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Cafe Manna
Categories: Restaurants Vegetarian Restaurants Vegan Vegetarian, Vegan [Edit]
3815 N Brookfield RdSte 100
Brookfield, WI 53045
(262) 790-2340
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 11 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
46 reviews for Cafe Manna
Review Highlights
"...options for those gluten free, vegetarians, vegans and Raw..."
(in 5 reviews)
"...the Jamaican-spiced lentil burger with roasted veggies."
(in 4 reviews)
"TASTE: The complimentary pita chips and cashew with coconut..."
(in 6 reviews)
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46 reviews in English
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Review from Mike P.
7/1/2011
I SEE PARALLELS IN VEGETARIAN/VEGAN COOKING AND THE DE STIJL ART MOVEMENT.
Wiki: They advocated pure abstraction and universality by a reduction to the essentials of form and color; they simplified visual compositions to the vertical and horizontal directions, and used only primary colors along with black and white.
ORDERED: Potato Skins - $11, Corn Fritters - $14, Vegan Cheesecake - $9, Soup du Jour - $4, Small San Pellegrino - $4
TASTE: The complimentary pita chips and cashew with coconut hummus were a tasty starter. The potato skins were one of those dishes that makes you say "why didn't I think of this?". The corn fritters were okay but rather bland, the Creole drizzle wasn't very spicy or abundant. The vegan cheesecake really needs a new title as the name sets people up for disappointment. The dish was more of an herbal tasting dessert sculpture. I prefer to drink mineral water to cleanse my palette when trying many different dishes. Service and decor were great.
JEFF IS BEST: I could pretty much follow the Shepherd Express' Jeff Beutner around and eat where he eats. That's how I found Cafe Manna, Riverwest Co-op and more. Nice article on Cafe Manna in the 6/9/11 edition. -
Review from Colin A.
1/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
Though I don't currently identify as a vegetarian, I enjoy the opportunity to dine with my herbivore friends from time to time. Cafe Manna is a solid place to visit if you want to nosh on the healthier, non-meat side of life. The cafe/restaurant is fairly small and was packed on a recent visit, yet we were seated right away (without reservations). Very impressive menu with lots of selections for those who do not eat meat, are vegan, gluten-free, or practicing a raw diet.
My dining companions and I tried the mushroom burger ($11), Cornish pasty ($16), antipasto salad ($13) and Mediterranean couscous salad ($14). All were exquisite -- though I didn't let anyone try the couscous because I was busy dominating the kalamata olives, mozzarella, peppers and sundried tomatoes that accompanied this dish.
The staff were great -- friendly, welcoming, patient (we had to wait to submit our order as a friend was caught in traffic) and they provided solid recommendations to boot. I had trouble picking an entree but was more than satisfied with the salad. I love that the entire place was built with or supports eco-friendly practices -- you won't find styrofoam carry-out containers here but you will find recycled metal fixtures...a nice touch for sure.
It is quite the pricy visit to Cafe Manna...and the drive to Brookfield is a bit much, but if you are looking for an all-vegetarian dining experience, it is definitely worth checking out. I would go back, but as for now the price and drive are a bit much for me.Listed in: Yelp "100 in TwentyTwelve"…
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Review from Cory Z.
12/31/2011
Cafe Manna was an expensive hoity-toity disappointment. My recommendation is to stay far away. My dining partner likened the food to nursing home food.
The food is extremely bland. There's not even salt and pepper on the tables. Plus, don't even think about any spicing in the entrees. Cafeteria food in expensive trappings is probably being nice.
They served hummus + crackers. The hummus was tastelessly bland. No hint of garlic, tahini, or lemon just blandness. The crackers were the strongest flavor.
My "burger" was so tasteless that I left 3/4 of it on the plate. The only good thing I have to say is that the spag. squash side was well done.
The pasty was ok. The pastry was actually cooked to perfection, but the filling was bland, boring, and cut into either elderly or baby sized bits. The dish was good enough to finish at least.
The restaurant had nice wood floors and tables. They weren't too close together, so the ambiance (minus the weird potato in dirt picture on the wall) was fine.
I've been a vegetarian for well over a decade and this food just stunk. There was a lot of potential and it's disappointing considering how well other restaurants in the area do vegetarian friendly meals.
Our order consisted of:
1 beer
1 glass of wine
1 pot pie (pasty)
1 side salad
1 "jerk" lentil burger
-------------------------
$50 -
Review from Jon A.
11/21/2011
We had received a very generous gift card to Café Manna this summer and finally had a chance to use it. All I can say is that we were underwhelmed, at best. I like the restaurant's idea and mission, but the execution of the food just isn't there.
We went on Friday night and could only get reservations at 8pm. No big deal, since we figured the place wouldn't be as busy at that time. We were correct in that the place was only about half full and most people were already done eating. That didn't mean they were going to leave, though. Oh no, my friend. Those people lingered worse than your average coffee shop denizens.
We were seated near the back of the restaurant right next to a party of 9 people who were also a done eating. This is where the problems started. The acoustics at this restaurant are really poor. So poor that it makes you feel like you have to yell just to talk to the person sitting across from you. As a result this whole restaurant sounded more like a loud bar.
Onto the food. We ordered a bottle of wine, and some Spanakopita for apps. I opted for the Falafel and my wife got the raw tacos. The spanakopita was quite good and was the highlight of the meal. Unfortunately, we weren't able to fully enjoy them because they rushed our entrees out to us before we were even finished eating them. The restaurant manager brought out the food and said something like, "Oh sorry, I want to serve it while it's still hot". Um, dude...my wife got raw tacos and I got falafel that was supposed to be hot, but wasn't. You could tell that they took the mix out of the fridge, formed it and slapped it on a grill for maybe 30 seconds. It was slightly brown on one side and still really cold in the middle. And I really wouldn't have minded one bit had the falafel been tasty. But it was just plain bland. It tasted just like my first attempt at making falafel at home; no flavor at all and poorly cooked. To top it off, the citrus tahini that came with it was bitter beyond belief. I just couldn't eat it.
The salad that accompanied each dish was nice, but contained about teaspoon of oil. I'm not your typical American who demands a tub o' ranch with every salad, but I do like just a small amount of vinegar. This salad was pretty much naked.
I had heard the desserts here are good, but by the time we finished our entrees, the tables of other people were so loud that we just had to leave. My suggestion to the management would be to hang up some more paintings or even drapes that could absorb some of the sound bouncing around.
I really wanted to enjoy this place, but the food just isn't there. I do like eating vegetarian and vegan dishes, but there has to be something that makes them stand out, like strong flavors. Almost everything was bland as if it were meant for consumption by the elderly.
We still have about $40 left on our gift card, but sadly I don't see us really wanting to make the trip all the way out there again. I just kept getting the feeling that if you're new to veggie-friendly cuisine then this place will probably not impress, mostly because of the blandness of the food. And this has the potential to leave a person feeling cemented in the belief that vegetarians are just victims of some ill-adjusted following. Unfortunately on the flip side, if you're used to vegetarian and vegan food then the offerings will seem boring for their price point, especially compared to the other offerings of restaurants that are non-veggie exclusive.
Sorry, Café Manna. You just didn't thrill me like I thought you would. -
Review from Dana M.
Milwaukee, WI
11/17/2011
Many people like this restaurant. I think it is a good "bridge" restaurant if you are a meat eater and don't want to jump in to anything extreme. However, if you are a vegetarian, vegan, etc. and you've been for some time, this place is boring. And overpriced for their boringness. Seriously, fill your purse or pockets with spices to add some flavor to the tasteless food here.
The two EXCEPTIONS: Their desserts are really clean and lite, not overly sugary at all. Outstanding. And the tea, I got the chai, was delicious.
Will only go there for dessert and tea, otherwise almost any other restaurant will blow this one out of the water as far as flavor and creativity in their vegetarian entree section- especially ethnic ones.
This place also lacks ambiance... it definitely is more like a coffee shop. Not a romantic vibe, or warm. The tiger striped bamboo flooring is very cool though. -
Review from Sadie T.
9/19/2011
This was my second trip to Cafe Manna (first was about a year ago). My first impression upon being greeted by staff is that this place is hoity-toity. AKA, they are better than you. Unless you're a wealthy Brookfield babe and are used to the country club feel.
Apparently, reservations are encouraged. We entered at 5pm and every single seat except for 1 was totally empty. We were told many reservations were coming in soon. Okay, fine. So, if you go: make a reservation.
The food: was pretty good. I had the Tu-No Sandwich ($12). It was delicious.
My mom had the vegetable pasty (AKA calzone) which was $16. Some greenery was needed on the plate. It tasted like veggie shepherd's pie.
My boyfriend had the "meatball" sub. This was a cool concept with a terrible execution. The "meatball" part was made of quinoa patties. I like quinoa. However, a little seed that tastes like a grain does not make a suitable faux meat. The issue was texture and taste, the spices were okay but quinoa was the wrong choice. I bet a nice tempeh "meat" ball would have been awesome.
We also ordered a dessert to share. We felt very rushed...we were handed the bill along with our dessert forks.
Overall: pricey, but unique, dining experience. You wouldn't think a sandwich and salad place would require a reservation, but make one. -
Review from Charmed Life S.
Chicago, IL
8/26/2011
I saw this place on line and I was very excited to finally see a vegetarian resturant in the Milwaukee area. However, excitement sooned turned to mild dissapointment once I was served my entres.
I had their Limonaid drink which not only looked terrible but tasted horrible as well. Haven't they ever heard of one of the fundamental basics of food and drink preparation? That it must not only look good but it has to taste good too!!! They should had been ashamed of themselves serving this. Seriously have they ever tried drinking that concocsion? I doubt it. I also had the garden veggie sandwhich and it was mediocre at best. It was triple layer stacked, which made for a pretty presentation but very awkward to eat. It came with some potatoes on the side that weren't bad.
Since I so badly want a vegetarian restaurant to make it in this town, I will go there again one more time, and hopefully next time order something more appealing. I did notice some items on other people's plates that looked good, sooooo I will give it another chance before I completely write the place off.
The problem that this place has, is a problem that many NEWBIE type veggie places have and that is that they don't understand that just because food is healthy doesn't mean that it has to taste bad. If a chef really knows what he/she is doing they can make anything taste good. If you as chef don't know how to make a dish taste good even if its vegan then you have no business being a chef. -
Review from Autum D.
Brookfield, WI
1/28/2012
The raw carrot/pumpkin spice cheesecake cannot be raw do to the Crasins. Most commercially-produced dried cranberries contain added sugar, to balance the fruit's extreme tartness. They are also coated in very small quantities of vegetable oil to keep them from sticking together. Natural food stores tend not to use this addition and, additionally, often choose to coat them with sulfur as a preservative. Sulfur is produced as a byproduct of removing sulfur-containing contaminants from natural gas and petroleum. Shame on you. People rely on you to sever truthfully honest healthy food. Apparently you are incappable of doing that. Wisconsin is a truth in menu state. Restaurant operators in the United States have a duty to sell food that is merchantable, that is, suitable for buying and selling. "Truth in Menu" laws govern descriptions of food in menus. These laws ensure that the customer receives what the menu says. They also govern the ingredients, nutritional descriptions, preparation style, and more. The National Restaurant Association produces a helpful guide for restaurateurs - A Practical Guide to the Nutrition Labeling Law -to help the restaurant industry understand what nutrition claims it can make on its menu items, preparation style, and more. Why am I telling you this? Your "Chef" should know all of this. Makes me wonder what other ingredents you use and have no idea what they really are. "Fresh Yummy Food" NO!
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Review from Wendy P.
Brookfield, IL
6/28/2011
I wanted to like this place; I really did.
I waited until my second visit to review it.
meh.
My mushroom cashew burger was a pile of flavorless mush.
I was disappointed with the presentation, as well.
My previous meal was so bland, I don't even remember what I ordered.
Too bad, I really wanted it to be a favorite. -
Review from Ellie B.
8/22/2010
I'm a vegetarian and I was really looking forward to trying this place for the first time. I was really disappointed. In fact my whole group of friends I ate with were also disappointed. They found most of their food to be bland and there was no salt and pepper on the table.
The staff were friendly and very pleasant.
We waited about ten minutes for them to bring water to everyone. We waited about fifteen minutes with menus closed for them to take our order. It was a busy Saturday evening, but still. My husband and friends were really disappointing that they had no beer that night as they were "having trouble with their supplier." Seriously? No beer? Run to the grocery store and get something then! You can get microbrews almost anyplace in the area.
I split a cheese plate with my husband and it was good but I don't think you can go very wrong with cheese in Wisconsin. It came with a watery, bland tomato sauce on the side, a citrus yogurt that was good, and a blueberry compote that was good.
I got the Savory Sandwich but felt it was pretty bland. I picked all of the eggplant off because it was unpleasantly chewy and had no flavor. For dessert I tried the Sunshine Torte and it was okay. I thought the size of the cake was ridiculously huge. I would have preferred a smaller slice and a lower price (it was $9).
I thought the prices were pretty expensive. I do realize that organic foods are a lot more pricey and I'd pay for that quality if it had flavor. If someone was thinking of going here I'd direct them to Beans and Barley instead. It's not 100% vegetarian but all of their selections are delicious, the service is great, and the prices are cheap.Listed in: *Sad Trombone Noise*
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Review from Nishan P.
7/13/2010
I ate vegan food! Those who know me are probably shocked by this statement. Yes, it's the same Nishan with a profile pic championing people to save plants by eating more meat. My adventure into the mysterious world of vegetarians was an effort to unclog my arteries after a week of indulging in steaks, burgers, hotdogs and any other unhealthy meats I could get my hands on.
As I perused the menu at Café Manna I was hit by a dilemma: I was in the mood for a burger. Of course there were no real burgers available but there were a couple of vegetarian options. I decided to try out the Café Manna Burger, a lentil patty served on a toasted Ciabatta bun accompanied by Chinese long beans. It didn't taste anything like a meat burger. I guess it wasn't meant to. The lentil patty was soft and well flavored with a Jamaican Jerk spiced veganaise. The burger actually tasted really good.
On the dessert menu, the chocolate berry tart sounded intriguing. Not only was it vegan but it was also advertised as being raw and gluten free. This rich dessert consisted of a raw chocolate and macadamia nut crust with a dark chocolate filling. It also had a coconut topping and berries. The combination of the coconut topping with the chocolate tart threw me off. I think the two tasted better separately.
All in all, I enjoyed my vegetarian meal at Café Manna. As for unclogging my arteries, I am sure that plan would have worked a lot better had I not stuffed myself silly with vegan food.Listed in: Vegetarian Cuisine
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Review from Laura G.
Los Altos, CA
12/18/2010
After searching the Waukesha area for "Indian food", I came across Cafe Manna. Even though I'm not sure why it was in the search results, I'm sure glad it was! When I saw it was tagged as "vegetarian" and "vegan" and had many positive reviews, I had to give it a shot! I love trying vegan meals whenever I'm in WI and was so pleased with Cafe Manna! My mom and I checked it out on a Friday afternoon (so happy they were open at 3p) and found it nearly empty. The complimentary starter of black bean hummus with pita chips was pretty flavorless. Fortunately, it only got better.
The "Tu-no Melt" had incredible flavor and was accompanied by gorgeously delicious fruit. The "Peace Bowl" was eye-roll fantastic!! The creamy curry vegetables were mixed with the cashews and craisins and surrounded 2 mounds of brown rice and quinoa. I want more! now!!
Why not 5 stars? The prices were a bit steep; however, the quality of the food made it worthwhile.
When I returned on a Monday around 12:30, it was packed! There were people waiting for tables because we all were enjoying our time together and didn't want to rush ourselves. The staff didn't pressure us either. So nice! -
Review from Mandi L.
Milwaukee, WI
3/2/2011
Café Manna is self-described as "one of the first 100% vegetarian restaurants in Southeastern Wisconsin." Located on Brookfield Road just south of Capitol Drive in Brookfield, WI, this restaurant can go unnoticed in the small cluster of surrounding strip malls, but is worth the trip.
The first impression upon entering the café is a cross between the minimalistic Asian décor of a small, sit-down sushi restaurant and the neutral tones and café-like atmosphere of a more trendy, sandwich-and-coffee chain.
Not only is Café Manna animal-friendly, offering an entire menu of meatless dishes - a rarity any vegan or vegetarian would appreciate, but they also offer gluten-free options and will try to make substitutions to accommodate any diet.
They boast use of organic and sustainably farmed products, and try to use locally produced ingredients whenever possible.
Their environmentally-friendly consciousness extends to their décor as well, which includes bamboo flooring, counters made from recycled paper, and recycled metal light fixtures. They were the first to recently be named a "Certified Green Restaurant" in the state of Wisconsin.
Price points for their food run from an affordable $9 to one of their priciest items, the Peace Bowl, at a cool $17. It's so delicious you won't notice the bill. I haven't tried anything I didn't like, and highly recommend - in addition to the Peace Bowl - Thai Lime Noodles, Hearty Mushroom Burger, and their absolutely sinful hot chocolate.
They're open Monday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and are closed on Sunday.
Even the most loyal carnivore will be pleasantly surprised with Café Manna's creative meals. It's refreshing to finally get a restaurant meal not smothered in butter/grease or hiding behind a mountain of salt. Retrain your taste buds to appreciate delicate flavors and surprising spices. -
Review from Melissa S.
Milwaukee, WI
7/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is all right. I enjoy the idea behind it, as I am a vegetarian. You are given a pita chip/ hummus starter. That is really good. The potato skins are good, really good, but you get two and $ 11 is too much for that. I got the garden salad sandwhich which was tasty and allowed all of the vegetables to show off their natural flavor. The sandwhich is tiny, each half is smaller than a fist. It is also stacked funny and I had a hard time figuring out how to eat it without disturbing the peace. For a drink, I tried the Limonade, and it made me feel like a rockstar. I also loved that when it was all said and eaten, I felt good full. Healthy full. I will probably go back.
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Review from Becca M.
Milwaukee, WI
7/21/2011
To start- I am not a vegetarian by any means- however I love Cafe Manna's approach to food- lots of whole foods and food used in interesting and new ways. My husband and I have been here twice- the first time was on a whim because we had a groupon, and the second time was a return visit.
Pros: the food was full of flavor- my husband had the lentil burger and I had the veggie torte which is potato custard mixed with veggies and a pumpkin seed crust. I could have easily eaten two pieces of that torte it was so fantastic. Their menu is constantly changing based on the season- as much as I enjoy having my "favorites" at a particular restaurant, I get excited about new ideas and trying new things.
Cons: Both visits encountered poor service- I don't know if they were understaffed or what, but if their food wasn't so good I'd skip going there on that account alone. It wasn't even that the waiter was inattentive (which they actually were both times) ... it was more that both waiters were strangely... awkward.
Clearly the pros outweigh the cons because I'm always looking for a reason to return... now if it were only located in milwaukee and not in the middle of suburbia... -
Review from Erik P.
Milwaukee, WI
4/1/2010
Great alternative to typical greasy, cheesy mayo laden Wisconsin food. I had a lentil burger, side of roasted potatoes, Izze soda and pita chips w/a hummus like spread. All were really good! You can tell the burger was made by hand, the tomato was ripe and fresh and the bread was hearty. The menu items are a bit spendy but you are paying for the extra care and clean food.
The cafe is clean and modern. The staff are well rehearsed in vegetation/vegan and gluten free offerings.
I'm not a vegetarian and I liked it! -
Review from Trey M.
Peoria, IL
7/24/2010
SUPER fancy
Yet, not that pricey
Lots of cool options and phenomenal service. Take a date here -
Review from Cassandra F.
Brooklyn, NY
3/29/2010
Wow! This place is amazing. It's not just good vegetarian food, it's good food PERIOD. I took my hardcore meat-eating uncle here and he absolutely loved it. It's pretty far out, which makes visiting difficult for those on the south/east side of Milwaukee, but it is well worth the hike!
The service here is extremely friendly and accommodating and very willing to ask questions to see what's vegan. The portions are huge, the food is great, and the menu is absolutely beautiful, offering full descriptions of each entree, and clearly marking which items are vegan, gluten-free, and raw!
I dined with my vegetarian mother and meat-eating uncle, and we all loved the place. We shared the coconut cashew hummus appetizer, which was pretty good but I felt the coconut made it too sweet. It was beautifully displayed and came with a ton of crackers, slices of bread, and veggie slices for dipping. The waitress even brought me some raw flax crackers since she wasn't sure if the pita chips were vegan (turns out they were, but she thought they contained honey). We also had the limonade, which was very refreshing.
My uncle ordered the vegan chili, which came in an enormous bowl. I'm a bit of a chili snob, but I thought it was pretty good, and he thought it was wonderful. My mom ordered the Middle-Eastern vegetable stew, which we all thought was outstanding. It had tons of veggies and beans in it, and had a slightly Indian curry sort of flavor. Delish. I ordered the Jamaican-spiced lentil burger with roasted veggies. We all liked the veggie burger, although I would have loved some extra sauce on it. The roasted veggies were fabulous and had much more flavor than I was expecting. I also got a side of wasabi spinach potato salad, which was good, but didn't have a strong wasabi flavor.
There were two vegan dessert options, a fruit crisp, and a fig pudding, which wasn't marked as being vegan on the menu, but the waitress assured us it was. I'm glad they offer those, but I'd love to see some vegan cake on the menu. -
Review from Jen Y.
Milwaukee, WI
1/2/2009
This place is amazing!!! So many good things to choose from... sandwhiches, salads, soups, unique entrees and wonderful looking desserts!
My friend who is not a vegetarian loves the flafel sandwich. Looks great. Another meat eater in my group went w/the baked potato, can't go wrong! I wend w/the sesame tofu w/sundried tomato/asparagus risotto.
The presenation of all the plates was very beautiful. So fancy for this cute little cafe! Great selection of teas and juices too. Even the water was outstanding. It was a citrus water (was infused w/lemons and oranges the waitress told us!).
Service was very slow.... it was crowed and they were a bit confused (bringing us things that were not ours) but we were in no hurry and this food was worth the wait!
Location is a bit far, wish this was in the city! It's way out there in the Sendik's plaza on Brookfield/Capitol Drive. But that Sendik's is the best is town so it's worth the trip, to visit both!
They also have take out and their containers are green (made of corn I think). I may try take out as well. -
Review from Amy C.
Waukesha, WI
8/1/2010
The staff are very friendly, and the food that I have had so far, I've enjoyed and was happy to find vegetarian/vegan food something I could actually eat! My favorite item on the menu is actually the carrot cake. (I'm a huge fan of carrot cake, in which case I'm very picky about it) The cake was moist, a very decently sized slice, topped with a few berries, an orange slice,(which made it refreshing) cream cheese frosting (which carrot cake must have that!) and crystalized ginger on top along with some blackberry sauce drizzled on the side with whipped cream. The price has gone up about .75 cents-$1.00 since when I first tried it about a year ago..and hopefully wont go up any more.
I've also tried the jamaican jerk sandwhich which was tasty, well seasoned and nicely done on rye bread. (the veggies on the side thou were pretty oily.
The pizza there is also wonderful I thought. Wide variety of toppings to choose from, decent amount of pizza you get, and a nice thin, crisp crust. -
Review from Laura F.
7/12/2008
I'm not a vegetarian but I'm the sort of person who doesn't eat meat every day, or even every other day. I cook and enjoy lots of vegetarian foods, so I was totally up for trying Manna recently with a friend who is a vegetarian.
My first impression was that I really liked the atmosphere. Besides the smallish tables for two, which we discovered while eating, they have made great, apparently eco-friendly decor choices. They've done a very nice job, as have many of the shops in the Sendik's plaza or whatever it is called, creating a unique space in a contrived strip-mall development.
The service was friendly and prompt, and it's always nice to have a free appetizer (hummus and assorted pita chips and crackers). We tried both the soup of the day, a mushroom asparagus concoction, and the lentil soup on the menu. The lentil soup was hearty and flavorful, my friend liked the mushroom one as well.
I ordered an eggplant and tofu sandwich, and my friend had one of the it tofu entrees, basically a seared tofu steak served with risotto and asparagus. Presentation is really nice here, especially on some of the salads we say other people eating.
My sandwich was good, but frankly, missing a bit of flavor. I felt like I could make a better sandwich at home with the same basic ingredients, so that was a little disappointing. I tried my friend's food and it was good.
Overall, I would definitely go back there. I have read nothing but nice reviews, so despite my not adoring my food, the atmosphere, nice service and what I thought were pretty reasonable prices still impressed me.
I agree that a spot like this in Milwaukee, particularly in Bayview, would go over really well. -
Review from Chris D.
4/8/2011
I was so thrilled to find a wonderful vegetarian restaurant near my best friend's home in Brookfield. I had the vegetable torte - a potato custard filled with grilled seasonal vegetables baked on a pumpkin seed crust. I've never had a similar dish, and it was wonderful. I can't wait to return.
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Review from Kimberly G.
Chicago, IL
1/22/2009
I would like to give this place a good review because it is all vegetarian but because of the prices I can't.
We went the first time to try the new raw food items that they are now offering on their menu.
I have to say - it was very boring and not really "raw food". The dishes were sort of like leftover veggie pieces from making salads or other dishes.
We had Vegan Pecan Pate: a bunch of red and yellow pepper pieces with dryish pecan spread on them plus random "salsa" in the middle ( it was a bowl of chopped up tomato pieces: why didn't they blend it???) and dehydrated veggie-chips that were in desperate need of being marinated or seasoned to give them some flavor. $9 for this.
We also had the Crunchy Nutty Sandwich which was OK not much flavor mostly filled with sprouts- the almond bread was kind of heavy and the Mushroom Extraordinaire - the marinated mushrooms were the most flavorful thing I had tasted there. $12 and $16 for those.
We also had a Potassium Broth which is an odd soup tasting drink but served in a mug (it really just seems like soup but is advertised as a drink) and the Limonade (which was good but they left 2/3 of the glass empty).
I guess I am bit harsher critic because I used to make gourmet raw food for people and I have eaten at some of the best raw restaurants in the country but for the prices they were charging - this was BAD raw food.
Not to mention, this Wisconsin, not California - Those are Cali raw food prices. These dishes were way overpriced for what they were - mostly leftover vegetable pieces with spreads on them or dehydrated. I felt really gyped when the bill came. I am glad I didn't decide to try the raw desert. I was surprised that the very skimpy dessert selection (the drinks selection was pretty minimal too)
For those of you trying raw food for the first time - do not judge it by this place. Raw food can be WAY better than this. My guess is that this is a "first time" try for raw food dishes for this places. They definately need more practice.
We peeked at what others were having and the portions were not good for the prices.
Sucks too because I was looking forward to having another veggie place to go to - esp one with raw food. I will just make my own for 1/8 of the price. -
Review from Carly F.
Milwaukee, WI
4/13/2011 4 Check-ins Here
this place is great. the food is delicious. i have made the trek from the east side many times. wish they had another location near the lake.
great options for those gluten free, vegetarians, vegans and Raw peeps.
it'll make your veggie hating friends hang there heads in shame after they try these wonderful dishes. i have never been disappointed here.
I love their "mushroom burger" , the guacamole/ walnut potato skins, the lentil soup is yummy, and they have this green kale lemonade drink that i like.
they also have cooking classes about once a month.
the clientel in here is a weird mix. (and it is in a sort of strip mall. which i am usually put off by.) sometimes it is the Lake Country ladies who lunch combined with SouthWestern/ Santa Fe/ Native American Blanket Jacket wearing hippies. other times there appear to be couples on dates or like minded friends catching dinner before a movie. i've worn yoga pants here on more than one occasion and felt right at home.
the ambiance is pleasant, if a bit bland. there should be some music playing so you don't have to hear your possibly bizzare neighbors distracting conversations. or maybe i just have really good hearing and should tune it out. either way, there's a bit of room for improvement when it comes to the vibe.
give it a try. -
Review from Cale W.
Milwaukee, WI
This Place is a standout in the sometimes chain food Wasteland of Brookfield.
I've been twice in the past 2 weeks because it is just that good, the specials change daily and they have a Raw dish that changes daily, what other restaurant in Brookfield caters to Raw diets?
I had the Oven Roasted Fig salad which was fabulous especially with the side of Soft cheese it came with, i also had the Wasabi Potato salad as a side because it was so delicious last time i ate here. everything arrived quickly and the waitress was quite friendly. I will certainly keep coming back here for lunch, its a great alternative to all the deep fried, char broiled lunch options out here. -
Review from Jason M.
Sacramento, CA
Don't let the crowded restaurant deceive you! This place may be a novelty in milwaukee and for people who have never been to a vegetarian restaurant, one might think it's edible, but for a Californian with a best friend who is a vegetarian, this place struggles to earn one star. To start off, the food was under seasoned, underseasoned, and underseasoned again. Our first course was the soup of the day, sweet potato soup topped with a savory granola, and let me tell you the only savory thing about the dish was the granola. What the soup lacked in flavor it made up for in...well, nothing. Someone should tell the chef that salt is not a meat product! In addition, the vegetables were on a whole, overcooked. It's like going to a steakhouse and getting your steak overcooked. How can a restaurant with this many reccommendations be incapable of cooking their main dishes well. For instance, for main courses, we had the nightly special of fettuccine with broccoli and the broccoli was so overcooked it disintegrated over the pasta with the touch of a fork. It was like babyfood purée on fettuccine. We also had the peace bowl (veg curry bowl). Again the squash was overcooked and the curry flavor had no depth and only tasted of coconut milk. However, we did have the savory sandwhich, which was quite flavorful (finally a dish with the correct seasoning...or atleast I thought) , but as a dish it did not escape the underseasoning or overcooking of the chef, as it came with a side of potatoes that were so bland and overcooked that I mistook them soggy pieces of cardboard. On the upside, they serve up a very good glass of water, delightfully flavored with a slice of what I assume was an organic lemon.
Now I do not want to detour anyone from patronizing this establishment, as I am all for supporting your local privately owned businesses, but I just want to caution you so that you will not be dissappointed by the whole experience.
Ps. The people who have raved about the limonade, have obviously never had a fresh limonada at any number of restaurants in Los Cabos. -
Review from Lauryn M.
Milwaukee, WI
2/8/2011
LOVE! I am a vegetarian, so the idea of an all veggie menu was very appealing from the start. The fact that it's about 2 minutes from my house helps too :) Tried this place with a family member who had a coupon, and was so pleased with everything. The Wild Mushroom Cheese Puffs appetizer is to DIE for!! I ordered the calzone for my meal and was in heaven. Portion sizes are very generous, so expect to leave full. The place is kind of small, but the staff are friendly and helpful so your experience will definately be positive! I cannot wait to go back! :)
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Review from Richard O.
Chicago, IL
7/3/2008
A friend of mine took me here for my birthday and I was blown away.
nestled in the bowels of Brookfield, in a shopping center I never knew existed in an area I never knew existed, is one of the most amazing vegetarian restaurants I've ever been to.
It was, like, sublime.
It was a little pricey and a little impossible to get to for non-driving Milwaukee folk like me but I eagerly look forward to eating here again.
If only there were a location on the East Side, Downtown, or in Bayview. I'm just amazed this place is west of 1st Street, let alone in the hinterlands of Brookfield.
Please god let them expand to a second location and let me wish upon a star that they put it east of 1st Street. You know... in the "good" Milwaukee. -
Review from Eric V.
Milwaukee, WI
9/30/2010
I am a huge fan of independent restaurants, especially vegetarian ones. Compared to a 5* steakhouse, the prices are not high. However compared to Beans and Barley, Cafe Manna is not only overpriced, but underwhelming.
There are plenty of things on the menu I didn't try, but of what i did, I can say the Green Juice is the worst 7 bucks you will ever spend.
The ambiance is very confusing. It part of a strip mall, has an awkward counter, and feels cramped. Would not have felt remotely comfortable waiting for a table.
If you live nearby, it's probably worth stopping in, however if you are anywhere near downtown, this is probably not worth the trip except to support the idea of the restaurant (but then the carbon emissions would cancel it out :D ) -
Review from Teufy N.
Elm Grove, WI
3/27/2011
The best vegetarian/vegan/raw that SE Wisconsin has to offer. They've got a seasonal macrobiotic menu, gluten free options, and from what I understand, are also 100% organic.
The food is a tad pricey, but the portions are HUGE. I always end up taking food home. Worth every penny, I'm never disappointed. They even give you to-go cups to take your unfinished tea home!
I've taken plenty a carnivore here, and all of them walk out impressed and satisfied with their meal. Great service. Just wish I had discovered this place much sooner. -
Review from M R.
Milwaukee, WI
3/18/2011
I found this place one day while looking for new places to eat in the Milwaukee area. I am a vegetarian so was really excited to find this, as well as curious about what would be on the menu in a vegan restaurant...There is a website so you can check out the menu and the hours. I was also excited to see that it's located in Brookfield and not downtown Milwaukee.
The inside looks like a little cafe, and the menu was seemingly unlimited...Usualy when I'm at a restaurant I scan the menu for 20 minutes and then end up customizing my order. Here there were so many things I wanted to try that it took me almost that long to choose! There aren't as many drink options as expected, but the hummus and pita chips (instead of bread) was so great that I didn't care. The people who worked there were patient, quick, and really friendly.
I plan to go back soon and definitely recommend this restaurant to vegetarians, vegans, and meat-eaters. ^_^ -
Review from Chris S.
Oak Park, IL
9/4/2010
Went there because we purchased a groupon for it. Will definitely head back. The chef's risotto of the day was parmesan and broccoli. It was really good, not too dense or heavy. I also had a limonade with it, and it was very tasty. My wife had the savory sandwich, which had grilled eggplant and portobello mushrooms and was really impressed by it.
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Review from Ame M.
Milwaukee, WI
2/8/2011
So a friend an I checked out Cafe Manna because of a Groupon. 100% vegetarian and this carnivore didn't miss the meat one bit. The lentil soup was a great starter and the Cafe Manna burger was full of flavor. I had to ask what the vegetable on the side was and while I still can't remember it was delicious. I was tempted by the green drink but already had a lot on my plate so I went with Fire Side Chai tea which turned out to be fabulous. Added bonus you get to take what tea you don't drink in a to go cup!! The doggy bags (which you will want) are fully biodegradable and I totally applaud their green effort (they walk the walk). One tip... put one on the south side :)
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Review from Anastasia B.
Hales Corners, WI
4/7/2010
I have been going to Cafe Manna since they first opened, and it just keeps getting better. I know all about restaurants, and let me tell you, if you have O.C.D., you are going to *love* Cafe Manna! Order the Chocolate Napoleon for dessert! Order tea too... any kind will be excellent. Even my non-vegetarian friends love it when I take them here.
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Review from Mick R.
Portland, OR
7/15/2010
Great wait staff and delicious food.
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Review from Brian S.
Milwaukee, WI
9/7/2010
Great menu. Delicious food. Friendly staff. Comfortable environment. Wish they had more locations!
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Review from Sara B.
San Francisco, CA
5/4/2010
Wow! What a refreshing restaurant here in WI. I am not really sure what the two people below were talking about when they wrote their bad reviews. I'm from California and believe me these are not California prices! I think the food was fresh, the staff was well informed (and asked the chef when they were not sure), and there was an excellent selection for someone who is challened daily with food allergies.
The prices are reasonable. If you want good food, you have to pay more so you can support the farmers, etc. You can't expect WalMart prices for quality organic food
Anyone who doesn't like this place, doesn't know what good food is! Come on America, smarten up and get healthy already! Fried cheese is not food.
Anyway, enough about that. If you're in Brookfield you should eat here! This is the best food I found (and I'm sure it's the best in the entire state). Kudos to the owners! I hope your business succeeds and the people of Brookfield benefit from the healthy food choices you offer! -
Review from Frank M.
Miami, FL
2/5/2009
Not a Vegetarian and I loved the place. They should franchise it. Wasnt any more xpensive then a TGIF but you get quality, healthy, and tasty food. The plates are not your run of the mill vegetarian plates. The plates are geniously put together, this is all coming from a meat eater. I would definitely visit this place again next time I am in Wisconsin.
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Review from Kathryn C.
Milwaukee, WI
6/20/2010
We are fans of vegan, vegetarian and raw foods - and were excited to try Cafe Manna. We are sad to not be so excited after having visited...
We had beverages, soup, and two different sandwiches. Other than my beverage (a tasty juice concoction called Limonade) the food was extremely bland. Poorly seasoned, plated with only so-so eye appeal, and served with a touch of boredom. This food had absolutely no passion to it. My "Crunchy Nutty" Sandwich was wet and chewy. The vegetable chips served with it were limp and slightly stale tasting. The vegetable slaw was pleasant, slightly oily. My partner had the lentil burger; big, bready, mushy, and under-seasoned. It came with a side of sauteed green beans that were tasty, if an odd accompaniment.
Summation - The base ingredients seemed fresh, but in application the flavors and textures were absolutely lackluster. -
Review from David S.
Kewaskum, WI
1/28/2010
One of the most pleasant dining experiences I have ever had. The staff was lovely and timely, and the food was amazing. The limonade was the most refreshing drink I have ever had.
