Aba

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Mediterranean Table in Chicago's West Loop

On the third floor of 302 N. Green Street, Aba occupies a space that feels both expansive and considered. Part of the Lettuce Entertain You family of restaurants, the Chicago location is the flagship of a concept that has since grown to Austin and Nashville — with Dallas on the way. At its core, Aba is a Mediterranean and Californian restaurant where the kitchen draws freely from the eastern Mediterranean pantry: za'atar, labneh, harissa, sumac, dukkah, and preserved lemon appear throughout a menu designed for sharing.

The Team Behind the Food

Chef Partner CJ Jacobson shapes the culinary identity of Aba across all locations, while in Chicago, Senior Executive Chef Eric Santoyo leads the kitchen day to day, supported by Chef de Cuisine Matt Matatall. On the beverage side, Senior Sommelier and Wine Buyer John C. Slatter curates a list that earned Aba a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2024 — recognition that reflects the program's genuine depth and range.

What to Eat

The menu is built around mezze-style sharing, and a handful of dishes have become signatures across the Aba restaurants. The Crispy Short Rib Hummus — served with house bread, grilled onion, sherry, and beef jus — is the kind of dish that anchors a table. The Whipped Feta Spread with crushed pistachio and lemon zest, and the Hot Honey Halloumi with crispy garlic dukkah, are equally hard to pass up. From the kebab section, the Beef Tenderloin with bell pepper, cipollini onion, and zhoug is a consistent standout, while the Char-Grilled Lamb Chops with pistachio and mint gremolata represent the more substantial end of the Mediterranean cooking on offer. Desserts include a Frozen Lemon Meringue Bar and a Sticky Date Cake with whiskey caramel that round out the meal cleanly.

The Wine and Bar Program

The beverage program at Aba leans deliberately into the Mediterranean. The wine list moves through Greek varietals — Assyrtiko, Xinomavro, Malagousia — alongside Lebanese producers like Chateau Musar, Israeli bottles, and selections from Sicily and Sardinia, before broadening into French and Californian options. Cocktails carry the same regional sensibility, with Mediterranean-inflected builds sitting alongside zero-proof alternatives. The 2024 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence confirms what regulars already know: this is a list worth exploring slowly.

Lunch, Brunch, and Events

The Chicago location serves weekday lunch, weekend brunch, and dinner through the week, with private event and catering capabilities for larger gatherings. Valet parking is available, and the restaurant is fully wheelchair accessible.