It’s unlikely there will be many more nights this nice until Spring, so get out and enjoy it! The sidewalk cafes around Rittenhouse are likely to be teeming with people. But why not try something a bit different and have food and drinks in the window seats at Mantra.

Or as we mentioned earlier, check out the beer dinner and new menus at Pontiac Grille, and maybe, just maybe, forgive them for ruining Dobbs.

Mantra goes under the microscope of Craig LaBan and comes away with just a single bell.

But either Paris reaches too far with offerings that invoke flavors from Persia to Mongolia, or this casual approach to fusion – in which all-purpose sauces and spice blends get reused with little ethnic tweaks – just seems too generic next to today’s more authentically oriented flavors. Too few of the dishes hit the target taste buds.

But there are some winners on the menu including the Bengal lamb chops, and the ribs which are slow-cooked for 12 hours.

Mantra [Craig LaBan]

Kirsten Henri takes a look at Mantra off of Rittenhouse Square and finds the atmosphere to be “Buddakan plus kitsch minus Stephen Starr.” Kirsten goes on to say some of the food is good and reasonably priced for the neighborhood.

“Bombay burgers” are among the best dishes—nifty little slabs of ground sirloin redolent with toasty spices and tucked into soft homemade roti, an Indian flatbread, and sprinkled with tangy chopped cucumbers.
Bengal spiced lamb chops are also a favorite—nicely infused with dusky, aromatic spices and pleasingly tender. They’re satisfying on their own or dipped in the cucumber yogurt, and served with more strips of the lovely roti.

The Whole Kit and Cabuddha

Here’s a fun food dish pointed out by Craig LaBan and seconded by Foobooz. Mantra at 18th and Sansom, off Rittenhouse Square, has a Lobster Kamikaze on the menu. “Mantra’s lobster kamikaze has basil-lime sauce, mango, avocado, chunks of lobster, and a rumor of caviar. It’s served with a lime half dipped in sesame seeds. Squeeze on top and it’s summer.”

We digest the review so you don’t have to, City Paper checks out Mantra.
City Paper finds Mantra lacking in their self-proclaimed sanctuary category. A little harsh for a restaurant not even open a month, and still waiting for it’s liquor license. The reviewer does however like the mini Bombay burgers, “arguably the most “soulful” of offerings. They come two to a plate, pocketed in a roti with chopped pickles, and accompanied by a side of chunky, salt-studded sweet potato fries and soy dipping sauce.” And also enjoyed the “novelty” of the lobster kamikaze, comprised of lobster claw meat, avocado and mango.

Spiritual Quest [City Paper]

Foobooz picked up a menu last night at Mantra, 118 S 18th St.
They promise a liquor license by the weekend and food till 1 AM, seven nights a week.
Here’s the menu.

If you were a fan of the departed Guru on South Street, rejoice as chef Al Paris is back and this time with his own place Mantra, just off of Rittenhouse Square on 18th street.
Paris, who had been toiling at Zanzibar Blue among other job responsibilities, is the chef/owner of Mantra, a spot as pleasing on the eye as it is on the tongue.
The menu brings back many of the favorite Asian fusion dishes of Guru. Enjoy the shrimp spring rolls, Thai chicken salad, or try new menu items like the seasonal soft shell crabs. The plates are brought out as prepared and are ideal for sharing.
So grab a group of people and head to Rittenhouse Square. Mantra has a liquor license pending, but until it is approved you are encouraged to bring your own drink.

The just opened Mantra is offering bring your own libations until their liquor license is ready. The Mantra space is very impressive, situated in an ornate stone storefront. A sinewy orange work of art/wall looks like it escaped from Body Worlds.

Michael Klein reports that Mantra will open today. The pan-Asian restaurant from Guru, Rococo and Circa veteran Al Paris will take up a spot at 118 S 18th Street. Top menu item is just $16 and will serve food till 1 AM, making it a welcome late night option around Rittenhouse Square.
Related:
Mantra, an Asian Fusion Sounds Promising

Al Paris, a chef at several Neil Stein locales as well as Rococo, Circa, and the fondly remembered Guru is opening his own, Mantra, on South 18th Street. A. D. Amorosi catches up with him in today’s City Paper.