Ēma

2 days ago
1 min read

Ēma is a Mediterranean restaurant tucked in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, and I was excited to finally try it for dinner. To start the evening, I ordered the Slow Cheetah cocktail made with Dos Hombres mezcal, Fresno chile, pineapple, lime, and coriander. Bold, spicy, and balanced with a hint of tropical sweetness, it was exactly the kind of cocktail I love to kick off a meal.

Slow Cheetah cocktail with Dos Hombres mezcal, Fresno chile, pineapple, lime, and coriander at Ēma in River North, Chicago.

For starters, we tried two of the most popular items: the Lamb Ragu Hummus and the Charred Eggplant, both served with fresh pita bread. These dips were rich, creamy, and full of bold flavor, but the lamb ragu hummus quickly became the favorite at the table.

Lamb ragu hummus served with fresh pita bread at Ēma Mediterranean restaurant in Chicago.

Charred eggplant dip served with fresh pita bread at Ēma in River North, Chicago.

For the main dishes, we ordered the Falafel with beet tzatziki, tahini, and lemon zest, as well as the Chicken Kefta with lemon, olive oil, and tzatziki. The falafel was perfectly crispy on the outside, tender inside, while the chicken kefta was juicy, seasoned perfectly, and paired wonderfully with the fresh, tangy tzatziki.