Ema is special…read more It's Mediterranean with a California twist. Everything is very flavorful and each bite is memorable The pumpkin hummus was really good. It tasted almost like a pumpkin pie filling The bhel hummus was great too. With a ton of toppings. It has a citrusy flavor which was really pleasant The baba ghanoush was also incredible. Super smoky and flavorful. The pita that comes with the dips are also incredible. They've got zatar sprinkled on top The Greek salad was great. Tomatoes feta and olives with cucumber The halloumi kebab was really good. I was so full at this point I couldn't eat much but it comes with a really spicy sauce that is outstanding and also perfectly cooked basmati rice

I first tried Ema back in 2022 when I visited Chicago for the first time to attend the Northcoast…read morefestival. For some reason, I overlooked reviewing it then, but I never forgot it, so I was ecstatic when I found out my company's annual offsite team dinner would be hosted at Ema. Our group of 35 was pretty large, so we were split up amongst several tables, but it was nice getting to chat in smaller groups. Our drink orders were taken not long after we were seated, and the food and bevvies started to arrive in short order. I got to try way more during my business trip than I did 4 years ago, but regardless, I noted the quality of food that was served remained consistent over the years. Highlights for me included the salmon, Greek village spread, pita bread, chocolate torte, and honey cake. The salmon was so mild and tender, the Greek village spread taster local and refreshing, and the pita bread was seasoned to perfection and hands down the best I've ever had. The desserts were a surprisingly delicious end to the meal. I didn't think I could stomach more food, but somehow I rallied. I don't even like chocolate that well, but the chocolate torte really hit the spot, and the honey cake was a new-to-me decadent dessert. It reminded me of the flavor of honey grahams but in cake form. I've never had anything quite like it and am really glad I got to try it. Coming back to Ema after 4 years was better than I expected. I love Mediterranean food, and after 5 total trips to Chicago, I must say Ema is so far my favorite restaurant here. I'm not easy to please, but Ema serves up some of the best this city has to offer.

First off the customer service here is the best I've ever experienced at a sweetgreens. I ordered…read moremy normal harvest bowl with substitutions and added salmon and it was just absolutely delicious. I am a huge fan of sweetgreens. Please come and create your own adventure.

Went for a healthy food option for my son...the kid meals are super cute including the chicken,…read morehummus, and cucumbers.

Wowowow Kala lived up to all the hype I've heard about it!…read more I ordered from door dash & it was still good when it got to my apartment. The grilled veggies and shrimp were soooo good but the frozen greek yogurt stole the show. IT WAS SO GOOD. This was not fake frozen yogurt like froyo. This was legit frozen yogurt. Perfectly tart and creamy and not super sweet at all. The cherries and pistachios on top were amazing and added a saltiness that went great with the yogurt. Cannot wait to order from here again

We usually come to this neighborhood for donuts down the street but then realized that we should…read moreeat something healthy for lunch, instead of just three or four donuts. So looking at both Yelp and Google - Kala, had rock solid reviews and pics for modern Greek food!! So we were able to grab a few seats facing the sidewalk as the place was pretty full, we got two different salads with steak and chicken skewers. The steak (Souvlaki) salad comes with grilled veggies and the chicken comes with navel oranges. I would stick with the steak and order more protein so it sticks to your ribs. I would suggest adding some more lettuce to make these salads even greater....will be back here for a third visit soon :) Most recently, we picked up the souvlaki steak salad with an extra chicken skewer and that really hit the spot!!

Delicious food, gorgeous ambiance, and incredibly quick service…read more Tried the veggie burger, the sweet potato empanadas, and the key lime pie. The veggie burger was one of the best veggie burgers I have had this year. The patty was perfectly cooked and had a lovely consistency, the burger bun was not sweet (as is often the case at many restaurants), and the mango sauce slathered on the bun added an unexpected, zingy flavour. The sweet potato empanadas (three pieces) were also delicious. The key lime pie was the highlight of the meal. The crust was crisp and flakey and the key lime was zesty and not overly sweet. The portion was massive, and easily enough for three people. What I liked the most about the ambiance was the cohesiveness of the decor and a commitment to a soft, elegant coziness. The utensils had elegant Delft motifs and the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling were chic and understated. Service was quick and the waiter was efficient and polite. Highly recommend if you are in the Lincoln Park area, particularly for brunch.

Pick 2 lunch deal is amazing Super cute interior…read moreWant to come back for dinner Kale salad was one of the best I have ever had

Excellent food, excellent service from Gerard…read more He is definitely a people person. Thank you. We will be back!!!

After a day downtown we stopped in at True Food Kitchen for dinner. The restaurant is co-owned by…read moreDr. Andrew Weil and the menu is designed to align with anti-inflammatory food advice. The dining room was large and modern. Around 6 pm they dimmed the lights and turned on music that made it feel like a Friday night urban spot. They also have a small outdoor eating area. Our waitress Joy was friendly and attentive. We ordered their margaritas, the air-fryer French fries, a side kale salad and the spinach and mushroom sourdough pizza. Everything was enjoyable and the price wasn't too bad. It worked out to about $30 a person. Overall, we'd definitely go again.

Travel is hell when you have celiac. I am sensitive to the parts per million level and one bad bite…read moreof food can keep me up all night, or send me to bed or the hotel bathroom for days. I will spare the details. I am not a gluten free trendy who has a pastry for desert; this is an issue that's followed me my whole life. Usually when trveling, I end up eating carrots, rotisserie chicken and coldcuts when my supply of hard boiled eggs runs out. Every now and then I hit the jackpot. I arrived in Chicago on a Thrusday afternoon in September and first thing, set out around the neighborhood to find a restaurant where I might be able to eat. All the usual kinds of places (naerly all of them corporate) were out of the discussion when I spotted Doc Bs at 55 E. Grand Ave. The exterior was low-key but for some reason I was drawn to it. I went in to check the place out. Usually this part of the discussion goes like a legal deposition. "What do you know, and how do you know it?" I asked for a menu; I was handed one and began to read carefully. Among other things, they offered a kind of rice bowl dish, a bit like hot poke (the Wok Out Bowl). It came with a diversity of sauces -- Curry, Sesame Teriyaki , Sweet & Spicy Thai, etc. I said, "Which of these sauces has no gluten?" "All of them," said someone named Cassandra, responding in a confident voice. She was the general manager. "Our company takes food sensitivity very seriously. We also have gluten free deep fryers." I pushed a little harder: Cassanda said she could account for every ingredient in every dish on the menu. Right away I was having a 1 in 1000 expeience. Even in the top tier of places aware of the gluten issue (which is no longer vogue), I am often saved by a server who has a clue what goes into the food. Cross-contamination is an issue; as is ignorance about product. Gluten-safe dining is usually based on a stripped down menu; and some places commit outright fraud by neglecting to mention known issues in the kitchen but still saying GF on the menu. My theory of keeping gluten out of restaurant food is **start with none, and add it only where you need it**, which is nearly in nothing. She said that's exactly what we do. My second theory of gluten free is **parity of experience**. That means that everyone at the table has an equivalent experience. The whole table does not enjoy sumptuous deserts while the GF person gets canned pears. At Doc B's I could eat anything on the menu, including French fries and chips and salsa (small, taken-for-granted pleasures by most diners). My third theory of gluten free dining is **no gluen free upcharge.** It's tacky, and adds insult to injury (especially when a GF bun or bread is subpar, as was NOT the case at Doc B's). Doc B's got 100% on all counts. That and the food was consistently excellent. I ate there seven times over five days trying many things (but having a lot of Wok Out bowls). I sent several people and brought four different friends, one of whom had such such extreme dietary restrictions he could usually order an apple. They accommodated him perfectly, with a positive attitude. And there you have it. This gets the highest possible rating from the Gluten Avenver -- seven stars. -- Eric F Coppolino

Great experience all around! We arrived for lunch on a…read moreSaturday around 12:15p and didn't think to make reservations in advance. It was packed! Luckily the window high top bar-seats were available. Not great for catching up in conversation over a meal, but it was better than the a fast food place nearby. The food was great! We had the guacamole as an appetizer - if you don't like cilantro - you will want to avoid it. It was an interesting appetizer, as it came with sweet potato chips. Both were good...not sure it pairs well. (I saved the guacamole for my burger) I had the wedge burger, primarily for the egg. It was great! The burger was perfectly cooked as was the sunny side up egg. I ordered it with a side of fries. Perfectly cooked fries. They give huge portions. I was able to share with my friends. I ordered a cranberry and tonic for a beverage. It was great, however, they served it in a "bar" glass, so it was not a lot of liquid. I had to order two. I prefer pint glasses for non-alcohol beverages. Tasted great, just needed more. Prices are reasonable for a city restaurant. Without tip for 4 adults, 4 entrees and 1 appetizer and soda-water beverages. It came to about $130. Parking...If you can walk or take a ride share. It's the city and parking options aren't great.

A birthday weekend that I'm truly enjoying! My wife has this whole weekend planned out for my…read morebirthday. I'm being surprised left and right, we came here for breakfast. Shoutout to Maddy for being a great host! Recommend you ask for her area! Good food! My wife had the Belgian Waffles with cinnamon, strawberries, and Mango, Pineapple, & orange drink. I had the eggs your way, egg white scrambled with cinnamon bacon and mimosa for the drink. Finished it off with a chocolate chunk (chocolate chip cookie) to set off my birthday breakfast the right way! I love Chicago and this is the first time I've ever been to this establishment. Great service, good food, and amazing vibe!

Beatrix is an excellent spot to grab breakfast or a quick bite while in Chicago! We had a…read morereservation and were excited to check it out. The food definitely lived up to the expectations. I ordered the oatmeal, and the table also got the smashed avocado toast and Greek yogurt. Everything looked incredible, and the food was great overall. It's a solid option if you're looking for a tasty breakfast with plenty of options to start your day. Unfortunately, the service was a bit hit or miss. Even with a reservation, we still waited about 20 minutes to be seated. Once we were at the table, we had to wait for silverware, and there was also a mistake with the bill. Nothing that ruined the meal, but a few little things that added up and took away from the experience. That said, the food was absolutely worth it, and I'd happily come back. Beatrix is a great spot for breakfast or brunch in Streeterville, and hopefully our next visit will come with a smoother service experience. Four stars! Come for the food, just be prepared for a little patience during a busy morning.

Our visit to The Smith was really delicious! We found this place on Resy and it was close to our…read morehotel/ within walking distance. Super welcoming staff and I loved the vibe, super bright and open with really cool lighting and shelving behind the bar. The floor tile was really cool too, modern and comfortable. They had a great special going on for World Cup, a burger and glass of prosecco for $18! My kind of girl dinner :) burger came with fries and was super delicious. Cooked perfectly. We also had some burrata which wad delicious as well. We had a great time- check them out!

I had one of the best salads in recent memory during a business lunch at The Smith…read more I went to The Smith for the first time with a small group of colleagues on a beautiful summer day. We were seated near the open windows in a pleasant and airy space. While I don't normally order salads, the sugar snap chicken salad caught my eye. It had a terrific balance of flavors: a base of arugula nicely dressed with a lemon vinaigrette and tossed with sliced snap peas and fennel, well-seasoned grilled chicken, farro, and pistachios. The ingredients were all very fresh and complemented each other well. Colleagues ordered the chicken sandwich and were very happy with it. Portions all around were generous. This is a place for a pretty hearty lunch rather than light bites. Service was friendly, though a little slow, and one of my colleagues had to remind them of her drink order. Prices were on the high side but not unusual for the neighborhood, and the high quality and size of my salad made me feel like the price point wasn't completely outrageous.