Lettuce Entertain You Spills Details on Fulton Market Rooftop Spot

Lettuce Entertain You is finally ready to announce its new third-floor rooftop restaurant above Beatrix in Fulton Market. Former Los Angeles chef C.J. Jacobson, who partnered with LEYE to spawn Mediterranean-inclined Ēma in River North two years ago, is following up with Aba—a protein-positioned expansion that claims 350 seats spread between an indoor dining room, a spacious patio, and two bars. LEYE is predicting a late-spring opening.

Dishes will embrace Mediterranean flavors, hinged around seasonal raw and chilled seafood preps, in addition to steaks. Right now, Jacobson is working on plates like hummus with sea bass ragu; skirt steak with harissa jus and parsley butter; and Thai snapper with fried artichoke, preserved lemon and tomatoes. Having chosen to name each eatery after the Hebrew words for mother (Ēma) and now father (Aba), one will indeed find Israeli inspiration throughout the menu, as is the case at Ēma, in addition to influence from Italy, Greece, and Turkey.

Christina Slaton

In terms of beverages, one can also expect a Mediterranean lean throughout the programs built by LEYE divisional wine director Ryan Arnold and bartender Liz Pearce of The Drifter. Arnold is looking to source a mix of wines from classic regions, alongside older areas like Israel, Lebanon, and Greece. Meanwhile, Pearce’s TBA libation list will jive with Jacobson’s plates and involve a reserve cocktail section.

Aba’s third floor space—which, when complete, will involve a profusion on greenery, French street lamp pendants, and a large dining room sky light—will share turf with LEYE’s new 6,000 square-foot private events space The Dalcy.