Beautiful restaurant, it does look like a common tiktok restaurant. It was hard for us to get a reservation, so when we had a chance we took it. Nothing spectacular for the customer service. The short rib hummus was the top dish exploding with awesome flavor. The scallops were a little overcooked but were a nice mix. The chicken kebab was easily better than the steak and lamb. I personally enjoy when restaurants use wood fire to cook. The kebabs did not taste like they were. read more

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My favorite restaurant in Chicago! I love everything on the menu, but especially the salmon kabob. The ambiance is amazing and I absolutely love the interior design. Great for a girls night out! Also wonderful service read more

Aba has always been my favorite from ambience to service to food. My favorite is thr charred eggplant with thr most perfect garlic flavor paired with their homemade naan. Crispy short ribs hummus is also amazing although this time i visited, the dish was on the saltier side. For main you can never go wrong with their kabob and for dessert thr passionfruit semifreddo is soooo heavenly good! I savored every bite of it and can eat 2 or more. Its creamy yet not heavy to the point where you want to stop eating after 2 bites. The citrus flavor was perfect and it was the perfect end to the meal. read more

The service here was amazing and all the waiters and waitresses were kind and very attending. Definitely make a reservation to make sure that you're going to be seated! The ambiance was exquisite and everything you want on a Chicago Friday night. Me and my friend loved the views we got to see and the area is awesome to walk around after. The food was some of the best we've ever had. The short rib hummus melted in your mouth and the pita is so flavorful with the zaatar. She feta on the fries tasted so fresh. HIGHLY recommend aba for a date night, girls night out, or even a casual dinner. It will be your new favorite spot! I will definitely be going back on my next trip to Chicago. read more

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Stunning interior with Mediterranean vibes - lots of greenery and beautiful lighting. Grabbed dinner here on a Friday night and it was packed! Muhammara (5/5) - spicy, smoky! Soo good, a must try Crispy Brussels Sprouts (5/5) - Perfectly charred with a delicious sweet-spicy glaze Smoky Garlic Hummus (4.5/5) - Silky smooth with fresh, fluffy pita Grilled Cauliflower Kebab (4/5) - Charred and seasoned, was light but still so flavorful. The rice was surprising flavorful as well Mediterranean Mule (4/5) - Refreshing with a nice Mediterranean twist Aloe? It's Me (4.5/5) - Creative and refreshing! Service was polished and knowledgeable. Perfect for special occasions or date night. Definitely make reservations! Can't wait to be back when in Chicago again. read more

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The service is excellent! They are attentive and very accommodating. The ambiance of the residents beautiful! Our seats were comfortable and spacious. The food was not that good. I ordered the beef and lamb kebab, it was dry but the rice was decent. The creamy cucumber sauce was refreshing. My friend ordered the salmon kebab, they stated they liked it and finished their whole plate. I ordered prosecco, it was tasty! read more

Aba - Grilled Salmon Kebab - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The food and spices were amazing, and the food was fresh. It had a very extensive cocktail menu with good drinks. It is pricey, but it has a nice low rooftop with blankets and heaters if it's chilly, and you still want to sit outside. The service was spot on and very attentive read more

An absolutely beautiful and delicious restaurant! I came here solo and managed to get a reservation for a table in their covered patio. Don't be worried about getting cold - it's fully covered with heaters so it basically feels like you're indoors. There are lush decorations and dim lighting throughout, and it's such a nice vibe. I got the crispy short rib hummus to start, which was one of the best things I think I've eaten. The short rib was indeed crispy - I have no idea how they did that - and it was also really juicy which paired so well with the hummus. The pita bread they provided on the side was also so flavorful with an herby salt seasoning, and was super soft. It was the perfect side to get all the delicious short rib and jus in one bite. For my main I got the pork belly - this was two thick strips of pork belly, sat on top of a spicy sausage-type meat and some apple slices. It was slightly spicy but so flavorful, and I could not stop eating this either. Both dishes were so good that I was surprised by the amount I was able to finish! Service was so friendly and patient, and everything about the experience was lovely. I would highly recommend this spot for small groups and solo diners - so amazing! read more

Aba - Pork Belly - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Aba is a beautiful restaurant with indoor and outdoor tables. The entrance is not obvious. Look for black double doors with small white writing to its left, and then take the elevator up to the third floor. You will feel like you were transported to a new botanical world. The food is modern Mediterranean. I got the lamb and beef kefta kebabs and they were delicious. They were seasoned well and had a nice char on the outside. The rice that came with it was also fragrant with lemon and dill. The drippings from the kebabs made the rice even more tasty. I also got the asparagus and pea hummus. I thought it was hummus made with asparagus and pea, but it was just plain hummus topped with asparagus and pea. It was good, but slightly more acidic than I am used to. Their pita bread was thick and fluffy. I could chow down on their pita bread even without any hummus. My dessert, kataifi carrot cake, was a Mediterranean take on the American carrot cake. The cashew cream cheese for the frosting was a nice change. I did wish for a little more kataifi, as I like those crunchy pastry threads; for this dessert, it seemed to be only garnish. read more

Love the vibes here! The outdoor space is gorgeous and leveled up when they upgraded the seating. Inside is just a pretty and the menu is great! Something for everyone no matter what your dietary restrictions are and a great happy hour. Always have had great service here too. I'd take my friends, coworkers or family here any day. read more

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Had an amazing dinner here and everything from the food to the ambiance made it a memorable night. We ordered the halibut ceviche, classic hummus, char-grilled lamb chops, kataifi carrot cake, and sticky date cake--and everything was really solid. The ceviche was fresh and flavorful, and the lamb chops were cooked perfectly--tender with a delicious sauce that brought everything together. The kataifi carrot cake was just okay for me--slightly dry--but the sticky date cake made up for it with its rich caramel flavor. We sat out on the patio at night, and the vibe was great--cozy lighting, thoughtful decor, and an overall relaxed atmosphere. Service was friendly and helpful, though there were a few longer waits between check-ins. Still, I'd definitely come back for both the food and the setting. read more

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I haven't been to Aba in a few years and it was the perfect first date night to have with my husband after the birth of our daughter a few months ago. We started with the Short Rib Hummus and it still slays like it did the last time. I actually asked my husband if it would be crass of me to lick the bowl..apparently it would be but I also threw the restaurant etiquette out the window for that hummus. The bread is super flavorful and fluffy as well. We decided to split the pork belly and the crab cakes as our main. The pork belly was crispy and melted in my mouth at the same time. The crab cakes are a bit on the smaller side and also pack a bit of a spicy kick to them. We also shared the Black Truffle Orzo and it was soooo good. It was like truffle Mac & Cheese with orzo instead of pasta. A lot of black truffle flavor which I love. It was baked with lots of chunky and fine breadcrumbs and super cheesy. Our server was kind, gracious and took great care of us. Aba will always be a restaurant to recommend to others when looking for a delicious meal and for a fair price. read more

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Upscale Mediterranean restaurant with good food and service. Great interiors and decor make up for a cozy vibe and they also have great outdoor seating too. The lamb chops were amazing, and the food overall did not disappoint. There was a bit of a faux pas on the host side initially for our wait time and overall service but they quickly redeemed themselves with friendly service and good food. read more

Aba is a bit difficult to find. I was right in front of it and didn't even realize it. Once inside a small lobby and an elevator ride, I finally found the place. Aba is gorgeous. Dark and tropical, it creates a mood perfect to enjoy friends, cocktails and a meal. Our server was efficient but did not make an impression. He was doing his job but did not really add to our interactions. We tried several things and enjoyed everything. I loved how fresh and interesting everything was. I would love to return once it is rooftop patio season. read more

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The ambiance and atmosphere is unbeatable. Very trendy look and also very cozy with the dim lights and greenery surrounding the tables. The service is always very helpful and always asks about allergies and makes great suggestions. The food never misses. The whipped feta was good but very basic compared to the other spreads so if you want something a bit less seasoned or unique tasting this is a good starter and you can never go wrong with feta. The pumpkin hummus is a seasonal dish and it was very good. Unlike the feta spread this spread comes hot instead of cold and had a sprinkle of nutmeg on top which makes it sweet. The seeds on top are great. The short rib hummus is one of the best still and highly recommend that one. I recommend this place to all my friends for date night or even a girls night and I'm definitely coming back. read more

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The food was tasty but not a good value! We ordered Lamb and Beef Kafta which were as tasty but three small meatballs with some rice for almost $25 is a little much. The grilled chicken kebab was very juicy and cooked well and seasoned nicely but again for $24! And the crispy potatoes were very good again not a good value! Probably won't be back! Service was good is was done when they said. Can't say anything about the ambiance got carry out but it seemed like a hopping place!! read more

Here is my gluten free review First of all, they have a great gluten-free menu, which is very extensive so if you are celiac like me, it should be a place you consider That the ambience was fantastic. The food was fantastic. And the staff was fantastic. We really enjoyed our meal. We started out with the Japanese sweet potato spread, which I would encourage. They serve it with gluten-free chips. We also got the short rib shaShuka and the brussels sprouts The short ribs were fantastic, and the brussels sprouts were OK. Honestly, the Brussels spouts were a little too sweet. For dessert, we had a Greek yogurt frozen. They bought it to us and it was great. I am also posting a photo of the gluten-free menu. So look through the photos for menu and look for the one with my fist in the upper right hand corner to make it easy to spot. I will be back !! read more

Aba - Gluten free menu - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

So lucky to get a rooftop reservation last minute for an early dinner with family in the Fulton Market District. Aba means dad in Hebrew. Their sister restaurant, Ema, which means mom is also amazing. Happy Hour is from 4-6 Sunday to Thursday. Ordered three of the four Happy Hour appetizers to start. Definitely get the Our Favorite Spreads. Whipped Feta. Charred Eggplant. Classic Hummus. So good. Served with baskets of warm sesame pita, it was a delicious starter. The Crispy Halloumi was so tasty. Warm halloumi perfectly crisp served with labneh and honey. Dip the fried cheese into the honey and labneh, yum! The Dolma Tuna Rolls were so unique. They have a bit of a kick. Halibut Ceviche? Yes!! Halibut cured with red plums, cucumbers, and corn with a passion fruit leche de Tigre. Served with a basket of gluten free crackers, amazing!! Add a kabob. The beef and lamb kabob served with basmati rice and tzatziki is such a classic. Save room for dessert. The crème brûlée pie served with a strawberry rhubarb compote was the most satisfying finish to an excellent dinner. Loved the outdoor rooftop seating. Service was great. Food comes out as it is ready tapas style and is perfect for sharing. Sign up for their rewards program for specials. We walked there, but parking could be a challenge especially as roads were blocked due to the West End Arts Festival. read more

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Went for restaurant week and enjoyed our time. The portions were huge and yummy. But the service was super slow- understood it was a Saturday night. read more

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One of our favorite Mediterranean places in the city! The ambiance is 10/10 and service is great. Their hummus is soo good. I like that there's generally a lot of availability and we haven't been disappointed every time we come! read more

We visited Aba at the beginning of our Chicago junket. It's a lovely place , upstairs, and not immediately visible from the road below. In this way it felt a bit special as passers by wouldn't just randomly drop in. The bar tenders are excellent, crafting cocktails with smokey spicy flavors, while looking very smug while doing it. I dig it. The food service was blazing fast and delicious. Short rib and pork belly are featured prominently. The flavors are bold but refined. We would definitely go back ! read more

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Lettuce Entertain You is a top notch restaurant brand that does EVERYTHING right. I've always had nothing but excellence, whenever I stepped into to one of their eateries. Maybe going to one of their restaurants (Aba) on Halloween last night was a "faux pas" (slip-up in French)? This usually packed restaurant was half empty, while the streets in the Fulton Market district were wall to wall with people partying, all in costumes and with masks and make-up may I add. The bar here at ABA was slow this night and so was the kitchen? Our choices this evening were: * A Greek Salad we ordered was very tasty but we had to cut the tomatoes into pieces at our table, as they were as big as my fist? And, the Greek olives in this salad were salter than the Pacific ocean? But, I still loved the salad * The Muhammara with roasted pepper, isot chili, walnut, pomegranate molasses, was unbelievably good - and I'll leave it at that. * My dinner was Lamb & Beef Kefta on a skewer with lemon, olive oil, tzatzik, rice and yogurt, and was very good, but not great? * Here comes the real slip-up; my wife's Char-Grilled Lamb Chops made with blistered broccolini, garlic yogurt, pistachio & mint gremolata was unevenly cooked, not seasoned right and was a total "Fail" as far as she was concerned. We told our (really magnificent) server (Justin) about the lamb chops and without a blink, took them off of our bill (BRAVO JUSTIN!!! and thank you). I've always known that going to a restaurant on Valentines Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day and New Years Eve is apocalyptic! Now, I have to include Halloween night as part of this disaster. Will I come back here to Aba - Absolutely YES! That's how much faith I have in the Lettuce Entertain You brand! read more

Had a negative experience here. ambiance / interior -- it's sort of new age chic that's all over all trendy restaurants now. the atrium skyroof is very cool. i may be wrong but i believe at least some of the plants are fake. we were sat at a long rectangular table which isn't the best for socializing service -- this is where i had an issue. the staff generally wasn't that friendly or helpful. they didn't really come off the right way to me. but more importantly the server we had didn't guide us on the menu well. he recommended 2 dishes per person but then when we did that he seemed nervous that we ordered too much. we asked so and he said it would be fine, but it definitely wasn't and we heavily over ordered. it's his job to help us navigate the menu and order properly. i don't think it was malicious per se but he was just wishy washy about being decisive in recommendations. aside from this they also brought out several of the wrong item for both food and drinks. they comped us for it but it was still weird how chaotic it was. food -- -- we had several of the hummus and spreads. they were all pretty ok but the crispy short rib hummus we didn't order that was brought to us was ironically by far the best. the main issue with the others is that they came with uncut pitas that required us to use our hands / get messy even though its supposed to be shared dishes. -- the braised beef short rib was great. the pork belly was also great. -- the chicken thigh was just good and so was the lamb and beef kabob -- the green chili shrimp was not great and visual presentation was bad -- did not like the falafel at all -- mango gin and tonic was a great drink overall the food was probably a 4 to high 4 but the service and weirdness ruined it a bit. read more

Lamb and Beef Kebab: 4 of 5. The Kebab was delicious well cooked and tender. Simply, but effectively seasoned. kind of wished there was a bit more on the rice though. Green Chili Shrimp: 4 of 5: didn't know what to expect with the dish, but I was pleasantly surprised. The green chili blended with the cheese atop the shrimp in pockets are unique and definitely a must try. However, it can be a bit salty if you are eating the whole thing by yourself. Brussel Sprouts: 3 of 5: Not bad by any means, just not as good as the other dishes. However, if you love brussel sprouts like me get it. The nuts and harissa honey stand out in this dish. Crispy Chicken Thigh: 5 of 5 Succulent chicken thigh atop seasoned pureed potatoes with chili garlic vinaigrette. Just get it. Short Rib Hummus: 6 of 5 Best dish on the menu. It is exactly what the name says. Get it. Service: 5 of 5 Helpful and well paced. read more

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I love this restaurant. From the ambiance, drinks, service and of course FOOD. I got the charred eggplant spread and salmon kebab. Wow, so much flavor. This place will not disappoint. read more

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Aba is a Mediterranean restaurant with California influence in Fulton market. I've been to the restaurant twice - once with reservation and once as a walk in. I highly recommend making a reservation beforehand as they get quite busy especially at dinner time. You'll have to take an elevator up to the restaurant. They have a gorgeous interior, decorated with indoor trees and warm lighting. For food, I feel like it's absolutely necessary to start off my review with the crispy short rib hummus!! I've had a lot of different good hummus, but never had hot hummus. This dish is the thing that will have me return to Aba again and again and again!! The warm savory short rib meat and jus with the creamy hummus just melts in your mouth. 10/10! I've also tried: * crispy chicken thigh (10/10) was so tender and flavorful, served with potato puree and chili garlic vinaigrette. A great balance of textures and flavors. Highly recommend * brussel sprouts (7/10) was well cooked and crispy topped with nuts and honey. It was a good side but didn't find it particularly special enough to order again. * green chili shrimp (6/10) was a unique dish with about 5-6 shrimp on a hot iron plate covered in garlic, parmesan, calabrian chili breadcrumbs. I personally found the dish to be overwhelmingly Parmesan and salty. * pan-roasted halibut (4/10) was disappointing as the fish was dry and bland * chicken kefta (9/10) was juicy, tender and flavorful * lamb and beef kefta (7/10) was good but nothing special. I'd recommend the chicken kefta over this. The tzatziki sauce in both kefta plates was perfect. The portions are pretty decent. While the servers recommend 2-3 dishes per person, I feel that depending on the dish you can share 3-4 dishes and leave feeling content. read more

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This is tapas restaurant, so be willing to share with everyone in your group. We went in with the group of 11. The food was amazing, the view was spectacular. I personally love the humus, MUHAMMARA, HALIBUT CEVICHE, the lamb was a little bit dry. However, with the price point, I would expect more in the quality of services. My group was here for the bachelorette party, but I wish the server would be more attentive. They have two seating areas: patio and indoor. It would be a little bit chilly at night for patio, so make sure you are cozy up with a light jacket. read more

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Easily one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. Great energy, ambiance and food. I loved the wide variety of food selections and everything is so well thought out read more

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Aba is in a fun spot, at the heart of the Fulton Market District. The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated and we got a small table tucked into the corner of the rooftop patio. We (2 people) ordered the crispy short rib hummus, the muhammara, Brussels sprouts, green chili shrimp, and the lamb chops. The spreads were probably our favorite, the muhammara a pleasant surprise and winner for the night - refreshing with a wonderful combination of textures and flavors. Hummus was a delicious pairing - warm, savory, almost Asian aromatics going on - which we also loved. The shrimp (our waitress said it was one of her favorites on the menu) was yummy also, but it was literally 6 small pieces of shrimp - definitely a small appetizer portion and not the dish we thought we were getting. Lamb was fine, but probably the most disappointing on our menu. Cooked well, but slightly bland and a bit boring compared to the wonderful and more complex flavors of the rest of our meal. We topped it off with the passionfruit semifreddo, a lovely combo of tart balanced by the sweetness of coconut. Would recommend also. Our server was kind but unfortunately everything came out fairly slow, especially our drinks. Our dessert wine came out a good 5-10 minutes after our dessert, for example, and someone else had to help us with our check because of the slow service. Not a dealbreaker, but a bit of a damper on an otherwise fun and refreshing meal. read more

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I apologize for this long awaited review. I was here 3 months ago. I remember they had the best runs tarrare with watermelon. I remember I had a lovely meal. The name came up because friend were recommending ens, the sister restaurant. I wrote this to remember it was a place I really enjoyed as opposed to a recommendation read more

(G)o- delightful patio style interior with so much natural light and greenery, and fantastic sharing style Mediterranean menu. (W)ow - It's a classic brunch spot and people dress to the 9s for extra indulgence. I went for a birthday event and the servers were so thoughtful - they stored and served the cake we brought, offered complimentary frozen yogurt with a candle, and took pictures of the moment. (A)ge - lots of girls and couples on brunch dates (M)enu - The crispy short rib hummus is a masterful combination of juicy fatty short rib with gently toasted pita bread and a whisper of hummus spread lightly on top. The ceviche is fresh and citrus-y, a welcome and crunchy palate cleanser from all the dips - crunchy from the tortilla chips on the side. The brussel sprouts are roasted with cumin and covered with toasted sesame seeds - delightful and a great way to get some fiber in. The stracciatella cheese had lovely texture and chewiness - like milk on a cloud. Amazing dishes, can't recommend enough! read more

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Amazing food. I highly recommend all of the hummus plates and didn't really have any dishes that we were not satisfied with. Service was a bit slower given a beautiful Thursday evening in the summer. I will come back in the future for happy hour. read more

Aba - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Aba is one of my favorite Mediterranean restaurants in Chicago. On this particular night the service wasn't my favorite, my waiter ignored me quite a bit. However, this typically isn't the case. I came here by myself and the overall hospitality I received from the host more than made up for my waiter. I ordered a few things and enjoyed the ambiance of this beautifully designed restaurant. There's an outside under heated tents that would be beautiful if the weather is nice. The chicken skewer was good and the Brussel sprouts were delicious. I'll be back at aba because the food is good, but hopefully this time my waiter will be having a better day. read more

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The food was good, but I was definitely here more for the aesthetics. Who doesn't like seeing trees inside? We didn't have a reservation, but you can either get on the waitlist or sit at 1 of their 2 bars (first come, first serve). Oddly enough, my friend came a couple of minutes before and got on the waitlist, but they told me the only option was the bar... we ended up sitting at the bar anyways since it opened up first. Some of the food we ate: - Crispy Short Rib Hummus: Good, but the short rib could have been crispier given that's how it's advertised. The pita was really good and it would had made sense to get 2 pieces given how much hummus there was. - Crispy Chicken Thighs: Chicken was tender and I like the flavors. - Brussels Sprouts: This was probably my favorite out of everything we ordered. It was crispy and the I loved the sweet, salty, umami flavors of this. - Truffle Baked Orzo: I could barely taste the truffle and there was too much breadcrumbs Overall, beautiful restaurant and food is decent. I wouldn't come here just for the food though. It's also on the pricier side since you're probably paying for ambience too. read more

The short ribs were perfectly cooked and full of flavor, easily the highlight of the meal. The drinks were creative and well-balanced, making it a perfect spot for a date night. I really enjoyed the atmosphere--chic yet welcoming--and sitting at the bar made it even better with the lively vibe and great service. Definitely a place I'd come back to for both the food and the ambiance. read more

Aba has been on my list for quite sometime now. The ambiance was so aesthetically pleasing and beautiful. The service was super great. If you ever visit Aba do ask for Juju (I hope I got her spelling right), she will take very good care of you and your guests. Now, the most important part is the food- we had the Muhammara, Whipped Feta, Smoky Garlic Hummus and Green Falafel, all this came with unlimited Pita Bread. The food was so delicious. We also had some cocktails - but they were very subpar. Overall it was a great experience! read more

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The inside of this restaurant is so beautiful! I felt like I was on a tropical vacation not in the middle of the city. We had a bigger party so we made reservations in advance and only waited a few minutes to be sat. Our server was great, he took our orders right away and was consistently checking in on us. The food is all shareble so it comes out at different times which made it a little confusing towards the end when we had a few things missing and didn't necessarily know who it belonged to, my dish being the very last one served. Even though I waited quite a bit, the food was delicious! read more

Aba - Inside - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I'm really sorry to have to leave a negative review because Aba used to be one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. Unfortunately, brunch today was a major disappointment. The food quality was just not there. One of the dishes with the red sauce was especially bad--it honestly tasted like canned tomatoes poured over the beef, with no depth or balance. On top of that, the condition of the restaurant was concerning. The bathrooms were flooded, which added to the overall poor experience. It's disappointing because there was a time when it was hard to even get a reservation here, and the quality matched the hype. That no longer seems to be the case. I live on the North Side and dine out often, and places like Ema are still consistently good and, at this point, far better than Aba. I'm not sure what's going on with Lettuce Entertain You , but the quality across restaurants doesn't feel the same. Something is off--and I hope it gets addressed. read more

Wow! Just wow! One of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. From the moment you come off the elevator, you're greeted warmly by the reception staff. You're glided through the beautiful ambiance to you table and immediately offered water and provided menus. The hummus, the mains, and sides are all delicious! The star of the show for me was the short rib hummus and smoky garlic hummus! Everything I tasted was delicious! Items Tried - short rib hummus 10/10 - smoky garlic hummus 10/10 - black garlic scampi 6/10 - crispy potatoes 7/10 - steak frites 8/10 read more

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Without going into detail about the food (I had been pampered with food and wine all week and this was our last stop, so by now, I just don't remember details of the food), I can say that this is a definite come-backer. Friends went ahead and ordered while I was in the bathroom so I don't even remember all the names of the dishes. I do have all the pictures, and they were ALL good! But regardless of how the food tasted, I'd come back just for the vibes and atmosphere here. It was absolutely beautiful here and I was happy just being inside and hanging out! I feel like I got a gorgeous picture just walking to the bathroom. Service matched the vibes and I just have nothing to complain about here. It would be lovely to come back for a date night. read more

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