The portion size were good and the food itself was ok. Mediocre at best. The service was…read moreacceptable. The workers were nice. The ambiance and the decor is maybe the only redeeming factor. It has some nice touches, but again nothing crazy.

I celebrate my birthday with my family at Ema every year, and at this point it's become one of my…read morefavorite traditions. Ema is, hands down, my favorite restaurant in Chicago. From the food and ambiance to the consistently outstanding service, everything is truly top-tier. This visit was just as exceptional as every one before it. We shared the Sweet Corn Hummus, Spicy Whipped Feta, Brussels Sprouts, Crispy Wild Mushrooms, Crispy Potatoes, Grilled Chicken, and the Lamb & Beef Kefta. Every single dish was outstanding. I wish I had taken more photos, but we were too busy enjoying the food as it arrived at the table! For drinks, my sister loved the Strawberry Rose Paloma, and I enjoyed a glass of Kir-Yianni Sparkling Rosé, which paired beautifully with the meal. The warm, seasoned pita deserves its own recognition. It's soft, pillowy, and absolutely addictive. Honestly, it's hard not to fill up on the pita and spreads before the rest of the meal even arrives. Our server struck the perfect balance between friendly and attentive, without ever feeling intrusive. We usually make room for dessert, but we were completely stuffed this time. In the past, though, I've loved both the Warm Sticky Date Cake and the Frozen Greek Yogurt, and I'd recommend either without hesitation. I was secretly hoping for a tiny scoop of frozen yogurt as a birthday surprise, but my server didn't mention it and I didn't remind him of the celebration (and honestly, we were way too full anyway ). As a huge Top Chef fan, it's always special dining at Chef CJ Jacobson's restaurant. I had the opportunity to meet him during my very first visit to Ema, and he was incredibly gracious. His creativity and attention to flavor are evident in every dish. Ema continues to set the standard for what a great dining experience should be. It's the restaurant I recommend most often when people ask me where to eat in Chicago, and it remains my go-to place for special celebrations. I can't wait to come back again soon! #ImNotAFoodie #ImJustAGirlWhoLovesFood #YelpEliteSquad PS: the hotel next door no longer provides parking validation.

We love Arbella!! Atmosphere inside was great, really large space! We sat at the bar, the…read morebartenders were super friendly and attentive easy to talk to and order from. LOVE the $6 cocktail of the day happy hour (M-F 4-6pm) . Our cocktail of the day was a watermelon lemon drop which was delicious!! Will be coming back next time in Chicago! My local friends new favorite staple bar.

(Kari's Rating 8.75/10)…read more Came with a friend late on a Friday night after dinner time We were able to be seated almost immediately at a nice little private Cove table. We ordered a flight of whiskey sours, which contained whiskeys from Japan, Vietnam, and Wisconsin. I also was able to order an amaretto sour, which they made with freshly hand beaten egg whites, which was a nice cherry on the top. As far as the whiskey flights go, I think the best one was the Vietnam flight because it had a slightly lemongrass twang and was a little bit lighter than the other two. The heaviest one was the Wisconsin which came with a little bit of a bite at the end, but it still wasn't bad if you're trying to blackout on a $15 budget. I would definitely come back with a larger group this seems like a great place, but is a little bit loud- so if you be prepared to yell or wear earplugs. The bathroom took my a second to find, which should have been intuitive considering it was on the opposite end of where you come in. I blame the lighting as things are already pretty hard to find in the dark, but eventually I made it there-Pat myself on the back.

Stylish Fulton Market Brunch with Great Food and Service…read more Booked brunch for two on OpenTable at Aba in Fulton Market, and it's easy to see why this spot is so popular. The space is beautiful--open, bright, full of natural light, and stylish without feeling overdone. We ordered the Short Rib Shakshuka, which was flavorful with just a hint of spice and a generous portion size. The warm, soft pita served alongside was perfect for dipping. The Steak and Eggs was also excellent--the steak and eggs were cooked perfectly, and the fried potatoes were a standout: crispy on the outside while still moist and tender inside. Portion sizes were just right. We also tried both of the recommended brunch cocktails, and they were strong, flavorful, and well balanced. Service from Mike was great--friendly, efficient, and attentive throughout the meal. Overall, Aba delivered a polished and enjoyable brunch experience. Highly recommend, and based on what we tasted, I'd absolutely come back to try dinner.

I first discovered Aba around the time they had first opened up and it was such an amazing dining…read moreexperience, that I made a reservation again when I came back into town all these years later. I have to admit... it's not the same as it used to be. Don't get me wrong, it's an excellent place to dine at, especially on their patio during the Chicago summer, which was one of the biggest reasons why I came back. I was with someone who had not explored Chicago before so it definitely gave the city ambience while being engulfed in the Mediterranean experience. Yet the inside dining area feels like you're dining in small romantic villages in Italy or Greece. Service is still top notch. But the food is what's not the same. For me, the highlight was the crispy short rib hummus. I never thought they'd go well together but the juices from the meat blended in with the hummus and it's just soooo good. The kefta was nothing to be impressed about in which I expected more for the price we paid for. The chicken thighs were good but also nothing to be that impressed about. The one thing I was a little disappointed by is that they no longer serve a desert I tried the first time I was there, and their new desserts are average. Nothing to marvel about. Their OG desert is what had stayed in my mind all these years. You can't go wrong for a nice little date night at this spot or if you're new to the city, but it's not exactly a place I feel like I want to come back to, especially at that price. You're really mostly paying for the experience of the place.

Love this place especially during the summer. Nothing like walking around outside in the heat and…read morecoming in here and getting a nice sangria. Also really good for happy hour! Staff is attentive. The place is small and a little crowded so keep that in mind when planning your visit.

Lil Ba Ba Reeba was such a good time! I've heard about this spot forever, so I was really happy to…read morefinally try it, and it definitely lived up to the hype. We sat outside, which was really nice, so we didn't really get to experience the atmosphere inside. Service was super helpful and attentive. We got the garlic shrimp, roasted dates wrapped in bacon, patatas bravas, and the lamb brocheta. The roasted dates wrapped in bacon were sooo good. Sweet, salty, and warm. Just one of those bites that makes you immediately want another. Those were delicious. The lamb brocheta was probably my favorite. Super juicy, super flavorful, and just really satisfying. That's definitely the dish I'd go back for. The patatas bravas were good too, though I do think they could've used a little more salt. The garlic shrimp weren't my favorite, but they came with this amazing oil that was really good for dipping bread in. I love tapas so I'm really glad I came here, and I'd definitely come back to try more of the menu!

As a last minute change of plans, my friend and I impulsively ended up at this spot after a long…read moreday of travel. This was the best meal I've had in recent months with melt in your mouth pork, whipped feta, and dessert. I would have loved to try the cocktails but I'm breastfeeding and avoiding alcohol. We had bar seating so our server was very attentive. We also got to see the kitchen staff as they worked and they all genuinely seemed happy to work and cook. If you've never worked in restaurants, kitchen staff is often highly stressed and gets annoyed with each other in high paced environment and despite it being super busy, they all seemed like they loved what they were doing.

The Purple Pig has risen to be my absolute favorite restaurant I've had the joy of eating at in…read moreChicago. After coming back to the city almost a decade later, I knew I wanted to have a meal here. The best way to eat a meal here is to share all the dishes with friends. Sage Gimlet (5/5) - I started my meal with a refreshing sage gimlet that was a strong but well balanced cocktail. Roasted Bone Marrow (5/5) - I 100% would recommend getting this appetizer to start off the meal. The marrow was perfectly roasted and paired so well with the jam and salad. Roasted Beets (5/5) - If you love beets, get this salad. The flavors were so well balanced and I really liked the fried balls of goat cheese. Agnolotti (5/5) - This pasta was amazing!! The short rib and bone marrow with the fresh pasta still makes my mouth water. Scallops (5/5) - These scallops were perfectly cooked. The crispy prosciutto was a tad on the salty side. I honestly love the energy and the flavor bomb this restaurant packs. I can't wait until I'm back in the city and can dine here again.

In an area packed with casual food spots, Figo is spicing things up! It's upscale but not…read morepretentious- perfect for meeting up with friends when you want to feel a little fancy without going through hoops getting ready. The staff was super attentive and kind, checking on us frequently. My friend and I stopped by for happy hour, and this should absolutely make it onto the list of the best in town. They have delicious wine, cocktails, and bites for nearly half of the regular price. I opted for the happy hour prosecco to drink, which was light-bodied and not too sweet. We split the meatballs and dates for bites and both were outstanding. I was super impressed with how tender the meatballs were, and they did not skimp on the flavorful marinara and cheese! The dates, which were topped with a white wine cheese sauce, were mouth-wateringly delicious and a must order. There was also complimentary focaccia with olive oil, which was greatly appreciated. With sea salt on top and a crispy exterior, I could easily have eaten a whole loaf. The only note I have is that the portions are small, so if you don't come during happy hour the prices are a bit steep for what you get. Will 100% be back soon to try more of the menu and highly recommend making the trek over here!

Very cute spot right off the Belmont stop. We were able to take advantage of happy hour deals and…read moresat right at the bar. However, the bartender was not very nice, and we saw her stick her hand in someone's glass to get something out before serving it... Other than that though the hh glass of red, complementary bread with olive oil, and hh Brussels were all great!

This restaurant presents as fast casual …read more It' was my first time trying chengdu Chinese street food .Food was decent over all albeit a little too oily for my liking . All things we ordered were dripping in a chile oil which I guess I'm just not used to . We enjoyed the spicy root noodles and the peanut noodles as well as the beef hotpot . The chicken as served cold ( by design) and we didn't care for it . Service was efficient . Ambiance super casual. Loved the water they served which had fresh lemon and cucumber in it. Overall, it was a fun culinary adventure. Likely won't be back , but worth a try if you like chengdu style street food . Pricing was fair . Easy metered parking in front of the restaurant

As I am preparing to study abroad in Beijing and Taipai this summer, I have decided to try as many…read moreAsian inspired dishes that I can. I found this little spot while visiting campus. As I walked in, I noticed how quiet and clean the restaurant is. There was only one set of customers in the building so it was quiet. I was immediately seated (of course) and taken to a table in a comfy corner. The menu is a QR code hidden in a little box on the table. I thought this was cool and a good way to decrease wasted paper. The entire ordering process is digital and immediate. I knew exactly when they received my order. I ordered the traditional chicken noodle soup and was a bit surprised upon seeing the bowl. It had about 6 pieces of shredded chicken, but the presentation was nice. The taste of the chicken noodle was disappointing. I immediately ordered something different. The tomato infused noodle soup was amazing!!! I wished I had a Jamaican dumpling to dip in the broth! It was fantastic!! I loved the broth so much that I put my dumplings in the broth as well . The dumplings were delicious by themselves! Lastly, when the manager saw that I ordered another soup, he asked "was this one too plain for you?" I stated yes. He did not take it off of my tab....that was a huge no no. I purchased another soup, so removing this one should have been a no brainer. I didn't make a fuss and paid my tab, but I will not go back anytime soon.

An amazing experience! Highly recommend!…read more We experienced the tiniest goat, which you get to sit in front of the kitchen, all the action. You need reservations, paid a flat rate per person, only include a drink, absolutely worth it. The menu is set by the chef. The waiter is super knowledgeable and friendly. A disclosure is that the chef doesn't make your food in front of you, the show is to see all the kitchen staff in action, you have front row seats to where the magic happens. A unique experience, the food was super delicious with a mix of flavors from around the world. I left with an amazing experience in terms of food and flavors, but my greatest lesson was how hard the kitchen staff works and the passion: the orchestrated action to keep with the orders, the constant heat from the kitchen, the attention to details, and the love for flavor perfection. Plus, one of the best old fashioned I have ever had!

This restaurant is popular and super packed. It's a bit loud but the ambiance is nice and…read moreupscale-ish with the dim lighting, open kitchen concept, and interior decor. Service was a bit slow. It took 45 mins to get our first dish, which was the halibut. First, just want to comment that the portion size is quite small relative to the price of the dishes. The halibut. This was very delicious. Somehow the blueberry nuoc cham works? The fish was tender and flaky. The sauce was salty and full of umami with a hint of blueberry sweetness. This fish dish made me crave for a bowl of steaming hot bfluffy white rice. The string beans. Unless you are allergic to nuts, this is a must get dish. Perfectly cooked string beans (still crispy but not raw) sautéed with fish sauce vinaigrette was an absolute delight. It's also on the salty side which made me crave rice but it's such a flavor bomb. The cashews provided a contrast in texture but yet complemented the seemingly simple dish. I wish the portions were bigger. The galbi. It's was good but compared to the first 2 dishes, didn't really wow me. The meat was one rib strip (4 rib bones) cut into 4 pieces so it's a rather small portion for the price. The stone fruit slices was a nice pairing in that it provided a sweet and tart contrast to the heavier meat flavor. After trying this dish, I felt I personally prefer the LA galbi marinade flavor and preparation for short ribs. Overall, I'm glad I got to try this place. Would come back for the string beans on a splurge day .