Get your mango fix at MADD

As a middle of January resolution, I decided to write a daily blog post. Most people want to hear about coffee and food they can get in New York - the non-touristy places. Since I'm not in New York until next week, I'll start with MADD (Mango Addiction), a new dessert lounge just off Shaftsbury Avenue.

[caption id="attachment_1575" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Jonathan really loves mangos."][/caption]

Dessert lounge you ask? Yes. A dessert lounge. A concept mostly known in Singapore and Thailand, this is the perfect place for someone with a sweet tooth. It's theme, as you can tell by the name, is mangos. Mango puddings, cakes, dessert bowls, cocktails and smoothies. The front of the shop glows with it's yellowy-orange flesh.


Jonathan Sivak, co-owner of Mango Addiction, gave me a little background on this new addition to the London landscape when I stopped in for a coffee and a double chocolate brownie (ironic - yes - and mostly eaten by my mate Nick). Little did I know but mangos, which are grown around the equator, are always in season. So if you follow the adage that food has more nutrients when in season, then mangos are perfect to eat anytime.

Their grand plan is to open locations in London then move to China and perhaps the West coast of North America, where this type of bar is more common, but they'll come with a European twist, and an established brand.

[caption id="attachment_1576" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="They were rebelling from the mango brand"][/caption]

So for those of you looking to find a respite from the pubs and like a sweet bite to end your work day, do stop by MADD. I thought the coffee was spot on. I like it strong and the brownie, was gooey in the middle and crispy on the outside. I'm going to assume anything mango flavoured was even superior. It also has free-wifi and retro games, like Connect Four and Jenga, on every table. The one thing lacking in my eyes, is a bit of the savory stuff. Something bready would hit the spot. But as it's a dessert lounge, that's only my tastebuds talking.

Go check them out at 53 Rupert Street in Soho or on Twitter @wearemadd.

PS A little side not for the team. If they do decide to go to the US and Canada, they may have to rethink the name. MADD stands for Mothers Against Drunk Driving. A great cause but not something I associate with mangos.