I found this restaurant by chance and am so happy I did. The restaurant is so quaint, a great quiet…read moreplace for a date. Aisha was a very attentive wait person and provided great suggestions of dishes to order. The restaturant and the staff are all very welcoming. But it is the food that is the real star....it was delicious! I shared the hot appetizer, Hot Mezze, the potatoes were delicious. So was the roasted cauliflower. After tasting the appetizers, my friend and I decided were definitely coming back to eat there again. The kefta kebobs were delicious although I would have liked the chicken kebabs to have had more flavor. Once you go there, you will make this a regular stop. The prices are competative and the freshness of the food will win you over.

Suda is one of my favorite Mediterranean Restaurants in Chicago. Even though it is pricey, I…read morerecommend it as I enjoy some of the dishes a lot. First-Their free bread is served hot and fresh, and the sauces they come with are so flavorful! I will always get seconds because they're just that good. -Their Baba Ghanoush was one of the best Baba Ghanoush I have ever had (I don't say this lightly). It was very smokey and savory. The pomegranate on top perfectly complements it. -Arnibit (Cauliflower): People like this one a lot, but I personally think it's just the presentation that is appetizing. It tasted like a regular cauliflower, and I wished the sauce complemented and infiltrated the cauliflower more. It felt like I was eating two separate things. -Mixed Grill: the chicken and the beef were juicy and well made. The kefta was the star. It was soft and so well seasoned, and every time I order it I wish we could have more. My only comment would be that we wish the portions are bigger, considering the price was pretty expensive. This could only fill one person in my opinion. Nevertheless I love it. They also have very specific and unique dishes that you don't normally see at bigger restaurants. We have tried some before and they were not bad (but again just wished the portions were bigger) Overall we recommend this place. Baba Ghanoush and the Kefta are musts!

Pretty great food throughout. Our party tasted a decent chunk of the menu and the only item I…read morewasn't fond of was the tabbouleh sardine salad. Everything else was delicious. Also Olivia on the cocktails was excellent- she offered us some unique choices. Will return.

Yes, 2 whole stars. You know when you see someone that looks really nice and you go, "oh wow", but…read morethen you get to know them and you're like "oh, cringe"? Yes, cringe. See, the place looks great, the food looks great, the service is great. But the food just isn't. And, pay attention now: there is hardly any food. And it is way, way overpriced. Example 1: Wagyu Shawarma. First, it's not shawarma, it's a kebab. A teeny weeny kebab. Second, there are four tiny pieces of meat. It's barely an appetizer. It's a tapas for 1. You could easily eat 4 servings of this. But it's $32. And it's just not that tasty. Kind of tough and fatty, actually. Example 2: Shish Barak. There are 5 dumplings. They are tough. They have a fingernail of lamb each. The sauce is grainy. And dull. It's barely an appetizer. It's a tapas for 1. But it's $42. Forty-Two Dollars. Plus tax and tip means $55 out of your pocket for a dull appetizer. We had two cocktails and $12 bottle of Evian. And walked out with a bill over $175. BUT WE WERE STILL HUNGRY. Down the street we had smashburgers and fries for DINNER - now those were really good. You can tell I'm still salty. Now you can go somewhere better.

Memorial Day. Great first visit…read more It won't be the last. Why? Fresh ..every thing. Hummus heaven. Meats , fish ,and vegetables. Grilled to perfection. Great service. Super deserts. Clean restrooms. So good.

We got their Veggie…read moreKing combo plate 3.5/5 - their dolmas was alright and the falafel was a little too dry. Loved their baba ghanouj!! Their hummus was also quite good M'hammareh 4/5 - nice peppery/ slightly sweet dish. Went great with the pita Sumac fries 5/5 - loved them. Wish they gave it with some dip! Labneh 4/5 - my first time trying it. Simple, elegant, and yummy Overall, would recommend! We got takeout but want to check it out some time.

Yum yum yum yum--this place is a palace of flavor! Authentic cuisine in a warm atmosphere with…read morefantastically friendly folk; Anthony said the entire menu is based on his mom's recipes--so it makes a lot of sense why everything has that only heart-warming flavors that only a home-cooked meal can have. Everything tastes exceptional from the dolmas to the Arabian coffees

Cedar Palace was absolutely hands down some of the best Mediterranean food I've ever had! Do NOT…read morepass this up if you have the chance to dine here! The place is so cute and cozy, and the chandeliers are so beautiful! It does seem to fill up pretty quickly as there isn't ample seating, so check them out a little early if you plan to dine in. The staff were awesome. The way they move through the restaurant, take orders, and how they interact with guests just shows how much pride they have in this place. We decided to get the combo, and it really was enough for two! The hummus was delicious, the salads were so perfectly seasoned, and the meat was absolutely perfect. Definitely check this place out!

A Hidden Gem in Chicago - Taste of Lebanon Restaurant…read more Taste of Lebanon Restaurant 1509 W Foster Ave Chicago, IL 60640 If you're looking for authentic Lebanese food, Taste of Lebanon is an absolute must-visit! Every meal we've had here has been fresh, flavorful, and made with care. You can truly taste the quality and tradition in every bite. The lamb shawarma is outstanding--perfectly seasoned, tender, and packed with incredible flavor. The chicken shawarma is just as delicious, juicy, and cooked to perfection. But the true star of the menu is the lentil soup. It is hands down the best lentil soup I've ever had--rich, comforting, full of flavor, and worth coming back for on its own. It deserves to be the #1 item on the menu! What makes this place even more special is the amazing customer service. The entire staff is welcoming, friendly, and professional, making every visit feel like you're dining with family. A huge shoutout to Ali, who consistently goes above and beyond to make every customer feel appreciated. His kindness, professionalism, and genuine hospitality are second to none. He takes the time to make sure everything is perfect, and his positive attitude truly elevates the entire dining experience. Whether you're stopping in for a quick lunch or picking up dinner, Taste of Lebanon never disappoints. The food is authentic, the prices are incredibly reasonable, and the service is exceptional. I highly recommend Taste of Lebanon to anyone in Chicago looking for some of the best Lebanese food in the city. Thank you, Ali and the entire team, for your outstanding hospitality. We'll definitely be back again and again!

A red awning with a cypress tree covering the entrance to one of Chicago's famous…read more"hole-in-the-wall" urban eateries and all that announces the presence of one of the city's best Lebanese/Mediterranean restaurants. This place has all the staples you expect in Levant cuisine, and best of all, they do everything well! I love this place because it's no frills, inexpensive, quick, and SO GOOD. The hummus is fantastic, and the falafel is some of the best I've had, but my hands down favourite item is the Chicken Shwarma Wrap. That's the winner for me. The crew here was very accommodating with catering when we had a company event... and I watched a huge tray of wraps disappear in what seemed like minutes, so I can attest they were popular with our attendees. This place is truly are more than meets the eye.

The atmosphere was great for our 6 person group for brunch! Service was fantastic…read more A very nice ambiance that wasn't too loud for a brunch at 11am where we could all hear each other, sat at a round table so we could see each other. That part was lovely because often I find that with larger groups it's hard to ensure everyone is able to interact (especially since I was taking my parents) Lamb shakshuka was a winner in my book!! So flavorful and perfect hearty brunch. The skewers my parents got were wonderfully cooked. Others got a more standard scrambled egg breakfast that they said was nothing special. Definitely opt for a Mediterranean breakfast if you're at a Mediterranean spot imo.

I was really disappointed with my experience at Ema. The portions were much smaller than expected,…read moreespecially considering the prices. The biggest issue was that our drink glasses had a terrible odor, as if they hadn't been washed properly. We mentioned it to the manager, who promptly replaced the glasses, and the new ones did not have the smell, which confirmed there was an issue with the original ones. I ordered the short ribs, which cost $35 and the portion was extremely small. One of the pieces was also mostly fat, leaving very little actual meat. For the price, I expected a much better-quality dish and a more satisfying portion. Overall, the experience did not live up to the restaurant's reputation or pricing. Unfortunately, I won't be returning.

Amazing food and gigantic portions!…read more We ordered several mixed plate entrees and each one was enough for two people for several meals. I loved the beef and chicken koubideh more than the chicken and steak kabobs, but all of the proteins were delicious! Make sure to order a hummus as well!

My family loves coming to Kabobi Grill. It's one of our favorite places to enjoy a family-style…read moremeal together. Even when it's busy--which is most of the time--they do a great job of getting everyone seated without a long wait. We almost always order the family meal. It starts with their fresh Persian salad and creamy hummus, which are the perfect way to begin the meal. The kabobs are always flavorful, tender, and cooked perfectly, and the rice is just as delicious. My only suggestion would be to include a few more grilled vegetables on the family platter, as they pair so well with the rest of the meal. The service is consistently friendly and attentive, which is one of the many reasons we keep coming back. If you're looking for delicious Persian food that's perfect for sharing, Kabobi Grill is a great choice.

Stylish Fulton Market Brunch with Great Food and Service…read more Booked brunch for two on OpenTable at Aba in Fulton Market, and it's easy to see why this spot is so popular. The space is beautiful--open, bright, full of natural light, and stylish without feeling overdone. We ordered the Short Rib Shakshuka, which was flavorful with just a hint of spice and a generous portion size. The warm, soft pita served alongside was perfect for dipping. The Steak and Eggs was also excellent--the steak and eggs were cooked perfectly, and the fried potatoes were a standout: crispy on the outside while still moist and tender inside. Portion sizes were just right. We also tried both of the recommended brunch cocktails, and they were strong, flavorful, and well balanced. Service from Mike was great--friendly, efficient, and attentive throughout the meal. Overall, Aba delivered a polished and enjoyable brunch experience. Highly recommend, and based on what we tasted, I'd absolutely come back to try dinner.

We came in from out of town and on short notice was able to grab a table at 3:30pm for a late…read morelunch. The place is beautiful with a lively terrace on nice days but also a very open and bright interior with modern decor. We were seated right away at a table off to the side of the bar area. We must have waited like 15-20 minutes before anyone even realized that we were there. It seemed as though none of the servers running around serving other tables around us had our table to service. Eventually we caught the attention of who I can only imagine was a manager or supervisor who finally came over to take our orders. We ordered the Smokey garlic hummus which fresh pita bread and this was very good. We also ordered the crispy potatoes and the Brussel sprouts as a side. These were also nice and crispy and the brussel sprouts had a tasty kick with the harissa honey. For our main we had the chicken kebab which was perfectly cooked and tender, braised short rib (not as good), and the shawarma skirt steak frite. We quite enjoyed our meal and everything very fast which more than made up for the initial delay in service. For dessert we decided to share a frozen Greek yogurt with Olive Oil and sea salt. This had an interesting taste with a tanginess at the end. I'm not sure I would order this again but you could tell the Greek yogurt was of very good quality. All in all we enjoyed our meal at Aba and would definitely come back if in town.

food was delicious, great serving size and fresh !! customer service was also fantastic, super…read morefriendly and accommodating. will be coming back

I really liked this place. They have parking in front of the restaurant and back. I highly…read morerecommend a reservation on Friday-Sunday even if you are just one person. I called them because I wasn't sure if the online version would be too slow. We were a group of three that came in Saturday night at 7 pm. It was moderately busy. The staff were all welcoming with smiles on their faces and attentiveness. Prices were fair for the amount of food you receive. Food portions are colossal so I would recommend one appetizer and one entree if you are a couple. They give you a complimentary dish. We ordered arayes with meat, meat toshka, mixed grill with baba ghanouj, fillet of basa fried, and mint lemonade. They also offer you fresh Arabic coffee before you leave. This is about a 4.5-5. -arayes with meat 4 - this was not bad. It's like a tamer version of the meat toshka. -meat toshka 5 - I prefer this over the arayes because they add the Syrian cheese. This one was bursting with flavor the moment you took a bite out of it. The minced beef and lamb just melt in the mouth. -mixed grill 5 - this came with 3 big skewers (shish kabab, kufta kabab, and chicken tawook. It also has tomatoes and onions to help cut down the meat when digesting. There are two heaping portions of biryani and saffron rice and baba ghanouj. The baba ghanouj was creamy and flavorful. It goes well with the pita bread. The meats were cooked medium well unless you want something. I think next time I'll ask for the shish kababs to be cooked medium rare or medium for a more juicy taste. The chicken tawook and kufta were both succulent. -fillet of basa fried 5 - the two pieces of basa fillet were astronomical. It also comes with two different kinds of rice. The fish was flaky, moist, and seasoned. Make sure you add the lemon and eat it with the sauce. -mint lemonade 5 - this was very refreshing after eating a heavy meal.

Loved this Place!! Food Delicious!! Very Generous Portions!! I had leftovers for like 2 days too!!…read moreVery Informative, Very Nice Waitor!! Very Knowledgeable too!! Jorge! Love him!! My Date even gave me 8 Red Roses! Oh my Goodness!! Love this Restaurant!! Gorgeous Decor!! Love, Julie. Xoxo

This is a wonderful place with some great food. It's in a convenient location with its own parking…read morelot. Inside, there was one room with basic tables, and another with linen tablecloths (choose which you prefer). You order at the counter, get a number, get your own utensils and such, and they bring the food to your table. I went with some friends who got the lunch special (very good), but I couldn't resist the Spring Lamb Shank. Oh, that was so good. The lamb shank had incredible flavor, good seasoning, and tons of jus. The carrots and onions on that platter were perfectly cooked - just enough, but still with a crunch (onions) and a bite (carrots). It comes with a platter with rice (I got both kinds), hummus (could have used a bit more of that), sauce, onions, pickled turnips (perfect for balancing the richness), and bread (lavash?) that is great for making a wrap. They have very good to-go containers (it's a lot). This is a flavor-bomb and great food.