EmbeyaGood food! Great service!The third time I have been to Embeya. Each time has been better then the last! Recommend to anyone that loves quality food in a hip environment.
Tony B.6/15/2013 12:00:00 AMYUM!This restaurant is quite the find! It has eclectic food, touching on Vietnam and Thailand for its inspiration. Lunch here was a delight with a 3 course. I had the spring roll lettuce wraps, the seafood stew, and the profiterole. All very good and with a delicacy of perfectly coordinated flavors. Not the usual by any means! Look forward to a return at dinner.6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Lunch!Food was wonderful...a new twist on the lettuce wraps and the seafood stew was "snappy"....would definitelt recommend this to friends and colleagues!6/12/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstanding Dinner!My wife and I were joined at Embeya a couple of nights ago by a friend for dinner and all of us had an amazing time. After enjoying two wonderful lunches at Embeya previously, this was our first dinner. The menu is really creative with interesting flavors but very approachable; food is beautifully presented, large portions and tastes amazing. I definitely recommend the papaya salad and the whole fried fish (but we have loved nearly everything we have tried - the octopus has been the only miss). Outstanding staff at Embeya and the space is beautiful (nice outdoor patio as well). Good cocktails, wines and even my favorite sake is available (Snowflake). Upscale vibe, but very comfortable and relaxing dining experience. Highly recommend!6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMCreative, delicious foodWe had honestly never heard of this restaurant but had a coupon so tried it out. Delicious food with creative combinations and flavors that was well plated and nicely presented. We went on a Tuesday night and there was a decent crowd. I recommend this place. The patio looks great, but it was too cool to enjoy when we went.6/4/2013 12:00:00 AMDeliciousWe asked for our waiter's recommendations and started out the shaved green papaya salad and the mussels steamed in coconut milk. Both were fabulous. The leftover broth from the mussels was so delicious that we ordered sticky rice as a vehicle to soak it up. Yummy! For dinner, my husband had the garlic glazed chicken, which was moist and flavorful, and I had the lobster. The lobster was flash-fried then chopped into chunks, shell-on. It was a slightly tough and dry and difficult to remove from the shell. The lemongrass-seasoned topping did not marry well with the lobster. Adding a creamy component would have allowed the meat and topping to better stick together. While I would not order the lobster again, overall, our meal was delicious.6/3/2013 12:00:00 AMRefined and Exotic Dining ExperiencWow, what a great and unique dining experience. Each of us had very different entrees and appetizers which we ended up sharing because they were all so delicious...from the papaya green salad, the octopus, the curried halibut and so much more. The wine list was extensive and had some pretty incredible wines. We were so pampered for the evening, the waiters were very attentive and the owner visited us several times throughout the evening and brought our some desserts and exotic fruit that he thought we would enjoy. Excellent!6/2/2013 12:00:00 AMEverything was outstandingEmbeya hit all the right notes and everything about it was more than we'd anticipated.
The design is luxurious, exotic and comfortable, the service was excellent, and we were happy with every dish we ordered.
The soft shell crab appetizer was crisp and sweet and the warm spring rolls elevated this typical dish with flavor and lightness.
We ordered the garlic chicken was as good as reviews mentioned with succulent, tender meat , confit scallion,and crispy skin.
We enjoyed the tamarind ribs with just the right amount of tamarind. Asparagus with pork bellly was unique and we are thinking about it days later. We look forward to returning soon.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat experienceWe dined here on a Saturday night around 6:30 and really enjoyed it. The food was very good--we especially liked the hot spring rolls and the pineapple with coconut ice cream dessert. The space is very attractive and inviting. Our server was very attentive and knowledgeable We will definitely return.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMamazing food and decorUnique food combinations that were all amazing. Asparagus and ribs were to die for5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was delicous, theThe food was delicous, the service wonderful - one of the best dining experiences I've had in a long time!!5/30/2013 12:00:00 AMStunning mealI went to Embeya to try their new lunch menu. I was happily surprised to see they had a prix fixe menu, which is what I tried. This is hands down one of the best, most delectable meals I have ever had. The seafood stew you would think is heavy and played out. Not true. The dish was super light and coconut-y. There was a generous portion of sea bass, mussels, diver scallops, and shrimp. The sauce was a beautiful pink/orange color and a perfect meal for spring. We also enjoyed the kampache tartare. I've been to megu and had some of the best sushi in the country--this topped it. I can't wait to go back. This is a stand out establishment.5/29/2013 12:00:00 AMConsistent Quality Food and ServiceMy second time here after an amazing experience for my Wife's bday a couple months before and I was greeted with a "welcome back" by the maitre 'd....excellent touch that I've never experienced before in ANY fine dining restaurant anywhere! Food was just as amazing as the previous visit- perfectly portioned, creatively presented, and flavorful. Our table tried out the cocktails that were featured and were very impressed by the creativity and balance of flavors. If they are able to keep their standards up like they have, I will continue to patronize this wonderful establishment!5/29/2013 12:00:00 AMhip Asian fusionVery fun, cool space, nice people. Good good with creativity.5/28/2013 12:00:00 AMGood as usualThe mussels, ribs, green papaya and baby octopus were all excellent.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food and ambiance. TrendyGreat food and ambiance. Trendy restaurant with a casual vibe.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat SettingBeautiful room with very interesting lighting sets the stage for enjoying a unique and well conceived dining experience!5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMExotic at homeQuite a delightful dining experience. The small portions of hot and cold dishes give the diner wonderful choices for their introduction to a varied menu. The different spices are mixed to perfection. The entire menu is filled with food that will engage the taste buds to the fullest. An excellent menu, outstanding service, and drinks are perfection.5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Food & Even Better ServiceTook a few co-workers to Embeya Monday for dinner and loved it - the restaurant had just opened its outside seating area and it was perfect. The food was very good but the service was incredible. Our waiter was extremely knowledgable and helped us navigate our way around a wonderful menu. He was full of personality and, just because it seemed we were having so much fun, he brought us all a complimentary glass of prosceco. Can't wait to go back.5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMVery good food,especiallyVery good food,especially liked the Asian fruit (rambutan, durian) for dessert. Pricey but worth it, would also work as pre-Lyric Opera dinner spot (but would not suggest durian for dessert in that case, unless you are well-supplied with breath mints).5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMWOW!!!Embeya is the total package; beautiful modern space, friendly and attentive staff, interesting and delicious well prepared food, outstanding beverage program (even the French press coffee), generous portions and affordable pricing. After my first meal at Embeya today it instantaneously became one of my favorite restaurants! We already made reservations to return next month as part of my wife's birthday week celebration. Embeya is affordable fine dining with a relaxed atmosphere. Worthy of a special occasion but inexpensive enough just for a fun evening out with friends or a date night; wonderful lunch menu available on weekdays to boot and the Simple Sunday dinner is a steal. Nice outdoor patio set to open any day now. Highly recommend!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMgreat spotWe went for mothers day brunch. I have also been there for dinner as well. The owner was there to greet us when we came in. He was very passionate anout his business. The restaurant itself is very classy, the food was inspiring, and the overall feel in the atmosphere was elegant. They were very welcoming to our two young children which you wouldn't expect at this high level of a restaurant. I love this place.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Food + Great Service = WinThis was the perfect place for my out of town friend and me to enjoy an energetic scene, and really delicious food & perfectly made cocktails (try the SATO ZUKE). Our server was very knowledgeable and made some great recommendations. There were some interesting items on the menu we tried and loved them all. I recommend the banana blossom and quail. The hostess was really friendly and inviting and made a point to talk to us as we left to ask us about our meal. She even hailed a cab for us.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat and somewhat unusualThe food and service are consistently very good to excellent. Friendly staff. Food choices are somewhat different which is refreshing.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMAdventure in new flavorsA wonderful evening of new flavors to experience. Great recommendations of fried oysters, halibut and rabbit lived up to the servers praise.5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMFrom Vancouver BC CanadaRead about you in the Conde Naste Traveller magazine; we had a rough start, but all was made up with complimentary desserts! The menu on-line changes, even though I had my heart sent on the menu online, the new updates were delicious and did not disappoint. I would recommend this to anyone visiting Chicago, a real winner! (A better assortment of tea's would be great).5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMRelaxing Dinner SpotWith a similar ambiance to a resort spa, it was no surprise that the entire dinner experience was very relaxing. I went on a Sunday night, and thankfully the restaurant wasn't crowded. Some of the table seating used very plush couches -- incredibly comfortable! Service was attentive and polite. We opted for the Sunday tasting menu which was a great value. While the food was good, I did notice the cuisine was all over the place. Fish, curry and ribs with a little Asian flavor. I'd recommend this for the culinary adventurous types.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food quality.
TheyExcellent food quality.
They do not pour a good drink (highball) - I ordered vodka on the rocks - they poured a one shot drink.
Wine list - no Cabernet's - great for Pinot Noir's.
Excellent service.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMfabulous!we fancy ourselves as great appreciators of good food...but there aren't enough superlatives to describe our dinner here...just great on ALL fronts. space is beautiful, service is exceptional, presentation of food excellent, and creative cooking is the highlight of our memorable meal.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMSO good! Everything was incrediblySO good! Everything was incredibly fresh and delivered with such care. It truly was a perfect combination of Asian fare with French fare. The ambiance was cool and inviting and the servers were more than happy to answer all of our ridiculous questions. It was a really neat dining experience.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMI enjoyed taking my boyfriendI enjoyed taking my boyfriend out there for dinner. Interesting food choices and decor.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMBirthday LunchWent to Embeya for a birthday lunch. The staff was great. The food was delicious! The owners came over and and introduced themselves and were so warm, welcoming and appreciative. The owners helped us celebrate the birthday by serving a comp bottle of excellent chardonnay. They also served beautiful desserts complimentary also. Our group had a great time and we all look forward to trying dinner.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMThoroughly enjoyed my experienceThoroughly enjoyed my experience at Embeya. The ambiance is sophisticated and chic and the food is delectable. I definitely recommend Embeya to any one looking for a new & exciting dining location in Chicago.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMWe love our barista Daniella!We love our barista Daniella! She is amazing! My girlfriend and I had reserved a table. Since I got there earlier, I sat at the bar. We ended up eating there We love beacuase of Daniella. She made us feel like being at home, or visitng with old friends! We loved the food and the drinks she recommended to pair with our meals.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMThis place has nailed it.This place has nailed it. Attention to detail, great ambience/decor amazing food & drink all with first class service.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMTasty,but don't go if you're hungryWe loved the ambiance, the service was great and the food was very tasty. Only problem was the portion sizes were minute. I loved the wine that was recommended, but the value for the money is just not there.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMWent there for my day's bday;Went there for my day's bday; he and everyone enjoyed the ambiance and thought the food was superb. The halibut was amazing and the sauce on the mussels was so tasty. Will definitely be returning soon.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMreally liked the looks ofreally liked the looks of the place and the food. Great place to share!
The owner was a delight and came over to welcome us and help with the wine selection. Also brought over the ribs which we hadn't ordered, but wanted us to try, which were delicious. Would order next time.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food, service and ambiance.Great food, service and ambiance. Great food combinations that are new and different.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMlunch was great-but servicelunch was great-but service was a little slow-don't come here if you need to get in and out within an hour4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMSimple SundayBeen To Embeya before and loved it, went on Sunday for Simple Sunday which was a great relaxing way to spend a Sunday Evening. Excellent wait staff, friendly, observant and not omnipresent.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMWelcoming new hot spotThe ambiance is welcoming, interesting, and energetic. The owners personally invite you into their experience. The menu pulls together a variety of influences into combinations that work: the food was great (especially the green papaya salad). Highly recommended for a good time and slightly adventurous dining.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMThe fare here is a bit different,The fare here is a bit different, which is likely why you would come. There is a prix fixe menu that we learned of beforehand from the Goodman Theatre web site, and this turned out to be a good sampling of the cuisine. The entrees - mussels in a coconut sauce and tangy ribs - were both delicious. Luckily, we ordered an additional side of bok choy because the dinner was light on the green veggies. The dessert was a tasty trio of exotic fruits - very unique.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMIf you're a foodie, go here!Everything excellent, starting with the greeting from multiple staff: sincere, not formulaic. Seated by one of the owners, but she didn't play "owner"....that info had to be dragged out of her because she is welcoming and humble, despite having a restaurant of which she could be understandably proud.
Excellent food, good guidance from our server.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMYou won't go wrong with EmbeyaOverall, I would recommend Embeya as a good place for a business lunch/dinner or as a good stop after work. I thought the food was very good, but not earth shattering. What really stood out for me was the impeccable service. Our waiter had the perfect amount of attentiveness; he stopped by to check on us but never rushed us nor gave up on us because we were taking too long. Additionally, he was very educated on the wine list and had great input on wine suggestions and food offerings. The support staff attending our table was also great. We never had an empty water glass or empty plates sitting on the table. Embeya is a strong contender for your business. The food is solid and the degree of service is superior.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMsophisticated space, exquisite foodExecutive Chef Thai Dang produces not just beautifully presented dishes, but tastes that are exquisitely subtle, balanced and memorable. Ingredients are fresh and paired in interesting, sometimes surprising ways. Director Attila Gyulai has created a dining environment that is sophisticated but welcoming. The cocktails and wine list are superb. We will return, again and again.4/9/2013 12:00:00 AMFantasticAmazing and interesting food, both unique and delicious. The service was simply fantastic, at all levels. They treat you like you are the only ones there, and make sure you experience the food and drink the best way possible. I would like to have taken our server with us so he could take care of us at other restaurants.4/9/2013 12:00:00 AMWow! One of the best newWow! One of the best new restaurants in Chicago!! Definitely worth a return trip. Out-of-this world flavors. The green papaya appetizer and lobster entree are not to be missed.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMOkay not be have the familiarWe were warned through other reviewers to expect unusual combinations and not the familiar and that was what we got. We had a little trouble understanding how to order when the server said the food was served family style, i.e. we were not sure how many small and large plates to order, but the server provided recommendations and it worked out perfectly. Everything was tasty and well prepared. The dining room was strikingly beautiful. I would recommend this for a special occasion and when you are looking for a different dining experience.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMGlad We Finally Stopped InVery knowledgeable and attentive staff, relaxed but upscale atmosphere. Overall great experience. Will be back. Fish curry and noodles were stand outs. Well served cocktails.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AM