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Came in for a weekday lunch and it was fairly busy. Parking lot out front was mostly full and the interior back area was hosting an event. Only a minor wait to get a table which was a plus since we were just in the area. Wheelchair accessible access in the front is perfect considering a good amount of geriatric population live in this area. Interior is very cute with the rattan wicker lights lining the ceiling. A modern Mediterranean feel with a classy bar just past the entrance. Staff were initially very attentive, but as time went on it did seem to disappear. I believe they were short staffed and currently training a new server which is alright on its own, but getting our food took about 30 minutes. Since we ordered they had time to fill another table besides us, given time for them to look at the menu, explain a minor issue about not having rice without dill available, so they would need to make a new batch, and they confirmed that it isn't a problem to the table being served their food at the same time as us. So they had a substantially less time and they were even able to get their check to leave before we got ours. Food wasn't brought by the servers who took our orders so I'm not sure what happened. Maybe they cook the food in batches or something. Despite the the service the food was good. The portion size for the lunch special is appropriate for the price and probably the best deal. The in-house made pita is exceptional but I feel as if they don't give you enough when you order the roasted eggplant (baba ghanoush). By the time we finished the pita we still had about half the order remaining. I would have loved to ask for more bread but no one came by and our server, I think, was in the back because we didn't see her for some time. I didn't see a patio so dogs are probably not going to be able to enjoy. They are part of Lettuce Entertain You so if you're a member you can get points. Reservations can be made online. So with items being on the expensive side and service slow I probably won't be going back unless I'm in the area during lunchtime. I won't be rushing to get back anytime soon, though.
I recently visited the Glenview location of Ema to celebrate a birthday, and it was a wonderful experience overall. From the moment we walked in, I was impressed. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful with a warm, cozy atmosphere. It feels upscale without being pretentious, which made it a great place for a special occasion. Our server was friendly and helpful, so we asked for recommendations and ended up ordering a variety of dishes to share. We started with the Sweet Corn Hummus, which came with their complimentary pita bread. The pita was phenomenal! It isn't your typical plain pita you find at most Mediterranean restaurants. It has a delicious seasoning that makes it incredibly flavorful, and paired perfectly with the sweet corn hummus. We also tried the Moroccan Onion Dip. It has a slightly sweet flavor with noticeable cardamom notes. While it wasn't bad, it wasn't quite what I was expecting. Next time, I'll probably order the popular spicy whipped feta instead. One of our favorite dishes of the night was the Hamachi & Charred Avocado. It was light, fresh, and packed with flavor. Every bite was delicious. We also shared the Brussels Sprouts & Honeycrisp Apple Salad. The dressing was fresh and flavorful, but I realized I'm just not a fan of raw Brussels sprouts. The texture was a little too tough for my liking. That's on me--I should have asked beforehand if they were served raw. I think I'd enjoy it much more if the sprouts were roasted, so I probably wouldn't order this one again. For our hot mezze, we chose the Sweet Potato Latkes. They were very tasty with great flavor, although they were just a little on the greasy side. For our entrées, we ordered the Faroe Islands Salmon and the Shawarma-Spiced Skirt Steak Frites. The salmon kebabs over rice were my favorite dish of the evening. They were perfectly cooked, incredibly flavorful, and something I'd absolutely order again. The skirt steak had great flavor as well. Although we requested medium, it came out closer to medium-rare. Thankfully, I'd rather have it slightly under than overcooked. The only disappointment on the plate was the fries--they tasted dry, almost like they had been refried instead of served fresh. The highlight of the meal, however, was dessert. The Triple Chocolate Torte was absolutely incredible. It wasn't overly sweet, the chocolate mousse was smooth and creamy, and the cake itself was rich, velvety, and decadent without being heavy. It was the perfect ending to the meal. And as part of the birthday celebration they served us frozen yogurt with sumac strawberry sauce which was so delicious. Overall, we had a fantastic birthday dinner. While there were a couple of dishes I probably wouldn't order again, the excellent service, inviting atmosphere, and several standout dishes made for a memorable experience. I would definitely come back to try more of the menu.
O Ema. I love a killer Mediterranean restaurant. There aren't enough. I'm obsessed with their sister restaurant, Aba, and Ema gave a similar experience. It's trendy and clean and elevated and feels like you're in Greece at a super nice beach club. They've done an excellent job with the atmosphere. The service is the quickest I've ever seen and staff are friendly and professional. There were lots of kids in there, but I'd say it's nicer restaurant. The spicy whipped feta was tasty, but not spicy at all. It had pistachios and pomegranates on top - i'm not sure if they gave us the wrong whipped feta or they've changed the menu, but there was zero spice to it. The lamb ragu hummus was also good. Super hearty and a great twist to a normally plain dip. The veggies that came with it were displayed SO stunning. Rainbow carrots and lots of fun veggies. The pita was delicious as well. We had 2 chicken kabobs - the grilled and the kefta. Both were seasoned and cooked great. I'd get the Kefta one again - the tzatziki it comes with was perfect. For dessert, we had pistachio and cookies n sprinkles Greek frozen yogurt. It really is Greek frozen yogurt and you can taste it. The pistachio one came with almost a pistachio infused sauce on top. If you order at the table, it's a much larger portion than if you get it from the to- go window. We got both one at the table and one to go, and the one of the table did taste significantly better. I'm not kidding - you order and then within 3 to 5 minutes the dish comes out. They really know how to get you in and out, but we also had wine so it's fun to sit and just relax too. Overall, the food quality wasn't quite as high as I was hoping (comparing it to Ava), but I'd come back of course.
Delicious! The hummus both were so yummy. The pita bread that comes with is soooo good! It is warm and garlic/buttery taste. Both entree were very flavorful. Okay and the dessert! I recommend the date cake. Service was very good. Diana was our server and she was attentive and knew the menu well. Had good recs as well. Such a cute place! Also family friendly. Has a family bathroom and women's bathroom has a changing table. Not sure about men's bathroom.
Great cocktails and dishes. Highly recommend giving the honey cake a try; it is delicious. Almost reminds me of flan and crème brulee. I'll be dreaming about it! Also tried the feta dip, corn hummus and chicken kefta kabob which was delicious.
This place had been on my radar for a while now so when a friend mentioned they we're interested too I booked us a lunch! Great ambiance right away walking in. The look of this place is definitely part of the draw, you couldn't ask for a nicer backdrop. We we're seated right away at a nice table. We went over the menu and got a rundown from our servers about dish sizes and what was good to share or more of an entree, which was helpful. Really nice service here, mimicking high end city restaurants. We landed on some hummus with pita, falafel, kefta kabob, and chicken with rice and salad. All very well executed. The pita and hummus were probably my favorite of the things we tried, really tasty and the pita was actually seasoned too. Perfect pita. Kabob was super tender and had good flavor. I also tried one of their cocktails, the cactus queen. Pretty decent, a little plain. I liked this spot a lot! I need to come back and try some more stuff. I wasn't as blow away with the flavors as I hoped I'd be, everything was good but at the price point here I had hoped to leave more satisfied. I think the play here might be lots of small plates and maybe wine over cocktails if your in that mood. Will definitely return for the service and ambiance!
Beautiful restaurant that always serves wonderful food. It's upscale but not outrageous. All the dishes are very flavorful. Work your way thru the menu as we do and enjoy!
Review of Frozen Greek Yogurt w/ California olive oil & sea salt only. Tastes exactly as advertised. The whole combination is very new to me and even though it won't be a craving, I enjoyed it. I think that even if it's not for you, it should be acknowledged it was executed well. Memorial weekend deal of $1 is not something most restaurants are willing to do and and honestly deserves points. No issues with service.
Updated review. Went on a Saturday afternoon for lunch since we had a few gift cards that were expiring. This is our second time at this location and luckily we had a reservation since it was very crowded. They serve their brunch menu till 3pm on weekends but we stayed with a few of their classic entrees as well as a few new menu items Our server Jose was fantastic. I received an email from Ema for a complimentary Classic Hummus for joining their email club. It was amazing. They even had GF crackers for my wife We also had their Sweet Potato Latkes (GF) since we enjoyed them so much the last time . For our main entrees we tried something new..my wife had the Grilled Halloumi which is Greek Cheese with dates and red onion covered in a spicey Red Zhoug sauce served with basmati rice.They only give you 1 kebab tho for 19.95. I had the Braised Short Rib sandwich with hummus and purple cabbage. I would not recommend this at all! The meat was not short rib. Basically overcooked pot roast with no flavor. I didn't taste or see any hummus and the purple cabbage was just thrown on top of the pita. The za'atar fries tho were amazing. If you are looking for small plates with an emphasis on Hummus and Spreads in a beautiful setting,give Ema a try.
This time we visited on a Saturday afternoon when they serve the brunch menu. Jose was a most excellent and attentive server. I enjoyed the food that I ordered. My husband's short rib sandwich looked terrible and he couldn't even eat it but brought the meat home for the dogs. Management called and reviewed this with him. The restaurant has such a beautiful ambiance that I really love.
So, my family and I decided to give a Ema another try despite my previous experience... My! My! My! What a change regarding customer service! This time around, we decided to head down there for dinner with our 7:15pm reservations. First off, it was super busy but we were promptly and warmly greeted by Ms. Ava who told us that they were clearing some tables for us. The interior decor remained absolutely stunning and I love the sounds of hustle and bustle alongside ambient lighting. When we got seated, our waiter, Taha, introduced himself and immediately put in my request for two Strawberry Rose Palomas, Lemonade, Moroccan Onion Dip in addition to the Hot Honey Holumi. Taha was kind and our drinks and small plates and hot mezze were delivered at the speed of light. I also want to note that we were constantly being checked up on, our empty drinks were filled up again, empty plates were taken away without us having to say anything. This alone deserved a gold star from me!! But I digress. The Strawberry Rose Palomas were strong but sweet at the same time. They weren't so watered down and were light and refreshing. My mom loved her lemonade although the caveat here would be to be a little lighter on the ice. Mmm.....the Moroccan Onion Dip was fantastic per usual. Tangy, succulent, all the same. The pita bread was so good as well. It was fresh and warm and we couldn't get enough. The Hot Honey Holumi was alright but I wasn't big of a fan. Besides the topping, it didn't really taste of anything and I think I could have done without it. When it came to the main meals, my dad and i ordered the grilled chicken kabob plate and my mom got the grilled branzino. When we received our food, my dad could not stop raving about how good the chicken kabob was. The rice was plentiful and the chicken was juicy, well portioned and big. Seeing as though I'm definitely a spicy girl, I ordered some extra harissa and it was delicious. Spicy and added a great kick to the chicken kabob plate. To continue on this savory journey, my mom absolutely loved her grilled branzino. It was so flaky and flavorful. It had been deboned and with the additional squeeze of lemon, it was absolutely delicious. It made my heart huge to see how satisfied my parents were with their meals. I, of course, loved my grilled chicken kabob. The chicken was cooked well with it being juicy, succulent and tender. It paired well with the rice which again was plentiful. The harissa was the perfect compliment. **Chef's Kiss** We finished the night off with the warm sticky date cake which was not too sweet but sweet enough. It was soft and gooey all at the same time. It paired nicely with the whipped cream on the side. I, as well as my parents, enjoyed it. With my overall experience this time around compared to my previous one was night and day. Honestly, the customer service this time around was light years different from my first experience which was not great and very unfortunate. Because of tonight, I could tell right away that this was an establishment who actually cared about the dining experience of its patrons. To me, a place could have the best food in the world but if the customer service lacks, your whole dining experience is lost. Although my initial experience here was not the best, this experience showed me that errors can be rectified and experiences can be turned around. Our overall experience tonight was great and I will definitely be back, bringing along others with me. The price here is pretty up there but like I always say; you get what you pay for and this experience is definitely A1 and well worth it. Shoutout to Jordan, Taha, Ava and the rest of the crew! Thanks for turning our dining experience around and we hope to see yaall again soon! Highly recommend coming here if you're into a modern, classy and high end dining experience with a fun little Mediterranean flair!
We came by for lunch during restaurant month but shockingly enough didn't hear anything about it. But we got a few dishes to share and enjoy. To start we got the Moroccan onion dip, it was much sweeter than we anticipated but on the alternative we got the lamb ragu hummus. The onion dip was delicious, as was the hummus. The pita had pistachios and various spices on it so a fair warning for anyone with allergies. We got a side of the Brussels sprouts and the vegetables to share along with the spicy halumi and the short rib sandwich. The Brussels were delicious, the potatoes came with a small container of sauce but we weren't sure what it was. It was rather dry as well. The halloumi was delightful, we devoured that dish quickly. The short rib sandwich was also really dry, and a bit salty to our taste. But we brought it him to give it a second try and still thought the same. Overall the restaurant was stunning, and most of the dishes we tried were delicious. For the prices I would say we'd probably come back to try other dishes.
Exceptional Mediterranean in River North While on a Chicago college tour, my daughter made the executive decision for dinner--and it turned out to be a great call at Ema. The Food The kitchen is doing some truly creative work. We started with the Honey Crisp apple dish with Urfa pepper oil; it's a really interesting mix of flavors that worked surprisingly well. The pan-roasted cauliflower was excellent, and the grilled octopus was cooked just right--I really love octopus! The lamb and beef kefta was flavorful and satisfying, easily one of the standouts of the night. Also worth mentioning--the bread was fantastic. The Vibe & Service It was a busy Thursday night and the place was packed, which gave it a lively, energetic feel. Even with a reservation, we waited about 5 minutes for our table, but it wasn't a big deal given the crowd. Service was friendly and welcoming throughout. Drinks took a little longer than expected, but the staff stayed positive and attentive, which made a total difference. The Verdict Overall, a really solid dinner and a great atmosphere. Apologies for the lack of food photos--we were too busy enjoying the meal!. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.
2 months ago
Wow! I loved Ema. We were here for a rehearsal dinner in a separate area. I didn't get food pics like I usually do as it was all delivered family style. Didn't want to say "hold on while I take pics" to people I don't know. But I was super impressed. We had a fixed menu with unique and upscale twists on Mediterranean favorites. The flavors of each dish were tasty - some with unexpected sweetness and others with a kick. I'll attach the menu of what we were served. Every single thing was great. And the desserts -- wow. Both were amazing. I loved having a few bites of each dish so I got a sampling of a many things. Next time I come to Chicago, I'd have ema on a list to visit if it fit into the trip for sure. Lastly -- we loved the decor and surroundings and I did grab a picture of those. read more
Came in for a weekday lunch and it was fairly busy. Parking lot out front was mostly full and the interior back area was hosting an event. Only a minor wait to get a table which was a plus since we were just in the area. Wheelchair accessible access in the front is perfect considering a good amount of geriatric population live in this area. Interior is very cute with the rattan wicker lights lining the ceiling. A modern Mediterranean feel with a classy bar just past the entrance. Staff were initially very attentive, but as time went on it did seem to disappear. I believe they were short staffed and currently training a new server which is alright on its own, but getting our food took about 30 minutes. Since we ordered they had time to fill another table besides us, given time for them to look at the menu, explain a minor issue about not having rice without dill available, so they would need to make a new batch, and they confirmed that it isn't a problem to the table being served their food at the same time as us. So they had a substantially less time and they were even able to get their check to leave before we got ours. Food wasn't brought by the servers who took our orders so I'm not sure what happened. Maybe they cook the food in batches or something. Despite the the service the food was good. The portion size for the lunch special is appropriate for the price and probably the best deal. The in-house made pita is exceptional but I feel as if they don't give you enough when you order the roasted eggplant (baba ghanoush). By the time we finished the pita we still had about half the order remaining. I would have loved to ask for more bread but no one came by and our server, I think, was in the back because we didn't see her for some time. I didn't see a patio so dogs are probably not going to be able to enjoy. They are part of Lettuce Entertain You so if you're a member you can get points. Reservations can be made online. So with items being on the expensive side and service slow I probably won't be going back unless I'm in the area during lunchtime. I won't be rushing to get back anytime soon, though. read more
I recently visited the Glenview location of Ema to celebrate a birthday, and it was a wonderful experience overall. From the moment we walked in, I was impressed. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful with a warm, cozy atmosphere. It feels upscale without being pretentious, which made it a great place for a special occasion. Our server was friendly and helpful, so we asked for recommendations and ended up ordering a variety of dishes to share. We started with the Sweet Corn Hummus, which came with their complimentary pita bread. The pita was phenomenal! It isn't your typical plain pita you find at most Mediterranean restaurants. It has a delicious seasoning that makes it incredibly flavorful, and paired perfectly with the sweet corn hummus. We also tried the Moroccan Onion Dip. It has a slightly sweet flavor with noticeable cardamom notes. While it wasn't bad, it wasn't quite what I was expecting. Next time, I'll probably order the popular spicy whipped feta instead. One of our favorite dishes of the night was the Hamachi & Charred Avocado. It was light, fresh, and packed with flavor. Every bite was delicious. We also shared the Brussels Sprouts & Honeycrisp Apple Salad. The dressing was fresh and flavorful, but I realized I'm just not a fan of raw Brussels sprouts. The texture was a little too tough for my liking. That's on me--I should have asked beforehand if they were served raw. I think I'd enjoy it much more if the sprouts were roasted, so I probably wouldn't order this one again. For our hot mezze, we chose the Sweet Potato Latkes. They were very tasty with great flavor, although they were just a little on the greasy side. For our entrées, we ordered the Faroe Islands Salmon and the Shawarma-Spiced Skirt Steak Frites. The salmon kebabs over rice were my favorite dish of the evening. They were perfectly cooked, incredibly flavorful, and something I'd absolutely order again. The skirt steak had great flavor as well. Although we requested medium, it came out closer to medium-rare. Thankfully, I'd rather have it slightly under than overcooked. The only disappointment on the plate was the fries--they tasted dry, almost like they had been refried instead of served fresh. The highlight of the meal, however, was dessert. The Triple Chocolate Torte was absolutely incredible. It wasn't overly sweet, the chocolate mousse was smooth and creamy, and the cake itself was rich, velvety, and decadent without being heavy. It was the perfect ending to the meal. And as part of the birthday celebration they served us frozen yogurt with sumac strawberry sauce which was so delicious. Overall, we had a fantastic birthday dinner. While there were a couple of dishes I probably wouldn't order again, the excellent service, inviting atmosphere, and several standout dishes made for a memorable experience. I would definitely come back to try more of the menu. read more
O Ema. I love a killer Mediterranean restaurant. There aren't enough. I'm obsessed with their sister restaurant, Aba, and Ema gave a similar experience. It's trendy and clean and elevated and feels like you're in Greece at a super nice beach club. They've done an excellent job with the atmosphere. The service is the quickest I've ever seen and staff are friendly and professional. There were lots of kids in there, but I'd say it's nicer restaurant. The spicy whipped feta was tasty, but not spicy at all. It had pistachios and pomegranates on top - i'm not sure if they gave us the wrong whipped feta or they've changed the menu, but there was zero spice to it. The lamb ragu hummus was also good. Super hearty and a great twist to a normally plain dip. The veggies that came with it were displayed SO stunning. Rainbow carrots and lots of fun veggies. The pita was delicious as well. We had 2 chicken kabobs - the grilled and the kefta. Both were seasoned and cooked great. I'd get the Kefta one again - the tzatziki it comes with was perfect. For dessert, we had pistachio and cookies n sprinkles Greek frozen yogurt. It really is Greek frozen yogurt and you can taste it. The pistachio one came with almost a pistachio infused sauce on top. If you order at the table, it's a much larger portion than if you get it from the to- go window. We got both one at the table and one to go, and the one of the table did taste significantly better. I'm not kidding - you order and then within 3 to 5 minutes the dish comes out. They really know how to get you in and out, but we also had wine so it's fun to sit and just relax too. Overall, the food quality wasn't quite as high as I was hoping (comparing it to Ava), but I'd come back of course. read more
4 months ago
Delicious! The hummus both were so yummy. The pita bread that comes with is soooo good! It is warm and garlic/buttery taste. Both entree were very flavorful. Okay and the dessert! I recommend the date cake. Service was very good. Diana was our server and she was attentive and knew the menu well. Had good recs as well. Such a cute place! Also family friendly. Has a family bathroom and women's bathroom has a changing table. Not sure about men's bathroom. read more
Great cocktails and dishes. Highly recommend giving the honey cake a try; it is delicious. Almost reminds me of flan and crème brulee. I'll be dreaming about it! Also tried the feta dip, corn hummus and chicken kefta kabob which was delicious. read more
5 months ago
This place had been on my radar for a while now so when a friend mentioned they we're interested too I booked us a lunch! Great ambiance right away walking in. The look of this place is definitely part of the draw, you couldn't ask for a nicer backdrop. We we're seated right away at a nice table. We went over the menu and got a rundown from our servers about dish sizes and what was good to share or more of an entree, which was helpful. Really nice service here, mimicking high end city restaurants. We landed on some hummus with pita, falafel, kefta kabob, and chicken with rice and salad. All very well executed. The pita and hummus were probably my favorite of the things we tried, really tasty and the pita was actually seasoned too. Perfect pita. Kabob was super tender and had good flavor. I also tried one of their cocktails, the cactus queen. Pretty decent, a little plain. I liked this spot a lot! I need to come back and try some more stuff. I wasn't as blow away with the flavors as I hoped I'd be, everything was good but at the price point here I had hoped to leave more satisfied. I think the play here might be lots of small plates and maybe wine over cocktails if your in that mood. Will definitely return for the service and ambiance! read more
Review of Frozen Greek Yogurt w/ California olive oil & sea salt only. Tastes exactly as advertised. The whole combination is very new to me and even though it won't be a craving, I enjoyed it. I think that even if it's not for you, it should be acknowledged it was executed well. Memorial weekend deal of $1 is not something most restaurants are willing to do and and honestly deserves points. No issues with service. read more
Updated review. Went on a Saturday afternoon for lunch since we had a few gift cards that were expiring. This is our second time at this location and luckily we had a reservation since it was very crowded. They serve their brunch menu till 3pm on weekends but we stayed with a few of their classic entrees as well as a few new menu items Our server Jose was fantastic. I received an email from Ema for a complimentary Classic Hummus for joining their email club. It was amazing. They even had GF crackers for my wife We also had their Sweet Potato Latkes (GF) since we enjoyed them so much the last time . For our main entrees we tried something new..my wife had the Grilled Halloumi which is Greek Cheese with dates and red onion covered in a spicey Red Zhoug sauce served with basmati rice.They only give you 1 kebab tho for 19.95. I had the Braised Short Rib sandwich with hummus and purple cabbage. I would not recommend this at all! The meat was not short rib. Basically overcooked pot roast with no flavor. I didn't taste or see any hummus and the purple cabbage was just thrown on top of the pita. The za'atar fries tho were amazing. If you are looking for small plates with an emphasis on Hummus and Spreads in a beautiful setting,give Ema a try. read more
7 months ago
This time we visited on a Saturday afternoon when they serve the brunch menu. Jose was a most excellent and attentive server. I enjoyed the food that I ordered. My husband's short rib sandwich looked terrible and he couldn't even eat it but brought the meat home for the dogs. Management called and reviewed this with him. The restaurant has such a beautiful ambiance that I really love. read more
So, my family and I decided to give a Ema another try despite my previous experience... My! My! My! What a change regarding customer service! This time around, we decided to head down there for dinner with our 7:15pm reservations. First off, it was super busy but we were promptly and warmly greeted by Ms. Ava who told us that they were clearing some tables for us. The interior decor remained absolutely stunning and I love the sounds of hustle and bustle alongside ambient lighting. When we got seated, our waiter, Taha, introduced himself and immediately put in my request for two Strawberry Rose Palomas, Lemonade, Moroccan Onion Dip in addition to the Hot Honey Holumi. Taha was kind and our drinks and small plates and hot mezze were delivered at the speed of light. I also want to note that we were constantly being checked up on, our empty drinks were filled up again, empty plates were taken away without us having to say anything. This alone deserved a gold star from me!! But I digress. The Strawberry Rose Palomas were strong but sweet at the same time. They weren't so watered down and were light and refreshing. My mom loved her lemonade although the caveat here would be to be a little lighter on the ice. Mmm.....the Moroccan Onion Dip was fantastic per usual. Tangy, succulent, all the same. The pita bread was so good as well. It was fresh and warm and we couldn't get enough. The Hot Honey Holumi was alright but I wasn't big of a fan. Besides the topping, it didn't really taste of anything and I think I could have done without it. When it came to the main meals, my dad and i ordered the grilled chicken kabob plate and my mom got the grilled branzino. When we received our food, my dad could not stop raving about how good the chicken kabob was. The rice was plentiful and the chicken was juicy, well portioned and big. Seeing as though I'm definitely a spicy girl, I ordered some extra harissa and it was delicious. Spicy and added a great kick to the chicken kabob plate. To continue on this savory journey, my mom absolutely loved her grilled branzino. It was so flaky and flavorful. It had been deboned and with the additional squeeze of lemon, it was absolutely delicious. It made my heart huge to see how satisfied my parents were with their meals. I, of course, loved my grilled chicken kabob. The chicken was cooked well with it being juicy, succulent and tender. It paired well with the rice which again was plentiful. The harissa was the perfect compliment. **Chef's Kiss** We finished the night off with the warm sticky date cake which was not too sweet but sweet enough. It was soft and gooey all at the same time. It paired nicely with the whipped cream on the side. I, as well as my parents, enjoyed it. With my overall experience this time around compared to my previous one was night and day. Honestly, the customer service this time around was light years different from my first experience which was not great and very unfortunate. Because of tonight, I could tell right away that this was an establishment who actually cared about the dining experience of its patrons. To me, a place could have the best food in the world but if the customer service lacks, your whole dining experience is lost. Although my initial experience here was not the best, this experience showed me that errors can be rectified and experiences can be turned around. Our overall experience tonight was great and I will definitely be back, bringing along others with me. The price here is pretty up there but like I always say; you get what you pay for and this experience is definitely A1 and well worth it. Shoutout to Jordan, Taha, Ava and the rest of the crew! Thanks for turning our dining experience around and we hope to see yaall again soon! Highly recommend coming here if you're into a modern, classy and high end dining experience with a fun little Mediterranean flair! read more
We came by for lunch during restaurant month but shockingly enough didn't hear anything about it. But we got a few dishes to share and enjoy. To start we got the Moroccan onion dip, it was much sweeter than we anticipated but on the alternative we got the lamb ragu hummus. The onion dip was delicious, as was the hummus. The pita had pistachios and various spices on it so a fair warning for anyone with allergies. We got a side of the Brussels sprouts and the vegetables to share along with the spicy halumi and the short rib sandwich. The Brussels were delicious, the potatoes came with a small container of sauce but we weren't sure what it was. It was rather dry as well. The halloumi was delightful, we devoured that dish quickly. The short rib sandwich was also really dry, and a bit salty to our taste. But we brought it him to give it a second try and still thought the same. Overall the restaurant was stunning, and most of the dishes we tried were delicious. For the prices I would say we'd probably come back to try other dishes. read more
Exceptional Mediterranean in River North While on a Chicago college tour, my daughter made the executive decision for dinner--and it turned out to be a great call at Ema. The Food The kitchen is doing some truly creative work. We started with the Honey Crisp apple dish with Urfa pepper oil; it's a really interesting mix of flavors that worked surprisingly well. The pan-roasted cauliflower was excellent, and the grilled octopus was cooked just right--I really love octopus! The lamb and beef kefta was flavorful and satisfying, easily one of the standouts of the night. Also worth mentioning--the bread was fantastic. The Vibe & Service It was a busy Thursday night and the place was packed, which gave it a lively, energetic feel. Even with a reservation, we waited about 5 minutes for our table, but it wasn't a big deal given the crowd. Service was friendly and welcoming throughout. Drinks took a little longer than expected, but the staff stayed positive and attentive, which made a total difference. The Verdict Overall, a really solid dinner and a great atmosphere. Apologies for the lack of food photos--we were too busy enjoying the meal!. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area. read more
I had such a great experience at Ema! The food was really good. We ordered the chicken kefta kabobs and the chicken kabobs, and both were packed with flavor, perfectly cooked, and honestly some of the best I've had. On top of the food, the restaurant itself is beautiful inside. The atmosphere is warm, modern, and just a really nice place to sit and enjoy a meal. You can tell a lot of thought went into the design. Definitely a spot I'll be coming back to. Highly recommend if you're in the area! read more
This place randomly popped up on Google Maps while I was looking for somewhere to meet my friends. The photos were so beautiful that I saved the location and went there at the first opportunity to see what it's like in person. The place is truly beautifully decorated. It reminds me of some other spots I've visited that have a tree in the middle of the restaurant. The service is excellent--the staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. And now the most important part--the food! I have no complaints at all. We ordered a few appetizers just to try things out, and I can say they were amazing! I especially loved the mushroom escargot--it was absolutely delicious. For my main course, I had the Faroe Islands salmon, and it was excellent. The flavor was a bit unusual, but truly phenomenal. All in all, a very lovely place, and I would highly recommend it to everyone. read more
Beautiful restaurant! I was there with 10 office mates for a retirement dinner. I enjoyed a Double Clutch Brewing Company Hefeweizen. Then came the food including charred eggplant, crispy potatoes, blistered green beans, and chicken kefte. Charred eggplant delicious. Crispy potatoes were entire quarters of baking potatoes beautifully crisped and salted. Blistered green beans very tasty. Chicken kefte is ground chicken on skewers with herbs and spices, succulent. read more
I've heard great things about Ema and finally checked it out during restuarant week. A group of friends and I had reservations and our table was ready around the reservation time. Parking is easy as they have their own lot. Once you step inside you are transported to a classy, lowkey Mediterranean vibe. Our server was very attentive. I ordered their mocktail, spinach and feta dip and the spicy brisket kefta. The pita that comes with the dip had me from the go, it was so delicious. I tried a few of the hummus because they have small plates which are meant to be shared. From start to finish service was great and food was well done read more
I came here with my parents and ordered from their restaurant week lunch menu ($30) which came with one appetizer and one plate. Ema is the sister restaurant of Aba so everything resembles the restaurant in Fulton Market. We ordered a bunch and honestly the food is fine but all lack wow factor. My parents thought the chick shawma was a little dry. I personally liked the spicy corn hummus and pita bread as always but could use a larger portion. The servicer was a little slow, and no body checked on us for the first 10 minutes until I grabbed someone. But once we got our server, it was all good. There's a parking lot in front of the restaurant given it's in suburb. read more
9 months ago
I've been to the downtown Ema location, but this one is even bigger and the ambience is beautiful. We were a party of 25 people, and it was great because they have a private area that easily fit our large group. The service handled us perfectly. Everything was delicious. We started with the spicy hummus and the housemade labneh (which was so good!). I'm usually not a fan of eggplant or Brussels sprouts, but Ema's versions were actually really tasty. The sweet potato latkes and green falafel were also highlights. Since I only eat chicken, I tried the chicken kefta kebab, and it was definitely my favorite! The grilled halloumi kebab was also excellent. My coworkers loved the shawarma-spiced skirt steak, too. We ended with the honey cake and warm sticky date cake, both were amazing. They have a lot of Greek wines that paired perfectly with the Mediterranean food. I absolutely recommend this place for a group dinner or just a nice night out! read more
We headed to Ema for my birthday. After our first visit last summer, a return trip was long overdue. The drinks here are amazing. I love their cocktails. The food is good, some dishes were better than others, but the food is very expensive for such a small portion. This is not the place to go to if you want a full meal. The ambiance and service is wonderful, but I'm thinking Ema is more of a place to have drinks, and maybe one or two appetizers if you're wanting to snack a little. read more
10 months ago
I loved Ema in the city, and I loved Ema in Glenview. The food was equally great without the bustle of the city, and there's plenty of free parking available. We made a reservation, but it seemed like they were also taking walkins. The interior is decorated very similarly to the city location, featuring a beautiful large tree in the center of the restaurant with lots of greenery throughout. The menu also seemed familiar, though I'm not sure whether there were new items or dishes exclusive to the Glenview location. We ordered the hummus with lamb ragu to start. I'm a huge fan of hot hummus, and this dish really emphasized the gaminess of the lamb with well balanced spices. From the weekly specials, we ordered the brussel sprout latkes. Flat fried potatoes and brussels sprouts served with delicious dipping sauces, what's not to love? For mains, we had the braised short rib sandwich and the spicy brisket kefta. The sandwich had a generous amount of tender meat, but I found the kefta to be more flavorful and memorable. Overall, 10/10 meal. read more
11 months ago
Went during happy hour which is M-F ends at 5:00 pm. Cocktails are $9 and you have some apps for the same price. In my opinion I think they should extend it to 5:30 or 6 but I will also say the happy hour isn't anything crazy... none of the meals are in the happy hour and the items in the happy hour and they also are very small and just a few available. If you are not looking to get the best deal for a happy hour I recommend this! However, it is so worth coming here everything we got was very delicious! The hummus comes with peta and we also got the mushroom (not pictured) which was delicious but so small to split between 3 people (also not easy to split) the rest of the meal was delicious as well, I recommend the chicken kebab to anyone and everyone! Didn't get dessert but I'm sure it's good as well. The ambiance is so gorgeous and fun! Super in theme and pretty to take pics at. I read more
Came here for the first time on a Thursday night and luckily we made reservations because even though we had an early dinner seating, the place got completely packed. And while this is situated in front of the jewel and it has a large shared parking area, it was a challenge to find parking. Our server was really nice, but service in general was very slow. I'm not sure why though. Portions as you can tell from the photos are definitely on the smaller side. And the pricing is definitely on the higher side. Everything tasted good, but nothing was really out of this world, mesmerizing or memorable. For example, for the falafel, I really expected something unique and outstanding, but the falafel here taste like anything I can get outside for fast food. We each ordered a main entrée and again very small portions for this price. I could go to the fast food places nearby. Let's sell the same chicken or beef kefta plate option with rice and get a heck of a lot more food. Please note this is a lettuce entertain you restaurant. They are still adding the 3% charge at the bottom of your bill that was originally added to cope with losses due to Covid however five years after Covid, it remains on the bill, but you can remove. Remember the 3% charge does not go to the staff at all. It goes directly to corporate and to the Melmans. As typical with all Melman restaurants, the ambience the decor is absolutely stunning. It makes a great place for photographs and posting on social media. That's for sure. I still gave it four stars because overall it was good with no real disappointments. The food however, did not really stand out. I don't know if I need to come back though. Not pictured were the three rounds of drinks that included rosé and beers. read more
1 year ago
I came here for dinner with a medium sized group. We ordered everything to share family style. The big winners for us were the spinach & feta dip, hummus with lamb ragu, and hot honey halloumi, but everything was delicious. The broccoli florets were perfectly crisp on the outside without being tough and dry. The labneh was light and refreshing. We got seemingly infinite refills of their soft, seasoned pita bread to eat all our dishes with. I was quite impressed with how efficient our server and waitstaff were at how quickly they refilled our pita! All in all, an excellent dinner! Side note: I wouldn't recommend the panna cotta; it just lacked the richness I was expecting. read more
I've wanted to come to Ema for a long time! We finally did, but reservations were hard to get so we had to come early- 4:45pm. The restaurant has a parking lot and is pretty big inside. It's a very neutral california aesthetic with lots of plants and greenery! We sat in the backroom area. The menu isn't too big and is really meant to be tapas style- sharing small plates. Our waitress was really nice and explained that we should order everything at once and she would pace it all out. We started with a Yuzu Mint Lemonade and a Crystal Cadillac Margarita. The Yuzu Lemonade had a lot of strong flavors- heavy citrus. It was good but you need to love citrus and mint. The Margarita was really strong, but a good taste. It was hard to choose the food but we got Classic Hummus, Moroccan Onion dip, Greek Village, Green Beans, Mushroom Escargot, Hot Honey Halloumi, Salmon Kabob, Skirt Steak Frites, and Greek olive oil frozen yogurt. Everything was fantastic- although we didn't prefer the olive oil and sea salt in the frozen yogurt- it was a weird combo. The classic hummus is done really well. The Moroccan Onion Dip was very unique- it was sweet with a savory spiced flavor. The seasoned pita bread was to die for!!! They also offered gluten free crackers. The Grean Beans were a huge hit!! Perfectly cooked- it had like a savory sauce with nuts. The combo was really good. The mushrooms were like in this pesto herb sauce with breadcrumbs that are spicy. The Halloumi was good but probably a little too sweet for me. The salmon kabob was cooked perfectly. The rice paired with it had a sour flavor, which we didn't mind. The steak was charred well. We would absolutely come back. Overall experience 5/5. read more
4 months ago
1 year ago
Ema was amazing at every level. The exterior plants and straight lines gave us a sense of what was to come we had reservations and were seated promptly by the friendly host. The interior is a marvel. Greenery everywhere, amid all neutral colors, making it shine. So many lovely textures of plants and also different lamp shades. Even the seats were different. We had a two top with the most comfortable seats I've had in a restaurant. Soft yet firm enough to sit up to eat. Even complete with a tree at the center of the room under an atrium beaming light within. Our server was excellent throughout - checked on us and was knowledgeable about the menu and friendly. We started with the rhubarb stinger cocktail. Not much taste of rhubarb but it was a lovely drink and not sweet, just as we prefer. We ordered the plain hummus which was remarkably creamy with such a lovely flavor and the za'atar pita bread pieces were addictive. They refilled our basket of pita even without us asking. We also had the best Brussels sprouts I've ever had. I like Brussels sprouts but these took the vegetable into a whole new category. Crispy on the outside but soft and gushing with sugary flavor on the inside, they were delectable. The salmon kabobs were so moist and the flavor of good quality salmon shone without anything hindering it. We tried the plain frozen yogurt with salt and olive oil and loved how refreshing it was. I didn't need the salt but it did add extra interest. I would have skipped the oil but my husband enjoyed it because it wasn't too much and added a nice flavor. Absolutely worth the splurge. read more
Truly a 5-star experience! I ate at Ema while on a business trip and now wish there were one closer to me. The ambiance is wonderful and the food is high quality! This would be great for a date night! It essentially feels like a 6 or 7 course meal. You start with a hummus or a spread (we did the Smoky Avocado Hummus which was amazing), then move onto a salad (we did the Stracciatella - no complaints), then have a vegetable (we tried the Brussels Sprouts which were amazing), then you move to the hot mezze appetizer like dish (ours was the to die for Mushroom "Escargot" with garlic, parmesan, and calabrian chili breadcrumbs - highly recommend) and the final portion of the meal comes from the kebab section (and we did the Chicken Kefta, and again, highly recommend). We finished the evening with an amazing Panna Cotta for dessert. There's just so much to try. Three of us did this family style (so just 1 of each of these dishes for all three of us). It's a great way to try a lot of things. I'd definitely go again! So yum! read more
I found Ema on Yelp and was eager to try it out. Our anniversary and Father's Day coincided on the same day this year providing an excellent chance to give Ema a try, and it passed with flying colors! Since it was Father's Day, the restaurant was very busy. We were pleased that we were immediately seated upon arrival. We were led to a semi-private area of the restaurant along the side windows to have a four-people rectangular table for the three of us. The tables in this area were spaced nicely apart, providing a sense of privacy while still being connected to the vibrant atmosphere. There was a high school graduation party of around 7 people at the end of the room when we arrived. After they left, the space was quickly reset for a larger college graduation party. So, the mood was festive and joyful. We actually liked where we sat, as it provided some privacy from the bustling main dining area, separated by a sliding glass window adjacent to our table, that we opted to leave open, and were connected to the rest of the venue as well. The decor at Ema is effortlessly chic and trendy. Every spot looks like some photos right out of a modern California interior design magazine. There are abundant creative lamps, chandeliers, and lanterns made with wicker, ropes and strings, creating an interesting ceiling throughout. The vibe is modern, sophisticated and relaxing. Our main server, Christopher, despite being very busy, was very cheerful, friendly, attentive, and professional throughout the evening. He paced the service perfectly and answered all our questions knowledgeably. Christopher added to the positive experience that we had there. Now on to the food! My husband and daughter ordered glasses of Fableist Chardonnay, while I opted for a lemonade, as none of the non-alcoholic options caught my eye. We had Hummus, Octopus Carpaccio, Green Falafel to share. Everything was flavorful, but the Octopus Carpaccio stood out, it featured tender, thin slices of octopus "gelled" into a delicate sheet, and every ingredient on the plate tasted good. The piping hot pita bread was so good that my daughter said that she could eat it all night long with the Hummus, and I agreed too! Although all dishes are small and meant to be shared at Ema, each of us still ordered an entrée. I ordered Crispy Lamb Ribs from the Father's Day special menu. The lamb ribs were cooked to perfection and were fall-off-the-bone tender! The tasty ribs had some crispy exterior, which was enhanced by crunchy delicious chickpeas on top. They were so good that I insisted my husband to try one of the four ribs, and he happily complied. He also enjoyed his Green Chili Halibut, and my daughter loved her Ora King Salmon as well. Even though we were full, we couldn't resist sharing the Triple Chocolate Torte for dessert. It featured creamy layers of white and milk chocolate mousse over a dense dark chocolate cake base, rich, decadent, and the perfect ending to a wonderful meal. Our two-hour dinner flew by, it was the perfect mix of relaxation and celebration. We are delighted to see such a well-rounded Mediterranean restaurant thriving in our neighboring town. We will definitely be back soon to explore more of the menu! read more
We went yesterday night to celebrate a birthday and it was a wonderful experience. The restaurant had a great aesthetic for those who like to take pictures. It was pretty busy and noisy for a 6:30 dinner on a Wednesday night though. We got a few items between 6 people: Mushroom escargot: 9/10 it was delicious I would get it again. Steak frites: 8/10 pretty good and the fries stayed crisp! Avocado hummus: 8/10 very creamy and paired well with warm pita Hot honey halloumi: 9/10 pleasantly surprised but it was a good inbetween from the hummus to the entrees (meatier items) Salmon kabob: 7/10 pretty standard, the sauce was good. We did not care for rice much. Spicy Kefta Kabob: 5/10 I personally think it was way too salty and needed something to cut the salt. Water melon and tuna: 5/10 it was okay but nothing to write home about. We had many other items but here's a review on some of them. The servers did bring us two extra items on accident which they let us keep but it was an awkward encounter when we got the brussel sprout salad (photo not taken). I would recommend trying this spot if you are in the Glenview area and have not gone yet and enjoy eating Mediterranean food. read more
Since we were in Glenview and recently had a great experience at Aba in Chicago, we decided to try Ema for lunch. Lovely service, beautiful atmosphere, great food. My husband had the short rib sandwich which was tender and flavorful. I had the shwarma-spiced chiken and turmeric rice bowl which was delicious. We shared the broccoli small plate and loved it but agreed we didn't need to order it in addition to our mains. We took some leftovers home. It's so great to go to a restaurant where the waiter asks you about dietary needs and cheerfully works to accommodate them. It's a little on the expensive side for lunch. But you can't go wrong here. read more
10 months ago
Ema is a great spot for small plates style Mediterranean food, everything we had was flavorful and perfect for sharing. The interior ambiance is warm and stylish, which really adds to the experience. It's also nice knowing it's part of the Lettuce Entertain You restaurant group. There is a 3% surcharge, but you can ask the restaurant to remove it if you prefer. Overall, a really enjoyable meal and a great place for a night out. read more
So I went here for the second time and this time I got the falafel sandwich from their lunch menu and I will say you got two sandwiches for the price and it's a pretty good portion but the green falafel was very dry. Not much flavor. It just wasn't good. The service was amazing. It's gorgeous inside all of that is good but the food just wasn't it which is such a disappointment. I've had the dips and the sticky cake before and those are good but the falafel , which is the main vegetarian option just wasn't it which is really unfortunate. read more
1 month ago
6 months ago
The ambiance was phenomenal. Love the clean, crisp, and sophisticated design. Felt very fresh and light! The service was great start to finish. The team is constantly circling the restaurant to make sure tables are cleared and food comes in a timely manner. We had people with allergies at the table and the team was accommodating and our food had the allergy labels in them. The team was very professional and kind! Food was so good! Everything over all was delivery but some highlights from the shared dinner were the eggplant spread, the brussel sprouts, and date cake. Warmed pitas were seasoned well and texture was fluffy but not too soft where it wasn't able to hold its shape. I could have the sweet potatoes latkes everyday! The lamb ragu hummus and short rib were good but we found the actual protein was a bit dry and flavor subdue compared to their accompaniments. The spicy brisket kabobs were good but we were stuff so we had to slow our roll. The Date cake was delicious! Perfect amount of sweetness for those both sweet lovers and non lovers! 10/10 recommend. We'll be back for brunch sometime! read more
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