Delicious casual vegan meal. Had a short few hours in Chicago and came here for dinner. Wife and I…read moreeach got an appetizer-I got their buffalo drum sticks which were somehow gluten free and delicious. For my entree, I got the bimbibab or however you spell it, with tofu. Would have liked a meat alternative but other than those drumsticks, which are brought in frozen and premade and therefore, the "meat" cannot be used in an entree-only the tofu was gluten free. Although I mixed in tamari and sirahcha, this was delicious. The hot pit crisped the rice perfectly and the veggies and tofu were cooked really well. We also got their raw berry cheese cake and a scoop of soy vanilla ice cream for dessert. The crust of the cheesecake wasn't really good but everything else was excellent. Service was great with a lot of good suggestions and he was very friendly. The place isn't much to describe. Just a very casual interior with an Alice in wonderland motif. Cute, but not a place you come for the ambiance. You come for the food and service.

I tried this place for the first time this evening. I was impressed by the wings, the texture and…read morepresentation are similar to chicken wings! I do not care for the bbq sauce, it has a sharp bite at the end and no sweetness like bbq sauce. The Kung Pao Ding; for the sauce I was expecting a slightly tangy flavor with maybe a little heat but it was not that. The sauce feels sticky, thick, and the flavor is flat. The protein tasted over cooked to me. I also ordered a couple drinks that I've never tried before to test them out. The flavored water tastes like there's stevia in it, a weird after taste. The cardamom grape was not as sweet as I was hoping, and a very faint flavor. It's very possible I just chose the wrong items for my taste buds. But these were my first impressions on this order.

Everything was amazing! Food, atmosphere and the people were 100/10. Leo is a rockstar! Wish he…read morecould have just sat down with us!

Our server Leo, and the food were both so amazing!! Can't take about his place enough…read more As you wish!!!! IYKYK!

The portion size were good and the food itself was ok. Mediocre at best. The service was…read moreacceptable. The workers were nice. The ambiance and the decor is maybe the only redeeming factor. It has some nice touches, but again nothing crazy.

I celebrate my birthday with my family at Ema every year, and at this point it's become one of my…read morefavorite traditions. Ema is, hands down, my favorite restaurant in Chicago. From the food and ambiance to the consistently outstanding service, everything is truly top-tier. This visit was just as exceptional as every one before it. We shared the Sweet Corn Hummus, Spicy Whipped Feta, Brussels Sprouts, Crispy Wild Mushrooms, Crispy Potatoes, Grilled Chicken, and the Lamb & Beef Kefta. Every single dish was outstanding. I wish I had taken more photos, but we were too busy enjoying the food as it arrived at the table! For drinks, my sister loved the Strawberry Rose Paloma, and I enjoyed a glass of Kir-Yianni Sparkling Rosé, which paired beautifully with the meal. The warm, seasoned pita deserves its own recognition. It's soft, pillowy, and absolutely addictive. Honestly, it's hard not to fill up on the pita and spreads before the rest of the meal even arrives. Our server struck the perfect balance between friendly and attentive, without ever feeling intrusive. We usually make room for dessert, but we were completely stuffed this time. In the past, though, I've loved both the Warm Sticky Date Cake and the Frozen Greek Yogurt, and I'd recommend either without hesitation. I was secretly hoping for a tiny scoop of frozen yogurt as a birthday surprise, but my server didn't mention it and I didn't remind him of the celebration (and honestly, we were way too full anyway ). As a huge Top Chef fan, it's always special dining at Chef CJ Jacobson's restaurant. I had the opportunity to meet him during my very first visit to Ema, and he was incredibly gracious. His creativity and attention to flavor are evident in every dish. Ema continues to set the standard for what a great dining experience should be. It's the restaurant I recommend most often when people ask me where to eat in Chicago, and it remains my go-to place for special celebrations. I can't wait to come back again soon! #ImNotAFoodie #ImJustAGirlWhoLovesFood #YelpEliteSquad PS: the hotel next door no longer provides parking validation.

I've been here dozens of times and gotten delivery probably dozens more. The mango smoothie is one…read moreof my favorite things, along with the fried tofu. My go-to entree is pad Thai or mixed veggies with tofu. They do their own delivery, which also means it's a lot more reliable, and I appreciate that I'm supporting the business themselves and not some other big corporation when ordering delivery.

I've been to Urban Vegan several times and while I'm in Chicago I frequent here whenever I get a…read morechance. I've even visited both Urban Vegan locations when they used to have two of them. Urban Vegan never disappoints vegans like me, the quality of food is always good! We ordered Chicken nuggets for appetizer Green curry, Spicy noodle and orange chicken which were all delicious but the service could've been better. It fact it was disappointing. The server seemed to be cold and indifferent and giving minimal service. When I asked for extra plates so we could all share, she gave us small plates and didn't say anything. Another customer was asking multiple times for take out boxes, bigger take out boxes and a bag to carry their leftovers, this showed the lack of quality service was not just no limited to us. That's why I give this place four stars instead of five. I hope the service improves when we return next time.

Came as a solo diner after having tried Cafe Yaya. Absolutely delicious and a HUGE amount of food…read morefor one (they're meant to be sharing portions so for one I had plenty of leftovers, which were delicious the next day). The wait staff were SO sweet and did warn me about the portions so I didn't fill myself up too early! I could eat that hummus by itself with a spoon and be perfectly happy. LOVE the tiny little tasty side dishes! The highlights for me were the foie gras and the lamb chops, which were a special item: they were so tasty and juicy in their sauce and absolutely perfectly cooked. There were protestors outside who screamed at people coming in and out of the restaurant, but honestly obnoxious people like that just make me want to come back and support Galit MORE, not less.

I visited Galit for a special family dinner while in Chicago. Located in Lincoln Park, the…read morerestaurant has a charming atmosphere, and I appreciated that they were able to accommodate three additional guests at the last minute. I didn't realize beforehand that the meal was only offered as a preset menu, but it happened to be a special menu that week. The food was excellent, though the sheer number of dishes became a little overwhelming. Standout items included the walleye, the hummus served with warm pita, the beef tongue shaslik, and every one of the desserts. The service was less impressive. Our waitress was fine overall, but she came across as somewhat impatient, particularly when our group needed a little extra time to understand the menu. It also would have enhanced the experience if plates were cleared between courses, as the table became quite crowded. It did not feel like the level of service I typically associate with a Michelin-starred restaurant. Overall, I'm glad I had the opportunity to try Galit. The food was memorable, even if the service and overall dining experience did not fully meet my expectations.

We did the ayce dinner and shared plates such as Sujuk Flatbread, Balkan Salad, Steak Tartare,…read moreCrispy Corn Ribs, Brussel Sprouts, Wild Mushrooms, Cauliflower, Pork Belly Stuffed Cabbage, Grilled Shrimp, Roasted Lamb, Lamb Medallions, etc. I can't speak to authenticity of Balkan food but can only confirm the overall quality and portions are very well worth $55. Nothing was bad but there are weaker and favorite dishes. Favorites were cauliflower, stuffed cabbage, corn ribs, Balkan kebab, and both lamb dishes. Brussel sprouts and mushrooms were cooked right but weaker in flavor. Sujuk flatbread was literally a tasty pepperoni pizza...idk if you want to order that for the sake of stomach space. To each their own. Service was good. Ambience was classy and relaxing.

I recently visited Ambar to celebrate my birthday, and it had been on my list ever since I came…read moreacross the menu. Since we were already doing happy hour nearby, it was the perfect restaurant within walking distance to continue the celebration. The moment I saw the menu, I was sold. Before we even arrived, I was impressed by the level of customer service. Because I had booked a larger party, the event coordinator reached out to explain the menu and introduce me to the Ambar Experience--their all-you-can-enjoy tasting menu for just $55 per person. After looking through the selections, I knew this was the right choice because honestly, everything sounded amazing. We had several last-minute cancellations, so our group ended up being much smaller than expected. Even so, the team was incredibly accommodating and gracious, which I really appreciated. The Ambar Experience absolutely lived up to the hype. Every dish we ordered was beautifully prepared, flavorful, and perfect for sharing. I'll definitely be bringing my family back so they can experience it, too. We started with the spicy feta, white bean hummus, roasted pepper spread, marinated olives with pickled vegetables, and beet tzatziki. It was a fantastic way to begin the meal. We had also been looking forward to trying the clotted cream, but it never made it to the table. We assumed it may have been unavailable since it wasn't mentioned. From the vegetable selections, we ordered the Brussels sprouts, baby carrots, crispy corn ribs, and wild mushrooms. Everything was delicious, but the baby carrots completely surprised me--they were easily my favorite vegetable of the evening. The meat, poultry, and seafood selections were where Ambar truly shined. We enjoyed the Balkan kebab, NY strip, lamb medallions, beef goulash, roasted lamb, wood-fired branzino, drunken mussels, grilled shrimp, and the beef tartare from the Chef's Signature menu. While every dish was outstanding, the clear standouts were the lamb medallions, the branzino, and the drunken mussels. They were so good that we kept ordering additional plates long after we were already full! We also added the unlimited beverage package for just $27 per person, which was an incredible value. The house Old Fashioned, white sangria, and strawberry lemonade were all excellent and paired perfectly with the meal. Unfortunately, the service put a significant damper on what was supposed to be a special evening. Throughout dinner, we constantly felt rushed. Every time our server approached the table, we felt like we had to be completely ready with our next order because if we weren't, he would immediately turn and walk away. When bringing drinks, he would place them at the edge of the table and slide them across instead of setting them in front of the person who ordered them. While that may seem like a small detail, it contributed to an overall feeling that the service lacked care and hospitality. His demeanor throughout the evening also wasn't warm or welcoming. To add to that, as our group gathered near the front of the restaurant to take a birthday photo before leaving, another server brushed past my sister, bumping into her without saying "excuse me" or acknowledging what had happened. Had the food not been as exceptional as it was, I'm not sure I would have considered returning based solely on the service we received. That said, the quality of the food easily ranks among the best I've had in Chicago, and it's the reason I'll be back. If the service matched the caliber of the kitchen, this would be an easy five-star experience. Even with the hiccups, I'm looking forward to returning because the Ambar Experience truly is one of the best dining values in the city. #ImNotAFoodie #ImJustAGirlWhoLovesFood #YelpEliteSquad

Yet another delicious meal at Loving Heart. We hadn't been there in a long time, but I ordered the…read moresame thing as I'd always ordered a year ago--the Buddha Bowl. It came exactly as it used to come a year ago. Presentation was beautiful. Everything was cut perfectly. Everything was fresh. So sorry it took us so long to get back to Loving Heart. We'll be back soon.

Loving Heart has the cleanest, freshest vegan food that I've had in the Midwest. Reminds me of the…read moreWest Coast. Staff is friendly and the space is intimate, but not loud or overcrowded. Good music, smoothies and they welcome service animals and pets which is nice especially in the winter.

I crave this at least once a week on my way home from the gym. Can't go wrong with the burger (I…read moremiss the jalapeño one), the Korean chicken sandwich, the spicy el wrap, and for the love of god, don't forget the TOTS! I also recommend the cookies by the register and the protein shakes. Service is always friendly and the vibes are cutesy.

After a week of juicing and water only, I was more than ready for my first solid meal. I came…read moreacross Elephant + Vine, a vegan comfort/fast food spot at 2315 N. Lincoln Ave., and between the menu and the name (yes, the elephant caught my attention), I knew I had to check it out. There's plenty of street parking in the area, I went on a Sunday, so meters were free. The interior is bright, green, and inviting, with lots of seating and great natural light coming in from the front windows. There's also outdoor seating, but it was a bit too cold the day we went, so we stayed inside. Service is counter-style, and the staff was very knowledgeable about the menu. It's fairly simple, but still fun and satisfying. I ordered an Impossible burger, tater tots, and a strawberry almond milk smoothie. My friend got fries, so I was able to try both. After over 40 days without fried food, I was especially excited for the tots and they did not disappoint. Overall, the food was good and solid across the board. Nothing that completely blew me away, but definitely satisfying. If you're vegan or vegetarian and craving a classic burger experience, this is a great option. The smoothie was good as well, though I personally prefer fruit-forward smoothies with lighter juices, so the almond milk base wasn't quite my favorite, but it still complemented the meal nicely. Overall, if you're looking for a casual sit-down spot with a cute atmosphere and a solid Impossible burger at a reasonable price, Elephant + Vine is a great choice. 3.5 out of 5 stars.