I always find it interesting finding a restaurant that fuses two different cuisines into one. Incidentally, I always have slight skepticism as to whether both cuisines can be as good as their potential if the chefs are splitting their attention between the two. However, I was impressed to see that Blue Mango not only has cooks for the Thai food they serve, but they also have a couple of sushi chefs behind a glass counter working with the delicate raw fish. There are a couple locations for this restaurant, but my visit was specifically at the Coleman site.
Although not all of the dishes could officially be considered “cheap eats,” there are plenty of options that can have a person enjoying a meal under $10 since the majority of the dishes are priced under that limit. I was particularly impressed with their Siamese Specials; a $35 deal for Thai food, which easily serves two people. With an assorted appetizer, two select dishes, and a dessert with hot tea or coffee, it’s hard to go wrong with a meal like that! There is also a $45 deal that includes seafood in the dishes, for those who want to spend a little more for the same amount of food.
In addition, there are many variations of curries, stir-frys, soups, and seafood specialties (though the seafood section is where the “cheap eats” sign drops). You can therefore expect that selecting from the sushi menu will be higher in price than other options, and not a cheap eats.
The assorted appetizer gave two of each item: small spring rolls, skewered pieces of chicken, cream cheese wantons, and a bowl of garlic edamame. The chicken was particularly juicy and tender, especially when dunked in the deliciously creamy peanut sauce that has a hint of sweetness. And, eating my vegetables was never so easy with the edamame so well seasoned in garlic. Unfortunately, the spring rolls left something to be desired – flavor! – and the only thing I tasted with the wantons was cream cheese.
The curry chicken was just spicy enough (thanks to the option of choosing my own heat level) and with an abundance of creamy sauce that I couldn’t resist drowning everything in. Of course, the pad Thai needed no other flavors than its own sweetness enwrapping the delicate noodles. I was even partial to quenching my thirst with the lightly sweetened and refreshing Thai iced tea. Both sweet drink and food, surprisingly, did not clash.
The dessert appeared more exotic than pleasing, in my opinion. Four tiny pastries enfolded sticky rice and mango paste, which was drizzled with chocolate. The pastry was both crisp and tender, however, I found myself wanting more sugar from the rice and mango inside. The ice cream was, of course, refreshing alongside the warm pastries.
I was not completely satisfied with the sushi I had either. Although the selection of fish was fresh, my hamachi nigiri looked a little drier than it should have, giving me the impression that it may have been pre-made a couple of hours ago. Still, it tasted good, nonetheless. I just wish it was fresher.
Overall, it was a pleasant meal, with numerous flavors dancing on my tongue and a multitude of options to entice me. The Thai was great, but the sushi was only okay. The ambiance added to the pleasant experience with a colorful, yet dimly lit, décor. I would not call the place small or large, it was just right.
635 Coleman Ave
San Jose, CA 95110
STEVEN CREEK
4996 Stevens Creek Blvd.
San Jose, CA 95129
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