Harden's says
Replacing Cantina del Ponte (RIP), the late Sir Terence Conran's Butlers Wharf venue near Tower Bridge, this new branch of the Waterloo-based Malaysian restaurant features a 70-seat covered terrace with spectacular views of the Thames and the City. Opened August 2023.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“A well composed panoply of flavours from Southeast Asia” – curry puffs, crab dumplings, lobster, ox cheek Penang curry – have won a loyal following for Peter Lloyd’s South Bank fixture, and over time fans “have become enamoured, and no longer mourn the loss of RSJ” (which preceded on the site for over 20 years). “Nothing is extraordinary, but it is our current first choice pre the National Theatre”. He must be doing something right, as expansion is coming fast, with a sibling to open in July 2023 on the former site of Cantina del Ponte, RIP, with a large terrace overlooking Tower Bridge; and another in Islington later in the year.
Summary
“Not out of the ordinary, but what it does it does well” – chef Peter Lloyd’s transformation of the revered South Bank French restaurant RSJ (RIP) into a “Malaysian-style” venue over three storeys disappointed former regulars, but has become a “firm favourite” with a new crowd for its “imaginative food, friendly service and a buzzy celebratory atmosphere”.
Summary
“Freshness of flavours in the varied SE Asian dishes” all “at sensible prices” – and including a tasting menu option – provides endorsement of Peter Lloyd’s transformation of RSJ (RIP, the former occupant of this site, which graced the South Bank for 30 years). “They found their feet quickly after lockdown”, too. On the debit side, the famous “Loire wines inherited from RSJ seem to have been exhausted, and noise levels are still as high as ever”. And oddly, given the proximity to the Festival Hall and Old and Young Vics, “there’s no pre-theatre menu”.
Summary
Having the “same staff as RSJ” (its predecessor on the site, now RIP) preserves some continuity at this 30-year stalwart, near the Festival Hall, whose “brave move to Thai food from classic French” a couple of years ago has split opinion: “zingy and fresh” to fans, but to critics, “entirely unremarkable”. Its famous cellar of Loire wine has also been transferred to the new venture: “still the best wine list I know of, but it goes less well with the Asian food now on offer”. The ambience of the room – whose Reinforced Steel Joist inspired the name of the former operation – has never been a major plus.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
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Restaurant details
Sticky Mango Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Food was fine but not exceptional. Could have been more sharp in its flavours. Good staff though."
"Good food. Noisy instagrammers at adjacent table an annoyance."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £20.00 |  |
|
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| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 50.00 | Always available | 9 |
| Starter | Main | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £8.30 | £22.50 | £7.50 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £26.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £2.50 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
Opening hours
| Monday | 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑9 pm |
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