Gorgeous ambiance and terrific food! I can’t stop thinking about the charred eggplant dip. It is not what you would expect, truly whipped and creamy, but absolutely phenomenal. The grilled branzino may have been one of the best entrees I have ever had. It was so fresh and light.
I was absolutely blown away by everything we have ordered. Everything was a 10/10. My friend is celiac and our waiter gave us a dedicated gluten free menu. Everything we ordered was so flavorful and fresh - it was a shame we didn't have room to order more. The atmosphere and vibes were also emaculate and the staff attentive despite it being pretty busy. A really solid brunch/lunch spot for sure and I would 100% come back.
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Ema, nestled in the heart of Chicago, offers a culinary experience that tantalizes the taste buds with its Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. My visit to this charming restaurant was marked by a warm, inviting atmosphere that set the stage for a delightful dining adventure.
The standout dish of the evening was undoubtedly the octopus entrée. Perfectly grilled, the octopus was tender yet crisped to perfection, creating a harmonious balance of textures. Each bite was a melody of flavors, enhanced by a blend of aromatic herbs and spices typical of Mediterranean fare. This dish was not just food; it was a testament to the chef's expertise in bringing out the best in seafood.
For dessert, the 'milk and cookies' was a revelation. This wasn't your ordinary milk and cookies. The cookies were decadently rich, yet not overly sweet, perfectly complementing the creamy, chilled milk. It was a nostalgic dish, elevated to gourmet standards, and it ended the meal on a high note.
Ema's ambiance was both chic and comfortable, with decor that mirrored the lightness and freshness of its cuisine. The service was impeccable, with attentive staff ensuring a memorable dining experience. Overall, Ema stands out as a culinary gem in Chicago, perfect for those seeking a blend of exquisite flavors, cozy atmosphere, and top-notch service. The octopus and the milk and cookies dessert are must-try items that will leave you yearning for more.
First impression of this place is definitely the ambience! Super cozy and the food was amazing; Hummus was full of texture and the Lamb was cooked to perfection. Chicken skewers in combination with their tzatziki was fantastic! Highly recommend
Awesome location!!! So many delicious gluten free options, and they were super accommodating with my dairy free requests as well. They even brought out gluten free crackers to eat with the hummus, even though I hadn’t thought about ordering that (wasn’t even on the menu)- so thoughtful!! The salmon kebab with the rice was amazing, as was the Bhel Hummus (omg), the green beans were great and the falafel also very tasty. Felt like a lot of food for two people but we ate it all, of course!!! Service is awesome. Highly recommend!
Really neat fusion of Middle Eastern flavors with modern cuisine.
Some of the dishes are a little over done but in all, excellent food and presentation.
Service was good. They did forget one of our entree and apparently it was dropped off to the wrong table?
The server did offer to fire a new one but it was too late.
The food, service and the ambience was top notch. We liked the Chicken Kefta more than the Grilled Chicken. Make sure you plan ahead and reserve a table. It's so busy that you won't get a reservation using Open Table easily. Oh, don't miss the cocktails!
The foods are excellent. It comes in small dishes so you can order several things with out burden you stomach too much. Everythings that we ordered were so good. The waiter was so nice.
My daughter and I were there Saturday night Dec 16 for the first time. We loved everything about this restaurant! Food was AMAZING, service was awesome and the atmosphere was very comfortable! Highly highly recommend!
Amazing place with a good selection of preparations on the menu. I highly recommend making a reservation if you plan to dine in on a weekend. A good selection of cocktails, my recommendation would be to try the “WAKE UP CALL”. We loved how tender the octopus and chicken was in the grilled octopus and grilled chicken kebab. Definitely recommend them!
My dining experience at this restaurant was exceptional. During dinner, I ordered 'Beets and Berries,' 'Green Falafel,' and 'Rent Free.' Each dish impressed me with its delightful taste and good portion sizes. The 'Beets and Berries' and 'Rent Free' were particularly outstanding, offering a burst of flavors that pleasantly surprised me. While the 'Green Falafel' was good, it didn't quite match the excellence of the other dishes. The ambiance of the restaurant added to the overall enjoyment — the music was at a perfect volume, creating a pleasant atmosphere without being overwhelming. The service was noteworthy as well; the staff was attentive and suggested dishes that precisely matched our preferences. I'm definitely planning a return visit to explore more of their menu, especially the frozen yogurt that has caught my eye.
My friend and I enjoyed our dinner here. Decor was definitely nice. Service was just a little slow when we first arrived, but progressively improved after our server finally came.
We received great suggestions and enjoyed our food. I really liked the Parmesan Farro w/ mushroom Ragu appetizer. My friend loved her lamb & beef Kefta. Everything was very zesty, more than I would've preferred but still enjoyed nonetheless.
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I recently dined at this restaurant, and I must say it was a unique and enjoyable experience. The concept of Middle Eastern sliders meant for sharing intrigued us, and we decided to try a variety.
We selected the hummus, falafel, and kafta kebab. One important tip is to communicate your preferred level of doneness for the meat with your server; it ensures you get exactly what you like.
During our visit, we encountered an issue with our food, but it was swiftly resolved thanks to our attentive waitress, Rebeca. She handled the situation with grace and was genuinely apologetic. The manager also came over to apologize and offered us something extra as compensation for the wait. This exceptional customer service left a positive impression on us!
Speaking of Rebeca, she was not only responsive to our concerns but also incredibly helpful with food allergies, which we greatly appreciated.
Overall, it was a good dining experience, and the restaurant's commitment to customer service stood out. Thank you!
Nice, funny place. A typical bar with dining room narratives, in a simple setting, without any special design formation of the interior, furniture with a seating area outside. Nearby there are many bars with different focus on cuisines and dishes offered. Very reminiscent of a minimalist dining room with a bar orientation
One of my best restaurant experiences in Chicago! We were able to walk in even on a Friday night which was nice and the atmosphere was beautiful! The service was fast and attentive and the food was amazing. We got the chicken kefta, stracciatelli, Brussels sprouts, and sticky date cake! For the amount of food, the price was reasonable for a nice Chicago restaurant. Overall it was a great experience and I definitely recommend!
Ema is a Middle Eastern delight! The ambiance is cozy, and the staff were so nice. Their menu offers flavorful dishes like creamy hummus, crispy falafel, and tender kabobs. Don't miss the dates cake for dessert. A must-visit for high-end Middle Eastern cuisine lovs!!
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Refined Mediterranean experience with good food, cocktails, and ambiance.
During our recent visit on a late Saturday night, my friend and I started our dinner with a triad of spreads: Charred Eggplant, Hummus with Lamb Ragu, and the House-made Labneh. Among these, my favorites were the Eggplant and the Labneh. With the trio of walnuts, pomegranate, and molasses coming together to create a refreshing and crunchy bites, the eggplant spread was particularly enjoyable. In labneh, lentils gave a textural contrast to the creamy yogurt, and I liked how it was subtly fragrant with mint and dill.
From the bigger plates, we ordered the Lamb & Beef Kefta and the Grilled Octopus. Kefta was quite plain, as we found the meats to be a tad dry, but the highlight of this dish was the rice – doused in olive oil and lemon zest, it added much-needed moisture and zest. On the other hand, the Grilled Octopus was fantastic. It was tender and perfectly seasoned, with the citrusy hints and sweetness of oranges and the spicy undertones of chili conserva.
Ema is no doubt, a good Mediterranean restaurant. However, when compared to its competitors in other big cities, it feels more like a standard experience for an elevated Mediterranean restaurant.
Many wonderful vegetarian dishes here, and quite a few gluten-free options too. Be sure to try the spreads, especially the charred eggplant made with walnuts, herbs, pomegranate molasses and arils. The setting is lovely, great for a group dinner or more intimate affair. We dined inside next to the big open bay windows that looks out to the patio and street beyond, surrounded by greenery. It really felt like a elegantly relaxing escape!
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