At Ēma, the name of the game is mezze, the style of small-plates dining popular across the eastern Mediterranean from Greece and Turkey through Lebanon and Israel, each with its own spin. Chef CJ Jaco…
Ema: Where Your Taste Buds Take a Mediterranean Vacation
Ema is the kind of place that makes you feel fancy just for walking in. I sat down, ordered my feast, and instantly knew I was about to experience something life-changing. Let’s break it down:
Faroe Island Salmon Kebab: This isn’t just salmon on a stick. No, this is art. Perfectly cooked, tender, and so flavorful that I briefly considered starting a petition to rename it “Faroe Island Gold.” If salmon could flex, this one would be on Instagram showing off.
Hummus with Lamb Ragu: Forget peanut butter and jelly—this is the ultimate duo. The creamy hummus was so smooth it could moonlight as a jazz saxophonist, and the lamb ragu was the rich, meaty hug it didn’t know it needed. I contemplated licking the bowl but decided to retain some dignity (barely).
Brussels Sprouts with Honeycrisp Apples: Ema just said, “What if we took the vegetable everyone pretended to hate and made it the star?” The honeycrisp apples added a sweet crunch, and suddenly I was googling “Can I marry a side dish?”
Chicken Kefta Kebab: Tender, juicy, and spiced so perfectly that I started a personal relationship with this kebab. Every bite felt like a love letter to my mouth. I wanted to shout, “WHO MADE THIS?” but I didn’t want to get weird looks.
Ema is like that friend who’s effortlessly chic but also fun and approachable. It’s not just dinner; it’s a lesson in how to live your best life. Would I go back? Absolutely. I’m already planning my next meal—and maybe some therapy to process how good it all was.
K
Kate G
3 contributions
7/25/24
• DoorDash order
I hadn't ordered from Ema in a while; I normally order from their other restaurant Aba, as it is a slightly more extensive menu. I got the Lamb & Beef Kefta Kebab (like I usually get from Aba) and it was a salt bomb. I like salt. But the rice was incredibly salty and the meat was incredibly salty. It was actually inedible. My hope is that it was just an off night in the kitchen. Regardless, I'll stick with Aba to be on the safe side.
I'm giving this three stars instead of two, b/c the Sticky Date Cake was delicious.
E
Elana T
Local Expert • 18 contributions
5/14/24
• DoorDash order
The chicken kebabs and side of grilled chicken were delicious. All the veggies and lemons were so fresh. Best Greek takeout in Chicago.
K
Kendall R
Emerging Expert • 7 contributions
11/13/23
• DoorDash order
One of the best meals I've ever had! I ordered the Faroe Island Salmon Kebab and the House-Made Labneh with sides of crudite and their house bread. Everything tasted so good and fresh - I can't believe it's taken me so long to eat at this place!
A
Anne N
11 contributions
9/15/24
• DoorDash order
Unfortunately, the deliver is just not as good. Part of the issue are the dressings and sauces. I cannot post the pics but both the salad dressing and sour cream sauce for the potatoes were less than a third full. A whole salad and I have one of those little tiny plastic cups one third full of dressing to use. I just spent way too much money to not even be able to eat an entire salad with dressing. Nothing tastes as good and the rice was hard when it arrived.
