Exclusive Preview: Manna Uptown

I had the chance to preview Manna, a European/French/Peruvian fusion restaurant before it opened in uptown Centerville in May 2023.

The space

Manna is lush, beautiful, moody, and sophisticated. Walking into the bar area is like stepping into another world. From the dark walls to the sparkling chandeliers, Manna is a vibe. When the electricity gets turned on, light is going to have fun bouncing all over the marble tile floors, golden barware, and lavish velvet chairs and bar stools.

Moving through the newly built passageway between the two neighboring 100+ year old houses, you can see their wine cellar, which will soon be full of thrilling wines to pair with their seasonal menu of delights. Throughout the spaces, you can tell every architectural detail has been lovingly restored and even reimagined.

Heading upstairs, you’re greeted with beautiful natural light flooding the main dining room. This area is lighter, brighter, and features its own smaller bar area. There’s also a reservable room for small events and meetings.

The food

Salar’s sous chef, Donivan Preston, will lead the kitchen at Manna and explained that there will be several exciting dishes on their seasonal menu. They’re in the process of finalizing the selections ahead of opening. He did assure me that they would always feature at least one vegetarian and vegan appetizer and entree.

The drinks

Bar manager, Jackson Wolph, has developed a creative and exciting cocktail list featuring some surprising concoctions. He was most excited about a bright purple cocktail featuring ingredients you might find on a sunny afternoon in Provence, namely lavender. He explained that they make and clarify their own juices in-house, creating gorgeous, crystal-clear cocktails.

International consultant of Food Network fame, Brian Van Flandern, has been hard at work training staff on mixology principles and flavor profiles of various liquors while sparking their curiosity and imagination. His focus this week has been on teaching how to create consistent and balanced cocktails every time. This is the second time Brian has worked with Chef Margot Blondet, developing Salar’s menu over ten years ago.

Most interestingly, Manna will feature some unique drink presentations. First, one drink similar to a Pisco sour will be served in a small, claw-foot ceramic bath tub complete with rubber ducky. The egg whites in the drink will be frothed enough to be the bubbles in the bubble bath.

Another show-stopping drink will be a chamomile tea mint julep served in a tea pot with cup and saucer. They will place dry ice in a tea ball strainer in the tea pot, forcing steam to escape through the spout, simulating a piping hot pot of tea. The drink itself will be quite cool and refreshing. If the Mad Hatter comes to town, now you know where he’ll feel most at home!

The details

For a concept that originally encompassed a bar only, this world-class, upscale, full-service restaurant is a departure that I’m very excited Chef Margot took on. It will be a can’t-miss destination for foodies all across the region and beyond.

Check out their website for for more information!