Want to change the MBTA?

I think I've already told just about everyone who reads this blog about this, but figured I'd do what I can to publicize it anyway. TransitWorks, a non-profit that works to improve public transit, conducts a yearly survey of MBTA riders. Called the Transit Diary project, it gives riders a chance to give an assessment of each trip they take on the MBTA. This comprehensive data is then used to recommend changes. I signed up and I feel that it is one way to affect positive change at the MBTA. You can find out how to sign up on the TransitWorks website.

Mantra

Mantra - 52 Temple Place (Downtown Crossing)

It's been a while since Ann and I actually ate here so this post is quite late. That said, I thought I should put something down.

Mantra is billed as a French-Indian fusion restaurant. I would say the menu trended more towards the Indian side of the spectrum and that was what I decided to order. The food was good but nothing remarkable for the higher price over your average Indian restaurant.

It has a very central location in the middle of Downtown Crossing and tries to come off as a modern, hip restaurant and nightclub. My biggest complaint is that it is definitely a nightclub first, and restaurant second. It has elements that are nice and flashy, but the details just are not completed well. The tables and chairs are cheap and light, easy to be moved out for the dance floor. There is a giant air conditioning unit with a hose that is just sitting on the side of the restaurant floor. The bathrooms are very modern but not really clean or polished. The space does not have a friendly, intimate feeling like you would expect from a nice restaurant.

Overall, Mantra was ok, but for the price there are a lot more real restaurants in Boston with better menus.