Mangosteen — Restaurant in Saint Petersburg

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐁𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧

Mangosteen - St Petersburg, Florida

I had the great pleasure of dining at Mangosteen - a culinary oasis, offering a delightful fusion of Southeast Asian and Japanese flavors that tantalize the taste buds and transport diners to distant lands. Nestled within its tropical-inspired ambiance, Mangosteen crafts a dining experience that is as exotic as it is comforting. From the moment you step through the door, you're greeted with an atmosphere that embodies the spirit of Southeast Asia. The decor, infused with vibrant hues and natural elements, sets the stage for a journey of culinary exploration.

Michael Glinter has traveled to 68 countries and 36 states to get the flavor of some amazing foods. His view on reviews is simple – Taste, Presentation, and Service. He believes telling the reader a positive and negative unbiased look at the restaurant is essential.

This is not at all what you are thinking - this is not Chinese. This is truly and inspiration from the diverse cuisines of the entire Asia Pacific region, offering a tantalizing array of dishes that are as bold in flavor as they are artfully presented and bursting with unique fresh ingredients, herbs, and vegetables.

Appetizer - Delightfully surprising and bursting with flavor, the Chicken Papaya Lettuce Wrap appetizer was a true gem that deserves the spotlight. Nestled within crisp, fresh lettuce leaves, the tender chicken and vibrant papaya filling create a harmonious symphony of taste and texture. You are greeted with a mix of savory goodness, as the succulent chicken mingles with the sweetness of ripe papaya and the aromatic herbs and spices adds depth and complexity to each mouthful, while the crunch of water chestnuts provides a satisfying contrast.

Entree #1 - Prepare your taste buds for a journey of exquisite flavors with the Mangosteen Noodle, an entree that captivates the palate and leaves a lasting impression. showcasing again the use of harmony of fresh ingredients and expert craftsmanship. The dish present itself with an aroma of stir-fried rice noodles, chicken, basil, scallion, and bell pepper dances tantalizingly in the air with vibrant colors and fragrant herbs promise a feast for the senses, and the Mangosteen Noodle delivers on every count. The tender chicken, perfectly cooked and infused with the rich flavors of soybean sauce, forms the heart of the dish. Combined with the subtle sweetness of basil, the crispness of scallions, and the earthy crunch of onions and bell peppers, every bite is a delightful explosion of taste.

Entree #2 - Embark on a culinary adventure with the Pad Lao, an entree that showcases the vibrant flavors and textures of Southeast Asia. The dish arrived with the smell of stir-fried rice noodles, tender chicken, and fresh scallions through the air as you are presented with a display of beautiful color, with vibrant greens from the scallions and crisp beansprouts mingling with golden strands of egg and crunchy peanuts. The savory chicken is perfectly complemented by the sweetness of the sweet and sour sauce, creating a harmonious balance of tastes, and the noodles, cooked to perfection, provide a satisfying chewiness that contrasts beautifully with the crunch of the beansprouts and peanuts.

In conclusion, Mangosteen is more than just a restaurant — it's a culinary odyssey. With its innovative blend of flavors, impeccable service, and inviting ambiance, it's no wonder why Mangosteen remains a beloved destination for food enthusiasts seeking an unforgettable dining experience. It is very clear that the chef has a deep understanding of flavor profiles and a passion for creating dishes that delight the senses. If I had my choice, I would taste every dish on the money and write about it. Something tells me, they don't...

I don’t understand how everyone rates this a 4 or higher..

This place deserves a 3 and that’s being nice.

Me and my spouse went in and were greeted and sat right away. At a first glance with the menu and sauce menu, I was extremely disappointed.

Service was average, something similar of a robot taking your order and doing the bare minimum. (Service vs Hospitality)

ORLANDO asian spots do it better!!

KEY points for me.

Drinks are ok. when asking for a “Arnold palmer” they gave us brisk tea..

• All of the dishes were subpar to below of what they were priced at.

• Apps were ok, wouldn’t recommend anything but maybe the dumplings.. even though their “pan seared, is literally deep fried.” even then it was average.

• The sushi was average but not bad, and was probably the best part of the dinner.

• The food resembled asian cooking a beginner at home “chef” would make. Making it yourself at home would be more flavorful than this.

** It was a red flag for me noticing the pictures of the food and environment had more effort put into it than the actual menu. The environment resembled more of a old diner remodeled to be a restaurant.

** The restaurant also seemed to be oddly quiet especially with the amount of people that were there. You can’t hear the kitchen making the food at all..

** I also do not understand why they reiterate “wok tossed” when the beansprouts are raw and almost all the veggies on their menu come practically as a garnish and are cut in fat chunks instead of using julienne slices of vegetables. also PLEASE STOP using cilantro as a garnish on your noodles.

** The meat inside the food is practically flavorless and they rely on sauces and seasonings on-top before cooking. Yakitori was mid, tasted like salt and pepper steak. I’d suggest using a sweet Szechuan blend and dipping it prior to grilling. Marinated and velveted meat would be more flavorful. Like I said resembles at home cooking but the kind your inexperienced teenage kid would attempt.

• All sauces are overpriced from 1-2$

Sauces are ok and most lack flavor and need a revamp especially their soy bean sauce.

In my humble most honest opinion, this place looks like they have their attention in the wrong areas. Latin Asian fusion done wrong. keep it simple as the menu needs a rework.

I personally would not make the effort to go here again as there are better spots around.

Do yourself a favor and skip this one on...

My experience was a mixed bag.

Pros: A beautiful space and the spring rolls were probably the best I have ever had.

Cons: Bartenders were just mechanically ok. They gave us menus and asked us for drink orders right away, came back to take our food order, Etc. Unfortunately, they were not friendly and did not engage us in any other way. We were not asked if we had questions about the menu. We were not introduced or asked if we had a good day. Basic stuff. The staff did not make the experience fun.

Drinks were expensive. A single liquor drink was $12. I asked if they had a happy hour and was told they did from 3PM to 5PM Monday through Thursday. LOL... they might as well not even have one ;-)

My girlfriend had the bang bang shrimp and we both agreed it was horrible. Four tiny shrimp with a pound of breading. Avoid

I had the BI BIM BAP. Although it was ok, it was not authentic. The vegetables in the dish were not what I was used to Ie. Cucumber. I also am used to a gochujang paste served on the side and you mix it in to the other ingredients. Of the more than a hundred times I have had this dish, this is the first time this was missing. Overall it tasted good and was OK just not sure where they got the recipe.

Lastly, we asked for a desert menu and were told that there was only one desert, the pineapple upside down cake but that it was not recommend. LOL Well... OK. Fortunately Urban Creamery was across the street

2 Apps, one entrée and a couple of drinks were $85. Seemed high for what we got. Overall, it was...