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Ema has a great atmosphere and a lot of really good bites. I have celiac disease and appreciated that most of the menu is gluten free (they have a dedicated GF fryer and knowledgeable staff). The lamb and beef kefta was tasty but very dry. The tune and watermelon salad and hummus were awesome. We were disappointed with the level of service. We were seated 30 minutes after our reservation time and waited even longer to be greeted by a waitress. Our wine took a while to come out and we had to request our check twice.
I LOVED my meal here! Ēma (Ay-mah) brings some glamour and glitz to the Mediterranean dining scene, with an airy, elevated hotel-lobby feel that still doesn't demand a dress code. Dresscode: Smart Casual / Casual Noise Level: Medium (it gets buzzy after 5:30pm) Thursday night Happy Hour was lively, so it took about 10-15 minutes for someone to come around, but service was attentive once we got going. The food is where Ēma really shines. From the Happy Hour menu, the Charred Eggplant Hummus and Crispy Potatoes were generously portioned and great for sharing. On the main menu, the Indian-Mediterranean fusion Bhel Hummus was a party for my taste buds, while the Hot Honey Halloumi and Chicken Kefta rounded out the table nicely. The halloumi is more of a side than a main, but that sweet-and-salty hot honey combo was chef's kiss. For our finisher, the Chocolate Torte knocked us out. Decadent, delicious and chocolate with lots of depth. Overall, Ēma is an excellent spot to order a bunch of dishes for the table and get an elevated meal without feeling stuffy, and delicious without taking itself too seriously. DO's: - Make a reservation ahead, especially for happy hour 4-6pm - Treat apps like small plates, order 2-3 to sample - Entertain their wine list, they have a lot! - Bring vegetarians here, there are plenty of options DON'Ts: - Dismiss the desert menu. It's fantastic and shareable! - Forget to ask for extra pita with the hummus! - Miss out on the LettuceEats loyalty points (check-in with your server before paying your check)
Stopped by for dinner and luckily seated right away. I was happy they were still taking orders at 930pm. Technically they close at 10pm but looked like more people came in and they were placing orders. I ordered the spicy whipped feta. This was excellent! Good for sharing but filling for 1 person. Comes with rosemary pita. Yum! The bill was a little confusing as I was charged an extra $1. I asked my server why the menu showed $1 cheaper for my food. He agreed that it was wrong. Eventually a manager came out to apologize and removed $1. He mentioned prices had gone up but menu wasn't updated. I thought for all the hassle they might have comp'd something. Instead I got an apology and updated check. Decor was nice and overall ambiance. Great for groups or date night. Attached to the Hyatt hotel.
You can't go wrong with $1 froyo. The line does get kind of long (it moves fast), and they do cut off the line as it gets closer to 3:30ish. The froyo itself with no toppings is $1 then any additional topping is $2. They only have strawberry rhubarb and pistachio syrups as toppings though. The line moves fast and the inside is really cute to look at as you wait. If you time it just right, it's perfect as a Friday afternoon sweet treat!
We had a very long wait on Tuesday evening as a walk in for two. Waited almost two hours despite the Open Resy waitlist indicating we were on a waitlist with only two other parties. Not sure what happened there but after a few reminders to the hostess that we were still, in fact waiting -- we were finally seated. Luckily we had some drinks at the bar in the meantime. Food came out fairly quick. The best thing we had there was the lamb raft hummus and crispy mushrooms so highly recommend those. Chicken kefta was underwhelming for a standard Mediterranean dish but based off other reviewers pictures, the other kebab dishes did not look that interesting. Food 3/5 Service 3/5 Drinks 4/5 Prices 4/5 Ambience 5/5
I used to really like Ema, but unfortunately the portion sizes have gotten smaller and we've had a few misses with the food. Generally speaking, the top of the menu is better than the bottom. But the most recent time we've been, the tuna-watermelon dish from the raw menu didn't taste as fresh fish should. Lamb hummus, while good, was about half the size. The crispy potatoes were so crispy it was hard to bite into them. The whipped feta was fresh and lovely, but the price seems high for a dip with no protein. The pita is seasoned and yummy still. Bummer that this spot has gone downhill, especially as competition picks up in River North.
This Mediterranean restaurant has a cute, inviting interior with a nice atmosphere, and the service was very good. The food was presented beautifully and everything looked fresh and clean, but unfortunately, the flavors didn't quite match the presentation. The lamb and beef meatballs were too dry for my taste. The shrimp was okay, but the tomatoes served with it were overly roasted and had some blackened, charred areas that I didn't particularly enjoy. The salad was also fairly mediocre and didn't stand out. Overall, I really liked the ambiance and appreciated the attentive service, but I think the food could use some improvement in both flavor and preparation. A pleasant place visually, but the meal itself was just average for me.
We had a fantastic experience at Emma after exploring downtown Chicago. We made reservations inside but decided to sit outside because of the weather. Heads up - you're basically sitting in the road on some of these patio tables. We had amazing service walking through and explaining the menu. The food came out at a good pace and we genuinely enjoyed each bit. With so much great food in Chicago it's hard to commit to coming back to any one place but Ema deserves a spot on the list. Best bites - hamachi and roast avocado
I celebrate my birthday with my family at Ema every year, and at this point it's become one of my favorite 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.
This is for Ema Rotisserie - $1 froyo right in the city is so hard to beat! Came during a quick lunch break to grab a sweet treat and was directed to the side of the Ema restaurant to wait in line for Ema Rotisserie. Even though there was good 10+ people in front of me, the line went by quick and staff was very efficient. The classic froyo + olive oil + sea salt is $1, or you can get a strawberry rhubarb sauce or pistachio sauce for an additional $1. The froyo was good, not as creamy or tart as I'd prefer but still delicious. The strawberry rhubarb was also great, not too sweet or tart and balanced the froyo really well. I definitely want to return to try the other flavors too!
The food is incredible here. The Lamb Ragu specifically is a must try! The vibes are very fun as well. A great place to have drinks or a meal with friends. Very great visuals for pics of you want. The service was mid. That was the only drawback. I would go back for the food but it was if we were a bother to the server. We made a reservation and were seated at the bar area. Our server forgot our wine. It was just the worst service I had of any of the places visited while I was in town.
We had a reservation at 1PM Sunday and were seated outside. I have always walked past Ema, so it was a delight to be able to try it for the first time. Our server was kind and great at showing recommendations. They suggested that each person has 2-3 plates since the menu was full of small-plate style food. And honestly, I think we could have gone away with 1-2 plates per person since we were very full by the time we finished eating The interior is absolutely gorgeous. Part of me wishes that we got the chance to sit down inside, but maybe that will be the excuse to come visit another time. The Blueberry Clafoutis was my favorite dish. The blueberries were sweet, and it was like eating a blueberry crepe/pancake. The sweetness level was not overpowering, which was what made this dish so enjoyable. The "Bhel" Hummus and Spicy Whipped Feta were both very tasty. I loved the fruitiness of the "Bhel" Hummus and loved how the Spicy Whipped Feta had its pomegranate bits. Each were so unique, and it was an adventure with each bite. Excellent service and food overall. It was a pleasant new experience.
Some friends and I were in town for a birthday and decided we wanted to do the riverboat architecture tour. Our friend group is split between two groups. The 1st that plans ahead and gets to places early. And the 2nd that is there for a good time but always gets everywhere late. Those of us that wanted to come early and not worry decided that we wanted to go to a restaurant close by to wait for our tour time and that's how we found Ema. As soon as we walk inside we see how beautiful and modern the interior looks. They had a lot of seating available and we got a nice table by the window with a view We wanted to eat light before the tour so we shared a bunch of small plates. We ordered the mushroom escargot, lemon Caesar, crispy potatoes, a couple orders of hummus and some chicken kebabs. That mushroom escargot was one of my favorite things I ate during the entire Chicago trip. The mushrooms were creamy and rich. It tasted umami, bright from the lemon, slightly spicy from the Calabrian breadcrumbs, and paired perfectly with some warm pita bread on the side. The hummus was smooth and well seasoned. The lemon caesar was fresh and fairly standard. The crispy potatoes were perfectly textured and were soft and pillowy on the inside. As long as they sat on the table they never lost their crisp. The chicken kebabs were tenderly, juicy and garlicky. We were all putting together our perfect bite combinations with the pita bread. Everything we ordered I would actually order again. Though may want to try a different salad next time since the Caesar was pretty simple. Regardless, still no real complaints with the food Our server was charismatic and funny. He had a great attitude and entertained us throughout the meal. Everything came out promptly as well so we made it out and could take our time walking to the riverboats. Lucky for our friends the tour said they'd be docked for a few minutes after our scheduled start time to set everything up. As 3 minutes after our start time we see group 2 sprinting up from a couple blocks away Overall Ema was consistent, flavorful and reliable. Not a bad price point either for what you get. I'd definitely recommend and come back
5 months ago
I'll keep the 4 star rating- the actual service is great but they are always running behind with reservations. The mushroom "escargot" was really good. The hot honey halloumi was honestly not good. The spiced whipped feta was good as always. Triple chocolate torte was like insanely good. read more
Amazing place for this type of food and while we were there during the week in the early afternoon, there was no wait. Service was amazing and knowledgeable on what to try. For the dishes see below: Hummus spread Sampler: 5 of 5 and worth every penny. We had the spicy hummus, which was my absolute favorite, labneh, and the toasted almond and garlic hummus. This was the first time I have had lebnah and it won't be my last. However, each was super fresh and the ingredients mixed together to make you want to order it again. Lamb and beef Kefta 5 of 5: Not much to say but succulent and delicious with that great flavor of lamb shining. Fried chicken sandwich with beet Tzatziki 5 of 5: Perfection of the fancy chicken sandwich. Can't recommend it enough. The beet Tzatziki mixed so well with the juicy fried chicken, pickles and challah bread. Farro Rissoto 2 of 5: Not a great flavor here. Very subtle and compared to everything else was a let down. The Rissoto was cooked nicely, but that's about it. I'd recommend those other dishes. Regardless of the one bad score, the others definitely make up for it. Just give this place a try and look no further. read more
28 days ago
Very beautiful restaurant, but slightly cramped for space. Upon arriving, me and my guest confirmed our reservation, which we thankfully had given the restaurant was packed full with several parties waiting. To eat, we had the original hummus as an appetizer, which had an incredible pita bread accompaniment. Then, me and my friend split the lamb kebabs and octopus mains, which were each fairly small plates, but it was fine since we weren't overly hungry. I thought the lamb meatballs were okay, the octopus was pretty good. Nothing blew my socks off, but it was all solid. read more
3 months ago
If there's one thing you come to Ema for... let it be the hummus with lamb ragu!! We were looking for a spot close to our hotel that was open for an early lunch and landed on Ema since the restaurant's ambiance seemed super nice. We were seated promptly after opening and landed on two things to share: + Hummus w/ Lamb Ragu ($18.95) (5/5): The hummus was super rich and savory!! I loved how tender the ragu was and how well it paired with the bread. I would've ordered a second one if I wasn't so full lol. + Chicken Kefta ($19.95) (3.5/5): The portion was a good size! I think I just wasn't too big of a fan because the chicken was a bit dry. This dish just felt like it was missing something, but I couldn't quite put my finger on what. Our server was super nice, but our food took quite some time to come out. Maybe it was because we were there when they opened? Either way, it was a great experience and I'd return!! read more
We ate outside and had a lovely meal. We had a reservation but waited for over 30 minutes. The manager was very nice and comped out appetizers which was very nice. The tuna with melon was incredible. The melon was perfect and the taste was incredibly paired with the tuna. The lebnah was great as were the Brussel sprouts. The Spanish octopus was amazing. Everything we touched, we were excited for! A return trip will happen! read more
This was one of our regular go to lunch places when we had lived in Chicago for over 20 years and recently moved. Came back for a 2 month vacation, and had to return to Ema. We have been here 3 x already and their food was as good as we remembered. We love this place for its light Mediterranean options, and very relaxing atmosphere at the bar, dining room, or outdoor patio. Don't know why I haven't left a review before now, but due to excellent service from Jared today, and the Halibut Ceviche I couldn't not share how great this restaurant is. Came for brunch today and my husband ordered Kefta & Eggs. We ordered the Halibut Ceviche as our appetizer. Both were very good and memorable. I even ordered a second helping of the Halibut Ceviche as my main meal. Can't say enough about the service we received from Jared. I was looking to order items that we had ordered 2 years ago but unfortunately was no longer on the lunch menu or were on the dinner menu. He was very patient and offered suggestions. Service was spot on. We will continue to dine here whenever we come back to Chicago. read more
5 months ago
This is a solid restaurant for a date night or work event. I've been a few times over the years and went again last night. I recommend the almond/garlic spread as a starter and the prime rib polenta for the main. The drinks were good as well. I also enjoyed yelps's menu vision to decide what to get read more
4 months ago
1 year ago
I'm shook that this place is rated this high. I do not think the food was that good. I think the service was nice. But the food was very disappointing. Came on a Thursday night around 5pm. We were a party of two. We ordered the following: Green falafel Halibut Lamb ragu hummus The falafel was a little dry but came with pickled raddish which was a great compliment. Halibut was meh. Thought it lacked flavor. And wasn't flakey. The hummus which the wait staff explained was a fan favorite was good. But 20 dollars good? Ehhhh ... The ambiance was pretty. Overhead lights were nice. It was nicely spaced out. We sat inside by the bar but it wasn't terribly noisy or busy / distracting with the staff going back and forth. There's an outdoor patio as well. I had the Lebanese red wine and that was delicious. Adding it to the list of bottles I must have at home. Overall a little disappointed with my experience. Reviews gave me high hopes. Instead ended up down the street for pizza to make up for the night. read more
Food was great, wouldn't recommend spiced chicken thighs because portion was super tiny. Not worth it as an entree for restaurant week. But loved everything else. Dessert is a must. Place was very cute and would be great for like a cute girls night/yap sesh night. Wait for food was also reasonable and servers were nice. read more
1 year ago
Ema won their last star from me! Stumbled on my old review of them, lamenting their slow service. Glad to say service was efficient and friendly today! (G)o or no go - Go! Outstanding Mediterranean food and pretty reasonable prices (W)ow - wowed by the house made labneh with strawberry and the hummus with lamb ragu (A)mbiance - fast service, delightful patio, calming interior decor full of natural colors: wood panels and lots of greenery (M)enu - Best item was the hummus with lamb ragu. So savory and surprisingly filling. The house made labneh with strawberry, peanuts, and hints of mint was also a delightful mixture of sweet and refreshing. Runner up was the juicy braised short rib sandwich and grilled oishii shrimp kebab slathered with fresh green sauce. Can you tell I'm a huge fan of protein heavy meals? But Ema wins me over with their carbs too. There's something about Ema's rice (which comes with every skewer), it hits every time. It's probably the generous amounts of olive oil they anoint it with. Honorable mentions go to brussel sprouts and crispy potatoes, two sides that add depth to every meal. The charred eggplant hummus was also my cup of tea although some found it sour. Also pictured are the hot honey halloumi (a little chewy for my taste and could have upped the hot in hot honey), salmon kebab, and chicken kebab. read more
The food was so good I had to come back the following week. The menu and ambience are similar to Aba (its sister restaurant). Highlight of the meal was the salmon kabob, so tasty and cooked perfectly. The crispy Brussels sprouts were another favorite that I reordered at my second visit. The only dish I wouldn't recommend was the "crispy" potatoes - underseasoned, dry, and not crispy. A bit surprising since fried potatoes are rarely a miss. For desert, there's plenty of options and the 3 we tried were all hits! The sticky date cake was my personal favorite and my friends really loved the chocolate torte. Service was quick. We ordered a lot and were told things would be coursed/spaced out but everything came out back-to-back pretty fast. We didn't mind though since we were hungry and shared everything. My overall experiences here have been positive and I plan to come back soon. read more
The DO NOT DISTURB cocktail was the star of the show, with my entire party ordering the beverage. We were able to get seated right away, and the decor inside really is fun and relaxing. It was a little difficult ordering Gluten Free - not for lack of options but for lack of menu descriptors. Luckily my server was very knowledgeable and was able to redirect a couple different times to ensure I avoided dishes with hidden gluten. The Brussel Sprouts were amazing (with no fried shallots) and were a great side for us all to share. I also ended up ordering just regular scrambled eggs and added them to the crispy potato's which was fantastic. read more
Yesterday was a very chaotic meal. We had gotten there early for a 8oclock reservation. Not only were we not able to sit early but also we were seated 15 minutes late. Then we had picked up our dishes and it appeared that the waitress had forgotten about us when we put in auditions. It was a good 2025 minutes before she came back and said that they ran out of a particular dish that we were interested in therefore she was going to complement us one of the other ceviche raw fish dishes that we were interested in. Also, when the food arrived, one of the managers or supervisors offered us a free dessert. So overall, it was a very long dinner. It was very busy, but we appreciated the gesture that they try to make up for service recovery. read more
From service to food to ambiance, Ema has it all!! Had the most delicious brunch here, the hummus is to die for, and you can't ask for a more aesthetically pleasing restaurant. Both the interior design and food presentation was absolutely gorgeous. It was busy when we came in but the service was spectacular and food came out quick. I also love their express shop next door. Always go for $1 Friday froyo during the summers. Can't beat this place! read more
ORDER Faroe Island Salmon - super impressed by the flavors from the sweet peppers and zhoug! The rice tasted so flavorful especially with the sauce. Salmon was cooked medium rare (?) with a tad bit of raw which made it nice and juicy. Mockingbird Zero Proof Cocktail - has ritual bitter aperitif, pineapple, hibiscus, pomegranate. There is only a slight bitter taste which is reminiscent of an alcoholic beverage so it feels like you're drinking when you're not. Super refreshing and light! Loved it! VIBES This place has a cutesy interior and definitely gives more elevated casual vibes. The lanterns and wooden tables, tans and plant interior give a nice natural feel to the place. It's dimly lit and perfect for a nice lunch or dinner. Very crowded! Seating consists of bar, table, booths and normal tables and chairs. SERVICE Service was great! Definitely book a reservation in advance if you want to get a good spot. Luckily I went with only one other person, so they had some high seating that was available. Food came out quickly and no complaints with service. read more
food: everything was yummy and had nice flavors, the chicken kefta was a bit dry for me but everything else i would order again. seemed pretty authentic. the main standouts that i would get again next visit are hot honey halloumi, short ribs, onion dip, and the pistachio froyo service: the service was immaculate, really liked our waiter and he comped our desserts without us saying anything because the kitchen messed up and missed some of our orders ambiance: really nice vibe, great for dinner and chats, apparently very Cali, did a birthday dinner here and couldn't ask for better atmosphere read more
I was really craving something light and fresh and this place really hit the spot. The almond spread was a bit surprising. It was kind of crunchy like the almonds weren't fully pureed but it added a unique texture that was oddly satisfying. The kebab was delicious and everything I was wanting. I ate it all in one sitting and didn't feel overly full. The rice was fluffy and flavorful and meat was well seasoned a juicy. The service was nice but slow despite it not being busy. The restaurant itself is cozy and well decorated. We requested bar on our reservation as that's the only place that does happy hour, and they put us in the back of the back corners by the kitchen which honest is the worst seat in the house despite the fact that we got their early and no one was at the bar yet. So that was disappointing, but not enough to diminish the deliciousness of the food. read more
2 months ago
19 days ago
My friends and I had dinner here one Saturday and it did not disappoint. The ambiance was cozy, yet modern. Beautiful. The service was top notch. We decided to order various small plates for the table, which is the way to go. The pumpkin hummus was SO good. It tasted like a more mild sweet potato puree. The pita that came with it was also delish. The crispy potato's were amazing, super crunchy and huge. The Moroccan onion dip was the perfect ratio of onion and date. Super interesting. The kale Caesar was perfect, with a great crunch to it. Lastly, the salmon kebab was cooked perfectly. I think it's hard to get salmon right, but they did it. And then the chicken kefta was amazing too. Highly recommend. read more
We came to celebrate a birthday. We decided on Ema a little over a week out and they were already booked up so we ended up with 5:15pm reservations. When we arrived we were seated right away. There were not many other groups around at the time but by the time we left the place was packed. The decor gets a 10/10. The restaurant merges with a hotel lobby but you would never know. We started with the classic hummus which came with a basket of pita bread. The pita was so fresh, warm, and flavorful. The hummus was also so good and came with a few fresh veggies on the side. Next, we tried the falafel, which didn't disappoint. It was so crispy and flavorful. I'm going to be dreaming about the beet tzatziki for a while. We also ordered the halloumi cheese (which came with more pita) and the lamb stew. For the birthday boy, they served us a complimentary frozen yogurt topped with olive oil and sea salt. It was an...interesting combo. At first it tasted a bit icy but the flavor is a delayed effect. I'm not sure I would order this dessert otherwise though. Overall, food was great! Our waitress also made great recommendations. We ended up staying for almost two hours since we ordered our meal one dish at a time. It felt so nice to slow down and not feel rushed by the staff. read more
Stopped in for a quick drink and the kale caesar with chicken and it was a great experience at the bar during happy hour. Quick service even when they were busy and good happy hour prices. The salad was filling with the chicken added and the Amber Road drink tasted just like an 'elevated green tea shot' as the bartender said it would! read more
Ema has a nice ambiance and is a decent spot for Mediterranean food, but overall, our experience was just okay. We tried a good mix of dishes, some of which were great, while others fell flat. We started with two zero-proof cocktails--the Pomegranate Backsplash and Say Less. Both were refreshing but nothing memorable. For appetizers, the hummus and house bread were solid, but nothing that stood out. The green falafal was flavorful but a bit dry, while the brussel sprouts were delicious with a nice char. The crispy potatoes were a hit at the table, well-seasoned and perfectly cooked. For the mains, we got the Chicken Kefta and the pan-roasted Romanesque cauliflower. The kefta was well-spiced but a little on the dry side. The cauliflower was tasty but felt a bit overpriced for what it was. Dessert was probably the best part. The warm sticky date cake was rich and comforting, and the double chocolate crisp was a chocolate lover's dream. Definetly the highlight of the meal. Overall, it was a decent meal, but nothing that would make us rush back. The flavors were good, but some dishes lacked that wow factor. Service was friendly but a bit slow at times. For the price point, we expected a bit more. read more
19 days ago
Super cute restaurant! They did a fabulous job with decor! I would suggest making a reservation as it was packed. I really enjoyed how fresh everything was. Despite our server telling us portions are small, I respectfully disagree as we found the portions to be quite large. We shared the hummus, the Greek salad, and the beef and lamb meatballs which also came with a large portion of rice and were stuffed! read more
Food: Highly recommend the Bhel Hummus--fresh, tasty, and especially delicious with the hot, flavored pita. The combination gives off a pizza-like vibe, in the best way. The Salmon Kebab had a slightly fishy aroma at first, but once paired with the side sauce and a squeeze of lemon, it became a perfect match. The Chicken Kefta was a bit salty on its own, but dipping it in the creamy sauce balanced the flavor beautifully. Service: We noticed the Charred Eggplant didn't look like the photo on Yelp and the taste wasn't quite what we expected. We brought it up with our server, who was incredibly kind and understanding--offering to take it back without hesitation. We ended up ordering the amazing salmon instead. Big thanks to the server for turning things around and making our experience so enjoyable! Ambiance: I loved the interior--it gave me a sense of freedom, like a bird dining in nature. A lovely and refreshing atmosphere to enjoy a meal. Price: $70 for 2 after tax for what we order, added on a 22% tips for the cute server. read more
6 months ago
The drinks were great but the service was subpar. We were told 20 minute wait for patio seating and waited 45 minutes at the bar. We were then told it would be at least another 20 minutes. Not cool - would have just ordered food at the bar had we been given a realistic wait time. read more
More info about Ema
74 W Illinois St
Chicago, IL 60654
Near North Side
Directions
(312) 527-5586
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https://www.emarestaurants.com
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Ask the Community - Ema
What is the noise level at Ema at dinner?
I've been on a Saturday night and it was loud and very lively. Def not an intimate spot if you are looking for that kind of vibe.
Does Ema add (sneak) a service charge to bills, like Wildfire? I'm not a fan of this (greedy) practice and will pass on this restaurant when they open in Glenview, if this is the case.
Hi Andy, Lettuce Entertain You restaurants have added the surcharge as a way to offset rising costs associated with the restaurant industry (food, beverage, labor, benefits, supplies). This is done in lieu of increased menu prices. When dining with…
Hi! Are walk-ins allowed?
Yes, though it is a popular place so reservations are recommended to avoid a potential wait for a table.
Are there any vegan options on the menu?
Hi Sam, we have a variety of vegan options including our Hummus, Brussels Sprouts, Toasted Almond & Garlic Spread, crudité and more. Your server will also be able to advise on dishes that can be modified to become vegan. We look forward to welcoming…
Is there a dress code?
Hi Rae! There is no set dress code. We invite to you wear whatever makes you most comfortable.
Do you allow outside wine and if so, what is your corkage fee?
Hi Kim! You are welcome to bring up to two 750ml bottles of wine, with a $35 corkage fee per bottle.
Is your patio heated?
Hi Jenna! There are heaters on the patio, however please note that the patio seating isn't enclosed. We advise dressing according to the weather. Thank you!
Is this place toddler friendly?
Hi Chaitali! Yes, guests of all ages are welcome at Ema and we are happy to accommodate with high chairs. Looking forward to having you in soon!
Is there a happy hour menu?
Hi Carolyn! Thank you for reaching out. At this time, Ema does not have a Happy Hour menu available. We look forward to having you join us soon!
Is your meat halal?
Hi Kausar - our meat is not halal. Feel free to email us at emacs@leye.com with any other questions or if we can share more details on our ingredients.
Is there parking nearby?
Hi Laela! Valet parking is available for $17 for 3 hours with validation and increases to $38 after 3 hours.
Can you accommodate (or substitute) vegetarian options?
We are always happy to help accommodate any dietary restrictions or requests that you may have! Feel free to let our team know in advance, or let your server know. Looking forward to having you in!
Can you make reservations?
Hi Chaitali, Thank you for reaching out, we absolutely can assist you with that. Please give our…
Do you carry any brand of retsina?
Hi Bob! At this time we do not carry any Retsina. Feel free to check back on our website to view our full wine list at www.emachicago.com. Thanks!
Does Ema have Happy Hour?
Hi Avita! Yes, we do! From 3-6PM enjoy $5 Mezze Plates, select Craft Beer and Wine.
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