Ema recently became a favorite place to meet my friends after work and recommend to my family to try when they are in Chicago. Ema's location makes it easy for me and my two best friends to meet up as we are coming from three different parts of the city. Also, being close to downtown makes it easy for visitors to find in the city.
I picked Ema for a weekday get-together because the food is light but satisfying. The menu is set up for each person to order a few plates and share. Do not miss ordering the hummus and crispy potatoes.
The cocktail Fog Over Rio impressed me and I was delighted to share a bottle of wine from Lebanon (I am part Lebanese) with my friends. The atmosphere is bright and laid back. Reservations are recommended as I was here on a Monday night and we waited 15 minutes with a reservation. This is also a "Lettuce Entertain You" restaurant, so you can earn points.
If you do not know what "Lettuce Entertain You" is and you live in or visit Chicago often, sign up for an account. The staff at Ema can help you and you will be on your way to earn $ off your next dinner out.
Find your way with 116 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
The lentils are filling and creamy; the veggies are lightly cooked and nourishing; the injera bread is the perfect balance of slightly tangy and spongey.
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OMI has many good menu options, but their Japanese dessert toast is their all-star. Think of it as a fluffy French toast served with vanilla ice cream.
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Choose from multigrain sourdough, their house sourdough and miso rye sourdough; pastry choices include croissants, morning buns, and fruit danishes.
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Momos are bite-sized dumplings from Nepal and Tibet, usually filled with meat that is seasoned with spices like turmeric, garlic, cumin, and chili peppers.
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Their bread that has the perfect ratio of chewy on the inside and crispy on the outside. The 1979 multigrain sourdough is some of the best bread I've had!
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They are arguably most known for their "Kurdish breakfast" an elaborate spread of cheese, jams, fried cheese, olives, fries, cucumbers, tomatoes and bread.
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The tent is run by Adan, who mans the booth entirely alone. His ingredients are kept fresh in coolers which are grilled on the spot in front of customers.
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There are many pastry options like croissants, an assortment of macaron flavors, fruit danishes, quiches... My favorites are the fruit-stuffed beignets!
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While most croissants are buttery and flakey, the ones at Hendrickx are denser and chewier. In my opinion, this makes them even better.
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BULSHO serves a traditional Somalian breakfast that is comprised of seasoned meat or veggie stew served with anjero - a fermented flatbread.
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Start with a freshly steeped cup of sweet mint tea, a staple of any Senegalese meal. Then order fataya, triangular fried pastries with a savory filling.
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I absolutely adore coming to Chiu Quon Bakery right when it opens and devouring their sweet and savory buns and steamed dumplings. Delicious!
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116 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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