Mango Tree x MNL: the new Thai in town?

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Hello folks!

I'm sure you've all heard about Thai chain Mango Tree by now, and if you haven't, you're in for a treat! Even while I was in Melbourne, I'd been hearing quite the buzz about this new restaurant. And now that I've had the chance to try it (many, many times!), I can understand why. Click on for some refreshing delights!

I get really excited when I see these little tags in menus, the ones that distinguish vegetarian, gluten-free, and all the other kinds of options available. It's a great, and subtle, way for the establishment to show that they do care and cater for everyone.

However, I'll note that not all vegetarian options were actually outlined. The vegetable spring rolls, for example, weren't - but the waiter was quick to confirm that it was indeed vegetarian.

We started with some fresh buko juice. This was my second meal out with my family upon arriving in Manila, so while I hadn't realised it for months, I was greatly missing our tropical treats!

Yum Som O - fresh pomelo salad with fresh prawns and grated coconut. [P380.00]

This was, as promised, fresh as can be. Typical of Thai cuisine, the flavours burst with a sweet, sour and saltiness. Often what we order when we go to Thai restaurants, this was quite exceptional! The balance was great, and very light. We had the prawns served on the side.

Por Pia Pak - deep fried vegetable spring rolls served with sweet chili sauce. [P300]

We loved this! I get a bit wary of ordering spring rolls in restaurants because they can easily fall down that slippery, over-oiled slope (and often do). But these were recommended by our waiter as a vegetarian option, and how can I say no to that colour of golden brown? Inside were glass noodles and a mix of sliced vegetables. Seasoning was just right, size was just right.

YUM.

Yum Pla Duk Fu - deep fried catfish with green mango, peanut and grated coconut salad. [P380]

Again, we had these served separately, so that you could mix and match yourself!

This went down very well with the family. I found the green mango salad a bit too sour and overpowering, but then again, it's meant to be eaten with the catfish. When paired together, it becomes the perfect blend textures and tastes; crispy, soft, salty, sour, sweet.

The catfish wasn't too oily either, which I learned from a short course in Enderun requires quite a specific technique involving maintaining oil temperatures, putting it in at the right time, etc. It's whiz-banger stuff, I tell ya!

Gai Satay - chicken satay served with peanut dipping sauce. [P350]

Again, a well favoured and quite popular option for Thai cuisine.

Don't you just love the way they present their dishes? Simple, yet with a little quirk! That leaf locked with a toothpick is adorable. And it's great that they serve two dipping sauces, as opposed to just the thick peanut sauce that usually accompanies satay. This added another dimension of tanginess to cut through the meat and peanut sauce combo.

However, these were served still quite raw on the inside. But the staff happily resolved that problem in no time. But I think that Mango Tree has better things to show for. My mom said she loved everything but this.

Khao Ob Supparod - pineapple fried rice. [P380]

Uh, hello cutie! Again, a dish to be loved. There was a good ratio of rice and... Tidbits, if you will. Their serving is so pretty, in my opinion. And don't be fooled, there is quite a lot of rice inside the pineapple as well.

And to finish, some green tea to settle our stomachs.

So, my darlings. For the sake of your sanity and mine, get yer tushes down here for some fiiine Thai food. The area is beautiful and bright, at the corner of the new High Street extension. Inside is all high ceilings and big windows and cold air, it's refreshing.

It's also a great spot to have dinner and drinks with friends in the evenings, as we have a number of times. The cocktails are great, and the music is almost always superb.

Undoubtedly, this is my new go-to Thai place.

Love from your local hamster-cheeked blogger,
Demitasse

PS. My first meal was at Cibo, straight from the airport!
PPS. I had four wisdom teeth taken out yesterday afternoon, hence the cheeks!

Mango Tree
7th Avenue, Bonifacio High Street Central
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
+63 2 217 2367
info@mangotree.com.ph
www.facebook.com/MangoTreeManila