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.

Out beyond ideas of wrong and right, There is a field…read more I will meet you there. Food was great, prices were fine and the quality of the meal made it worth it, cool interior, kid behind the counter was helpful could maybe take off the headphones but that didnt really make or break my pickup experience.

I got delivery from here, interesting take on middle eastern food. I go the falafel wrap, with…read morehummus, it did not come with many veggies on it, the falafel itself was quite dry and the hummus was not very flavorful. My partner got a falafel plate. He liked the meal. He also got a salad, which he reports was good. I also got some French fries with tahini and extra garlic sauce. Overall average.

Discovered this little gem after I couldn't eat any more Chicago pizzas, hot dog or beef…read moresandwiches. The place was packed on Tuesday night so make sure to book a reservation. I ordered the item charcuterie and chose coppa, prosciutto, and a French Brie. The meat and cheese were good as expected but that quince spread really took the dish over the top! It was the perfect complement to the fatty meats. Next was the Mushroom dish and while the mushroom purer wasn't a looker, it was a huge umami bomb! Really good pairing with the other mushrooms on the plate. Lastly, I got the milk braised shoulder and it was so tender and flavorful. Good size portion, too! Took leftovers and made a breakfast sandwich the next day and it was still good! I regret not ordering the beef marrow, the table next to me did and I had food envy the whole time but honestly, I had no more room, I was so stuffed! Drinks and service was great, too! Highly recommend you go here if you are in downtown Chicago.

The first bite in Chicago... and what a delicious welcome!…read more My culinary adventure began at The Purple Pig, a Mediterranean spot in the heart of Chicago's Magnificent Mile. A James Beard Award-winning restaurant and Michelin Bib Gourmand honoree. The star of the meal? The divinely delicious Spanish Octopus. Cooked to perfection, so meaty and tender. And paired with marbled potatoes, sambuca, chimichurri, and Spanish chorizo. Every bite was beautifully balanced and flavorful. This octopus dish will be remembered. Service at the bar was attentive. And the restaurant was nice.

This was my first experience with the Roti chain and it did NOT disappoint. The manager Teresa was…read morehelpful, knowledgeable, and kind! I had a blast and was able to fuel up before catching a DJ set in Grant Park. 10/10 would recommend! Incredible food! Great Ambiance, Impeccable Service!

Tried Roti for the first time this past week after walking by it a million times and wanting to…read morecheck off another fast-casual Mediterranean spot in the city. Overall, it was just okay for me. Chicago has a ton of strong options in this category, and I don't think this one stands out as the best. I ordered the Mezze protein bowl with steak, chicken. The lettuce wasn't great so I mostly picked around it, and the steak was a bit more well done than I'd prefer. Everything else was solid and what you'd expect from a classic Mediterranean fast-casual setup, but nothing that really wowed me. Not a bad spot by any means, just one where I'd probably choose a few other places in the city first before coming back.

My family and I came to visit Chicago and visited Kabobi on a Sunday afternoon for early dinner. We…read moreordered Soltani and it was amazingly yummy. The portion was big . The owner was very friendly and visited our table to make sure we are taken care of well. The staff were polite and efficient. The owner served us complimentary Tea and sweets and we decided to definitely go back there for the other menu deserts. Sure enough my friends said let's go there for Persian Ice cream . We went the same day and had a great Persian Ice cream and it was one of the best quality I ever tried . The restaurant was packed and that shows me the reason. You will not get disappointed.

We stopped by as a group of 5 for dinner Sunday night and we were promptly seated. We visited…read moreChicago for St. Patty's, but my two Persian friends were eager to show us some authentic food and Kabobi did not disappoint. The food was absolutely delicious and I particularly loved the Shami and Koubidehs. The koubidehs were so tender and juicy. The service was phenomenal and they even brought us some tea and dessert (bamieh) for free. Kabobi is open late and was the perfect spot to chat while the rain died down. Definitely coming back when I'm in Chicago next time!

Good "bang for buck" would be an understatement when describing this place. The quality of the food…read moreat Falafel & Grill is absolutely OUTSTANDING, and comes at a beyond reasonable price. As typical for a counter serve, this facility is no thrills but it's kept very clean and the service is straightforward and great. We've gone back here a few times and have never had an issues with wait time, which is impressive as it can get pretty busy with orders. We've tried both the Chicken Kabob Plate and the Kifta Kabob Plate and both were fantastic. They truly make the meat here the PERFECT tenderness - probably the softest and juiciest chicken I've had in the city!!! The hummus and falafel that the Plate meals come with are also delicious. 10000% recommend for a casual Mediterranean meal or takeout

I lived in Chicago ten years and always wanted to try this place. Sadly it took me moving away to…read morefinally give it a try! This place is a local gem: simple, quick, casual, but packed with flavor. The falafel is crispy crunchy and herby served with two sauces (the red is bright and spicy - my fav), and you can see that juicy shawarma rotating in the window as you pass. Though unassuming on the outside, this place serves yummy Lebanese food at high ROI. Of the two shawarma plates I tried, I fancy the beef, but I tend to lean beef. The chicken was clean and flavorful. The hummus is creamy and delicious and the plates are served with a balsamic fresh salad on the side. The guys behind the counter are working hard and if you're picking food up to-go, you're likely in and out of line with hot fresh food in under 10 minutes. Definitely a spot to try if you've never had shawarma or Falaffel, or need a quick bite while on your lunch break. Also wouldn't be a bad late night snacky

food was delicious, great serving size and fresh !! customer service was also fantastic, super…read morefriendly and accommodating. will be coming back

Came here for lunch to celebrate my birthday. It is located in the Harlem Corners shopping center…read morewith ample parking. The staff is warm and welcoming, and we were seated quickly upon arriving. Love the ambiance! It is very cozy and inviting. We were served a complimentary appetizer: pita bread strips, pickled veggies, and what I believe to be an eggplant dip. We also ordered the Bawadi wing appetizer. It was delicious, and those wings! It came with a sauce, but I cannot comment on that because none of us tried it. The wings by themselves are delicious! My friends both ordered the lamb chops, and I ordered the Al Bawadi mixed grill with hummus and bread. Everything was good, and the portions are generous. The meat was tender, juicy, and seasoned well. We all enjoyed our meals. We plan on coming back in the Fall to celebrate another birthday. This is definitely a neighborhood staple and will come back with family.

We came here on Saturday for their brunch and I wanted to say our server was amazing!! The food was…read moregreat especially the Meijoo dates. We got a lot of dishes to share between four people and it was more than enough. A lot of the dishes had eggs which is great and everything was so flavorful. We choose to sit outside and it's so lovely and nice. Will be back to try more on their menu.

Overall experience was great! Made a reservation online and sat at a shared table. Went for a…read moremid-week lunch date, which was a really nice and easygoing experience. The entry door is a little fun, just push where the pig is. The hummus is an absolute must. We got an extra pita (one per person) and I would recommend getting the extra. For the lunch menu -- the prix-fixe is a really great option. It's only about $26 for the stuffed date, sandwich & chips, and rolled baklava. Service was great, our server was amazing (thank you Marlee)! Waters were consistently refilled, timing was great, atmosphere was enjoyable. Will be going back!