Aba — Restaurant in West Chicago Township

I really wanted to like this place and enjoy a dinner, so I’m pretty sad to write this review but felt really compelled to. I travel a lot and one of my favorite things to do is go to nice restaurants and eat great food/chat.

I came to aba to enjoy an early dinner on my own after a few people recommended the place. There are so many wonderful restaurant options in the area, but I thought i’d give this one a try and was genuinely excited to. I was very disappointed in the experience, as someone who is usually very easy to please.

Upon arriving, I walked in, no one will greet you. I stood right in front of the hostess table. there were 4-5 people there working. NONE of them will even look at/acknowledge you or tell you to wait just a minute (i’m happy to wait of course). I was confused and then thought I might be in the wrong place. They were all stressing over a couple computers and the energy was super off. I eventually asked one host who was standing on the side of that table if this is where I can check in etc and she said yes….she told me I can just go sit at the bar to eat and pointed. The others completely ignored me. No problem, I went to sit there as I was really hungry.

I sat at the bar and this is the part where I actually wish I changed my mind and went elsewhere. At the bar it took almost 10 minutes for someone to come and just say hello and offer a menu, there were three people working the bar and none would make eye contact. The server who gave me a menu, his energy was like he could not be bothered 😕 I felt bad to be there honestly. He gave me the menu, said he’d be back with my order soon, but i never saw him again.

I sat for a little while before someone working finally came and asked if they could get me a drink. I said please I’d like to order some food as I’m hungry and been here over 30mn now at the bar without anyone taking my order.

I ordered the lamb kefta kebab with brussels sprouts and some stracciatella as they were recommended…

The Kebab came before the appetizer (at this point i was super hungry so it’s fine, and I’m happy to eat them together). The dish looked and tasted soooo sad honestly. No life, just brown. Four pieces of dull meat and a bunch of blackened burnt brussels sprouts. the sprouts were lacking salt, coming from me that’s saying a lot because at home I don’t even cook with salt and barely use it. I tried to squeeze on some lemon to help the burnt and really oily taste but even the lemon sliver given with the plate was literally so tiny. The yogurt sauce with the dish was really nice, but it was finished quick as I was dipping the dry meat in it. I’d give that dish a 2.5/10

The stracciatella was WAY too salty 😭 , the pesto on top tasted a lot like the jarred ones you can find at a wholesaler. I’d give it a 3/10, the peaches and my hunger saved the dish truly.

I did wait a bit before eating because I wanted to mention something and I was also really happy to change my order and pay for a different dish, but no one wanted to come by or make eye contact (again i’m sitting at the bar so, it should be easy to converse). i got really turned off by the attitude and experience so i just ate what i could (left a bunch) i paid my tab and left. I think the girl noticed I was a bit annoyed and unimpressed when I finally asked for my tab, she didn’t really ask me any questions just quickly gave me a bill, probably wanted to avoid any trouble or asking how things were etc.

I will say the space is pretty, but I just cannot imagine ever coming back or recommending this place to anyone. Maybe my choices off the menu were off (I asked for recommendations so…) or maybe I came in an off time? I don’t know. My biggest regret was not leaving after standing in front of the hostess table awkwardly for a few minutes and my second regret was not leaving the bar after sitting for a while waiting for someone to come by.

I spent almost 100$ on a couple mediocre dishes and some of the worst service i’ve ever had in a Chicago restaurant. Left feeling very sad and...

Edit: Gave this place a second chance and the food was much better this time around. Nothing was overly salty, overcooked or a let down. The only thing I'd probably say was less than amazing was the Chicken Wings and the Falafel. The wings weren't bad, but it wasn't exceptional spectacular either. It wouldn't warrant me to order that, especially for that price. The Falafels were quite hard. I wasn't expecting extra crispy. I was with two other people and we all had a hard time trying to stick our forks into it. That's the only item we left unfinished out of 10 dishes (including desserts).Honestly speaking, I feel like everything should've been perfect the first time around, but that's what second chances are for. For whatever reason my first experience wasn't the best, I'm glad the second one was much better. This time around, I ordered completely different things than my previous visit. The only thing I repeated was the Pork Belly Orzo, I could eat that every time I go and never get sick/tired of it.

I was possibly over-hyped about this place and was underwhelmed by the quality of the food. Every item was either hit or miss for taste/flavor. To start off, the menu feels misleading with the ingredients. I know that it's not all encompassing of all ingredients in any dish; however, some should be highlighted more than others. To start, the Green Bean and Sugar Snap Pea Spread (not pictured) was cold. It's not an item listed as hot or cold, you would presume at least room temperature at this point. This dish was more sour than anything, but complimented the pita bread very nicely. The Hamachi sashimi was refreshing but had too much acidity. I did ask for the server's recommendation between the Kanpachi and the Hamachi and she did state that it would have more Winter citrus flavors to it. The next two items were actually really good: Pork Belly Orzo and Leg of Lamb wrapped in Eggplant. I really enjoyed the Pork Belly with Orzo. The leg of lamb was a bit over shadowed by the sauce. I could barely taste the actual lamb within the dish. The next dish was the Black Garlic Shrimp Scampi; too salty by itself. It is accompanied by pita, so I highly recommend eating it with it, as intended, do not attempt to have it by itself. Moving onto the next dish, the Chicken Kebab (not pictured), wasn't good or bad, it was just what you'd expect of it. There was no anticipation or let down by the flavors presented by the dish. The basmati rice was very well flavored, may be a bit too heavily at the bottom. It have soaked up majority of the juices from the kebab prior to being served. The Lamb Chops were a definite disappointment. I had asked for medium, and the chops came out medium rare. This isn't a very big issue, but would have preferred it to have come out as requested. On that same point, it was overly charred. There was a thick crust of burnt seasoning on two of the three chops (an additional one was added as it is normally served with just two, I had a party of three, thus the additional piece.) I had also ordered a side of Brussel Sprouts, it was definitely overly cooked. Either deep fried or pan fried, whatever the kitchen did, it came out looking a bit too crispy. You could taste the burnt with every bite. Lastly, the dessert was a small redeeming factor, the Creme Brulee Cake. I personally enjoyed it, needless to say, I do very much enjoy sweets. Overall though, I'd possibly give this place another shot, but I don't see myself going out of my way to make another appearance here. The interior is stunning though. If you want a nice place to look around and care more about the atmosphere than the food, then I definitely...

Aba Restaurant truly exceeded our expectations and took our dining experience to a whole new level. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm smiles and impeccable service that continued throughout the entire evening.

The food at Aba is simply outstanding. We started our culinary adventure with the Muhammara, and its rich flavors of roasted red peppers and walnuts were absolutely divine. The crispy potatoes were a delightful treat, perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection. The green falafel had a crisp exterior and a moist, flavorful center, making it an instant favorite.

One of the highlights of our meal was the grilled cauliflower, which was a masterpiece of flavors and textures. The cauliflower was tender and smoky, perfectly complemented by the accompanying sauces. The chicken and Kefta were both succulent and expertly seasoned, showcasing the culinary expertise of the chefs.

To accompany our meal, we enjoyed the refreshing "Give me life" drink, which was a perfect blend of flavors that truly invigorated our senses. Additionally, the Mango Cart Beer was a delightful choice that added a touch of tropical goodness to our dining experience.

The ambiance at Aba is enchanting. The contemporary and stylish decor, combined with the warm and inviting atmosphere, created an unforgettable setting for our meal. The attention to detail in every aspect of the restaurant's design is evident, from the comfortable seating to the elegant lighting.

Last but not least, the service at Aba was exceptional. The staff members were attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, ensuring that every aspect of our dining experience was exceptional. They were more than happy to answer our questions, provide recommendations, and make sure we felt truly pampered.

Overall, our visit to Aba Restaurant was a culinary journey that left us in awe. The incredible food, top-notch service, and charming ambiance make this establishment a true gem in the heart of Chicago. We can't wait to return and explore more of their delectable offerings. Highly recommended to all food enthusiasts seeking an extraordinary dining experience.

Oh and how can I forget Sticky Date Cake and Chocolate Chocolate Cake. They were also very delicious

Note: This review is based on a personal dining experience and reflects our...