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| - In the Great Northern sea of commercialism in the oyster bed of corporate chains, one can find a lone pearl camouflaged amid the aggregate of ordinary - a rarity known as Wild Mango.
High concept Asian fusion cuisine paired with a modern, yet elegant atmosphere were the last things I expected to find here. Simple and tasteful, the decor was reminiscent of a posh, upscale establishment you would see in a part of town experiencing an urban renewal renaissance. Even the bathroom sink looked like a place where affluent people from the future wash their hands!
The food was simply exquisite. Each dish was well thought-out, with a lot of attention paid to plating and presentation. The calimari appetizer was amazing - small, tender rings with a light batter and a subtle seafood flavor like shrimp chips at a Chinese restaurant. The sauteed scallops were paired with a delicious risotto and a creamy oyster mushroom sauce, and the seafood tasted very fresh. The chicken trio was an experience in and of itself - three unique entrees with their own sauces and garnishes, each working well individually and with each other. The lava cake we had for dessert had a basket of berries with it - the basket itself is made from crystalized sugar, and was entirely edible!
At Wild Mango, they have seriously thought of everything. At one point, I was eating the chicken drumstick an mashed potatoes from my chicken trio entree, and I thought to myself "Would it be rude to ask for hot sauce at a nice restaurant like this?" Low and behold, the dots of red sauce strategically placed around the mashed potatoes were an Asian chili sauce!
Possibly the best part about this restaurant is the value. Aside from a few of the entrees, everything is reasonably priced, and you could easily enjoy a one of a kind dinner here for less than $50. If this restaurant were located anywhere other than the mall, they could charge $5-10 more per dish, and you wouldn't think anything of it.
Wild Mango truly is one of Cleveland's hidden gems.
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