Indian Garden Restaurant & Caterings

Anu, Sonali, Kasia, and the rest of the Mantra team made our wedding ceremony day truly special. We wanted to do a seated dinner which was not an easy task for Indian food. We were struggling to come up with a menu that would be elevated and suitable for a diverse group of guests. During our tasting, Anu helped us craft that perfect menu. In that process, we could tell that the team was focused on little details. She asked us about the size of the plates, the size of the tables, and the décor colors. She focused on how everything would look, how it would be served, the logistics behind each course, how fresh each dish would be, and even just which colors would be present on the dish. That attention to detail is something that our guests were able to pick up on. The food was also unique, differentiating itself from some of the more typical Indian dishes but still incredibly delicious. We were worried that not all guests would enjoy all the food because people can be picky, but we only heard praise and saw empty plates. Mantra truly helped bring our vision of a seated dinner similar to fine dining tasting menus come to life. However, that was not the only thing that the Mantra team did. They paid attention to our cocktail hour and the ceremony snacks, ensuring that guests had enough to eat throughout the evening. Anu also asked us a lot of questions about the general flow of the event, offering sincere advice outside of catering in an attempt to help enhance our day. She went out of her way to ensure that we could get a tandoor at the Chicago Botanic Gardens, something they had initially refused. We could tell that Anu, Sonali, Kasia and the team really went out of their way for us, and that made our wedding ceremony all that more unforgettable.

Mantra knocked it out of the park with our Welcome Party for our guests. We had a few custom ideas for our event (e.g. a vegetarian version of an East Coast Chopped Cheese) and we weren't totally sure how they were going to turn out—but Mantra quelled those fears the minute I took my first bite. From bringing small food station decor to elevate our ambience to accommodating requests near to the event date (more veggies in the Build-Your-Own-Maggi station please), they pulled through on everything and then some. This was the first event of our wedding weekend, so we were extra intentional that guests hungry and tired after a day of travel were well fed, and it set the right tone for the whole weekend. The Maggi station was especially a hit (we had many subsequent requests that we should've had two instead of one stall) as were the rest of the savor items, desserts, and his- and hers-cocktails

As a hands-on bride that was very particular about the small touches to make sure the celebration was a reflection of us as individuals and a couple, Mantra was the right choice and an equal partner in bringing intentionality to each dish and the event as a whole. One of the best decisions we made during the planning process and 12/10 would do it again (especially because not only did we take and savor the Chopped Cheese leftovers, I also think about that sandwich once a week).

Mantra Catering provided the food for our wedding at River Roast in Aug 2026, and we’re so grateful for the care they put into it. Food was one of the parts of the celebration we cared about most! With a guest list that was half Indian and half American, we wanted a dinner everyone would enjoy and a menu that still felt like us. Sonali and the Mantra team helped bring that vision to life.

What I appreciated just as much as the menu was how easy they made the process for me. Once we chose Mantra, I never had to coordinate between the catering team, planner, and the venue myself. That was a huge relief as a bride and let me focus on enjoying our wedding. Thank you to Sonali and the whole team for making the food such a special part of our day. We got tons of compliments and everyone agreed that it was such a creative menu. They were one of the easiest vendors we worked with throughout or wedding process and you can tell they really care about guest experience and event flow.

I would recommend them to anyone looking for a professional, creative team that delivers high-quality, out of this world food!! Thank you Mantra!

Another mention is the care and professionalism we have seen over the years with the Mantra team - it never diminishes!

We can't thank Kasia and the entire team at India Garden enough! All of our guests absolutely loved the food they provided. The level of care and attention to detail they brought to each aspect of their service made for such a seamless (and fun!) working experience.

Mantra catered our surprise engagement party and according to my mother they exceeded her expectations. They were extremely responsive in coordinating the right menu my mom was looking for, arrival time, set up and service. They came fully staffed with beautiful chaffing dishes from India, a bar service, and buffet decor. My mom & the rest of our family absolutely loved them and loved everything they offered from service to food!

We are in the planning stages of our wedding and have had the pleasure to attending several weddings with Mantra Catering. It's safe to say that their team has yet to miss with us. The food is delicious! From a guest's standpoint, we love their live stations where they make dishes right in front of you that is not just Indian food but can also be fusions with Mexican, Chinese and Middle Eastern cuisines! If there was ever a mistake, we watched the team be very quick to fix it and the staff are genuinely really nice. We've asked a few of our friends and family about their experience and they rave about the Mantra team. We look forward hopefully working with them!

We had Mantra cater for our Sangeet and their food is the most raved about from the entire weekend. All of our guests haven't stopped talking about how delicious the food was, the presentation and the kulfi cart that all of us couldn't get enough of. We loved our other caters but wish we had Mantra for more than one night.

Kasia and her team always do a fantastic job. We worked together in August for a sangeet at the Adler Planetarium and food and presentation were great. Looking forward to working together again soon!

How do I adequately portray in words the magic that encompasses the incomparable Anu Sharma? What she and her team at Mantra brought to our wedding weekend was so much more than incredible food — it was acceptance, artistry, heart, and an experience our guests will never forget.

At our initial tasting, Anu aunty and Kasia sat down with us and really listened. As a same-sex couple planning a fusion Indian wedding, we were nervous about how vendors might respond — but Anu aunty and Kasia welcomed us with warmth, kindness, and curiosity. They asked about how we met, took notes on our story, and made us feel that our love was not only accepted, but celebrated at Mantra.

Our sangeet was Spain-inspired, and by the end of the tasting, Anu already had pages of ideas—creative, unique, and completely tailored to us. She didn’t just craft a menu. She helped us create a moment, designing dishes and presentation that elevated our vision and immersed our guests in the experience we dreamed of.

For the cocktail hour and reception, Anu honored both of our families’ requests with a beautiful blend of North and South Indian flavors. Every item served throughout the weekend was a home run—flavorful, inventive, and unforgettable.

Standout Favorites:
• Sangeet:
Empanadas, mango caviar gol gappa shots, paella and pizza stations, and the mangonada — guests are still talking about it.
• Reception:
Dal Bukhara, Mangalorean paneer, bhindi masala, bisi bele bath for our South Indian guests, and the desserts — wow.
The chai crème Brulé and gulab jamun cheesecake were jaw-droppingly good and disappeared within minutes.

And the presentation? Absolutely stunning — colorful, elevated, and true to the vibe of each event. It was clear that Anu aunty and her team approached this not just as a catering job, but as a labor of love.

From the bottom of our hearts: Thank you, Anu aunty, Kasia, and Sonali, for making our wedding weekend nothing short of perfect. Your food was the heart of our celebration, and your energy made us feel truly seen and cherished.

If you’re planning an Indian wedding in Chicago (or honestly, anywhere), and are looking for a caterer who delivers perfection, professionalism, and love, look no further than Mantra.

With gratitude and love,
Ashwin & Destry 🌈