Aba

Serving as a sister restaurant to Ēma in River North, Aba is a collaboration between chef CJ Jacobson and Lettuce Entertain You. Like Ēma, Aba offers Mediterranean-inspired bites like red beet tzatziki, yellowtail dolmas and a Jerusalem bagel. But the menu here offers something different, too: Diners will notice a larger focus on steaks and seafood, with dishes like skirt steak shawarma, char-grilled lamb chops and toasted sesame shrimp. On the beverage front, expect summer-ready sippers like the Aloe? It's Me, a tantalizing blend of mescal, aloe, green juice, lime and jalapeño. The booze menu also includes a roster of cocktails made with high-end spirits, several large-format elixirs, a local-heavy beer list and wines by the glass and bottle.