Mantra Restaurant & Lounge

I went with a friend of mine for a casual dinner. The best samosas I have ever had. I focus on the little things like chutneys and raitas and Chef Sachin Chopra delivered what I have been looking for over 9 years in US now - both were the best by far.

Sure the items on the menu were a bit expensive (Entre: 18-50 I guess), but food quantities were quite generous. We knew we ordered a bit extra, but the left overs laster me for 2 full meals. Our total bill was $87 (plus tip) - not bad huh!!

I haven't tried their non-veg menu yet, but can't wait to go again.... at the very least once....

If you like authentic Indian food, made and served gourmet style and don't mind paying that little extra price, then you have to give this a try. Hope you like it just as much too.

We had a large dinner party here. The food was good. Experience was great until the end when we got the bill.

We asked the lead waiter to split the check for more convenient payments for us. His attitude gave me the impression that we were giving him hassle. This, after $160 for gratitude?

We will not come back.

Tasty mussels and great curry chicken, I would recommend this place if you have at least 1 hour and half. This being said the service was slow, at least on the server side, the water and dish guys were operating at great speeds.

The food was different, and quite good.

Mantra was hugely dissappointing, it has so much potential, but the kitchen just doesn't execute. It is a beautiful restaurant with nice art on the walls and it has a fun hip vibe, and the menu sounds great, but it doesn't come together on the plate. I'm not against Asian fusion, I 've actually started becoming quite fond of it, but I think Mantra is an example of why some people are so against fusion. The paneer appetizer lacked flavor. The samosa's are way overpriced for being as simple as they are. The lamb chops were undercooked, we asked for med. rare and got very rare. The seabass itself was very nice, but the accompaniments lacked flavor. All this and you walk out with a big hole in your wallet.

I was at Mantra a few nights ago with a friend, and had a terrific experience. The bar, called "Daru Lounge" may just be my favorite physical part of the restaurant. Grandly yet sleekly designed, with friendly, accommodating bartenders, it wouldnt be out of place in a chic neighborhood in Manhattan. Of the drinks we tried, I particularly enjoyed the pomegranate "pom-pom" martini and the red mist martini, although my friend preferred the slightly harder "Mantra" special. We also tasted the chocolate martini, which was too sweet for my palate, but our bartender Jerry said it's a favorite with the ladies. The martinis were a little pricey at $10 a pop, but given the exquisite ambience of the bar, and the fresh naan and chutney we were given as a special treat from the owner, it was entirely reasonable.

Dinner was equally impressive. The dining area at Mantra is actually separated from the bar quite effectively, which makes for a more private dining experience. We shared the Paneer Cuboid as an appetizer, whose only fault may be its slightly diminutive size. But I was very pleasantly surprised by the portions of the entrees. I had the Kashmiri Sea Bass, which may just be the best, most tender, and agreeably spiced sea bass I've ever had. My friend ordered the Chicken "Moilee", which he seemed to enjoy. I had a taste of it and found it just a little bland though the meat itself was very tender and well-prepared. For dessert we split the chocolate "bombe" in passion fruit soup, which I think really showcases the chef's creative ability to infuse Indian flavors into an otherwise Western dish. It's a must-have.

All in all a delightful dining experience, with perhaps one of the most underappreciated upscale bars in Palo Alto. Mantra is not your typical Indian restaurant trying to attract attention by abusing the "fusion" label. I wouldn't compare it with other Indian restaurants in the area it really is fine dining experience with an Indian twist.