Tropical Asian restaurant Mangosteen opening end of September on Central Avenue
an exterior rendering of Mangosteen, a tropical Asian restaurant opening at 656 Central Avenue in downtown St. Pete
A few weeks ago, a sign was installed at the former Brass Bowl space on Central Avenue’s 600 block — “Mangosteen”. Ever since, we’ve received email after email asking us for the details. One person thought it might be a women’s boutique, but most had heard it was going to be a sushi restaurant. As it turns out, they’re not completely off, but Mangosteen will offer much more than just sushi.
Mangosteen is a tropical Asian-inspired restaurant opening in a few weeks at 656 Central Avenue. It’s also a sweet-tasting exotic fruit originally from Southeast Asia.
Grilled Salmon with a teriyaki balsamic glaze on top of a bed of jasmine rice with miso broth. Shitake mushroom and bell pepper garnish.
The new eatery is being spearheaded by Sean Thongsiri with assistance from Serena Raynard. Sean started his 20-year career in the restaurant industry as a dishwasher for 9 Bangkok Thai on Central Avenue. Eventually, he moved to Savannah where he owned and operated over ten restaurants. But he recently returned to St. Pete to open Mangosteen.
One of the highlights of the menu will be yakitori, a type of grilled meat skewer that originated in Japan. Mangosteen will offer plenty of varieties, including a traditional chicken yakitori with turmeric and allspice.
“Yakitori is a great snack to share between friends over conversation,” said Raynard. “You can’t find a ton of yakitori around here, so we are excited to bring the dish to downtown St. Pete.”
An Interior rendering of Mangosteen, a tropical Asian restaurant opening at 656 Central Avenue in downtown St. Pete
Given St. Pete’s robust vegetarian and vegan scene, Thongsiri has also made a conscious effort to include a variety of plant-based options on the menu. Expect to see items like fried edamame tacos, grilled tofu with balsamic glaze, and a few Asian-influenced salads.
Other items to look forward to are dumplings, stir-fry, and tacos. And the entire back of the food menu will be dedicated to sushi.
Pan-seared duck dumplings served with a yuzu ponzu dipping sauce.
Although the ingredients will be of the highest quality, a meal at Mangosteen won’t break the bank. “We want Mangosteen to be a place you’ll want to eat at multiple times a week,” said Raynard. “Our prices will be very approachable. The highest ticket item will be around $15.”
To drink, Mangosteen will have a full-service handcrafted cocktail bar with beer, wine, and an expansive liquor and spirit list. The tropical cocktail menu will feature 12+ expertly crafted drinks that will rotate seasonally based on what’s popular.
If you’re not in the mood for alcohol but still looking for a well-made drink, cool down with one of their frozen mocktails made with mangosteen juice, coconut milk, and pineapple juice.
Grilled Turmeric Chicken Tacos with pickled carrots and daikon and a chipotle aioli drizzle . served with a small ginger side salad.
The interior of Mangosteen exudes a tropical, clean, and minimal vibe. Painted white brick walls will be adorned with a series of large backlit mirrors. Dark green accents can be found scattered throughout the restaurant, from the bench seating upholstery to the exposed ceiling rafters. Tropical plants fill the empty space and match a palm wallpapered wall in the back.
The exact hours of operations have not been decided yet, but Mangosteen will definitely be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. And if there is enough interest, Thongsiri and Raynard are considering staying open later on Friday and Saturday nights and offering a special late-night menu accompanied by live music or a DJ.
Mangosteen will open late September at 656 Central Avenue. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date on food specials and grand opening plans.