Mantra: Artistic chic meets European style

Keisha Shakespeare-Blackmore, Staff Reporter

Stepping into Mantra, located in the new Barbican Centre, is like stepping into a European café that features a mixture of artistic chic with a modern interpretation.

The walls are painted green, accented with extremely bold panels painted in earth tones with hints of turquoise. The outer area of the bar is made from zinc, with chairs accented with soft cushions arranged in an intimate setting. The lights are definite showpieces, covered with oversized wicker baskets creating an exotic ambience.

The owner of this luxurious new eatery is Laura Marley, whose love for food has led her to this new venture of being her own boss. While she admits she is no pro when it comes to food, as she studied political and international relations, she knows how to appreciate great food. Marley said her love affair with food began when, as a child, she watched her father Christopher Marley, who was the cook in the family, go to work in the kitchen daily.

Marley told Food that after living abroad for eight years, she returned home and wanted to open a money transfer/bill-payment outlet when she initially acquired the space. However, as fate would have it, she decided on an eatery instead.

Casual eatery

Wanting to differentiate her restaurant from others, she decided on operating a casual eatery, where one can enjoy classic salads, burgers, sandwiches, chicken wings and more.

"The food is more contemporary. If you want a burger, instead of regular burger meat, you can get steak or try some wings but with a classic twist. This is what sets us apart from others," she explained.

She noted that starting up was not very easy, especially given the tough economic climate.

"It was difficult and we had to do everything on a tight budget, and every day was something else. However, I didn't allow tight economic times to deter me from doing what I wanted to, because I didn't want it to kill my entrepreneurial aspiration."

Despite the challenges, since they opened their doors over a month ago, things have been going well and customers have been rolling in. She added that, while a lot of those who have come so far are her friends and friends of friends, word has been spreading, and she aims to cater to anyone who craves good food.