Ambiance is beautiful I love the aesthetics but the food is sub par at best. Dry chicken, potatoes were huge with no taste to them, shrimp was overcooked. Would definitely not be dining here again. I'd come here for a drink and hummus at most. read more

Disappointing at best. Went with coworkers for my birthday. Walked in just after they opened, asked repeatedly if we had a reservation, which was comical because no one else was really there. The server explained the menu to us as if we were toddlers and had never been to a restaurant before. We ordered, food was mediocre, bland, overpriced and frankly some dishes were just laughable. The spinach and feta was served in an absurdly large bowl for 1/2 a cup of food, the Tahini Cesar was flavorless, roasted broccoli was essentially burned broccoli, the potatoes were overcooked/overly crispy and dry, beef kabob sort of lettuce wrap was awkward (lettuce was ripped etc) and poorly executed, the chicken kabob was so dry I could barely choke it down, I just gave up and left it on my plate, even though I was still hungry. The ONLY decent item we had was the halloumi cheese, and I suspect the only thing on the entire menu worth ordering. The most infuriating part of the meal was we asked for things to be brought together and it was almost like our preference didn't exist, every dish came out separately. It took over 2 hours to serve 4 people maybe 1.5 pounds of food in giant serving dishes, in the slowest possible manner. Also, they insisted on changing out our individual plates each course too, which normally I appreciate but after the 3rd time it felt just absurd, annoying and intrusive. The aesthetic is really really, nice, very Insta type of place, and felt clean, but that and the cheese are really the only positives I can say about the experience. Go for the cheese and the vibes I guess? Go elsewhere if you want good food and good service. read more

I loved celebrating my birthday here over brunch. I loved everything we got and we had the best service. It's a beautiful ambiance, a perfect ladies night out. I'll be back! read more

I'm sad to say ... portions are small. Prices are big. Seems like there are a lot of servers but when you need one, they can be hard to find. We ordered five plates to share. Asked that we not be rushed. They did not rush us, but a few of our things came out lukewarm or cooler. I like my hot things to be hot. The salmon skewer with rice was so lukewarm it was unappetizing. Our crispy potatoes also lukewarm, and SO crispy that they were scratching the inside of my mouth. On another visit, the sweet potato latkes were the size of quarters, literally. The green falafel was very dry. The hummus with corn was delicious as was the pita. I enjoy the Mediterranean spices. As everyone has mentioned the space IS beautiful and the parking is free. I'm going back tomorrow for lunch and hoping for better results. As a regular customer of LEYE, I expect better. read more

We all liked the food. Very pricey for the type of food served. The interior of the restaurant is beautiful. Willing to eat at Ema again.

Gorgeous space, beautiful plants everywhere, good service, good food. Love the hamachi and onion dip, and eggplant dip and short rib, good salmon, but would skip the chicken (a bit dry). Good sizable salad options. Liked that they had non alcoholic drink options too. The date cake (not something I would normally order for dessert but recommended by our server) was excellent! read more

We were at Ema's River North restaurant. The food was excellent, delicious. Presentation was beautiful. The service was great. The staff was very attentive. I heard there is another Ema in Glenview which I will eventually try. read more

We went in January on a recommendation from someone who went to the Chicago location. This location (Glenview) is always busy, so a reservation is recommended. The ambiance is nice, albeit on the nosier side, and the setup is photo/social media-worthy. We went for dinner. Portions are tapas-sized, and the dishes are on the pricier side. The food is decent and might warrant a return visit if we want to take a chance with the unpleasant service (see below). We had the wild mushroom hummus, toasted almond and garlic, and various kebabs entrees. My daughter thought the grilled chicken kebab was too dry, though. The reason for the three stars (I'd give it two and a half stars if I could) is that our waiter was totally disengaged. He didn't say anything mean or do anything that stood out; he was just unwelcoming. After we left, my kids asked why he hated us. Perhaps we weren't his preferred type of customer, and I wondered who that might be. I read the reviews after we went to Ema and saw some people had similar issues with their servers. It now seemed like our experience may not have been an isolated incident. read more

I work very hard for my money, so the biggest compliment I could give a restaurant is to go back. I went to Ema Restaurant In Glenview about a week after it opened in September. I went back twice in the next month----to take my brother while he was in from California, and I took my wife a second time. From the moment you walk in, it is a relaxing atmosphere. You are immediately greeted by the host staff. Fortunately all three times we had reservations-----which I HIGHLY recommend. Our first visit and reservation was for 1130 on a Tuesday or Wednesday. When we were greeted by the host staff, I heard another guest being told it was a 90 minute wait (at 1130AM!!!). The host did tell the other guest that the bar was first come, first served. All three times the waitstaff were incredibly attentive, and supremely knowledgeable about the menu. The website and menu said the food concept was something like a cross between Mediterranean and California's lighter cooking... I didn't know what that meant, but since I have eaten there three times I know the short end of it means "AMAZING" or "DELICIOUS". There are a few entrees, but everything else is "small plate" service. This means shareable, and I would recommend going with a few friends so you can experience more..... On the second and third visits, Partner/Celebrity Chef CJ Jacobson was actually running his own delicious creations to the hungry guests. I think it is a nice touch when the Chef/Partner runs out his own food. I think it sets a tone, and it is a good tone! Rarely does a restaurant EXCEED my expectations, but EMA went above and beyond any expectations I had. On our first visit I treated my Mother, my Aunt Sandy, our Cousin Maddie and my beautiful wife Linette. Without me saying anything or trying to influence anyone's opinion, my wife, my Mother, my Aunt and Cousin all told me after our meal that they thought Ema was the BEST experience they had ever had at a restaurant. We all spoke very fondly of our visit and the SUPER attentive staff, and we will all be back!!!! read more

Easily a top 5 meal I have ever had. We went on a Thursday night and the place was packed. Always a good sign. The service was on point and there is really nothing they could have done better. Maybe it bordered on a bit over the top like they are shooting for a Michelin star but that's not a bad thing. The food was excellent. My wife and I shared 5 small and all but 1 was over the top great. The other was "just" good. We first had the Tuna Panisse. The texture of the chickpea cake was lovely and played a perfect complement to the tuna. The onion dip was extremely flavorful with lots of delicious crunchies on top providing a contrast in texture. The pita was fresh and the rice crackers for gluten free were very different from what I have seen and also very good. The brussel sprout and honey crisp salad was fresh and well balanced. The salmon had an amazing char and was a proper mid-rare. The rice was my wife's favorite rice she has ever had and the herb sauce was a fitting complement. The sweet potato latkes were good but not at the level of everything else. Overall I am excited to go back though we are going to Aba this weekend first. The only issue I can nitpick is that since food comes out as it is ready, the table did start to get cluttered. Cluttered with AMAZING food.... I guess I am ok with that. read more

Foods pricey but great, location great, I'm sure it's been said in other reviews. It's way too cramped. Also I'm sure it helps the restaurant bottom line but allowing and accepting delivery orders up to 20 miles away is insane. Stepped outside and overheard a delivery driver having to go to up north to Waukegan? Kind of insane to shoot in house paying customers as well as delivery drivers in the foot with additional wait times for that. read more

Had a great server. Super knowledgeable. Loved the corn hummus. The best hummus I've ever eaten. To prove it, I had two orders. I would go there for this hummus, alone. Lovely restaurant, too. read more

Great ambiance, fun environment. Best. Pita. Ever. Very nice server. Yes, pricey and portions were small- BUT I loved everything we ordered.

Perfect room for the girls that do lunch. Light and airy reminds me of Fig & Olive cosmetics. Food was excellent, except for temperature on the Wagyu Kefta. Maybe because of lunch rush ? Would recommend with wife or girlfriend . read more

I drove here 30 minutes from Vernon hills just to pick up frozen yogurt but 1 is pretty expensive $10. And I called before to ask if I can buy 1 but split into 2 cups and 1 plain and 1 with olive oil and salt and the manager of carry out specifically told me yes to come right in that he can do that. But when I arrive they were being rude with me saying they don't care I drove far and didn't end up giving me 2 split cups so I walked right out. Change your attitude towards customers!!! read more

Went for a birthday dinner with family this week, and was told great things about the downtown location. The interior was beautiful and felt very upscale. Our server was very attentive and checked in on us often, and brought a birthday dessert for me (frozen Greek yogurt topped with strawberry). We ordered one item from each section of the menu, and I would say my favorites were the pumpkin hummus, the hot honey halloumi, and the braised green beans. Plenty of vegetarian options which was important to me, though the small plate-style restaurant might make it difficult to share a meal with people who might have different dietary restrictions/preferences from your own. Overall, a great dining experience for a special event - I'd love to come back! read more

Great food and drinks! Just right cocktails for myself (like sweeter items) and my husband (who likes more boozy options). Highlights were the various hummus options, spreads, and raw options. Get extra pita for the hummus, or try the gluten free crackers! We weren't inspired by the entrees so mostly ate like it was a tapas bar. Success! read more

Great ambiance. But unfortunately you pay for it on the food and drink prices. Is the food good? Yes Is it as good as our local Mediterranean, Israeli, Middle Eastern eateries? Call me a homer, but I'll stick to my Mizrahi grill, Noon o Kabob, and Tabuon small mom and pop places. Service was good but not great. Most of the menu is street food, which has a sense of irony being in a higher end restaurant read more

Food, ambience, service outstanding. Understandably hard to make a rezy. Well worth it.

You are greeted upon entry by a well lit and softly furnished interior. The vibe is immediately family friendly with off white and beige chairs and booths and a high ceiling which simultaneously gives a sense of open space and absorbs sound. Lots of room between tables so while cavernous, it's not overwhelming. Not an intimate date night setting but great for a gathering of friends and family. The menu items were mildly eclectic, but the mid east spices added gentle flavor without challenging my palate. Have the brussel sprouts with apple, eggplant dip and pita. Pass on the adequate but bland fried potatoes and Greek village salad. Get the superb Moroccan chicken and sop up the sauce with pita. Yum!! read more

We had such a great experience! The food was delicious and our server, Matt, was very attentive and gave great recommendations. He made sure that everything was properly coursed out. My husband is a server at a high end steakhouse, in Wilmette, so service is always appreciated (and critiqued) whenever we go out to eat. We had the sweet corn hummus, charred eggplant spread, Brussels sprouts salad, braised short rib, and the halibut. The flavors were ALL on point! We will definitely be back! read more

We waited three weeks for our reservation and were excited to eat there as we had eaten at the Ema in the city. We waited 20 minutes beyond our reservation time. The food was fair. We had to return one of the orders because it was ice cold (but they credited our bill). The other three of us had Chicken Shawarma and those were room temperature at best (but we didn't complain). Overall I would give the food a 6, the service a 9 and the circuses a 10. read more

Three of us had lunch today at Ema and the minute we walked through the front door, the theme was set for an excellent restaurant. The color scheme, is very soft, the menu is outstanding with choices to share, our wait staff (Juween) was not only knowledgeable but fun and a displayed a joy to wait on us. The Manager Jordon came over to asked if we were enjoying are meal. Two very BIG pluses you could talk to one another without screaming....noise level good and the prices are awesome. So go and see for yourself.... read more

Been waiting for Ema to open. Server, fine, nice. It's ok. Way out of line $$$....small plates, huge prices for what you get. $150.00, lunch, no drinks, just small sharing itty bitty plates of small itty bitty food. Someone has to pay for 50 light fixtures hanging every 5 inches. Trees, leaves....Botanic Garden or is it EMA'S? Love ABA in the city. This not so much. Done and Done....... Just telling it like I see it. read more

The decor is gorgeous and the food is delicious. The prices are rather high for the size of the potions. The wait staff comes with an attitude that if you don't know you are dining at Glenview's latest hottest restaurant, you don't belong here. A little too pretentious and taking themselves way too seriously. read more

The food was amazing and the service was fabulous. The restaurant is exquisite. I am not Mediterranean food person but I surprised myself at how much I loved. The ambience is so special. read more

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Well, let's start with the good stuff. I was there for lunch, and it was easy to park, and the interior is beautiful! Now the wait staff. Our waiter was average. He showed us a little bit of attention, but not much. Nothing noteworthy. Now the food. You had better like cumin, because just about EVERYTHING is flavored with it. And as such, I cannot give the food a good review, as I do not relish that taste. First of all, the menu's descriptions are lacking. You really have no idea what you are getting unless you are a seasoned diner of Mediterranean food. My friend ordered the brussels sprouts salad, which was good except for the dressing; it was very sour. I ordered hummus with lamb. The hummus was good. The lamb did not even remotely taste like lamb. It tasted like cumin, and way too much of it. For our main dish, I ordered brisket kefta. I thought it was a kabob, but it was ground brisket shaped like a sausage and skewered. Again, there is no indication on the menu what a kefta is, so my bad for not asking more questions. I could eat it, but only dipped in tatziki. Without the tatziki, it was too dry, even with the BBQ sauce. My friend ordered a brisket sandwich, which did not look appetizing to me, but I did not taste it. However, even though over-salted, the fries were very good. Keep in mind, folks, that I am not a picky eater. I love to try new dishes, and except for a few ingredients, I usually like most food. I cannot say that for Ema. Now for the pricing. It was very overpriced. A lunch for two cost us $105.00, as your server recommends that dishes be shared and each person order two. We had 4 selections, one diet Coke and one cocktail for that price. I would not even mention this if the food had been good, but it's not. I cannot recommend this place. read more

I loved the food here. High quality ingredients, complex flavor and nice service in a great environment. Def would go again for special occasions or night out with girlfriends.. read more

I needed a corporate dinner reservation for 10 people which is not available online. So I called and was directed to the host who graciously redirected me to the reservation line. I was hung up on four times. I guess they don't value our business. Would gives zero stars if I could. read more

Really did not enjoy the food. I went with 5 other woman and only one liked it! I think the menu needed more choices. We tried many small plates and truly the only one we all seemed to enjoy was the frozen yogurt and the pita. read more

This place seems to be run by a bunch of college students and for the prices they charge, that's not a good look. Indifferent greeting by the "hostess", FU service at the bar even though there are clusters of employees huddled up shooting the shit, and then there's the inconsistent food quality. Constantly trying to flag someone down for basic service isn't an enjoyable night out. This particular location is an embarrassment to the LEY franchise. read more

It may not be fair to review a restaurant after a week, but for something I wanted to like, it just missed the mark. The hummus, while it looked very nice, was probably below the quality that you can get for $5 at the grocery store. The greek salad was massively overdressed and you could barely taste the lettuce. The servers were friendly, but a bit overbearing. Bar menu looked nice. If this place survives it will likely be because of the bar program. read more

Love the food and service!! Favorite place for hummus lol the place looks amazing!! The ambiance is great!!

nice ambiance, great service, variety of small plates, flavorful salad and green beans. humus and spreads were a bit too oily. chicken kabob was dry, minus the 3% surcharge, $300 for 4, including 4 glasses of house wine. went home hungry read more

Poor service. Overpriced. Waited 35 minutes between items ordered. Nice inside, but not good value or good service coming from the kitchen. They definitely did not "entertain us" as the Brad says read more

My wife and I decided to try this new restaurant and while the food was good, the service was not. My order arrived 11 minutes after my wife's! Hopefully the kitchen and wait staff will make improvement as time goes on. read more

Excellent food, excellent vibe! We loved it and will absolutely return. We sat at the bar for a drink before moving to our table and fhe service in both areas was great. Must go! read more

The range of food options was exquisite, which I loved due to the variety of spreads. I think the addition of gluten free options was very satisfactory, which left me happy from feeling included in this happy happy time I had. Taking into account the wait time for our food, we understood this occurrence because of the livelihood (business through restaurant). Consequently, I conclude this rating with the ambiance because the yelp app told me to. I love the inclusion of the color green and use of wood and linen backgrounds and chairs. Yes, yes, it does feel a bit redundant, but I think that it demonstrates peacefulness and tranquility in an environment. To elaborate, the use of green environments in a restaurant makes me feel calm, because of my love of simplicity. Although there were pros and cons, I feel like I leave Ema bittersweet knowing that I can recommend this especially to someone I know named after the restaurant. read more

Delish food & service. Gorgeous interior- we stayed for hours! Truly lovely experience

This is my 3rd time here. Service is fair, food is ok but overpriced. We shared everything. The hummus with corn was fine. Adding veggies is a $5 up charge. We had the crispy potatoes. Not good! Very dry and tasteless. The falafel wasn't much better. We ended with the Brussel sprouts and one salmon kabob. Both came cold but we didn't say anything because who knows how long it would have taken to flag a server down. All in all I am very disappointed. I have 2 more upcoming reservations but will likely cancel. We said we wanted to see a dessert menu. The server brought that at the same time as the bill. Really? I think reservations will be much easier to come by very soon. read more