$$$ - New American - Ranch Triangle
1729 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
If you’re looking to have a great meal in a cool setting or are celebrating a special occasion, Boka is one of those restaurants that hits the spot every time. Boka was opened in 2003 as the first Boka Restaurant Group location by owners Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz. (last names BO+KA). Since then, the group has grown to include many Chicago favorites like Girl & the Goat, Momotaro, Cira, Cabra, Duck Duck Goat, Bellmore, Lazy Bird, Swift & Sons, Somerset, GT Prime, Dutch & Docs, Elaine’s Coffee Call, Cold Storage, and J Parker.
Boka has remained a shining star - it was awarded its Michelin start in 2010 which it is has kept since and it’s continually being showered with awards. The menu has classics which never get old and rotating dishes that keep things interesting. I have been here twice, including a birthday celebration, and it’s definitely a place I want to keep coming back to.
THE FOOD/DRINK
Boka has both great food and drink - the cocktail menu changes frequently with lots of interesting flavors. Some examples are the Robert Frost with glenmorangie 10-year scotch, gran classico & black cardamom, the Shady Grove with gin, elderflower, mint, aloe & mini boba, and the Crimson Sunbird with broker’s gin, maurin quina (fortified white wine), yellow chartreuse, blood orange & pineapple.
They also give you amuse bouche - little palate cleansers to start your meal
Some yummy starters are the Ricotta Dumplings with grilled fava leaves, fresh chickpeas, goat gouda &black truffle and the Marinated Spring Artichokes with burnt sunflower, endive & quince vinegar.
The main courses are delicious; the menu usually includes the St Canut Porcelet Loin & Belly with smoked chewy beets, grilled gem lettuce & blood sausage, the Slow Roasted Carrots with sprouted lentils, mustard, salted peppercorn & sesame and the 1 or 2 person Whole Roasted Dry Aged Duck with foie gras sausage, strawberries & grilled ramps (wild onion).
Finally to close out the meal, a dessert option is the Hazelnut & Coffee with whole milk ice cream, praline & toasted milk. They gave us yummy pralines/chocolate brittle on my birthday
WINNERS
Ricotta Dumplings - these are INCREDIBLE. They are very creamy and cheesy + they melt in your mouth.
Whole Roasted Dry Aged Duck - I'm a big duck fan and this one is very good. It's fatty yet crispy and cuts like butter.
Hazelnut & Coffee - the creamy + salty flavors go together very well and this is a great dessert to end your culinary experience.
FINAL VERDICT
I love Boka because it checks all the boxes - you can go for a very nice meal or for a specific celebration, it has food/drink everyone will love, and the general vibe and experience is very fun and enjoyable. A must on everyone's best restaurants in Chicago list!
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