Mediterranean Restaurant Ēma, From Lettuce Entertain You, Opens Saturday in Domain NORTHSIDE

January 29, 2026

A new dining option lands in North Austin this weekend as Ēma opens its doors at Domain NORTHSIDE on Saturday, January 31. The restaurant occupies a 5,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor space at 3120 Palm Way, Ste. 170, and represents the concept's first location in Texas.

Lettuce Entertain You, the Chicago hospitality group behind the project, positions Ēma as a Mediterranean- and California-influenced sibling to Aba on South Congress. Chef partner CJ Jacobson, a Top Chef alum, leads the kitchen and helped shape the menu toward lighter plates and seasonal produce.

Ēma, a name that means mother in Hebrew, centers its menu on vegetable- and seafood-forward small plates. Expect dishes such as octopus carpaccio, crispy maitake mushrooms, sweet corn hummus, and a grilled halloumi kebab among the signature offerings.

The cocktail lineup aims to echo the kitchen's Mediterranean tones by incorporating regional ingredients and unexpected pairings. One highlighted drink, the Tequila Yuzu Espresso Martini, blends Lalo Blanco, Oka Yuzu Vodka, Beatrix espresso, and Demerara yuzu bitters. Another, called the Don Higo, mixes Uruapan charanda rum with fig, coconut, rishi Greek mountain tea, honey, and rosemary.

Design and flow emphasize both indoor comfort and outdoor dining, giving guests options for weather and mood. Service team members will roll out the menu across the dining room and patio as the restaurant begins regular hours this weekend.

Reservations and additional details are available on the restaurant's website, and Ēma plans to share updates on its Instagram account. The opening adds to Domain NORTHSIDE's growing roster of national and local concepts, expanding dining choices in North Austin.