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Boka
Master Critic Reviews (6 Lists)
Boka
8.8
Opened in 2003, Boka is a Michelin-starred, candlelit dining room where Chef Lee Wolen’s seasonal American cooking and a polished service team anchor one of Lincoln Park’s most reliable date-night experiences. Couples come for the combination of refined plates, deep wine list, and a room that feels celebratory without being stiff.
Must-Try Dishes:
Whole Roasted Dry Aged Duck, Dry Aged Beef Tartare, Duck Leg Ravioli
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.8
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Michelin-starred neighborhood stalwart pairing seasonal tasting-style plates with warm polish.
Who should go: Couples wanting refined cooking without ultra-formal stiffness.
When to visit: Later evening slots for peak buzz and kitchen rhythm.
What to order: Dry aged beef tartare, whole roasted duck, a shared dessert.
Insider tip: Ask about bar seats for a looser, slightly easier-to-book date night.
Boka
8.7
Boka is a polished New American dining room where Chef Lee Wolen’s seasonal menus balance tasting-format ambition with à la carte flexibility. High-volume praise focuses on precise cooking, warm hospitality, and a room that works equally well for anniversaries and serious food-focused nights out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beausoleil oyster with rhubarb and yuzu-kosho, House bread and butter service, Seasonal chocolate angel-food style dessert
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.9
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: A refined dining room where Lee Wolen’s seasonal menus drive the experience.
Who should go: Guests wanting refined New American without extreme formality or stuffiness.
When to visit: Weeknight dinners or early weekends when reservations are easier.
What to order: Beausoleil oysters, bread service, a seasonal chocolate-forward dessert.
Insider tip: Solo diners and couples can often nab bar seats for a looser, more spontaneous tasting.
Boka
8.9
Boka is a Michelin-starred Lincoln Park dining room where seasonal American tasting menus, polished service, and a lushly designed space make it a flexible but clearly special-occasion choice. Locals lean on it for engagements, celebratory dinners, and nights when they want tasting-menu finesse without the full Alinea theater.
Must-Try Dishes:
Caviar in Egg Shell, Ricotta Gnudi, Arctic Char
Scores:
Value: 7.3
Service: 9
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: A Michelin-starred room balancing tasting-menu polish with neighborhood warmth.
Who should go: Couples and small groups marking major dinners with finesse.
When to visit: Later weekend seatings when the room feels buzzy but calm.
What to order: Tasting menu, ricotta gnudi, a fish main like Arctic char.
Insider tip: Note celebrations when booking; custom menu notes often appear at seats.
Boka
8.9
Boka is a Michelin-starred New American dining room where chef Lee Wolen’s seasonal tasting menus and precise à la carte plates anchor one of Chicago’s longest-running fine-dining hits. Locals treat it as a go-to for polished, contemporary cooking in an intimate, clubby corner of Lincoln Park.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roasted dry-aged chicken with seasonal accoutrements, Beef tartare with crispy potatoes, Milk chocolate crémeux dessert
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 9.1
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: A Michelin-starred New American staple pairing meticulous cooking with intimate, polished service.
Who should go: Tasting-menu seekers and special-occasion diners.
When to visit: Prime evening seatings for full kitchen and dining room energy.
What to order: Tasting menu, roasted chicken, a seasonal dessert.
Insider tip: Ask about bar or lounge seats for a more relaxed Michelin-level experience.
Boka
8.8
Boka is a Michelin-starred Lincoln Park stalwart where Lee Wolen’s seasonal American cooking can be experienced either à la carte or through an eight-course tasting menu. Locals use it for anniversaries and serious food nights when they want polished service, smart wine pairings, and a room that feels upscale but not stiff.
Must-Try Dishes:
Eight-course seasonal tasting menu, Dry-aged beef tartare, Roasted scallop with seasonal garnishes
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Long-running Michelin-starred American tasting menus in a warm, contemporary room.
Who should go: Diners wanting fine-dining polish without ultra-formal stiffness.
When to visit: Weeknight or early-weekend dinners for smoother pacing, less noise.
What to order: Eight-course tasting menu, beef tartare, a seasonal seafood course.
Insider tip: If you’re tasting-focused, commit the whole table to the menu.
Boka
8.8
Boka is a Michelin-starred, chef-driven American restaurant where Lee Wolen’s seasonal tasting menus and à la carte dishes anchor one of Chicago’s most reliable upscale dining rooms. Its polished private spaces work for board-level dinners or intimate celebrations that want serious cooking without leaving Lincoln Park.
Must-Try Dishes:
Black Truffle Roasted Chicken, Whole Roasted Dry-Aged Duck, Beef Tartare
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.8
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: A long-running Michelin-starred room pairing modern American tasting menus with flexible private dining layouts.
Who should go: Teams or families wanting chef-driven food in a refined space.
When to visit: Weeknight or early-weekend dinners when the dining room hums.
What to order: Black Truffle Roasted Chicken, Whole Roasted Dry-Aged Duck, seasonal tasting menu.
Insider tip: Ask events staff to build a menu around the roasted chicken and duck so the whole table shares Boka’s signature plates.