Mana Food Bar: User Reviews

A delight for your tastebuds!
By jenster from East Village, October 5, 2009

Overall rating:

My husband and I are not vegetarian and the first time we ate there, we didn't know it was vegetarian. It wasn't until after we ordered that it dawned on me. The dishes are so fresh, delicious and creative that even if they had meat dishes, we would have probably still ordered the vegetarian one. I have introduced a lot of people to Mana and everybody LOVES it! It's by far one of my favourite restaurants in Chicago - my only wish is that it was bigger and that they would take reservations since it is difficult to get in smetimes. Hopefully they will expand into a bigger space one day...

love it
By marien from suburbs, September 4, 2009

Overall rating:

Eaten here several times and it is always interesting. Don't even think of it as vegetarian--good food for everyone

Nothing I couldn't make myself at home
By laura from Rogers Park, July 4, 2009

Overall rating:

Very disappointing. The food was flavorless and overprice. It tasted fresh, but it was nothing I couldn't make at home myself. Also, not very allergy-friendly. If you're allergic to wheat or gluten or sugar, your options will be severely limited.

1 Star Service
By Mpetrushchak from wicker park, June 19, 2009

Overall rating:

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 couldn't 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.

Love it!
By Saffron from Loop, February 12, 2009

Overall rating:

I really enjoyed this place. I thought there was a fabulous selection of really interesting foods. The small plates are great, in that you can share and sample a lot of great food. The sliders, grits, and ravioli were all wonderful.
It is a VERY small place. We got there early (6ish), and were able to be seated right away, but by the time we left there were a lot of people waiting.
I will definitely be going back!

I love this place, but they need more tables.
By whyvon from albany park, February 11, 2009

Overall rating:

i am totally addicted to the food at Mana, so great, cannot complain. but the place is so small you really have to get there early or you will wait a long time. so much yum though!

A Great Find
By LauraZ from Humboldt Park, December 28, 2008

Overall rating:

My friend and I had heard about this new restaurant through word of mouth. I was expecting a laid-back veggie place like Handlebar or Bite, but Mana is cozy, minimalist, comfortable, yet chic. The food was amazing--there was a subtlety to the spices and flavors that far surpassed most other vegetarian restaurants I've been to. My friend and I split three small plates and each had one of the famed veggie sliders. The squash salad was fresh and delicious, the rice noodles with tofu and a coconut-milk broth were also amazing--although it sounds like an old veggie standby, there was something unique about the flavors and the way the flavors evolved but weren't overpowering. The warm-plate eggplant was also equally impressive. All dishes were equally complex in terms of layered tastes and textures. We got a bottle of the Graziano pinot gris, which was fresh and crisp with just the right dryness and paired wonderfully with all of the dishes; it seemed to change character with each new small plate. Besides the wonderful food and drink, the atmosphere was chill and clean, the service was laid back but sufficient. All in all this was a great dining experience, and WELL worth the money. My friend and I spent about $35 each, which is extremely reasonable for a meal and a bottle of wine on that stretch of Division. I will definitely be back there soon!

Finally, hope for west Division street!
By candyman from logan square, September 23, 2008

Overall rating:

Mana Food bar is the best thought out and executed concept on west division street. Most importantly, the food (vegi/vegan) is just as much savory and satiating as any italian, thai, or latin eatery that it gets it's inspiration from. Small plate is the mode which works perfectly for flavor variation/wine pairing/budget. After my fifth visit I realized that such a menu hones the clientele to a more sophisticated, less rambunctious crowd than any other handfull of places around it. The interior is just as well planned with attention paid to EVERY aspect of service and execution. My only complaint is a somewhat pricey glass pour of wine - although the wines are niched for the food menu which is again, nicely thought through. Will be back again and again.

Mana Food Bar rocks!!
By pr2002 from roscoe village, September 5, 2008

Overall rating:

This place is a veggie lovers delight. The food was inventive and delicious and the service was great. We sat outside and had a wonderful Saturday afternoon. We tried at least 8 different dishes and they were all consistently excellent. We would definitely go back.

Delicious
By lizmac from Wicker Park, September 1, 2008

Overall rating:

Oh my gosh... get the chili corn on the cob. Amazing. We demolished the first order and had to get a second. So good. So so so so so good.