(617) 542-8111

52 Temple Pl (Tremont Street)
Boston, MA 02111 42.3551 -71.062

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Neighborhoods: Central, Downtown

MANTRARESTAURANT.COM

Years in business

Established in 2001

Hours:

Mon-Wed 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-12am

Thu-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-2am

Sat 5:30pm-2am

Price:

$$$$

Last updated 7.23.11

Category:

Restaurants, Food & Dining, Cigar Lounges, Lounges, Ethnic Food Markets, Grocery Stores

Payment Methods:

American Express, Diners Club, Discover, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Late Night Dining, Celeb Hangout, Fine Dining, People Watching, Online Reservations, Dine At The Bar

Cuisine:

Eclectic & International, French, Indian

Smoking Permitted:

No

What People Are Saying About Mantra

Featured Review

Eric Grossman

Contributor

In Short – Chain mail curtains and stepped tables evoke multiple rooms in the Beaux-Arts marble hall of the Old Colony Bank. Graceful oval tables and elegant settings boost the sense of fine dining. Mantra serves French cuisine sparked with Indian spices--contrasting textures (crispy brie and crab salad with cracked coriander vinaigrette) and assertive flavors (grilled scampi prawns with a seaweed and crab roll, saffron glaze). The lounge area houses the Ladder District's most stylish nightlife scene.

Editor's Tips

The Extras:
A three-course, pre-theatre menu ($39.95) is available Mon-Sat from 5:30pm-6:30pm.
Know Before You Go:
Gentlemen, the urinals are disguised as ice machines. Ladies, your privacy is secure: the glass is one-way.
ambiance
75.0% positive
  1. We were very nicely taken care of, we felt very private although in the main dining area, and really enjoyed the ambiance.
  2. The cocktail list is full of original and fun new concoctions.
  3. Its a very cool atmosphere, and when we arrived, we thought it would be a fun place to come for drinks after work.
  4. The decor is absolutely amazing, very modern, and so sophisticated.
  5. It was not even a comfortable place to stand, FORGET dancing.
  6. Great ambience but music could've been better
  7. impressive space and beautiful decor.
  8. The city was a bit cold but Mantra more than made up for it with it's staff and warm and welcoming decor.
dessert
0.0% positive
  1. And the creme brulee we ordered for dessert was awful and bore no resemblance to creme brulee.
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. The lamb was delicious and the drinks were very tasty.
  2. Great appetizers, Great bar scene
  3. Its a very cool atmosphere, and when we arrived, we thought it would be a fun place to come for drinks after work.
food quality
71.71999931335449% positive
  1. The menu was a prix fixe so I was unable to taste their traditional dishes but for the price the meal should have been outstanding.
  2. Order the tandoory shrimp and you will be in heaven.
  3. But the evening was saved by our great waiter and the food was very good and on time.
  4. The vegeterian napoleon dish is amazing but fattening.
  5. We live in Boston and know of many great spots with terrific food.
  6. It was the worst food I've ever had in all the fine restaurants I have gone to so far.
  7. The portions were perfect and delicious.
  8. am happy to pay for a great meal, but this was fair at best.
  9. The food is very decent, if somewhat limited in selection.
  10. We had a limited menu so i can't comment for a whole experience, but for what it was the food was excellent and anticipating great experience on my return.
  11. The food was great, the price reasonable (w/no hidden fees or surprises at the end!)
  12. My appetizer of prawns in a cracked pepper tomoatoe sauce was nice but my girfiends tomato soup was bland even with the hint of hot pepper.
  13. To compensate the food was ok, but nothing impressive, so we were not deeply regretting by the fact we decided to stay until the ?
  14. The food itself was terrible.
  15. The food we ordered was very good, cooked to excellence, and very tasty.
  16. In all, the food was just flavorful and fresh.
  17. They just came out with a new sharing plates (tapas) menu and everything was delicious.
  18. The food was so flavorful and unique; it truly was a culinary experience.
  19. The manager did adjust the bill for the miscooked food which was nice but I would have rathered paid full price for a great meal!
  20. The trout was delicious and the creme sauce was out of this world.
  21. The lamb was delicious and the drinks were very tasty.
  22. Mediocre food.
  23. The veal tenderloin that we ordered was too dry and again the sauce didn't bring out the flavor of the meat.
  24. Good food, poor service
  25. Service is good, although I've had to ask servers to restock some of the dishes on a number of occasions (they constantly run out of watermelon, for instance).
  26. Worst meal I have had in Boston especially for the price
  27. The menu was mediocre: a plain, boring salad was one appetizer option, and they had a steak option for entrees.
  28. And the creme brulee we ordered for dessert was awful and bore no resemblance to creme brulee.
  29. The food was delicious, for the most part.
  30. must admit I was a big fan of the food at Mantra and still am I am really surprised that they have still kept the hostess around after so many negative reviews.
  31. My pork came out completely raw and the tandori chiken skewers were pretty gross.
  32. Finally made it to Mantra after so many colleagues rave about the food and the space and i am now convinced that this will be the hottest spot in Boston in the coming year.
  33. All in all, I would definitely recommend Mantra to friend and family looking for delicious food and a unique experience.
menu variety
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. The menu was a prix fixe so I was unable to taste their traditional dishes but for the price the meal should have been outstanding.
  2. We had a limited menu so i can't comment for a whole experience, but for what it was the food was excellent and anticipating great experience on my return.
  3. Amazing tapas menu
  4. They just came out with a new sharing plates (tapas) menu and everything was delicious.
  5. The food is very decent, if somewhat limited in selection.
  6. The menu was mediocre: a plain, boring salad was one appetizer option, and they had a steak option for entrees.
overall
100.0% positive
  1. The apologies never surfaced and the experience was the best i have ever had at a restaurant.
  2. Maybe its a nice restaurant but that's exactly what it is.
  3. Its a great place to have your birthday party.
  4. My girlfriends and I take advantage of restaurant week to help us each choose a new favorite restaurant for the year and working across from Mantra made it an easy choice for me.
  5. sometimes a little noisy but a nice place overall.
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. We had a limited menu so i can't comment for a whole experience, but for what it was the food was excellent and anticipating great experience on my return.
service
76.66999816894531% positive
  1. Also - our server Haswan was great.
  2. The city was a bit cold but Mantra more than made up for it with it's staff and warm and welcoming decor.
  3. The staff was very friendly even to four female patrons that were very annoying and spoke consistenly about the rude hostess.
  4. We were overwhelmed by the great service without being bothered.
  5. Awful service.
  6. Service is good, although I've had to ask servers to restock some of the dishes on a number of occasions (they constantly run out of watermelon, for instance).
  7. We chose the Chicken Tikka, Eggplant Mango Salsa, Lamb Chops and a few other items recommended by our server.
  8. The general manager inform us that they are trying to recapture their earlier success as a restaurant by introducing their amazing chef to the Boston landscape.
  9. must admit I was a big fan of the food at Mantra and still am I am really surprised that they have still kept the hostess around after so many negative reviews.
  10. Most welcoming smile from the host which i found out was the manager but wouldn't know it as everyone seem to work seamlessly together to make our evening out a great experience.
  11. Then the service was as bad as you get in Chinatown.
  12. The manager did adjust the bill for the miscooked food which was nice but I would have rathered paid full price for a great meal!
  13. the setting both elegant and uber-hip, the staff extremely professional but no less warm and friendly.
  14. Good food, poor service
  15. But the evening was saved by our great waiter and the food was very good and on time.
value
80.95000267028809% positive
  1. The menu was a prix fixe so I was unable to taste their traditional dishes but for the price the meal should have been outstanding.
  2. Worst meal I have had in Boston especially for the price
  3. The meals were amazing though the portions could have been a little more substantial.
  4. The portions were perfect and delicious.
  5. The portions were great and the sauces were incredible.
  6. The manager did adjust the bill for the miscooked food which was nice but I would have rathered paid full price for a great meal!
  7. The food was great, the price reasonable (w/no hidden fees or surprises at the end!)
wait time
0.0% positive
  1. personally had a bad experience with her when we reached 15 minutes late for our reservation, our table was given away and she spoke to us as if she was doing a favor by providing us with a table when it is available.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

12/15/09

amazing event venue

by adam1212 at Citysearch

I recently had the pleasure of celebrating my daughter's bat mitzvah at Mantra Restaurant. It was a fabulous experience in every regard. The food was great, the price reasonable (w/no hidden fees or surprises at the end!), the setting both elegant and uber-hip, the staff extremely professional but no less warm and friendly. They went the extra mile when I forgot to bring Chanukah candles and a staff member rushed out to find a box. If I could add a 6th star to the rating I'd do it in a New York minute.

  • Pros: food, staff, decore
  • Cons: none that I found....
3 Star Rating: Average

07/30/09

Good lunch special

by sansdieu at Citysearch

I often head there for lunch with my co-workers. The food is very decent, if somewhat limited in selection. Service is good, although I've had to ask servers to restock some of the dishes on a number of occasions (they constantly run out of watermelon, for instance). The designer chairs look good, but tend to flip backwards (be careful, when getting up). Must visit the bathroom (and take a peek at the old bank vault nearby).

  • Pros: Great price for a lunch buffet, good service, bathroom
  • Cons: Limited selection, odd furniture
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/22/09

WOW

by ieat1234 at Citysearch

WOW - This was my first time at Mantra. After buying a dinner for 6 at a fundraiser, I was excited to use it. We arrived on Saturday evening with a group of 6 and were seated promptly although the restaurant was full (we did have a reservation). The walk to our table was amazing - The place is absolutely Stunning. Great decor and restaurant music.

NOW the real WOW - THE FOOD. They offered their restaurant week menu as well as a sharing plate menu. We started off with about 8 sharing plates and one was better than the other. Goat cheese and watermelon Kabob, amazing. I'm Greek and never had a kabob this way. Garlic, Back Pepper shrimp - my favorite! Naan Pizza - better than any Greek pizza. In all, the food was just flavorful and fresh. I have never had food with this much flavor in my life. Also - our server Haswan was great. Very attentative and professional. Also, I knew there had to be a Greek person in this place, Kabobs, Greek Wine, some Greek music? The manager was Greek. It was nice to see some of my culture even at Mantra, truly is a fusion restaurant. I am one to rarely write reviews, but just had to about MANTRA. I will be back!!!

  • Pros: FOOD- FOOD -SERVICE - FOOD -
  • Cons: couldn't eat anymore
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/12/09

Great new tapas menu

by laupic at Citysearch

I recently enjoyed a wonderful experience at Mantra restaurant, in the theatre district. They just came out with a new sharing plates (tapas) menu and everything was delicious. My boyfriend and I went in thinking we would get a couple of entrees, but instead ordered 8 sharing plates and got to try a little of everything.

The food was so flavorful and unique; it truly was a culinary experience.

I had already heard of the contemporary decor that transforms the former 1800's bank, into a New York style club, but to see it in person was amazing. Vibrant colors, marble floors and walls, a chain mail floor to ceiling curtain....and who doesn't know about the "bathroom experience".

All in all, I would definitely recommend Mantra to friend and family looking for delicious food and a unique experience.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/05/09

Amazing tapas menu

by Foodie12 at Citysearch

My friend and I recently went out for dinner and drinks at Mantra restaurant. It was my first time there and I was impressed by the contemporary decor in the historic bank.

We originally planned on dinner, but decided to try the new sharing menu. We chose the Chicken Tikka, Eggplant Mango Salsa, Lamb Chops and a few other items recommended by our server. Everything was amazing. Very vivid flavors and great presentation.

I am also in love with the Tamarind Margarita. The cocktail list is full of original and fun new concoctions.

I was surprised to read some of the other reviews, because my experience was amazing. I guess it just goes to show, sometimes you have to try things for yourself.

The Details on Mantra

Place Categories:

  • delicious miscooked food
  • best wonderful experience
  • awful service
  • not comfortable place
  • beautiful decor
  • great meal
  • worst ok food
  • ok nothing
  • delicious portions
  • great music
  • like most restaurant
  • uber-hip setting
  • mediocre menu
  • great goodlooking crowd
  • no less warm professional
  • awful dessert
  • professional staff
  • rave many colleagues
  • delicious everything
  • nice appetizer
  • bad experience
  • very annoying female patrons
  • great saturday
  • horrible athmosphere
  • great event space
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