The month of May approaches, and so does the glorious season of sweet, plump mangoes. Axis Bar and Lounge at Mandarin Oriental Singapore celebrates this delicious harvest with a four-course Mango Afternoon High Tea for the whole month of May (from 1 to 31 May 2017). Sweet or savory, they have it covered, all with the tropical fruit in mind. Bring a friend (or your mom, its Mother’s Day soon!) and have an enjoyable afternoon at S$80++/2 pax, or S$42++/pax.
The first course begins with a Pineapple and Mango Jelly with Coconut Emulsion. A small portion, but more than enough to awaken your palate to the tropical paradise you’re about to take your taste buds on.
Remember to order your own pot of tea, courtesy of TWG Tea Company. A strong, robust black tea infused with floral or fruity notes goes well with the entire course. The Miraculous Mandarin (black tea with orchid fruits) is a good pick. Otherwise, the subtlety of a white tea blend is great for letting the treats shine. Flower teas such as First Kiss, also comes in a stunning bloom, showcased in a glass tea pot. A soothing blend that is as delicious as it is to photograph.
Next, the second course. A platter of savories, including tarts, sandwiches and wraps. A favourite is the Lemongrass marinated prawn with chilli mango dip. Sadly, they don’t do refills. Not that I could have stomach all the food (that’s a lot more coming), but I would have, easily, finished an entire plate of them. The Foie gras terrine and mango marmalade tartlet also got me wishing they’d top up the plates. Turns out they were saving my stomach space for the equally yummy scones and pies in the next course.
The Smoked ham and mango relish turnover was good, but I needed a little spice to kick my tastebuds back into action. That’s where the Curried potato, green mango and cilantro pie came in. It came with a pair of Mango yoghurt and Madagascar vanilla scones. The latter is a classic, and an easy win. I slathered a generous dollop of cream and strawberry jam, and wash it down with a cup of tea. Perfect.
Then, came the stars of the show; a three-tiered dessert stand of all things mango. The top layer had a Banana mango bar which was simply divine. A rich, creamy dessert playing with flavours that just can’t go wrong. It tasted more banana than mango, with the latter only peeping through at the end.
These treats may be petite, but they sure filled me up. Should you find yourself nearing your peak, don’t miss out on the Coconut Mango Sable Tart and the Tanaravia Chocolate Mango Ginger. These treats may look the most unassuming on the platter, but don’t be fooled. They are surprisingly light, and is a nice switch from the other desserts.
And, nothing pairs better with this Mango Afternoon Tea set better than the ceiling-to-floor windows giving diners a view of city hall. Located on the fourth floor of Mandarin Oriental Singapore, it is just a quick walk from Marina Square, perfect for resting those tired legs after a day of retail therapy. So, make your way down between 3:00 to 5:00 PM (daily) or during the additional seating of 12:30 to 2:30 PM on weekends (Saturday to Sunday, and public holidays) for this tropical treat.