‘Watts for Dinner’: Mad about Mango’s – A great blend of food and atmosphere
Our next doing destination is Mango’s Dockside Bistro, located in the Esplanade Shoppes at Marco Island.
The boats, the fresh air and the water were the perfect ingredients for a great dining experience.
The temperature was hovering at 68 degrees on this sunny day, so we opted to sit outside. And even though it was only 4 p.m., staff had the heaters going.
Things got off to an appetizing start with the “Caprese Flatbread” ($13). It features
shredded mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, grape tomatoes, baked on flatbread and drizzled with balsamic glaze. Ah-mazing!
For my entree, I had the chicken salad wrap ($19). It’s made in house with just celery and mayo. And it’s hearty. It comes in a flour wrap with lettuce and tomatoes. You get a side, like rice and beans or fries. I opted to update to a house salad for $3 more.
The salad is a full plate with mixed greens, strawberries, sliced mango and mandarin oranges and a mango vinaigrette. My only complaint, the onions. Why top this beautiful salad with onions? They just don’t belong. But that’s an easy remedy.
Otherwise, this was the perfect selection for a late lunch/early dinner.
My dining companion opted for the chicken bacon pesto panini ($20). And I must admit I was more than a little jealous. It’s lightly blackened chicken breast, fresh mozzarella, bacon, a cashew-basil pesto and tomato on Cuban bread. It also comes with a side, and he opted for the house slaw, which, unlike most others, comes with diced mango.
This dish earned heart reviews. It tasted as good as it looks.
It’s been nearly two years since our last official visit in April 2022.
During that visit we started with the soup of the day. It was split pea. Yum! Split pea is one of my favorites. And this one did not disappoint.
For my main dish, I selected the club sandwich. It features honey ham, roast turkey and applewood smoked bacon, along with lettuce, tomatoes, and mayonnaise. You can have it on white, rye or multigrain toast. I picked the latter.
I opted to skip the ham and ask for extra turkey instead. You get two sides and can pick from fries or black beans with rice, coleslaw, or fruit. I selected the fries (sweet potato for a $1 up charge) and the slaw.
The fries were sweet and delicious with a hint of cinnamon. The turkey was piled high with fresh veggies and just the right amount of mayo! A perfect lunch! I highly recommend this dish.
My dining companion opted for the honey sesame chicken salad . It features crispy fried chicken tenders, drizzled om honey. You also get caramelized pecans, Mandarin orange bites, strawberries, mango, and crispy wontons on a bed of mixed greens with a sweet onion dressing. He raved about this salad, which is as beautiful as it is delicious, saying the dressing and the honey made a fantastic combination, "tropical and sweet." I can also highly recommend this dish.
The service was amazing, friendly and efficient. Happy eating!
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AndHey Marco Island, looking for a place to eat?
Prices indicate time of visit and may vary. This newspaper pays for all meals related to dining reviews. We do not solicit or accept free food.
If you go
Mango's Dockside Bistro
- In Esplanade Shoppes, 760 N. Collier Blvd # 109, Marco Island
- 239-393-2433
- mangosdocksidebistro.com