Throughly enjoy this restaurant. It's a real gem. The food is authentic and delicious. Our waitress was attentive and amazing. She stopped by multiple times to make sure we were having a good experience. The ambiance is beautiful. Not too bright and not too dark. Excellent for a date night . read more

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My boyfriend and I went to Yasemi for lunch. The menu has a nice balance of familiar flavors and creative touches and everything I tried was well presented and fresh. The ambiance is stylish and comfortable, making it a good spot for both casual outing or a slightly more elevated experience. Service was attentive without being overbearing and the staff seemed knowledgeable about the menu. A few dishes stood out more than others which is why it is not a full five stars but overall the quality is consistently good. Prices feel fair for the portion sizes and experience. read more

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We walked in to this empty restaurant at 6:30 on Sunday. We were immediately sat and waited on. Since we were one of the few people in the restaurant we had quick service and attentive service. The restaurant filled up after 7:30. The inside was modern and airy. It was very calming and a large party would have no problem here. Just know they add 20% gratuity automatically to the bill. The food is fresh and well seasoned. They make their own pitas here and they are delicious! We started our delicious dinner with the 3 dip combo and fresh pita. The beetroot salad was heavy on the beets and just ok. The meat dishes were prepared beautifully, we shared the dishes amongst the 5 of us. We all enjoyed the dinner. We tried two desserts, the banofee was ok and the baklava was delicious. Make reservations on resy for this restaurant. read more

I love the ambience and design on the inside. Clearly carefully and thoughtfully designed to create a unique warm, clean and comfortable atmosphere. Service was good. Food overall was Greek forward with Mediterranean flavors. Mushroom dish was excellent and charred eggplant was also very good. read more

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This was my first time ever having a Mediterranean style breakfast and I genuinely didn't know breakfast could taste this good and look this elevated. The croque madame was insane. Perfectly soft, buttery toasted bread with gravy layered throughout. I've never had anything like it. The croissant was so amazing that my husband finished the entire thing before I could even go in for a second bite. The pancakes were great. I did like the cinnamon flavor and appreciated that they weren't drenched in syrup. The vibes were amazing. Such a beautiful space inside The Godfrey Hotel, perfect for a chill, elevated breakfast moment. read more

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Everything I had the opportunity to try was good or great. However, the sheer structure demands that Yasemi likely wouldn't be appropriate for even two people. Mark my words... do not go here with any less than four people, all of whom don't mind sharing. The Heirloom Tomato Salad is a great example. This is a simpler dish, tomato, cucumber, olives, feta, oil, maybe a few things I'm forgetting. The bowl is tasty and fairly large, however, it is better as a side salad rather than a main. If four people each take a little, great! Conversely, one or two people working through this, they'd stuff themselves with something a little boring, leaving less room for the good stuff. I also had the pleasure of trying: Beef Carpaccio: Perfection! The ingredients were of the highest quality, and everything worked together stupendously. Dressing, mayo, cheese, even the potato chips for just a little extra crunch, salt, and fat. Beef Kofta: Unexpectedly great! Not only was the beef flavorful and well-spiced, it was also great friends with Louis Camille Maillard, for it has a fantastic grill flavor. The accompaniments were well thought out also, offering extra flavor and moisture without overpowering the dish. Crispy Potatoes: The one I stole (with permission) off a colleague's plate showed that these were cooked perfectly, spiced well, and served with a delightful crema. Ceviche: I see what they were going for, but I think they went a little too hard. Seemingly: fish, corn Leche de Tigre, another acid (lime?), spices, and veggies. All of this led to the dish being too busy, with the key note being acid rather than having any ingredient stand out. Pita: We are back into great territory. The pita bread seemed to be home made, fresh, and had gentle and not overpower use of spice. Just the right thing to go with everything else on the table. Dessert (who's name I don't remember): This is another great example of why one or two people is too few. A very simple (also, dare I say, boring) combination of cream, graham cracker dust, caramel, and something a little more solid (apologies, don't recall what). The first couple of spoons are great... after it becomes a little bit of a drag. With several people munching... much better. Blood Orange Paloma Mocktail: Out of left field, the standout thing about this drink was the oregano and aleppo on the side of the glass. Otherwise, it was a little sweet, a little tart, and had some bubbles. Alas, I did not pick up on the Ritual Spirit-Free Tequila, for i didn't sense those earthy, cactus-y notes this tequila claims to have. Service: This was an area where Yasemi needs to improve. It is not only that it was a little slow, but they also forgot the main of someone in my group. Worse still, I had to ask for water three times (with the third being "hey, this is my third time asking") before water was refilled. Thus, having it be more diligent and attentive would make the experience better. Vibe: I'd describe the vibe as upscale, comfortable, modern Mediterranean. This is the kind of place where I'd love to spend some time, or even bring a date (ignoring that part about having 4+ people). Thus, while there are some areas of improvement, Yasemi delivers on a quality meal in a great space. My friend group in Chicago is not yet developed (heck, it doesn't yet exist beyond organized events), however, when it comes about, I would be happy to return and give Yasemi another shot. read more

Yasemi, A Modern Mediterranean Restaurant - Dessert - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We went for dinner on New Year's Eve. Although the restaurant offered a set menu for the occasion, we decided to order à la carte. We tried the three-sample spread with pita bread, shrimp kebab, maitake mushrooms, and a half portion of chicken shawarma. The kebabs were served with a side of spiced rice. The spreads were enjoyable, but I felt the kebabs, especially the chicken, could have used more spice. My idea of shawarma is also a bit different from what was served, so it didn't quite match my expectations. Our server was kind, and the restaurant itself has a lovely ambiance. read more

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On a lonely stretch of west Huron is a wonderful restaurant called Yasemi. Walking in you are greeted with soft lighting, and an interior that looks like California 1950s modern. Sparse, tasteful and waiting to be filled. We sat in a very comfortable booth that was well detailednear the bar. The bar area is beautiful and well designed. I would drink cocktails all-day there. We ordered two cocktails: Kiwi Kefe and the Athens Sidecar. Simple, flavorful. Then we ordered the hummos and very fresh and hot pitas (they only provide one so order two more). Excellent. We moved to the Beetroot Burrata with wonderful pickled beets. Excellent. Finally we ordered Lamb Kbobs and crispy potatoes. Well made. The service is excellent and we plan to go back and try their brunch. read more

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Lovely Happy Hour experience at this restaurant. We came on a Saturday evening to have a few drinks and appetizers. For food we grabbed whipped feta, pita, beef kofta (x2). The beef kofta was really good and the fresh warm soft pita was delicious too. Wasn't the biggest fan of the whipped feta. On this occasion we also grabbed drinks. My husband had old fashioned and I grabbed the white wine but then also tried the KIWI KEFI. Cocktail was good with Gin, kiwi, lime, oregano, honey, mint, sumac rim. I wished that J would have tried the Paloma. Next time as I would return, want to try the kebabs and hummus. read more

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We came here tonight with a Resy for 8:30. When we came in, we instantly noticed the vibes and the great ambiance which was a mix of modern but warm. We ordered as a group of the 3 spreads, lamb kebabs, and the lamb shank. I ordered the Aegean Sunset. It was super good and is seen in the picture. I enjoyed the service by our kind waitress. She was knowledgeable and didn't rush us to make a decision. My favorites of the night were the lamb shank and the tzatziki avocado spread. I could order that again and again! We also shared a dessert, the BOUGATSA. I didn't care for it at all. Otherwise it's a 4.75/5 for me! read more

Yasemi, A Modern Mediterranean Restaurant - Aegean Sunset - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is an excellent happy hour spot! We came in on a Tuesday around 5 and were seated right away since it wasn't too busy. We tried the hummus, whipped feta, cheese pies, and crispy potatoes. The hummus and whipped feta came in huge portions. We even had to order extra pita and still had leftovers to take home. The cheese pies were delicious and the drizzle of honey was the perfect touch. The potatoes were just okay, I wish there had been a bit more of the cheese sauce with them. I also tried the blood orange Paloma, which was light and refreshing. The ambiance was lovely with lots of plants and natural light, and the service was great. Would definitely come back! read more

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I stopped by Yasemi last Saturday, and I enjoyed my experience! To start off, the restaurant surprisingly wasn't crowded on a Saturday evening. We were seated quickly and started off by ordering drinks. I ordered their new strawberry fields cocktail, and I loved it. It tasted very sweet and just like strawberries! I would definitely order this again. We also ordered the pick 3 spread options (hummus, whipped harissa feta, & tzatziki avocado) and ordered extra pita bread. Afterwards, I ordered the chicken kebab. The spread & pita bread came out first. I loved that you got to try several spread options. They were all delicious. My favorite certainly was the tzatziki avocado--it was light, savory, and almost tasted refreshing. I also loooved the hummus as well. It paired very well with the vegetables they also serve. If I were to come back, I would likely just order one or the other. The chicken kebab was also pretty good. They serve it differently from most Mediterranean restaurants that I've been to as the rice is served separately. The chicken kebab came with my favorite spread (the tzatziki avocado). Beside that, the kebab tasted a bit standard? Nothing too extraordinary that would make me want to come back and re-order it. Overall, I had a great time at Yasemi! I am not too sure that I would return based on the food alone, but the vibes were great. read more

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Recommendations: #1: Braised Lamb Shank #2: Beef Kofta My friends are leaving the city and we visited Yasemi for our farewell dinner. We were so excited to try the Mediterranean cuisine. There are not many people when we arrive at 7 pm, and we were assigned to one of the booths by the window. The decor of the restaurant is stunning, very modern with a natural look. We started with the Spread Sampler that came with three flavors: Charred Eggplant, Whipped Harissa Feta, and Tzatziki Avocado. All of them were excellent. This dish came with two pita breads, but it was not enough for four of us, so we put in another order of pita. The house-made pita was soft, warm, and perfect for dipping. They came out hot. For mains, the Beef Kofta was paired with tomato confit and spiced yogurt. The beef was tender, and blended with the yogurt it created a perfect balance. The Chicken Kebabs were juicy and came with herbed rice. The Half Deboned Chicken was well-seasoned but a bit dry. My favorite dish was the Braised Lamb Shank. It was nicely executed with perfect heat and spice. The bone was easy to cut, falling right off, and it was served on a bed of tender chickpeas. Overall, the service was great, the food came out quickly, and the waitress checked in with us once in a while. Quick note: if you pay with the inKind app, you can save 20% off the bill (excluding tips and tax). read more

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Yasemi is not quite yet getting the hype and attention it deserves- I've had the chance to visit several times and it is truly one of my favorite Chicago restaurants! Every experience I've had has been exceptional. The decor is beautiful and the staff is always very friendly. It's a great place to celebrate an occasion or catch up with friends at reasonable prices. They also have an excellent happy hour daily with inventive drinks and food. I highly recommend the kiwi kefi cocktail, which is delicious and very unique. For appetizers, favorites have been the hummus and the cheese pies. This is hands down the best hummus I have ever had- the earthy chickpea flavor comes through beautifully with very high quality olive oil. It's really hard to return to store bought spreads after trying Yasemi's. And, of course, the pita is wood fired in house. The cheese pies are also a must- the creamy whipped feta and honey enveloped in crispy dough is truly addicting. The salmon entree, however, is a truly unique dish that I still think about regularly. While the fish itself was cooked very well, the sauce and lentils really shined. The dressing contains some kind of sweet and spicy citrus sauce with sesame oil and chili paste. Definitely recommend. I will absolutely be back soon- this spot is definitely worth making a trip out of the way! read more

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We had a dinner for three of us. They had a happy hour still going on so we ordered a couple of items from it. Their main menu is delicious. All well executed and presented on very nice plates. Service was very attentive. Prices were fair. We will be back. read more

The ambiance was nice. Most of the food was seasoned well. The waitress was just rude. My steak was cooked well done , when I ordered it medium rare. I didn't even want to send it back because I was afraid the waitress would spit in my food or something because we were already getting attitude from her. She also seemed unknowledgeable when we asked questions about the menu. read more

I have been here three times now. A few things I love about this place firstly. One are the booths. They are so nice and spacious. Seriously, when I think of awesome seating in Chicago like RPM Steak, BLVD Steak and now Yasemi I always get a warm feeling knowing the setting will be right. I prefer the last two booths on the right. They also have a very nice bar. I live that they do happy hour 7 days a week too. 4-6pm. A mix of food and drink specials. I have tried a number of things and find the Eggplant Spread, Humus, Salmon and Beef Kufta to be what I am most drawn to. The service has always been friendly and on par, from the hosts, to the servers. One of the trips I had an Orange Wine from Lebanon. It was pretty good! I had never had Orange Wine from there. The Paloma was very strong one time I had it, and seemingly weak the next time. The Espresso Martini is quite nice though. The two things that I am a less wild about is that this place closes at 9:30 on weeknights. So it really is a place to come early. Also I find the 4% Restaurant Surcharge offensive. I'm aware it's all to common in Chicago, but 4% is on the higher side. Pluses and minuses aside, overall it's a good addition to River North, and I'm sure I'll be back. read more

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Located in the The Godfrey Hotel, the restaurant has great vibes and friendly staff. The food, unfortunately, is underwhelming. It wasn't bad by any means, but it didn't live up to my expectations. We ordered: - Pick 3 Spreads (Humus, Whipped Harissa Feta, & Charred Eggplant) w/Pita 7/10 - Chicken Kabob 7.5/10 - Pork Kabob 8/10 - Cheese Pie 8/10 The spreads were underwhelming but the Pita was really good. The kabobs were tasty, but the rice was lacking. Surprisingly, the Cheese Pie was the star of the show. A crispy pastry filled with feta cheese and had a drizzle of honey. It was a good experience but wouldn't go out of my way to come back. read more

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I loved this place for its happy hour. There are so many great food and drink options. The inside is so elegant and cute, it's the perfect place a nice dinner or happy hour with friends. The food was so delicious. My personal favorite was the beef kofta sauce and the hummus and pita. Will definitely be coming back to try their lunch and/or dinner! read more

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Came here for a happy hour drink and bite. Love that the happy hour specials are daily as well. It was empty on this Saturday afternoon, but the bar seating and decor was beautiful and airy. The tangean sunset drink was a delicious refreshing cocktail, but our hummus was extremely salty. We were asked if we wanted pita or crudite with this, and we asked for a little mix of both. First of all, this wasn't enough for the amount of salty hummus, and then we were charged extra without us knowing because of the mix. When I brought it up to the bartender, she didn't do anything about it either. A restaurant surcharge is also added to the check. Not a great first impression unfortunately. read more

Yasemi, A Modern Mediterranean Restaurant - Tangean sunset drink and hummus during happy hour - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great ambience, service, and food with generous portion sizes. We ordered the dip trio with the hummus, whipped feta, and the charred eggplant all of which were delicious with the pita! The pita was seasoned well and was very thin and light. We also ordered the cheese pie which was presented like 3 empanadas and was also very tasty! I got the mushroom maitake kabob for my main entree which was very flavorful and served with rice! read more

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Really enjoyed my meal here! Went here on a whim because I saw it was on InKind and wanted to check it out. Everything we got came out hot and delicious. The decor is also super welcoming and cute. I cannot wait to come back for their happy hour. The only one thing I'd suggest is maybe having more runners filling up waters as it was difficult to get someone's attention during the meal. read more

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Picked here because we were craving fish, specifically interested in their branzino. Unfortunately the Chicago restaurant week menu did not include their branzino as an option so we just ordered off the regular menu for branzino and salmon and the happy hour menu for the beef kofta and hummus. We came around 4:30PM since we didn't have a reservation and was able to be seated quickly. There were only a few people there at the time. Service was good at the beginning. Food came quickly. But it did lag a bit as we were trying to wrap up. Took a while to get our bill and pay. They have a good amount of staff though for the space. I enjoyed the flavors of the beef kofta. The hummus also has EVOO which added a nice flavor but one pita is so little for the amount of hummus they give. The fish entrees were not as interesting or refined as I was expecting. The branzino was butterflied but the skin was not crispy at all. The meat was closer to medium, not dry but not tender either. The sauce was a bit too heavy, there wasn't anything sharp or refreshing to cut it. The salmon was cooked way too dry. The outside had a bit of a crunchy crust but the overall meat was also hard. The lentils actually helped a lot. It had a bit more brightness and moisture from the tomato paste and some fresh olive taste. The lentils were on the al dente side. Overall the fish dishes weren't particularly interesting in terms of flavor combinations and the meat was on the overcooked side. I was disappointed enough I didn't even want to try their Elmer dessert that initially caught my eye. read more

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Came here for a quick bite during happy hour. Service was okay. Drinks were really good. I had the blood orange Paloma. As for food, I only tried the dip spread and I will come back here for the hummus alone. The best hummus I have had recently. It was just so smooth and delicious. The pita bread was freshly made. They just need to give more pita bread for the amount of spreads they give you, it's not enough. Extra pita bread was around $3 or $4 for 2. read more

Yasemi, A Modern Mediterranean Restaurant - Blood orange paloma - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I came here for Chicago restaurant week and was not impressed by their seafood items. Branzino- the fish was poorly seasoned and the lemon sauce caused it to be too tart. I couldn't taste anything but lemon. Salmon - the fish was overcooked. It was dry when I cut into it and was nothing special. The lentils it came with was too salty and added nothing to the dish. This place is Very expensive for what we got. Service was ok and atmosphere is nice. read more

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Really liked the food, the ambiance, their staff. The only thing they were lacking the service. It was really slow, but maybe, they were short staffed so I understand. Will recommend it to others! read more

Yasemi, A Modern Mediterranean Restaurant - Zucchini fritters, 3 dip sampler, charred cauliflower - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Outstandingly sea bass plaki snd chicken schwarma n baklsva. Chhese pies great too. BEN WAS AN EXCELLENT HOST N SERVER read more

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Very cute place in the Godfrey. The only thing that is good about the Godfrey is this place and the rooftop. I had lunch at Yasemi and had amazing hummus and the pita was delicious! I also had the grilled octopus. A little salty for me but very good. The service was good and I was there on a Tuesday afternoon and it was a slow day. read more

Yasemi, A Modern Mediterranean Restaurant - Grilled octopus - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I feel like this place is a hidden gem. The food is amazing and so fairly priced. The drinks are also great. HIGHLY recommend the beef kofta. The yogurt sauce is to die for! read more

Yasemi, A Modern Mediterranean Restaurant - Dip trio - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My friends and I swung by Yasemi to try to out their restaurant week and A La carte menu. This restaurant is right by the Godfrey Hotel. The ambience was very chic, especially the bar area. We had booked two separate reservations but the server was gracious enough to help accommodate all of us on just one table. We started by ordering some drinks. We tried the Greek espresso martini, the kafe old fashioned, some wine and the non alcoholic version of the kiwi kefi. Surprisingly, the kiwi kefi blew it out of the park and was our favorite drink for the night. From the A La carte menu, we ordered the three dips with pita. We selected the tzatziki, harissa feta and the hummus. These dips came with two pita breads. All the three dips were delicious, especially the hummus with its creamy and earthy taste. The pitas paired with this dip were a delight too, very soft, warm and herby. We then ordered some cheese pie and patatas bravas. The patatas were ok in my opinion but the cheese pie was delicious with its crunchy exterior, whipped feta filling and honey glaze. For the restaurant week menu, my friends tried the chicken and lemon soup which was great, the heirloom salad which was ok, the chicken and the beef kofta which were both really good. The cauliflower bravas were not my favorite but some of my friends loved them. Overall, we were really impressed with the food and the ambience but had to take one star off for the service. Even though our server was very sweet and accommodating, the service was slow. We had to wait quite a bit to get water for the table and for our dishes to come out. Nevertheless, this restaurant is definitely on the top of my list for Mediterranean restaurants in Chicago now. A must try! read more

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Came to yasemi with my mom on a Thursday night, and while there wasn't many people when we first seated more showed up as it got later. It still wasn't super busy for Thursday night, but I'm sure this will become a busy place once people realize how delicious it is!! This restaurant is attached to the Godfrey hotel, but is very much its own space. We started with the three dip sampler and pita bread. The hummus is amazing so is the avocado dip. I recommend them both and make sure to order extra pita because they are made in house and absolutely delicious. The beet and burrata salad and the crispy potatoes were also a stand out for appetizers. We also ordered the cheese pies and the zucchini fritters and they were tasty, but I think my favorite has to still be the beets and the spreads! After eating all these appetizers, we were pretty stuffed for main courses, but we still ordered the salmon and octopus. The octopus was the most tender flavorful octopus I've had in a long time! This was a standout dish for sure. The salmon was great too. I was just stuffed at the point that I couldn't enjoy it as much as I should have. The service was phenomenal and the staff were super helpful when we had questions. The chef was friendly and even came and stopped by and asked how we were enjoying things. He is from Greece and it shows with authentic and tasty everything was. They even brought us a free dessert on the house, which was one of my favorite dishes of the night. It was a decadent white chocolate rice pudding, and it was to die for! So glad I got to try it. I'm super happy this restaurant opened because it such a modern chic aesthetic in the middle of river north, but you feel transported to an upscale island hotel. They also have a great happy hour deal that is worth stopping by for from 4 to 6 PM. I'm actually going back to yasemi and I'm so excited to eat here again! Can't wait to try their lunch and breakfast next. read more

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Review is more like a 3.5 but I rounded up because the pita was probably the best in the city. I'm not sure what seasoning they put atop it but I truly put it into the stratosphere. It's adjacent to a hotel lobby so be prepared for all that comes with that including children dining in the pajamas. It's worth nothing that the ceviche had extremely bold flavor as well. Chicken as well as the cheese pies were merely ok, the chicken had a delectable texture to the skin but the cheese pie was utterly flavorless. In closing come for the pita & then leave. read more

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Yasemi has a stylish, spacious interior that's perfect for catching up with friends--whether you're grabbing a drink at the bar or settling into a cozy table for a casual meal. The drinks were solid, and the broccolini stood out with its freshness and flavor. The chicken kebab, on the other hand, was a bit dry, and some of the fresh veggies leaned bitter. Service was just okay--not particularly warm, but not rude either. It's not a "wow" spot, but if you're nearby and want something convenient and decently put together, it's not a bad choice. read more

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Our experience at Yasemi was amazing. Service was on the chill side. Not much engagement with us. Luckily I do my research and already knew what I wanted. All of the food was amazing but the stars of our visit were the oysters and the octopus. The octopus was so tender and very nicely flavored. I got it as an entree. The oysters were a great starter. We both thought they were very refreshing and packed with flavor. They were very decent sized oysters as well. read more

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Love the ambiance here! Definitely a cool spot for a nice date with the decor and lighting. The service was nice and attentive, I think the water guy filled up our glasses like twenty times. The spreads were awesome! We tried the traditional hummus, Harissa and avo tzatziki. My favorite was the harissa. Pita was fresh and well seasoned. The fish was also delicious and they had a lot of other options in terms of meat and seafood! Highly recommend! read more

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Yasemi is one of the newest gems in River North, tucked inside the Godfrey IO, and it has already won me over! The modern Mediterranean flavors, beautifully plated dishes, excellent service, and vibrant atmosphere make this a spot worth visiting again and again. What We Ordered & Loved: Spreads Sampler (3 choices - a must!) Whipped Harissa Feta - Creamy, slightly spicy, and perfectly tangy with EVOO. Loved the balance of flavors! Tzatziki Avocado - One of my absolute favorites! The Greek yogurt and avocado blend made it extra smooth and refreshing. Charred Eggplant - Smoky, garlicky, and packed with Mediterranean goodness. Mezze: Cheese Pie - So crispy on the outside, so delicious on the inside! The combination of feta, truffle honey, and nigella seeds was perfection. Pro tip: Pairing it with the Whipped Harissa Feta makes it even better! Large Plate: Maitake Mushroom with Charred Eggplant - One of the juiciest, most flavorful dishes of the night. The mushrooms melted in my mouth, and the charred eggplant added such a deep, smoky touch. Dessert - DO NOT SKIP! Ekmek - This dessert was unreal! Soft challah, mastic cream, candied pistachio, lemon Chantilly, and raspberry coulis--every bite was pure heaven. It's a must-try before it sells out! Overall Experience: Delicious, fresh, and creative Mediterranean flavors Perfectly executed dishes with great portion sizes Excellent service--friendly, attentive, and welcoming Great vibe--modern, stylish, yet cozy I will definitely be back to try more from their dinner menu, and I'm especially excited to check out their breakfast and lunch offerings as well! Yasemi is a new favorite, and if you haven't been yet, you're missing out! read more

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We held a team dinner at Yasemi this week - group of over 30 from all over the country. Chef George and the staff were absolutely amazing. Everything we asked for in prepping for the event was . Food was incredible - the chef timed the delivery of the pitas coming out to perfection. We did a custom pre-fixe menu - literally every dish was fantastic, but the chicken, shrimp and branzino were definite favorites. Service was impeccable - quick, attentive and also keen to notice when to slow down and let people enjoy too. Even the rice pudding was fabulous, and they even accommodated a special request for plain rice pudding with cinnamon (rave reviews on that too)! And then to find out that they just opened! Amazing. Would definitely be back anytime I'm in the area, whether with a group or not. Thanks so much to everyone! read more

Not recommending this restaurant. I ordered an AEGEAN SUNSET MOCKTAIL because I'm highly allergic to alcohol. The server assured me it was non-alcoholic, but it turned out to be a cocktail. Thirty minutes later I felt very sick, with my heart racing, and nearly passed out. The manager confirmed the wrong drink had been entered. My friends had to help carry me home. This was frightening, careless, and could have been life-threatening. I cannot recommend this restaurant after such a careless mistake with something as serious as an allergy. read more

Elevated, creative riffs on Med classics. Perfect ingredients and calibrated spices. Roomy, atmospheric space. Adequate service. Well worth the spend. read more

Yasemi, A Modern Mediterranean Restaurant - Airy space - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Yasemi brings a modern Mediterranean experience to life with a menu full of vibrant flavors and beautifully presented dishes. The food is undoubtedly the highlight here--fresh, delicious, and thoughtfully composed. Every plate we tried reflected a well-balanced approach to seasoning and authentic ingredients that elevate the overall dining experience. The cocktails were also a pleasant surprise--well-crafted and complementary to the cuisine. However, the service leaves room for improvement. Even during less busy hours, there was no host or hostess in sight to greet or seat guests, which created a somewhat awkward start. Once seated, the servers were polite but lacked the kind of energy and engagement that can make a meal feel memorable. A bit more warmth, menu guidance, and enthusiasm would go a long way in enhancing the guest experience. That said, the runners deserve credit for doing an excellent job--efficient, attentive, and clearly in tune with the pace of the dining room. read more