Mana Food Bar
| Address: | 1742 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622, USA |
| Phone: | +1 773-342-1742 |
| Site: | manafoodbar.com |
| Rating: | 4.5 |
| Working: | 5:30–10PM 5:30–10PM 5:30–10PM 5:30–10PM 5:30–11PM 12–11PM 5–9PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 8
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Zorin Dobson
Ive gotta say. The sliders deal, from 4pm-6pm for a beer and two sliders, may be the very best deal any vegetarian can find anywhere. I eat meat, religiously, and these sliders, were probably some of the best Ive ever had and did not have me desiring any meat. If were to judge this place simply based on the sliders and the awesome service I got. It would be a clear five star dining experience. Those sliders were good enough to overcome the fact that they probably have the stupidest choice of plants for their outside seating area. You have these little green plants sticking you in the back of the neck the entire time youre eating. We got the cold appetizer sampler that came with the panzenella, quinoa and arugula with avocado. All of it was good, but it wasnt ground breaking. Each dish left you feeling as though yeah I could go home and make those relatively easily. The Ma Po Tofu, was a little bland and one not and wasnt that great either. Still it is a pretty solid vegetarian restaurant. The waiter was so great that he even chased us down to give me the sunglasses I left on the table.
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A Private User
As a resident of the area I enjoy to go to new places. I went there once with my husband and was not able to get outdoor seating because of its limited outdoor space. We sat inside where the seating was limited as well. Their small plates filled my expectations but when I decided to go back for a second time with my mother the customer service was absolutely horrible. I came back about a week later and asked once again to be seated outside - a confused waiter seated the person that came after me and then decided to seat me. First, I was told I couldnt be seated because I was waiting for someone but after letting them know that I will order for two, I was seated down. I was then approached by a women who I thought came to place my order for two but I was told "This is not a self seating place" I was absolutey shocked and I told "The women I was seated by an employee but I was told to get up and wait to be seated!" I ended up leaving without an apology and would never go back and believe they need management training or some customer service courses.
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Christine McPherson
Vegetarian isnt usually my go-to, but I will dream about the Beet Salad here until I go back and have it again, because it was delicious. I wasnt disappointed by anything we ordered. Between two of us we had the Beet Salad, Sesame Noodle (I never wanted to stop eating this), Gyoza, Saag Paneer, and Mushroom Saute. It was just the right amount of food. I cant wait to go back and try the rest of the menu. The restaurant itself is fairly compact, but larger than it looks from the outside. we were nestled in a booth between two other tables and were fairly comfortable. the Server knew everything there was to know about the menu. I dont have any allergies or specific dietary restrictions, but I did overhear the server discussing how they could change dishes to accommodate dairy free, vegan, or gluten free diets. Overall everything was fantastic from the service to the music to the food.
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A Private User
We had a wonderful time there for dinner. The outdoor seating was great, right on Division but still felt private. The food was outstanding. We had the five spice tofu appetizer, which was very complex and flavorful. The tofu tasted more like smoked gouda than tofu, which was a great surprise because we expected the typical soggy tofu cubes. We also had the mushroom saute with creamy polenta - delish and filling. Also had the "sliders," i.e., small veggie burger with chipotle mayo, which my husband loved. I thought it was pretty good, really liked the bread, but not amazing. Then we also got the chili which was wonderful- fresh, hearty, and the right level of spice. It was such a pleasure going to an all-veggie place. Oh, and the saki cocktails were wonderful and refreshing - we had the pear one and the coconut and lime one. Service was lovely. Definitely will go back.
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Nixon Rosa
"Everyone just do your thing, have some lemon grass" and lemon grass I had. Right off the bat the people watching and nice Paris atmosphere is good enough for any occasion especially on a non-rainy Paris night. Its open late for jet-laggers which was perfect for our 10:45 PM is dinner mentality. The service was impeccable, polite, patiently waiting for our order, the food came out and kept coming out. The spring rolls were fried but excellent, lemon grass salad was refreshing and a perfect starter, the dim sum wasnt the best I have had but certainly edible, I love me long time some dim sum. And a place that always changes plates always makes me feel special. The chicken was good and the sauce pairing was great. Everything tasted fresh and pretty dang satisfying. I am not even mad that I didnt get a happy ending for desert.
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Michel Ferrara
Manna had wonderful ambiance. Excellent music, style, and design. It is a great place for a date or evening out. It is definitely a trendy/ cool place to be. Menu Items Avocado and Arugula- Wonderfully tasty and with lots of cherry tomoatoes ! seaweed and cucumber- Mostly seaweed with some cucumber Brussels sprouts - Extraordinary tasty! One of my favorite dishes. Curry - Light on curry and cauliflower with creamy kind of corn/polenta base. Gnocchi - Fantastic and delicious! Dessert - sorbet trio - I loved the chocolate scoop the best. Drink Goose Island Ginger Beer - Fantastic and very strong ginger Banana coconut pineapple smoothy - simple and as you would expect Overall I gave them 4 stars because they are a fantastic place but the food combination decisions on many of the dishes did not speak to me.
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A Private User
It was a cold Sunday evening and a couple of my friends were looking for a place to have some tea/coffee and small bites. We stumbled upon this place by chance and walked in...very dark, but cute little restaurant. Didnt know it was vegetarian, but it was not an issue. We ordered several dishes to share, including tomato pumpkin ravioli, mana slider, and quesadilla which was all very good, surprisingly good. However, being Koreans, we just had to try the bi bim bop...and it was the most bizarre food weve tasted. I dont know about the bulgogi, but the bibimbop was definitely a miss - rice was cold, tasted fish sauce, vegtables were too big, etc.. Service was very slow, even on half empty Sunday evening. This may be a good option for vegetarians, but some items on the menu needs to be ordered with reservation.
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Brian Luczak
Im not a vegetarian but my 20yo daughter is and she just started school so this was a treat for her. I had the hummus appetizer and corn on the cob for dinner. Hot damn it was good! Perfect hummus. It is obviously made in the kitchen as it is, for lack of a better word, fluffy? Its fresh and not like the mud you buy at jewel. The corn was so god that the other three eating with me ordered it after they had ordered their meals. My beer was overpriced at $7.50 but the meals were priced right. Our total for 4 entrees with all the corn and a drink for me and one soda was about 70 with tip. Great food and very good value. From a non vegetarian Id go again! Oh and the service was good too. My co-eaters complained the linguini was too spicy hot and they made them again with less pop
