If I could drink nothing but Champagne, I really would. Something about the golden bubbles, fizzing away in a tall stem crystal-cut glass is much too enticing – even more so when seafood is involved. And that was exactly the setting of the scene just last weekend after we popped down to Mango Tree Harrods to check out the restaurants new festive, Winter Delight menu. Word of advice – head down quick because this limited time menu shouldn’t be missed!
Of course like anything Harrods does, a visit here and especially to Mango Tree means decadence to the max. The festive Christmas menu they have on right now is priced at £118 and while rather steep – it comes with so much quality food and the cooking was spot on. In fact I think Mango Tree really upped its game this time around as everything was so well cooked.
The festive platter arrives full to the brim with food and first for us to attack with our chopsticks was Mango Tree’s signature selection of dumplings. Steamed lobster parcels, vegetarian Ha Gao and prawn with coriander & scallop Siu mai – all of which were fantastic.
I’ve eaten my fair share of king crab in Harrods over the past year, so it was lovely to see it served slightly different to usual here at Mango Tree. Instead of arriving in its shell for fiddly picking, it had been steamed, prepared for easy eating and served alongside a zesty ginger & lime dressing.
Even the grilled wagyu beef skewers were a dream. Wagyu is usually been a meat I’ve found offering tenderness at a high price and not much more, but these chunks served grilled and on sticks were oh-so satisfying. Perfectly cooked, paired with asparagus and drizzled in a sweet soy glaze.
Lobster popcorn with spicy mayo was very generous portion wise and yet again, another fantastic addition to this festive platter. We fell in love with this dish a few months back but as per almost everything on this visit, it somehow seemed even better. It arrived piping hot, the lobster was moist and the batter nice and crunchy. The spicy mayo added a lovely sweetness and touch of heat too.
The one item we were probably a little sceptical about was these goose spring rolls with cranberry dipping sauce, but we were proven very wrong. All I can say is if only all spring rolls tasted this good. Perfect pastry and packed to the brim with meaty filling.
The dragon whisker Chilean sea bass rolls were like something you’d find more in Greek cooking with its whiskered pastry and is something I really love. It adds that extra depth of decadence to it and texture in the mouth with a sweetness to it as well which works so well with the fish. We had a similar dish somewhere else in London recently and its unusualness paid off just as it did here.
We had such a lovely evening at Mango Tree and while we enjoyed it our first time around those few months ago, we loved it this time around. The quality of everything on the platter, the quantity for the two of us was perfect and the cooking was precise. Price wise it’s a little steep, yes – but after all this is Harrods and sometimes that much-needed treat is worth pulling out the credit card for.
NB: I was invited to review and my meal was complimentary. All views are as always, my own. My views are not influenced by anyone other than my own palate and slightly poor eyesight.
Totally agree on drinking champagne every day!
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imagine the heartburn!