Boka: User Reviews
Daniel - (the mixologist)- is a GENIUS
By shilbran from Wrigleyville, February 26, 2009
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Went there about a week ago with my girlfriend - just thought we'd stop by and check out the place after having dinner at Landmark. Everybody was incredibly welcoming and warm. The bar is cozy and is the perfect match of classy yet eclectic. Then we started talking to Dan, who is basically the drink scientist. He can make anything and does it with grace. He's also a hell of a guy. Can't wait to go back. Do yourself a favor and go here.
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We went there last night and had a wonderful meal. the food was delicious, the choice of ingredients was out of the ordinary, and the presentation of the dishes was very appealing.
We had a great time, and we even got some freebies from the kitchen.
It's probalby the best restaurant we've been to in a long time. Definitely worth the money. Highly recommended.
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Thirty of us had dessert here last night and it was awesome! Tasty, beautifully presented, average price for a restaurant of this calibur. The staff was superb, going so far and to walking me (last of group to leave) to the door and asking if I needed a cab. I want to go back and try an entree!
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Best restaurant experience in 18 months in Chicago.
Recommended dishes: Scallops (appetizer); octopus (appetizer); tuna (appetizer). All were excellent & I'm not even a huge fan of scallops or octopus! Pork belly (entree) was delicious. Mahi Mahi (entree) and beet salad (appetizer) were good, too, but not as quite as good as the others. Spinach and gruyere (side) was completely unnecessary and the only thing I didn't love ... a bit salty.
Ambiance: great. A nice change from a lot of the other neighborhood restaurants. Good service, very attentive, didn't rush us through dinner.
Bonus tip: start the night at Black Duck Tavern across the street for a cocktail. Great ambiance, nice & cozy, would be good on a cold day.
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Everything about Boka is sub-par:
Al fresco furniture uncomfortable.
Maitre 'D suggested what turned out be a 'sweet' Riesling for dinner - my fault.
Waitstaff suggested their signature dishes - can't imagine what the others tasted like.
It's expensive.
I'll never know if Boka is conversationally challenged...we were the only ones dining on a Fri. evening - that alone should speak loud and clear.
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This restaurant is one of the best in Lincoln Park! I used to eat here when Boka first opened. I've now eaten here twice, since chef Giuseppe Tentori has taken over in the kitchen and the food is much different and more refined than it used to be. In fact, the menu is completely new. This chef knows exactly what he's doing!! The food is PHENOMENAL!! The service is top notch! I would eat here every week if I could!!!
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I went there with a date for Valentine's Day, and I wasn't expecting too much (the holiday tends to be overdone). However, when I walked in, the place was transformed from what I remember a few years back...for the better! The hostess was extremely friendly, and we were sat almost immediately in the front of the restaurant near the window...perfect place to sit! Our server was the best I have ever had (I think her name was Holly)...she talked us through the menu and suggested a few glasses of wine for us. (Their glass pours are small and not that great, but my date wasn't up for a bottle.) The evening was smooth and fun...and by the end of the night, I was wishing I was sitting with my server instead of my date! (They have a very attractive staff...I will leave it at that.) The food was amazing...flavorful and beautifully plated...the chef has done wonders since he took over the kitchen at Boka. Check out this restaurant for sure-- doesn't matter who you go with...the service will make you feel like royalty and the food will leave you with the feeling that you need to make the next reservation before you leave!
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We love Boka! It's a great place for a great dining experience. Eac time we dine at Boka, we leave so satisfied and in so many ways. The staff and service are always so warm and welcoming, as if we're a part of their family. The food is fantastic! We started off with hamachi, followed by sweetbreads, celery root soup with crab and crawfish cakes, and then had the duck breast and venison loin for our entrees. We ordered three cheeses for our dessert, but were given a sample of all the cheeses! Wow! What a treat and surprise. Obviously I love this place and it's well-worth it!
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A Regular has an Irregular Experience
By Royalbuck from Lincoln Park, February 7, 2008
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Normally, I would rave about the innovations, presentations and quality of the food at this restaurant. However, dining at Boka this evening proved to be somewhat disappointing. Appetizers were first-rate as always, particularly the Diver Scallop. The higher priced entree ($38) of the duet of beef tenderloin and shortrib, was not up to snuff. The tenderloin was tough, not the soft, buttery texture you would expect at that price level. The short rib was tasty but overly salty as was the entire dish. Just not their best effort on this particular offering.
Service was terrific with a knowledgable server anticipating the table's needs.
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I invited my girlfriend to Boka's for her birthday and it was a truly great evening. Boka's reservation staff asked me whether it was a special occasion, which I thought was very considerate (see dessert part below). The decor is very inviting and cozy, yet modern and simple. We chose the "house specialty", namely the stuffed squid as well as the quail were nicely presented and very flavorful. The main dishes, pork belly (!!!) and venison loin again were perfectly cooked and presented. Portions are generally on the smaller side. Wine matching was perfect, though prices are on the higher side. Service was very good in the timing between dishes and leaving enough privacy to enjoy the evening while still attending to our needs. The attention to "details", i.e. the very good quality of the bread and splitting the dishes for us (!) were a major plus. Dessert was on the house with a nicely presented sampler and a congratulatory message on my partner's plate. Needless to say that we will be coming back
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Review Summary
The following scores represent the average rating submitted by 96 users:
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