Sticky Mango — Restaurant in London

FINALLY SOMEWHERE SPECTACULAR TO EAT ON THE SOUTHBANK...

Ok, lets begin with that rating. It should read 4 1/2 Stars (Circles) but I don't have that option.

Not quite perfect, but exceedingly close.

I'd recalled reading in Hot Dinners that there had been a new restaurant opening but could neither remember the name of the restaurant nor it's location along Coin Street having just seen a play (A Pacifists Guide to the War on Cancer) in the Dorfman at the National Theatre.

The irony, was that whilst wandering up and down the street to find it, you realise just how woefully under served by good eateries this area really is.

I used to live just around the corner, and could never really understand why, with all the great establishments (National Theatre, BFI, Royal Festival Hall, Imax etc.) in the locale, they were all seemingly served by mediocre chain eateries, which seemed a huge waste.

This restaurant is a most welcome addition to the Southbank.

To start with we quickly discover that this Restaurant is run by Peter Lloyd (who was very gracious to attend to us later in the evening).

I was a huge fan when he was the executive Chef at the the superb Spice Market restaurant at the abysmal W Hotel on Leicester Square (never did understand that relationship in truth, the equally abysmal and incomprehensible Burger & Lobster now occupies the site that his restaurant vacated and seems far more in keeping with its TOWIE patrons).

We decided to share 3 Dishes between the two of us, the Spicy Banana Blossom Salad (beansprouts, Asian Pear, Crispy Shallots, Mint) £7.50 which was a splendour in both presentation and taste, the Popiah Vegetable Roll (Crispy Ginger & Garlic, Hoisin and Soy Dressing) £7.50 deliciously fresh & the Malaysian Chicken Curry Puffs with Coriander yoghurt £7.00 that were delicately spicy (Perfect for my guest, though I would have preferred the Spicy Veal that was on offer on the specials).

These dishes all came lovingly prepared, beautifully presented & perfectly tasty.

But it was the signature dishes of the desserts where things (as the kids would say) "Got Real",

Chef, Peter Lloyd brought them up himself and introduced us to them with explanations of their origins and his inspiration. If you ever want your food to taste a thousand times better get the chef to explain why he's made them and how.

The Sticky Mango (Sweet Sticky Rice, Mango, Whipped Condensed Milk) £6 & Pandan Macaron Kaya Jam (Soy Caramel Ice Cream) £6 are literally both heaven on a plate.

My preference was the Macaron my guests the Mango which was fortuitous because that is how we ordered and then tasted the others dish.

As you'll see from the photos their presentation is spectacular and the way you eat the Mango is a celebration of food in itself. Breaking the "yolk" mingling it with the sticky rice ensuring a little of everything ends on your fork.

The Macaron, unlike most, was not ludicrously sweetened and the crisp crunch was just what I was looking for. The Soy Caramel Ice Cream the best tasting Ice Cream I've ever had (and that's saying something I love Chin Chin Labs).

I don't think it long before thoughts of getting a booking here will be that of dreams, but as it had only entered it's third week when we arrived, you've still got time, before this venue becomes the hardest place in London to get a tale.

The waitress service has a little time to bed in to match the rest of the experience and just by the very nature of the venue it will never be 5 star dining.

But your never going to put into your mouth, this good tasting food at these prices pretty much anywhere in London and definitely nothing like it South of the...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at this South East Asian restaurant, and I can confidently say that it was an unforgettable experience from start to finish! The combination of incredible flavors, top-notch service, and a warm ambiance made this a truly remarkable culinary journey.

Let me start by praising the outstanding dishes we enjoyed. The Duck Confit was an absolute delight! Cooked to perfection, the duck was tender and succulent, with a crispy skin that added a delightful texture. The flavors were a harmonious blend of spices that elevated the dish to new heights. It was evident that the chef's expertise and attention to detail were infused into every bite.

Now, let's talk about the Sea Bass. Wow! It was undoubtedly the best I've ever had the pleasure of tasting. The sea bass was impeccably cooked, with a delicate texture that practically melted in my mouth. The dish was a masterpiece of flavors, combining subtle nuances with bold elements. The presentation was visually stunning, and the accompanying vegetables provided a refreshing balance. This dish alone is reason enough to visit this restaurant!

Apart from the extraordinary cuisine, the service was truly exceptional. Our host, Tenna, made us feel incredibly welcome from the moment we stepped through the door. Her warm and friendly demeanor added a personal touch to the dining experience. Tenna's extensive knowledge of the menu and willingness to provide recommendations made the decision-making process effortless. Her passion for the cuisine was evident, and her dedication to ensuring our satisfaction was unmatched. She truly went above and beyond to make our evening memorable.

Additionally, our waiter, Kadir, deserves special mention for his exceptional service. He was incredibly attentive, friendly, and professional throughout our entire meal. Kadir's attention to detail and willingness to cater to our needs made us feel valued as customers. He expertly guided us through the menu, offering insightful suggestions and ensuring that each course was served flawlessly. Kadir's passion for hospitality shone through, and his efforts played a significant role in enhancing our overall dining experience.

The restaurant's atmosphere was welcoming and exuded an inviting charm. The attention to detail in the decor and layout created an ambiance that was both cozy and elegant. The staff, beyond Tenna and Kadir, were also friendly and attentive, making us feel well taken care of throughout our visit.

In conclusion, this South East Asian restaurant has left an indelible impression on me. With its exceptional Duck Confit, the unforgettable Sea Bass, and the incredible service provided by Tenna and Kadir, it has undoubtedly earned my highest recommendation. If you're seeking an extraordinary dining experience that combines exquisite flavors with impeccable service, look no further. This restaurant is a true gem and a must-visit for any...

First, let me explain. In terms of service, I would probably give this place a 3/4 star as the gentlemen who served us was very nice but the service was very slow and it took them a long time before they came to take our order.

The restaurant was pretty small and the tables were quite close to each other.

The 2 star rating was for the food. I would probably say this was 1 of the worst meals Ive ever had in my life and I've had some pretty bad food on occasions.

Starter crab dumplings: tasted a lot like ravioli and personally I wasnt a fan as I think theres corriander in them (or something similar). Not too bad thai spiced scallop: you get 1 scallop on the shell. normal. doesnt taste bad but doesnt make me go WOW. its a normal scallop cooked decently.

Main indonesian style sea bass: pretty nice. fish was cooked well and boneless. nothing "suprising" but definitely cooked well. truffle fried rice: decent portion size (was the same size as the duck fried rice which was twice the price). comes with an egg on top. can taste and smell the truffle. duck fried rice: not really sure as the one we received arrived smelling and tasting extremely burnt and made me really sick. the duck looked really dry too. had an egg on top aswell.

Dessert pandan macaroon: the ice cream was salty so that was weird but went ok well with the sweet macaroon. I think I preferred it without the ice cream still, not a fan of a salty-sweet dessert. The macaroon didn't taste that pandan-y. sticky mango: nice visual/performance for instagram. Taste was normal. The rice wasnt that sticky and tasted a bit hard. The mango sorbet was really nice though. black sesame doghnuts: 3 normal deep-fried doughnut balls but filled with either a light sesame sauce (2) or pandan sauce (1). comes with a sesame ice cream. it was decent. it was basically a doughnut ball.

Drinks jasmin with love: sounded nice and probably would've looked a lot better if it came in a glass teacup but they served the tea in a water wine glass which made the flower look a bit like an insect . lychee lemonade: can taste the lychee but this mocktail is more on the bland side as its not very sweet.. at all.

Service was pretty slow as it took like 15-20 mins in between each course. The duck fried rice had to be returned and we decided to leave it rather than wait for a new one as we were already half full from the waiting. The gentlemen took it off our bill and apologised but that was it (not saying they need to give us a free meal but usually they would offer a discount or a free dessert or something if this kind of situation happened at another restaurant).

For the price they charge and the quality of food, definitely wont be coming back here again, or ever recommending anyone to...