January can be a tough month for the food lover. Whether or not you’re facing the dreaded detox, or even braving an alcohol ban, there’s certainly a heaped serving of guilt that goes along with each decadent meal after a bloated Christmas period.
Luckily enough, a few restaurants this month are proving that detoxing can be more pleasure than chore. With this in mind, and ready for all of our Christmas sins to be expunged, we we accepted an invitation to try out Awana’s January detoxing menu this week.
Sister restaurant Malaysian and Thai restaurants Awana and Mango Tree are serving up a special detox menu with complimentary massage this month between the 3rd and the 23rd. Promising to relax and refresh, the balance here is between fresh, delicious ingredients in unique traditional dishes and healthy natural cleansing.
Given the choice of a massage before or after dinner, we asked the advice of our friendly Chi Yu therapist, who recommended the pre-dinner option ‘to relax you fully for your meal’. Detox or not, there’s something very decadent about a skillful rubdown before dinner, and we floated over to dinner on a cloud feeling limber and loose-limbed.
The Awana detox menu offers a choice of three appetizers and entrees and two desserts. Things start off simply with a selection of chopped, fruit-infused salads and a creamy lentil soup, and move on to a vegetable and fish heavy second course.
The monkfish curry was a particular standout – simmering in a rich curry, it veered on the side of sinful. As confirmed meat-eaters, we didn’t try any of the vegetable choices, but other dishes like the baked salmon provided a reassuringly healthy, if a little basic main course.
Finished off with a simple fresh fruit platter, or a uniquely sweet mung bean soup, it was a great way to kick start a month of good intentions. While we might fail (as the next night’s trip to Hawskmoor for burger night proved), our intentions – just like our Awana meal – are pure.
The detox menu is £25 per person at Awana and Mango Tree until 3rd – 23rd January 2011. Visit www.awana.co.uk or www.mangotree.co.uk for more information.
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