Ema — Restaurant in Chicago

An Exquisite Culinary Experience at EMA Restaurant Chicago

Rating: ★★★★★

I recently had the pleasure of dining at EMA Restaurant in Chicago, and I must say, it was an extraordinary experience that left me thoroughly impressed. From the moment I stepped through the doors, I knew I was in for something special. EMA effortlessly blends warm hospitality, a chic ambiance, and an inspired Mediterranean-inspired menu that truly delights the senses.

Ambiance: The restaurant's interior design struck the perfect balance between modern elegance and a welcoming atmosphere. The use of warm earthy tones, soft lighting, and tasteful decor creates an inviting and cozy setting. The spacious layout ensures a comfortable dining experience without feeling crowded, making it ideal for intimate dinners or gathering with friends.

Service: The service at EMA was impeccable from start to finish. The staff was not only attentive but also incredibly knowledgeable about the menu and offered fantastic recommendations. They were eager to accommodate any dietary preferences or allergies, and their genuine enthusiasm added to the overall pleasant atmosphere.

Cuisine: The star of the show was undoubtedly the exceptional Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. The menu boasts a wide array of dishes, each presented with artistic flair and precision. The use of fresh, high-quality ingredients shines through in every bite. As a vegetarian, I was delighted to find numerous plant-based options that were just as exciting and flavorful as the meat-based dishes.

The highlight of the meal was the Mezze Platter - a selection of vibrant spreads, fresh pita, and marinated olives that provided a delightful burst of flavors and textures. The Cauliflower "Shawarma" with tahini, pine nuts, and pickled onions was a revelation and a testament to the chef's creativity.

The entrees were equally exceptional. The Grilled Branzino was perfectly cooked, flaky, and accompanied by a zesty lemon-caper vinaigrette that elevated the dish to new heights. The Lamb Kebabs were tender and succulent, bursting with Mediterranean spices that left a lingering, memorable taste.

Desserts: EMA's dessert offerings were the perfect ending to an already outstanding meal. The house-made Baklava was a delightful combination of flaky pastry and sweet, nutty goodness. Equally impressive was the Chocolate Hazelnut Tart, a rich and decadent treat that had me savoring every bite.

Beverages: EMA's selection of wines and cocktails complemented the meal perfectly. The wine list featured an impressive range of Mediterranean and local varietals, expertly chosen to pair with the diverse flavors on the menu. The crafted cocktails were refreshing and well-balanced, offering a delightful accompaniment to the meal.

Overall, EMA Restaurant in Chicago left a lasting impression on me, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. From the ambiance and service to the extraordinary culinary creations, everything was top-notch. Whether you're a fan of Mediterranean cuisine or simply looking for an unforgettable dining experience, EMA is a must-visit destination that will leave you eager to...

Restaurants that are a part of the Lettuce Entertain You Group (including Ema) are very consistent - good service, fun atmosphere, slightly above average food, and diligent about allergies and intolerances.

This is the second time I've gone to Ema, and we went to celebrate a birthday. When we sat down, I informed the waitress of my soy intolerance (including soybean oil) and she assured me I will be safe and she will make sure everything we order is soy free. Before & after we ordered, she communicated with me about what I could & could not eat. I was not able to order anything that is fried, but most other items would be okay (with little to no modifications). They even offered to make me oven-baked versions of their potatoes and brussel sprouts.

We started out with drinks. I got the "Slow Cheetah," which was similar to a fancy margarita, and was just what I wanted. My friend got "Love that for You;" this was too sweet for me, but it was perfect for her.

For food, we ordered the house-made stracciatella, hummus with lamb ragu, and delicata squash farro. The stracciatella was the highlight of the meal; the cheese has a wonderful flavor, and it goes so well with the little garlic bread and the tomatoes. The farro was creamy and reminded me of a risotto; they modified this dish to be soy-friendly by leaving out the fried sage, so I added a little pepper to my dish. The hummus with lamb ragu was good, but it was on the saltier side and some of the pita had too many spices. If I returned, I would order the stracciatella and farro again, but probably pass on the hummus with lamb.

For dessert, we split the sticky date cake. I tried this cake the first time I went here, and it blew my mind. This time the caramelized sugar on top was a little over done and that added a slight burnt taste to the cake. As we were there for a birthday, the waitress gave us a free white chocolate rice pudding (which was the waitress's favorite dessert). We never would have ordered this, but it was delicious. Not too sweet, very light and fluffy, and loaded with fresh berries. I enjoyed dipping the date cake in the rice pudding.

I recommend getting an earlier reservation at Ema. The food comes out as it is ready, and this can take a little bit of time if they are busy or are being extra diligent about food allergies. Our entire experiences was...

Daughter was excited to take me out for a special Mother’s Day outing at this restaurant. Mother daughter time is a rarity with my lifestyle. Arrived early to a full restaurant with several outside tables available. Seated 25 minutes after reservation , hostess never smiled once, no greeting or welcoming. Never mind waiter had great smile when he came 10 minutes later. Very friendly especially with my daughter when at table. We saw him approx 4 times during our meal. Two of those my daughter had to ask for him. Because we were forgotten most of meal though people sitting right next us had same waiter - larger party . Because waiter was so inattentive I ordered a coffee and wine at same time at first chance and thought I would definitely get my wine with meal. Nope. Almost completely done with meal before he came by to ask how everything was … my daughter had to go to bar to order me a Mother’s Day beverage. You’d think even once even one employee would say Happy Mothers Day or ???? Weird because it was pretty obvious through out the establishment and…

Cheers to the chef. Fish ( Halibut) and chicken were amazing tasting and presentation lovely. I’d pass on Hamachi appetizer its size equal one card from a deck. Forgettable paper thin but with more water cress /greenery definitely not worth the $$$.

Kudos to the amazing busser who took care of every ask and was organized busting his but while being kind, professional and calm.

Beautiful and amazing interior design and ambience a perfect spot for a girls night out or date night.

We pushed through after many long pauses for drinks and food and enjoyed each others company making the best of our time together. I understand it was busy but others before and after got much better service, my daughter was apologetic to me and need not be. I’ll try it again another time because everyone has their off days.

If you need accessibility this might not be the place as restroom is in the hotel next door and it would be a tight space to navigate with walker or chair. My experience ended with the ladies restroom which had used paper and garbage strewn throughout and on the floor both inside and in hallway outside both soap dispensers empty and some stalls without the essentials. Not quite my idea of “upscale” . Lots of room for improvement. Maybe just...