Aundra W.
Yelp
I absolutely love Sun Chong, so I wanted to try another one of Larry Morrow's restaurants. I've heard great things about Spicy Mango, so Valentine's Day felt like the perfect time to check it out.
When we pulled up, it was freezing outside. My date dropped me off at the door, and I noticed two people waiting outside with security. I stood behind them, assuming they were waiting because the restaurant was full. A couple minutes later, security let the couple in ahead of me and asked if I had a reservation. I told him yes. He went inside to confirm, came back out, and then let me in.
What stood out is that once I got inside, there was no one standing at the hostess area. On such a cold night, allowing someone with a reservation to step inside while they wait does not seem unreasonable. Maybe this is just their standard process, but standing outside in heels and a dress in that weather was not ideal.
Now let's talk ambiance. The vibe is beautiful. It definitely gives Caribbean energy and feels like you're somewhere far from New Orleans. There's a huge string sign in the dining room that says "The Tone," which I really liked. The aesthetic is strong.
However, it is extremely dark. I could not see the menu without using my phone flashlight. The music was also very loud, to the point where I could barely have a conversation with my date. Romantic in theory, but if you can't hear each other, it becomes more nightclub than dinner.
The restroom situation was interesting. The waitress had to show me where it was because it's far. You actually have to walk outside across uneven brick pavement to get there. In heels. In freezing weather. I was just relieved that the bathroom itself was clean, but that walk is not pleasant.
As for the food, this is where things went downhill for me.
We ordered an appetizer that was described as charred elote. What we received tasted less "charred" and more completely burnt. Now, if that's intentional and part of the style, then maybe it just isn't my preference. But it tasted overwhelmingly burnt rather than flavorful.
For our entrée, we ordered a steak dish that arrived literally on fire at the table. Visually, it was dramatic and exciting. Unfortunately, once the flame went out and we tasted it, it also had that same heavy burnt flavor. It was hard to enjoy. We ended up eating the cabbage and rice sides together as our main meal because those were actually good.
I'll be honest. If that deep char is authentic Caribbean style, then maybe Caribbean cuisine just isn't for me. But for my personal taste, both the appetizer and steak were too burnt to enjoy.
Overall, the aesthetic is strong, the vibe is unique, and the restaurant definitely has presence. But between the security process, the extreme darkness, the loud music, the long bathroom walk, and the burnt flavors, I left disappointed.
I wanted to love it. I really did. Maybe it was an off night. Maybe it's just not my palate. But Valentine's Day dinner should feel warm in more ways than one.