.
These included some mixed seafood
skewers (fish, squid, scallops
and prawns). These were very juicy
and tender and were served with
a luscious peanut sauce with an
added punchy kick of chilli. Strips
of succulent grilled sirloin steak
were highly flavoured with herbs
and spices and came with a mixed
salad. Fresh prawns steamed in
tom yum sauce (hot and sour) with
plenty of chilli and garlic added
to the array of flavours jostling
for pole position on my palate.
To drink we tried a bottle of the
house white, an Australian Seagrove
Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2007, (£19.00)
which made for a fruity and light
accompaniment throughout the evening.
The menu is split into several
sections which include soups, grills,
curry’s and stir fry’s.
Thai green curry has to one of
my favourites and so I couldn’t
resist ordering it. Not only was
the meat corn fed, it was also
free-range which, if Mr Fearnley-Whittingstall
you are reading this I’m
sure you will be, like me, delighted
to hear. The tender meat was served
in a scented and aromatic sauce
with just the right touch of spice
to clear the sinuses. We also ordered
a stir-fried sirloin of beef fillet
scented with ginger and garlic
and a pad thai, which for those
of you have not yet tried one is
a terrific combination of stir
fried thai rice noodles, tiger
prawns, spicy sauce, herbs, peanuts
and bean sprouts.
For desserts we tried some honey
mango served with coconut milk
and sticky rice which was a little
on the rich side and a selection
of sorbets and ice creams. My favourite
being a sensational vanilla Pandan
leaf ice-cream.
Overall, The Mango Tree makes
for a lively fun night out, probably
best visited in a group as I think
the vibrant and lively atmosphere
may be a little overwhelming for
a table a deux.
Louise Elgin.
March 2009.
A meal for two with wine and water
is around £100.00
