Boka Restaurant Review

1729 N. Halsted St. (Willow St.) Send to Phone

A chic, stylish place---complete with a touted chef---for theater diners and hardcore food lovers.

Boka Restaurant is one of our 2012 | Top 10 Chicago American Restaurants | Top 10 Chicago Outdoor Dining Restaurants |

Cuisine

Open

Dinner nightly

Features

Heart-healthy dishes
Private room(s)
Full bar
Reservations suggested
Outdoor dining
Valet parking
Casual

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Giuseppe Tentori initially came from Milan---sans English skills---to work in top Chicago kitchens. These days, he works magic at this hip boÃ®te. Boka's menu, which was already good, has gotten considerably better with time. We find first courses are a real strength---complex, artful and highly seasonal. Find proof in wisps of raw fluke with curried sepia, Thai basil, black radish and ground cherries. Other treats may include crispy chicken thigh with aged cheddar custard, English pea purÃ©e and black garlic, and beef carpaccio with crispy purple potatoes and Parmesan foam. But thatâ€™s not to say entrÃ©es donâ€™t deliver. Rainbow trout teams with red wine-braised artichoke, a purÃ©e of sweet corn and crispy pig tail with mole espuma, for example, and mac â€˜nâ€™ cheese is studded with edamame. When it comes to finales, expect seasonally inspired creations. The wine list is large and (surprisingly) affordable.