Appetizers were highlight. Main course dishes disappointing and pricey. Service good.Would go back for charred octopus, smoked olives and hummus read more

I brought a friend in to celebrate her birthday. It was perfect. The host staff on the first floor and in the restaurant were all very pleasant. The star was DARMA! She was an incredible server who added such personality to our visit. She went out of her way to make sure my friend felt special for her birthday. The cuisine is delicious. Everything we tried offered beautiful plating and layers of flavors. The room is gorgeous. As the sun went down and the lights came up, the atmosphere was warm and stylish. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit. read more

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Arla was a bit of a mixed experience for us. We tried the tuna crudo, red pepper feta, dumplings, pita bread, shrimp skewer, wagyu, and cheesecake. The pita bread was probably the best thing on the menu; seriously, it was to die for. The red pepper feta was enjoyable, and I really liked the twist on the dumplings. I think I'd actually prefer them as a soup next time, if that's an option. The shrimp skewer had a great presentation, but unfortunately it didn't taste nearly as good as it looked. The wagyu was also a little disappointing considering it's wagyu; it came out fairly dry. The ambiance was nice and the drinks were decent. It was a bit loud, but still easy enough to have a conversation. One small annoyance was the tables--they don't seem ideal for cold drinks because condensation kept building up and the staff had to continuously wipe them down. Bathrooms were clean, which is always a plus. read more

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Our server was nice and the food was really good. I loved the shawarma dumplings and oak street maki. Will definitely go back for the food. The front desk staff need some training though. We had bar lounge seating. I specifically picked it while booking and she said she will seat us in the dining room because there is a wait for the lounge. I told her my reservation is for the lounge and I don't mind if it's a short wait. She completely discouraged us and said it could take up to one or two hours? Again, I mentioned but I have a reservation, how can it take that long? It was like talking to a wall because she just wouldn't stand by our reservation. She was adamant that the dining room was our only option and she wasn't polite. I'm not sure what's going on and if they only want certain type of people to be seen in the bar lounge? The dining room was empty and cut off and had a really different vibe than what we wanted. It was like being put in a corner to eat. read more

Viagra Triangle gotta new bag! It's really beautiful with a large bar. The menu is a mix of Mediterranean and Japanese. There are NO vegetables y'all unless you get a salad. But ok it was still good. Went on Monday. Reservation was for 5pm right when they opened. By the time I sat down, the entire restaurant was packed! So you know you're in for a treat. Loved the Japanese hummus. The billowy pita bread was delicious that was served with it. We had the Oak Street Maki sushi rolls. Excellent! The skirt steak had flavor but it wasn't my thing with the pine nuts on it. The wild mushroom were really really good!! For cocktails we had the Mitsu . Get this drink and thank me later please. I followed up with a cute Helios spritz. They were out of the Granata spritz which I found really weird. But ok. Will be back for more cocktails because they have this martini service where you get 5ounces of vodka and your martini. Stopppp. Fun vibe. Very sexy spot. Very busy. On the 6th floor in the same building as Cartier! read more

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The reason I'm giving them 3 stars The restaurant is beautiful! Amazing ambiance especially if you can snag a table outside! We were very fortunate to have a table outside for my birthday. Started with cocktails- kaigan (think old fashion) 7/10 & I ordered a "skinny spicy marg" 6/10 was lacking spice. The pita is 10/10 ! Served hot, very soft and light! The dip trio at $40 is incredible! But be prepared to order extra pita and pay extra for each piece. We tried the spicy feta, Japanese hummus and baba ghanoush. All of these dips are incredible but a little too salty and oily. I'd ask for wayyy less oil next time. We tried two sushi rolls. The spicy shrimp tempura maki & the tzatziki salmon maki. Both were disappointing & lacking flavor. I think my sushi I get at Whole Foods has more flavor and it's just a spicy tuna roll. Dumplings - 10/10 Japanese rice rice pot - 8/10 (overly salty ) The chicken skewers 2/10 were extremely fatty. Seemed like terrible quality meat. So awful I sent mine back. Served with a decent amount of tzatziki (win) but no pita? Prawn skewer- 1/10 rubbery and bathed in wayyyy too much butter. I wish we would have tried the filet but when there are no potato options on the menu I couldn't make sense of it. Fire roasted cauliflower steak - 7/10 Beautiful presentation, amazing flavors, loved the pickled onions and lime crust! Sadly mine was a little on the charred/ burnt side. They brought out the only dessert they had left that night for my birthday. Some type of mandarin orange sponge cake. This was very moist! Really good! 8/10! I still would have preferred something chocolate but they don't have anything chocolate on the menu. Sad to have wasted my birthday dinner here honestly but was so excited for the vibes and rooftop aspect. The food was all wayyy too salty, we all left dying of thirst and I felt sick from all the oil & butter on everything. Our server Bryce was very sweet and accommodating! As well as the manager who was happy to swap out the chicken skewer for me for the prawn. I'd say skip Arla for dinner, come for drinks & maybe pita/dips. read more

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The ambiance of the restaurant was lively and inviting, with unique décor and beautiful earthy, warm tones that created a welcoming atmosphere. The service was exceptional. Our server, Raj, was attentive, engaging, and made the entire experience fun. The pacing of the meal was perfect, with each course arriving at just the right time. The menu offers a creative fusion of two cultures that feels both unique and familiar. Every dish was beautifully executed. Highlights: Miso cod--it was incredibly tender, and the caramelized glaze was absolutely delicious. Chicken yakitori Prawn- the scallion butter sauce** (woww) amazing you may want to save it and ask for additional pita bread and dip it Salmon tzatziki roll The full spread is a must-order, allowing you to sample all three dips served with fresh, warm pita bread. You could really taste the roasted garlic confit and the charred scallions, which added incredible depth of flavor. I also loved the martini service. Having the cocktail shaken tableside made it feel like a special experience. Overall, we had a fantastic evening. Between the thoughtfully designed space, outstanding food, and excellent service, it was an experience I would gladly recommend and look forward to enjoying again. read more

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Definitely will be coming back! Came for a birthday dinner and had a great time. Our server, Jack, was amazing. Great service, perfect recommendations. The kitchen and bar were a little slow but this place was BUSY. It does also get super loud, so minus one star there. We tried the Japanese Hummus and it was incredible. Such an interesting mesh of flavors that just worked! Definitely recommend trying this. The wagyu skewer was also amazing and I would get it again. The shawarma dumplings were also good and worth trying, I am just not a huge fan of shawarma in general. We also got the yellowtail crudo and one of the sushi rolls. The yellowtail had some sort of curry sauce on top that we did not love. Although good, not something I would order again. The roll was a little underwhelming and forgettable. For dessert, the basque cheesecake is a MUST TRY. So good, perfect balance in sweetness and richness. 10/10. We also got the tahini tart (can't remember the name) and we were not fans of it. Just a little bit of a weird aftertaste. All in all, really good experience and cool fusion of flavors. Will be back once the hype dies down so that it isn't so loud/busy. read more

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I finally scored a reservation at Arla, River North's hottest new rooftop destination, and you need to save this spot immediately! We started with their iconic tableside Martini Service, gin of course, before diving into the Mediterranean-Japanese fusion menu. First up was the tzatziki salmon maki with cucumber. I've never had maki like this, and loved it. Then followed the flaky Crab Spanakopita stuffed with sweet red crab and feta. The Shawarma Spice Dumplings swimming in rich chicken jus and chili crunch were devine. To wrap up, we indulged in the fire-grilled hearth skewers, featuring tender Octopus over gigante bean purée and juicy Wagyu with wasabi labneh along with the pomegranate chicken skewer. Between the incredible bites and stunning skyline views, Arla completely lives up to the hype--be sure to add this to your dining list! read more

ARLA - Rooftop martini cart - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The middle eastern/Japanese concept it certainly unique but I think it only pays off for some dishes. The pita and dips aren't anything special and could be skipped imo. Highlights are anything with fresh fish (sushi and crudo were excellent) and the dumplings were unlike anything I've had so worth trying. Kebob section also looked and smelled great--we tried the octopus but the chicken passed by and looked excellent. It was a little pricey all in all so I'm not rushing back but a good spot to try for a new Chicago hot spot. read more

ARLA - Pita (not the best and $4/per) and spicy whipped feta - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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It was so beautiful once we walked in! The drinks were good and I ordered the non alcoholic one. The service was great Asia was amazing! The maki was so good!! One of the best sushi and the dumplings were filled with so much flavors. This place is a Japanese Mediterranean fusion which is so perfect. We also got their crudo which was really good. The mushroom rice hot pot was so good! Loved how all the flavors come together. It was especially a little loud here and the music you can't hear it well but overall would definitely return. Giving 4/5 because I was seeing this guy going around to fill people water cup but mine was so empty and it wasn't filled for almost 20 minutes until we had to ask our server. I know it may be dark but nobody glass of water should be empty. read more

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Got a few appetizers and the dirty martini service everything was great! our server was super friendly and provided great recommendations and the interior is sooo beautifully done it's moody but well lit and provided a great experience for my birthday read more

ARLA - dirty martini - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I really wanted to love this place and was so excited. We walked in on a Sunday evening hoping to sit at the bar, but it was packed so we got lounge seats close to the outdoor portion. Service was quick and great. My glass of red wine was excellent with the meal. The ambiance was beautiful as expected. However, the food really lacked. The tzatziki was tasty, but the one slice of pita did not allow us to have more of the dip. The shrimp tempura maki was delicious and the best dish we had. The miso cod was overcooked and inedible unfortunately. Definitely not worth the price. The Japanese ceasar - we asked for no mandarins - was mostly cheese. We also ordered a glass of rosé that was not drinkable as it was too sweet. It was nice of the staff to come out with a scoop of brown butter ice cream for my birthday, which was tasty. I'd like to come back for drinks and trying more of the menu, but unfortunately the food we had was just not up to par with other restaurants in the area. read more

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Really good vibes the rooftop was beautiful drinks especially the mezcal drink was so delicious!! The patrons were beautiful too! Only downside was the service which was very very slow read more

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I came to Arla for a birthday celebration last week and had a really wonderful time. To start, the place was gorgeous and we had outside seating overlooking the city and lake. Our waiters were friendly and attentive. We shared both the classic and Japanese hummus, garlic and scallion pita, yellowtail crudo, Oak Street maki, shawarma spice dumplings, Japanese rice pot, charred filet mignon, and whole branzino. I thoroughly enjoyed each dish but my favorites were the maki and branzino. Everything was cooked perfectly and the fusion of Mediterranean and Japanese was very unique. For dessert, we had the matcha ice cream and Japanese basque cheesecake, both of which were delicious. I'm genuinely impressed with Arla because I think it's rare to have both amazing food and vibes in a restaurant, but Arla definitely delivered. read more

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We got the mushroom skewers, the Japanese hummus, the veggie maki rolls, cauliflower steak, the miso cod, and basque cheesecake. Order Jordan cab wine. The mushroom skewers and Japanese hummus were our favorite. They had great spices to them. The cauliflower steak, miso cod and basque cheesecake were just okay. The wine we liked but didn't like that they chilled the red wine. Overall I'd come back for the vibe. The food itself didn't blow me away, but wasn't bad. I'd come back for drinks and the dips. read more

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I went here 2 weeks ago and had a mediocre meal. The fish was beyond salty. The bread was the best part but a trio of small dips was $40.00. I went back last night with a group of 6 for a work event to give the place another shot. Our waitress was mediocre at best. She seemed very very annoyed to even be waiting on us. We ordered a lot. Spent a lot. Beautiful place but don't waste your time or money. Not worth it. read more

Be prepared! It's VERY loud!!! I could not hear the server nor my friend's conversations. Then we waited 25 minutes for our drinks. Followed by ordering 5 starter dishes. 3 were Mediterranean and 2 were sushi. They were ALL brought out 5 minutes after ordering. No pacing. No separation of plates. We did not enjoy this. The food was delicious but the volume and the pacing of plates should be addressed. I would not go back because of these issues. read more

Arla was absolutely gorgeous! The interior design was exquisite, and I loved the views from the restaurant. Definitely a darker, more sultry vibe with most people dressed up in suits and dresses. The white miso hummus was everyone's favorite dish. The pitas were also extremely fluffy and flavorful. We weren't a huge fan of the sushi, but the chicken skewer was a fan favorite. The other skewers were decent but nothing compared to the deliciousness of the chicken. Disappointed by the shawarma wontons as they were a bit on the tougher side, but I would recommend the clay pot mushroom rice. We got three of the desserts, but the only one that stood out was the basque cheesecake as it was extremely creamy without being too sweet. The presentation of the food was beautiful, but I expected more from such an up and coming restaurant. Service was both quick and friendly, and we enjoyed our overall experience! read more

Gorgeous ambiance and restaurant. Beautiful rooftop views and a perfect patio to cocktail from. Fresh, delicious and well thought out dishes. Great service in the bar, and a thoughtful waiter who made our whole dinner effortless. read more

We ate at Arla's our first time this past Monday the 17th. We were early and decided to sit at the Bar and eat rather than wait for the Main Dining Room. Georgi was our server/bartender and was fantastic, very attentive and knowledgeable. The food was better than expected except for the Octopus that was chewy but everything else over the top. If I have any negative is that I am a Gin drinker and could not get Tanqueray which was a downer. Highly recommend this restaurant and will return. read more

This place is LOUD -- you literally cannot hear the person sitting across from you. It was pretty ridiculous. The food was solid, though, and I'll be back. Service was fine -- not especially polished, but not enough to keep me away either. If you're expecting something similar to Fred's (the previous restaurant), you'll be disappointed. This is a place where people go to be "seen," not the old Fred's-type crowd. read more

Arla has work to do. We dined there last night and it is a very pretty place. That said, dinner service was poor. I ordered a $22 glass of Pinot and it came to me ice cold. The same thing happened when I ordered a glass of Cabernet. For those prices, you should know the temp red wines should be served at. Our waiter indicated plates were meant to be shared. We ordered an array of plates. The salads and sushi came out within 10 min ( all at once). After that, it took another 50 min for the rest of our food to show up. Other tables seemed to be waiting as well. No acknowledgment or apology from staff. The food was pretty good, but not good enough to justify the price or a return visit. I'll be interested in other reviews read more

I didn't know Mediterranean and Japanese food needed to be fused, but now I do. Everyone at our table had a different favorite dish, but the wagyu skewers and the salmon entree were crowd pleasers for sure. Best hummus and pitas I've ever had. Beyond the plate, the service was outstanding. My son dropped his napkin and someone replaced it almost before he could even bend down to pick it up. Top it off with a phenomenal view of the Gold Coast and the lake! read more

Standing in line twice to get in was unpleasant and chaotic. Having only 1 drink menu for 4 people to share needs fixing. Service was not great, only visiting a couple of times and recommended strictly the most $$$ things on the menu. Martini was shaken twice and thus served warm. Music was too loud for conversation. The food was good, but service needs to be worked on. Hope they can improve upon these items as the space is beautiful. read more

per Lana below yes service needs to step up--- great staff and just being open still ok need a middle manager etc to scan and see who needs what at the bar and how to clear off plates at bar- My plate took 40 mins because bartenders /staff frantic and busy I see some staff standing for long periods of time watching everyone - how about them or someone assigned to the bar area to provide proper timely great service salmon super dry and had to send back staff not authorized to do so? they had to get approval ? more delays and less attention at bar I'm sure will get more in tune but start now.... read more