Boka Restaurant - Chicago, IL

Boka

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Address:
1729 North Halsted
Chicago, IL 60614

Neighborhood:
Lincoln Park

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Cuisine:
Contemporary American

Price: $31 to $50

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Boka Details

Dining Style: Casual Elegant
Website: http://www.bokachicago.com
Email: Info@bokagrp.com
Phone: (312) 337-6070
Hours of Operation: Open daily at 5PM
Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: Contemporary American
Executive Chef: Lee Wolen
Dress Code: Business Casual
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Non-Smoking Area, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Smoking Area, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Affiliations: Dine Originals - Member Restaurants
Catering: Boka Catering Company is available for holiday parties, private dinners at home, weddings of all sizes and corporate functions. Award winning Chef Giuseppe Tentori can design a custom menu to fit your needs. Please contact Abby at 312.238.9896.
Special Events & Promotions: To request more information, please visit http://www.bokagrp.com/eventsandcatering.php
or call 312.337.6070

Getting there

Cross Street: Willow
Public Transit: Red Line "El" stop at Clyborn & North Ave
Parking: Valet
Parking Details: Street parking also available.

A word from Boka

Michelin starred Boka Restaurant has been a fixture in Chicago dining since 2003. A new chapter of the restaurant begins with the acquisition of new Chef/Partner Lee Wolen. Lee who honed his skills at both El Bulli and Eleven Madison Park, was recently awarded a Michelin Star and 4 stars from… Chicago Magazine for his work at The Lobby.He was also named Breakout Chef of the year by Time Out Chicago in 2013. Boka’s space was given a complete re-design by acclaimed designer Simeone Deary (Elysian Hotel) in January of 2014. In its 10 year history Boka's Chefs have received both Food and Wine’s coveted Best New Chefs in 2008 and Best New Pastry Chef in 2013. Boka's food features contemporary, American cuisine, focusing on seasonality and sourcing as many local ingredients as possible. Continued

Foodspotting photos

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Awards voted by OpenTable diners

Diners' Choice WinnerBest Overall
Diners' Choice WinnerBest Service
Diners' Choice WinnerContemporary American

Diner Reviews

"Came here for the first time last Saturday, Boka has been on my list for some time and it was all worth the wait. Everything from the service, friendly and accommodating staff to the phenomenal food and drinks- it couldn't have been better. Highlights: Old Fashioned and the margarita style drink (forgot the name..Chicos...) Marinated Fluke Gnudi Roasted chicken Frozen yogurt dessert (sub with Coconut Sorbet-- it was to DIE FOR) Also, we meed Chef Lee who was so nice and humble. Fantastic experience, cannot wait to come back!"
Dined on 4/19/2014
"Quite possibly my favorite restaurant, and definitely in my top three. The food was outstanding, the cocktails were excellent, and the service was hands-down the best I've had at a restaurant of this caliber. It was fairly expensive, but well worth it. I'm looking forward to coming back!"
Dined on 4/18/2014
"Boka has done a great job with the renewal. We were hesitant to try Boka again after a not great experience years ago - but it is convenient to the Steppenwolf so we dared. It is now a place we will come back to often. We especially appreciated the Terrace which is less noisy - a good place to have conversations while dining."
Dined on 4/18/2014
"New chef Lee Wolen is OUTSTANDING. Once again BOKA reins as one of Chicago's best restaurants. "
Dined on 4/17/2014
"The food was inventive, and all the dishes we had worked well. The wine list was accessible and the wine suggestions paired well with our food. The service had a good flow, and they seemed very well-prepared to deal with diners going to the theater."
Dined on 4/19/2014
"Boka has been given a complete revamp…new decor, new chef, and completely different attitude from the moment you step in the door. The service was incredible, food was amazing, and it is absolutely beautiful inside. After a less than favorable experience at the old Boka, I decided to give it another try knowing it was given a major makeover. I had an incredible experience, and will be back!"
Dined on 4/17/2014
"We loved the old Boka and were sad to see it change, but we were blown away. The new vibe is great, and the food was memorable. Service was impeccable -- attentive without being intrusive -- and our server's recommendations were superb. Although Boka is a bit of a splurge, it offers an incredible value. I can't remember the last Chicago dinner we had at that price point that was that memorable! We will be back!"
Dined on 4/16/2014
"BOKA was wonderful. We were very warmly greeted and seated immediately. Service was flawless and engaging with the perfect balance of efficient and fun. We cannot wait to return. Thank you SO much."
Dined on 4/11/2014
"Outstanding food. Would recommend without reservations."
Dined on 4/12/2014
"Really loved this place. Wasn't too keen on the Foie Gras, but it was my first time trying it, so I have nothing to compare it to. Otherwise we had the Grill Short Rib and Rabbits Loin, and it was incredible. The bartender makes a pretty excellent Manhattan as well. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone."
Dined on 4/11/2014
"I would have to say this is one of my favorite restaurants now in Chicago."
Dined on 4/12/2014
"We celebrated our 28th anniversary at Boka, and the staff and kitchen made it a very special experience for us. Best service we've ever had in Chicago, so we highly recommend it!"
Dined on 4/12/2014
"From the carrot soup amuse, through the asparagus salad, the scallop entree, And the almond creme dessert, the flavored came through cleanly. The fresh peas were Truly fresh, like peas used to taste. Delicious food."
Dined on 4/11/2014
"Amazing menu. Multi layered and flavorful. Well thought out"
Dined on 4/11/2014
"The food, service and décor are really great. However the portions are extremely small yet very expensive."
Dined on 4/5/2014
"There wasn't enough time to order the entire menu. Food was awesome! Totally going back! Soon too!!!"
Dined on 4/5/2014
"An amazing dinner every bite was delicious, food was wonderful. The mixologist made us wonderful cocktails both with and without alcohol. They were very accommodating to dietary requirements including providing gluten free bread and modifications to dishes. We were able to dress casually but enjoy full white tablecloth service without any stuffiness. Waitstaff was very attentive and we did not have to reserve a table a month in advance. I would recommend highly and plan to dine there again the next time I am in Chicago. It is on my favorites list for Chicago!"
Dined on 4/4/2014
"Outstanding experience...and my mouth is still enjoying the memories. It was truly an outstanding experience. The Chef's creations were spot on. Delicious for both the eyes and the mouth. And, Michelle as our server 'rocked it'. We will definitely be back and will definitely request Michelle's section."
Dined on 4/2/2014
"Salads: Roasted broccoli & Marinated beats Entrees: Roasted chicken & Slow cooked loup de mer Desert: Cheesecake All was impeccably well prepared -- a combination of the familiar and the new. Kudos!"
Dined on 4/2/2014
"Boka is the type of restaurant every person who thinks they know about eating exquisite food should visit. What a wonderful spot. Food is just extraordinary. The presentation of the dishes is gorgeous. The ambiance is perfect. Service couldn't be better. Not many places in Chicago like Boka. With restaurants like Boka we won't have to go to New York!"
Dined on 4/1/2014
"I had heard people saying great things about Boka and I was excited to try it. We were there in a group of four people and each one ordered different things from the menu. I had the grilled short rib which was wonderful!!! The ambience and decor were very nice too as was the service."
Dined on 3/29/2014
"We had a 9:00 PM reservation on a Saturday night, and showed up at 8:30. What we planned to be one drink at the bar turned into three, as we weren't seated until 9:40. We placed our orders around 10:00, but didn't receive our entrees until about 10:45. At that point we ate quickly and weren't able to enjoy the meal as much as we should have. All in all, everyone was apologetic and the food was quite good, but considering the restaurant was emptying out, the service was too slow for the $200+ I spent on drinks and dinner for two."
Dined on 3/29/2014
"Amazing! Highly recommend BoKa! Service was professional yet warm, food was delicious yet approachable! We will be back!"
Dined on 3/29/2014
"Awesome 3 course menu with Salad, Starter and Entree. If you're a moderate eater, then share the starter and the salad with one other person and have your own Entree, in order to leave some space for Dessert. The food is presented in the most beautiful way... There is only one option on the Entree section for vegetarians... so it is unfortunate that if I went again, then I'll have to eat the same dish again. But I might still do that to taste another Salad / Starter... Excellent service so you'll enjoy the whole evening."
Dined on 3/28/2014
"My husband and I were very excited to eat here. We heard great things and they were all true. The vibe is cool yet refined. Good food. Good ambiance. Good everything!"
Dined on 3/29/2014
"Entire evening was delightful, other than our waitress. She was friendly but poured our wine only once and was generally not very attentive. Food was outstanding, especially asparagus salad. New decor is fun!"
Dined on 3/29/2014
"I come to Chicago six to eight times a year, one of the finest city's for dinning and music.. Knowing that, finding BOKA was a delicious surprise... Service was impeccable, staff attentive without being burdensome.. The food was perfectly portioned with amazing taste... I will be back!!"
Dined on 3/28/2014
"Staff were kind, friendly, and attentive, without being intrusive. The food was tasty and interesting."
Dined on 3/28/2014
"Me and my husband had a three-course dinner at Boka Friday night. Such a great experience! The renovated resturant has amazing decor, impeccable service and a good vibe, mostly couples but a few groups of friends. The appetizer, bread and first two courses were so delicately presented and tasted amazing. The chocolate dessert was a bit too rich for us, so we can "only" give 4 stars for the food. But all in all one of the best food experiences in Chicago - we will definitely come back!"
Dined on 3/21/2014
"Fabulous, imaginative food, attentive, friendly, solicitous service without being intrusive (the staff seems to both care for and be proud of the restaurant)."
Dined on 3/23/2014
"Not sure what the rave is all about. The food was ok. Certainly would not recommend it to anyone."
Dined on 3/21/2014
"The food was stupendous, the drinks expertly mixed and designed, but by far the most impressive aspect of this restaurant was the service. The whole staff was very attentive to our table and it wasn't like the place was empty. It was packed. You could tell the servers and staff took their jobs seriously and it is a great thing to witness people being so good at their profession. This isn't to take away from the food. It was lovely. The menu might seem to have minimal selections but each dish is a magnificent creation. If the risk of adding more dishes would be to dilute the skill and flavor of the dishes then bravo to the restaurant for keeping it simple. Better to be truly superb at a few dishes then to be passable at many."
Dined on 3/22/2014
"I have been to many great restaurants over the years and this ranks close to the top."
Dined on 3/22/2014
"I was already a huge fan of Boka before the renovations that transformed the dining room into such a beautiful, comfortable, contemporary space and the addition of Chef Wolen, one of Chicago's best chefs. Now Boka truly has elevated into one of Chicago's best restaurants and is the top choice for fine dining quality food without breaking the bank. The staff here is so friendly and the food and drinks truly amazing. I am already eagerly awaiting my next visit."
Dined on 3/19/2014
"I rarely write reviews but I left Boka absolutely speechless! I had made surprise reservations for my husbands birthday before I found out that I have many food intolerances! When I confirmed my reservations they went above and beyond in making sure it was a perfect night. Our server knew before we even spoke about my diet restrictions! They were very accommodating and the food was so good I couldn't stop smiling. My husband and I are both chefs and CIA graduates and each course was right on spot with taste, texture, flavor, contrast, and presentation. I had the altered version of the onion soup, the roasted cauliflower, and coconut sorbet. Perfect birthday surprise for two foodies in Chicago!"
Dined on 3/19/2014
"Our waiter was very familiar with the menu choices, and took the time to describe each one. It's hard to decide, because they all sound so good, but he was very helpful in guiding our selection. Food was outstanding...from starter to entrée to dessert. We loved the 'old' menu, but were very impressed with the changes made by the new chef. The new interior design is very nice, but it definitely seems like the noise level is amplified. We had a hard time carrying on a conversation sitting in the middle of the dining room. I will request a booth next time!"
Dined on 3/15/2014
"My boyfriend and I went for chef week and our anniversary. Despite it being a Monday night, there was a surprising number of other groups dining and at the bar. The starters and desserts were outstanding. Our scallops were seared perfectly but the main dish had a bit too much going on for us. Still very enjoyable though. Great service!"
Dined on 3/17/2014
"Boka's re-design has been phenomenal – now it has a much more intimate and sexier vibe. Chef Lee Wolen's food matches the mood. Everything we ordered was excellent – from the new salt cod ravioli to the cauliflower steak with quinoa, raisins, yogurt and harissa. I'm not vegetarian, but this is one of my favorite main courses I've had in a long time. Service is fantastic, attentive but not overbearing. I would come back here for a date, with friends or just to nibble on light bites at the bar. There's also a gorgeous private dining room with a "living" wall of plants that would be great to host parties."
Dined on 3/16/2014
"Amazing food! Service was over and beyond! Made my husband's bday dinner very special."
Dined on 3/14/2014
"Had a fantastic meal at Boka. Was really excited to see the renovation and taste the food from the new chef. The decor is fantastic and the food was one of the better meals I have had in Chicago in a long time. Smaller portions were well received as I believe many Chicago restaurants give way too much food. Everything was fresh and the presentation was beautiful. Two complaints: - the restaurant is extremely loud. We actually moved tables because there was a large group practically yelling in the main dining room. The staff was very nice and helpful and apologized for the inconvenience. Our waiter explained they are working on some noise softening panels. - the smell of the moss is overwhelming and not appetizing - but it's pretty!"
Dined on 3/14/2014

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