The cocktail list will include drinks that synergize with the menu by incorporating Chef CJ Jacobson’s flavor palette. Highlights include Massaya rose from Lebanon and Terre Di Principe Pallagrello from the coast of Campania. The wine list showcases wines from Mediterranean coastlines and islands, in addition to a handful of California producers with an old world style. The beverage program at Ēma was developed by Ryan Arnold, wine director of Lettuce Entertain You and Julian Cox, bar director of Lettuce Entertain You. Chef CJ’s experiences in the Middle East have beautifully inspired the palate of his menu and has brought clean, no-nonsense, good food to the table at Ēma. Guests can expect a lighter, more healthful style of cooking that uses local produce, unique spices and ingredients with signature dishes such as Spicy Hummus, House-Made Stracciatella, Grilled Octopus with Fried Kale, Pan-Roasted Romanesque Cauliflower and Lamb & Beef Kefta Kebabs.

The core of the menu includes spreads, dips and mezze and Mediterranean small plates meant for sharing. Personally speaking, this style of gastronomical wizardry should be referenced by other fine dining restaurants, whom all-too-often overcomplicate matters. Simple yet special, each dish encompasses a wonderfully obscure pairing which shouldn’t work, but it does. With the scene set for a contemporary culinary journey, Top Chef, CJ Jacobson talks me through his travel diaries, inspirations and food-lead experiences in The Middle East this man surely loves his hummus and everything he does is on-point, perfectly curated and fun. It’s as cool as its founders, bursting with vibrancy. It offers a light, relaxed and comfortable vibe, with interiors of reclaimed wood, rustic white brick and funky, woven basket fixtures. Ēma at Hyatt Place River North in Chicago boasts a cosmopolitan ambiance with a menu that is both familiar and peculiar. The concept was created by Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises’ Founder Rich Melman, Executive Partner Marc Jacobs and Chef Partners CJ Jacobson, John Chiakulas and Rita Dever.

Lunch and the walk-up window will start in July.Oman Magazine’s Lifestyle Jetsetter, Lucas Raven visits Ē ma, a Mediterranean restaurant showcasing Chef CJ Jacobson’s lighter Californian style of cooking. Wine director Ryan Arnold has set up a list of Mediterranean wines and a handful of Californian wines.Įma will open today for dinner from 4–10pm. Instead of dark colors, reclaimed wood and white dominate the space, with a marble bar and lots of windows.Īs far as drinks are concerned, Lettuce's beverage director Julian Cox will be taking care of the cocktails, starring seasonal produce. The restaurant will feel different from what you'd normally expect out of Lettuce Entertain You restaurants as well. 'We’ve got a lot of dippy things, like a mint and avocado dip, which could be kind of Mediterranean but is definitely California.' A quick perusal through the menu points to just that-think hummus with crudité, rotisserie chicken and English peas with yogurt. 'The concept is Mediterranean flavors, but seen through my eyes,' Jacobson said. Ema will have a sit-down restaurant component that seats 140, a smaller patio opening this summer and a walk-up window called Rotisserie Ema. Jacobson, with Mediterranean-Californian inspired Ema (74 W Illinois) opening today in River North. Intro alums just can't get enough of Chicago (see Il Porcellino).

Ema river north lettuce entertain you