Restaurant Tue Sep 09 2008

Mana Food Bar

I recently met a friend at Mana Food Bar to sample the vegetarian fare.

We each ordered a lemonade (tangy or sweet for $2) and decided to split four of the small dishes. We started with the house made pickled vegetables for $4 and the baby potato salad in spicy mustard and bleu cheese for $4.

The pickle plate contained some wonderful pickled okra, a nice medium-spiced kimchi, and pickled daikon radish that we found so over-powering that we didn't finish it. The potato salad balanced the bold flavors of bleu cheese and mustard well. I am going to try to recreate this pleasing combination at home.

For our second course we ordered the mushroom saute over soft polenta for $8 and their special - an asian inspired noodle dish with squash, tofu, herbs, and coconut water (pictured) for $8. The mushroom dish was excellent with silky polenta and lots of butter. The noodle dish was perfect for a rainy night and really brightened up with the chili sauce served on the side.

Mana serves inventive food that is worth a visit. A filling dinner with drinks might land on the expensive side (they have a formidable sake selection), but it was a great place to share a few dishes while ducking out of the rain.

Mana Food Bar
1742 W. Division St.
Chicago, IL 60622
773-342-1742

— Gemma Petrie / Comments (0)