The Mansion Pub — Restaurant in London

Love PanAsian food, mix of influences, plates to share with friends and never can resist a mouthwatering menu, ending up ordering everything? Plan dinner at Oaka and gap glam there. Gap glam, you say? Literally, when translated from Thai: Beer Food. And doesn’t this sound just what you need after work? Exquisite but comforting. Being from Bordeaux and consequently a wine person, matching spicy food with beer is always quite a revelation. It works so, so perfectly.

So forget Guinness and the likes for a while. We are talking microbreweries here, drinks made by passionate people and this makes a whole difference. We focused on the Oakham Ales from Peterborough that evening - a beautiful palette of tastes. You do not need to be an expert, just a happy person but ask the staff: they will advise the best ones with your dish, tell you the story behind, let you know of the seasonale ones too. Even better, these are served as 1/3 or 2/3 of a pint too, ideal to order a selection and compare. My favourite definitely is the Citra - grapefruit, litchee, exotic, so very surprising. If you prefer dark beers, go for the Black Hole Porter, velvety and fruity. For a touch of amber, you will want the JCB, nicely hoppy, citrus, a bitter finish that gives it a lovely suppleness. Your next thought? Mmmh, what would go with dessert, then?

Let’s go back to the idea of exotic tapas. Tatesbuds will be woken up. So many colours, such aromas, too: you will be in position, fork in the air before the tray has reached the table. On the menu? So many gorgeous options it is almost impossible to choose. We decided on the Dragon scallops, a generous size, steamed and tender with a satin-like sauce, slightly sweet, fresh ginger and spring onions. The tempuras are quite something - crisp, not oily at all, very tasty and your 5-a-day in a bite: asparagus, sweet potatoes, suede, carrot. Very spring like. Don’t miss the traditional Mieng kum, edible leaves to be folded over a mix of coconut, dried shrimps, peanuts, ginger, lime, shallot and a dash of palm-sugar-sweet sauce. Imagine the fireworks! Another must-try, the soft shell crab, fried with chilli and fresh...

It might have been a one off thing, but sometimes a single bad experience is all it takes to leave a long lasting impression.

The restaurant had our reservation, but didn't reserve an outdoor table as requested, nor did they greet us with a happy birthday. Why even ask for seating requests or occasion if you don't honor it?

Anyhow, that could be dismissed as there were outdoor accommodations available. However, we were seated next to a rowdy group of Russians chain smoking cigarettes and cigars throughout our entire meal. We couldn't hold our own conversation and couldn't taste the food or drink over the loud table and thick cigar smoke.

When I could no longer breathe and was sweating like profusely, we moved inside for our final bites before rushing to gtfo as quickly as possible, never to return to this establishment.

The ambiance was awful, the food tasteless and the service was slow. They even wanted to charge a 12.5% service fee for the harrowing experience. I usually don't mind and have never refused to pay for it before this, but of course I told them to remove it.

The group appeared to be friends with the owner and he was defensive of them so I would expect the same experience in the future. The cigar smoke was so heavy I could smell it through my face mask my entire tube ride back home. Even home now an hour later and all of my clothes...

Incredible value for money!

Came here a few Tuesdays ago, just before lockdown started (we were seated away from other diners anyway) and was hugely impressed.

Had walked past and seen the menu once or twice and decided to give it a try, blissfully unaware of the 2 courses for £10 offer.

For my starter I had a variation of sesame toast which was filled with pork and very tasty and came with a beautiful spicy accompaniment, the main was similar to a Katsu style chicken & potato curry but the sauce reminded me more of a massaman curry (which I prefer much more anyway) also very tasty and an excellent portion size.

My partner tried wontons to start and although not usually my favourite they were also really good, her main was sweet and sour chicken which I didn’t dream of even going near! Yuk! But she really enjoyed it so 👍

We also shared a spicy beef side which was really good and came with a spicy chilli dip.

Will definitely be going again and would encourage anyone...