My wife and I were excited to visit Mamani after their well deserved Michelin star recognition. Reservations are not easy to secure, so anticipation was high. We dined on the terrace and the setting was lovely. Open air greenery, soft lighting, and a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere. The main dining room offers a more intimate and polished energy as well. The music was slightly louder than expected, but the environment overall was charming and inviting.
The service throughout most of the meal was gracious and attentive. Our server Eli guided us through the menu with genuine warmth and deep understanding of each dish. He offered thoughtful recommendations and gave us time to enjoy the experience without ever feeling rushed.
They had run out of bread that evening, but provided complimentary focaccia in its place. The bread itself was enjoyable, but the butter was truly exceptional. Incredibly smooth, rich, and unforgettable.
We started with the scallops and caviar. The presentation was elegant and the flavors were beautifully balanced, with the grapefruit adding a bright and surprising touch. The amberjack crudo was also a standout, impressively fresh and delicately seasoned. The artichoke dish had strong, earthy flavors. Personally, I would have enjoyed a bit more labne to brighten the balance.
For our main course, we ordered the veal. The first bites were pleasant, but the richness eventually became heavy on the palate. As the dish progressed the oiliness overshadowed the earlier flavors, leaving a lingering heaviness that ultimately kept us from wanting dessert.
At the conclusion of our meal there was a lapse in service. When the check arrived, we waited approximately twenty minutes for anyone to return. I eventually asked another server, who explained that Eli was in the restroom. Completely understandable, however no one checked in during that time. It slightly dampened what had been a smooth and polished experience up until that point.
Overall, Mamani delivers freshness, creativity, and strong culinary technique. The terrace setting is beautiful, the service has heart and elegance, and several dishes showed real excellence. For us, this was a memorable visit and we are glad to have experienced it. While we left satisfied rather than amazed, Mamani is certainly worth visiting at least once, especially for those exploring the evolving fine dining scene in Dallas.
Congratulations to the team on their Michelin star. It is a well earned achievement and we wish them...
Read moreLast night, I had the privilege to immerse myself (and two friends) in the sublime Mamani experience for the first time. If I could give 6 stars across every category, I would!! Mamani is THE best dining experience in Dallas, hands down. It all began when we valet parked our car - - they were so courteous and friendly, it was hard to believe. Then we walked into the restaurant and were greeted by two hostesses. They were warm, welcoming, and super friendly as well (i.e., no attitude at all which you often experience when you go to a top Michelin-rated restaurant). Since we were a bit early, they escorted us to this fantastic art deco bar where we sipped some unbelievable handcrafted cocktails. We immediately noticed the extreme attention to detail. From truly astounding decor that transported you back in time, to the custom-made crystal stemware, to the scalloped green onyx bar, etc etc. Simply breathtaking. We were then seated at a table that had a perfect view into the kitchen where we could watch all the action and culinary creativity happen. We began with 6 Oysters prepared in a Mezcal, Red Pepper Vinegar mignonette along with some scallops and caviar that we enjoyed with a half bottle of Krug, my favorite champagne in the world. We then had the Octopus appetizer accompanied by Olivier Leflaive's Puligny Montrachet Le Clavoillon (2020). Simply divine. This was followed by two perfectly cooked pasta dishes: the Tagliatelle Bolognese and the Cavatelli with pork sausage and broccoli rabe. In addition, we also split a dish that I haven't had in 20 years: a veal Codon Bleu done with a sauce mornay and pomme puree. It was simply amazing and went beautifully with our bottle of Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande (Pauillac). Not only was the food absolutely incredible, but the wines were perfect accompaniments. Moreover, the Wine Director, Alli Nault has done a fantastic job curating some of the worlds finest bottles and at incredibly reasonable prices. I was not only blown away by the selection, but by the extremely fair pricing. We also had the privilege of meeting Chef Christophe De Lellis, a master at his profession at the young age of 37. He clearly will bring Dallas its second Michelin star which it desperately needs!!! And finally, we also met the two brother proprietors - Brandon and Henry Cohanim. What wonderful young men. All I can say is Mamani will certainly be the talk of the town for many years to come. I cannot wait...
Read moreMy first time here and it was an amazing experience. The food, the service and the ambiance. Let’s go one at a time. Homemade bread and butter was really delicious and maybe the top two of bread and butter combos ever. Also the heap of butter on the kitchen counter was a beautiful and sexy thing to behold. Chef controlled his army in the kitchen which was a well-oiled machine. They looked and sounded proud to work there. Endive salad w/pear - really good and refreshing. Scallop and Caviar - wow. So fresh, so tasty with the savory caviar on top and the horseradish and herb sauce was a huge hit. Gnocchi Puttanesca - get it. Pillows of the food gods covered in a seductive sauce and covers them like silken sheets. That is all. You’ll want two. We did. Filet au poivre - perfectly cooked and melt in your mouth; the sauce was expertly crafted, very aromatic, strong, and just the right amount of pepper to go with a Red Burgundy. Striped Bass w/Caviar - if the filet was a king’s meal this is definitely the queens. Again perfectly cooked fish topped with Caviar and a very sensual Champagne Beurre Blanc sauce that I wanted to lick off the plate. Chocolate Mousse- a mousse is not just a mousse. Get it and thank me later. The Service was outstanding (A++) at our table and those around us for sure, from Diego and Bee absolutely controlling the room and making everyone happy with attentive, smiling and knowledgeable service; to Chris explaining each dish with excitement and anticipation as he placed them gently at our table; and Sandra who absolutely nailed the wine pairing with my meal and gave smart, attentive and thoughtful (but not pretentious) service to everyone she came in contact with. The ambiance was elegant but not stuffy. Moderately loud but it’s also in part to everyone enjoying themselves and having fun. Overall I highly recommend Mamani and their crew of talented back and front of house people. Life is really a chain of experiences and a night at Mamani is one heck of a link...
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