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 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 🌈

Mantra was our catering company for almost all wedding celebrations we had in May . Every event had over 300 people and reception was 500.
The food was absolutely delicious and the professionalism of the staff was top notch. We began the tasting process a year ago with Anu's assistant Kasia.
She guided us with picking the perfect menu for each function. All our guests were very complimentary of the food and that is the most important part of hosting events. Thank you Anu and Kasia and your wonderful team for making each of our events perfect. Ashu and Romita Dayal

Food is one of the most important choices during your wedding planning process. Mantra is by far the best decision we made for our wedding! The experience from start to finish was unparalleled to any other catering in the entire area. They understand and work with you on executing your vision and taking away any stress you may encounter. The items were all so unique and high quality in taste and ingredients! We had 600 guests throughout our entire wedding weekend and every single one had the highest compliments for each item that was chosen. The menu selection process was incredibly smooth as Anu sits with you during the tasting, taking notes, and making changes and suggestions in real time. An example of this was our original menus having a lot of hot and fried foods, not leaving much variety. Anu assisted us in finding alternatives that were in the same family but gave your taste buds a different culinary experience. The entire staff was incredibly professional, courteous, kind, and accommodating. We had a few guests who had strict religious dining requirements and they had prepared their plates and brought it to them so they can enjoy the food without sacrifice. The quality of the food and aesthetics on which they were presented were absolutely breathtaking. They truly treat their couples and their families as their own. A huge huge thank you to Sonali, Kasia, and Anu for making our wedding one we truly will never forget and wish we could relive over and over. End your search for a caterer now because Mantra is the only correct choice!

We couldn’t be happier with the experience we had with Mantra for our wedding! From our very first meeting, they went above and beyond to make sure everything was absolutely perfect. Their team was incredibly helpful and present every step of the way, guiding us through menu options, accommodating our preferences, and providing us with such peace of mind during the planning process.

On the wedding day, their dedication truly showed. The food was exceptional – beautifully presented, fresh, and bursting with flavor. We’ve had countless compliments from our guests who were all amazed by the quality and taste of each dish. Every bite was simply delicious, and it was clear that every detail had been thoughtfully prepared with care.

The staff on the day was also incredibly attentive and professional, ensuring that everything ran smoothly. We felt genuinely supported by a team that cared just as much about making our day special as we did.

We can’t recommend Mantra enough! They exceeded all our expectations and helped make our wedding a day we’ll remember forever. If you’re looking for a catering company that is both professional and passionate about what they do, look no further.

We recently had the pleasure of working with Mantra Catering for our daughter’s wedding, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with our decision. Our goal was to create a memorable experience for our guests, and Mantra exceeded our expectations in every way.

After narrowing down our choice from three different caterers, it became clear from the very first tasting that Mantra was the perfect fit. While their food is undeniably the best we’ve ever tasted, what truly set them apart was their full-service approach. Mantra handled everything seamlessly—from logistics and dinnerware to providing a professional and attentive serving staff.

Working with them was effortless. They took the time to understand our vision, carefully noting our goals, requirements, and expectations. The menu was thoughtfully curated to strike a perfect balance between flavors and was personalized to suit our specific tastes. Their attention to detail was evident, not only in the delicious food but also in the beautiful presentation of the buffet and the impeccable service.

A special mention goes to Kasia Firs, the incredibly responsive catering manager, who was our main point of contact from day one. Kasia provided expert guidance, offering proactive suggestions that aligned perfectly with our needs. She meticulously noted feedback from our three tasting sessions and ensured every detail was executed flawlessly in the final menu.

Another standout was Anu Verma, the owner of Mantra. Anu was hands-on from start to finish, demonstrating her passion, dedication and keen eye for detail. She participated in venue walkthroughs and was right there on the wedding day, not only overseeing the serving staff and operations but also actively working alongside them, ensuring everything went smoothly.
When the big day arrived, Mantra delivered beyond our expectations. The food was absolutely delicious, and many dishes were presented in creative, unique ways that left a lasting impression on our guests. The serving staff was professional, courteous, and attentive throughout the evening.

Even now, a month after the wedding, we’re still receiving compliments from our guests about the incredible culinary experience they had at the wedding. Mantra truly brought our daughter's dream wedding to life, and we are beyond grateful.

If you're looking for a caterer that goes above and beyond, we wholeheartedly recommend Mantra.

Latha and Ganesh Pai