Pan Chai / Mango Tree
Harrods
87 – 135 Brompton Road
Knightsbridge
London
SW1X 7XL
Tel: 020 7730 1234
They say there is only ‘one sale’, the Harrods sale. Well I popped into the famous food hall in Harrods to check out Pan Chai a sister of the much-lauded Mango Tree of Belgravia. So I was surprised to see that there was not ‘one’ Mango Tree but two! Yes they have fitted a cosy corner out with Mango Tree ‘bar’ and Pan Chai ‘bar’. What a winning combination.
The Mango menu is different from the main restaurant but still by Ian Pengelley. It has a large selection of dim sum, which for me had a couple of top-notch super stars, a selection of lobster dumplings at £16.80 and scallop dumplings with foie gras sitting on top. Lip smackingly good. Over at Pan Chai there is a different feel, with sushi, sashimi and nigiri on offer as well as tempura and some hot dishes. Created in front of you by top chefs from Hong Kong it is as much theatre as it is food. These guys really know what they are doing. Negitoro, tuna belly and suzuki a sea bass concoction were both great. They also offer inside out sushi rolls. The soft shell crab, chives and avocado roll with a tiny bit of caviar had that touch of luxury that Harrods is associated with. I also had a bowl of rendang daging, a beef rendang that was rich and chunky but not too hot.
The drinks on offer don’t let the side down either. A large selection of fresh juices, champagnes and wines should satisfy most tastes. So, if you find yourself in Knightsbridge why not pop in for some world-class oriental food, and a bit of shopping if you have time?
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