BOKA Kitchen + Bar

05/12/2008 Posted by sconey_mccheese

for mothers day this past sunday, eight of my guests and myself had brunch here. we were treated very kindly by the staff, the 2 hostesses and our server. we all left very satisfied. the portions were perfect, not too much food, but just enough! they serve local breads from the macrina bakery. their menu is diverse enough that everyone in my party could pick something they like, from a kobe burger to belgian waffles for the kids. i would recommend their brunch to anyone who is looking for an intimate daytime meal for a special occasion. we all enjoyed everything. Their assorted mimosas were great too!

Pros: great service

Cons: 9.50 for valet?

05/07/2008 Posted by kitharris

The subtlely responsive service of the wait staff, the techno asian ambience and the superb, thoughtful menu by Chef Angie is just divine, DEEvine. Those Foodies that want to treat the palate to something unique should not miss a evening out at Boka, truly. I found my taste buds doing the tango with Fire 'n Ice --- the seared pepper encrusted ahi topped with fresh nutty sprouts swimming in soy with a tiny scoop of melon sorbet to the side. Oh, so simple but what a journey each bite was. You can create interest with unusual combinations of ingredients, but in my book if you prepare veggies keeping their texture's integrity, then you can cook. And Chef Angie proved just that with her vegetable soup as even the fresh peas still had their little snap. Ah, great meals are fun to recount and I recall it all though I ate there over a week ago. Really, go to Boka for a fine experience at the table. The price is quite fair considering the artful menu.

02/28/2008 Posted by cristalla

I have been in for dinner 3 times now, and they always manage to exceed my expectations somehow. The food is getting better and better, particularly with the new chef. My wife and I went in right before Valentines Day, and it's a pretty darn romantic spot considering the ultra swank hotel it's attached to. We were very well cared for from the curbside valet all the way through dessert. Our server Lea is a total pro--helpful and charming but not hovering at all. The food was outstanding, well priced, and not pretentious at all. We'll be back.

Pros: Local/sustainable food in this environment?? Sweet!

Cons: Not ideal for large groups.

02/23/2008 Posted by olblueeyes

This place was cool for different reasons. Firstly, the ambient lighting changes colors. They have art on the plasma TV screens which had a tid bit about the art that was showing. The music was good and not too loud which is key in my book. I had some drinks and and appetizer. My drinks were quick and so was the appetizer. My macaroni and cheese was a little bland, but thats why God made salt and pepper. Thats all it needed. This would be a great place for some drinks and appetizers, then off to dinner. I havent had the dinner menu, so I cant speak to that. Great place for a date.

Pros: Cool place.

Cons: Parking is a pain in the ace

12/26/2007 Posted by paigeleeds

Boka is a beautiful bar and restaurant. I really enjoyed the intimate booth we were seated in, and the surrounding environment. While our drinks and starters were good, it was then that we started to notice our food was very oily. Our "small plate" of pumpkin gnocchi was good, but instead of being cooked in a brown butter sauce, it was swiming in it. The scallops in an entree looked perfect, but were a little too oily and unflavorful. The only vegetarian item on the menu, cannelloni pasta, came overflowing with a creamy sauce and lots of cheese. The grilled vegetables that topped it were (with the exception of a really good carrot) oily and salty. The lemon cream sauce on top was good--but it couldn't save the dish. I'd return to BOKA for happy hour, to try out some other dishes, but wouldn't return to have a nice dinner again. For a $100 meal, I expect to be impressed, and BOKA just left my boyfriend and I disapointed.

09/26/2007 Posted by malsquad

My girlfriend and I went here last night as part of the New Urban Drinks program several restaurants around Seattle did in September. We went directly after work, and we found a seat right in the bar/lounge right away. Shortly after we sat down, our server brought us a menu. Because it wasn't specifically marked what was or wasn't part of the New Urban Drinks special, I asked our server, who informed us that it was actually Happy Hour until 6 and that (amazingly) it was even cheaper than the NUD. What a fantastic Happy Hour BOKA has! All food items are half off, and many of the drinks are much cheaper as well, including wines, beers, and wells. We got 4 plates: a very good sized caesar salad, sole fries (like fish sticks, but amazing), bruschetta, and mac'n'cheese (very good as well). My girlfriend got a lemon drop, which she said was very good and was served in a really cute cocktail glass - only $7! Total, the bill was less than $30. The interior of the restaurant was beautiful as well, really chic without giving off an overly pretentious vibe. Jazz was played over the speakers, and all the people in the bar/lounge area were very nice looking. I think that many of them had been staying in the attached hotel (which is also one of the sleekest hotels in the city), because a lot of them were well dressed businessmen. All-in-all, it was an amazing place to come for Happy Hour - my new fav!

Pros: Best Happy Hour ever, really inexpensive

Cons: Probably gets crowded on Friday/Saturday as bar/lounge is small

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

09/22/2007 Posted by spankmehard

The décor has a slight modern flare and the web site photos make the environment look much larger than it is. The bartenders were bustling, but fairly attentive. After-work groups have crowded the tables for the 3pm-6pm (mon-fri) happy hour. There is another happy hour from 10pm to midnight. The setting is in the open, so you can scope almost anyone sitting down; and there a few booths available for a slightly more private experience. 50% off of the “urban bites” and “urban eats” is the attraction of the happy hour. The food is presented nicely, but the “bites” are more like “nibbles” and the “eats” are more like “snacks.” The cherry tomato bruschetta tastes more like a crouton. The short rib sliders were the size of little cream puffs. The proscuitto wrapped mission figs are on the tastier side of the selection. The wagyu burger is the way to go if you are hungry. The look of the food has been more impressive than the actual taste. There are about a dozen signature drinks. The bartending has done a decent job of mixing drinks, and the cocktails are far more likely to meet expectations than the bar food. The setting is kind of cool, and this is more for a “girls night out” than a guys. Lighting behind the bar shelves changes color and the two TVs show either ESPN or art work. This place is decent for chilling out with a friend or two, but other restaurants are offering a far more enjoyable happy hour experience.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

06/13/2007 Posted by amifromthistown

Simply put, Boka is trying TOO HARD. An informal party of about 10, we were squeezed into an awkward corner of stools and high tables. So awkward, in fact, that when our waitress finally realized that we might like to place an order, she could hardly access our table and had to shout and hand off drinks rather than setting them down on the table. She hardly had the patience to listen to one person's order, and would spin around and leave our table before anyone else could get a word out. I hate to pick apart this place so much, because they are obviously trying in earnest to be the most trendy spot around. The decor was over the top - no one element matched another, it was an eye-sore. The food was VERY small and VERY overly-conceptual, as well as funny-tasting (some flavors just DON'T go together, hon) and so salty I couldn't finish my "burger" and fries (was that MSG? I felt sick). I understand the whole 'fancy-mixed-drink' allure, but really, enough is enough. Each 'signature' drink came out looking like the bartender was a child who just discovered her mother's food colorings, and too many of them had strange things floating on the surface like dried lavender blossoms which are pretty, but not so fun to eat while trying to drink. We eventually managed to coerce an adequate number of drinks out of the waitress, which went straight to our heads due to the eensy-weensy portions of food (the crab cakes are LITERALLY two small bites, and at $6 an order, I'd rather go have sushi). Unfortunately, when the bill came, we became more disappointed. Our waitress snapped at us when we asked to separate the bill, and was very visably angered when we handed over about 6 credit cards (what else are we supposed to do?). So, if you want to look cool with a neon-pink drink while sitting amongst uncomfortably-stylish decor, come here, but don't expect more than dive-bar service. Sorry Boka, you're just too much. I'll never be back, unless I want a laugh.

Pros: Location, impress your trendy cosmopolitan friends, unique and pleasant drinks

Cons: Strange food, limited menu, poor service, gauche decor

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful

05/14/2007 Posted by kathysticks

My fiancée and I went to BOKA last week and it was definitely an experience. The atmosphere gives off a very trendy vibe and the happy hour is well worth it. We started with one of their signature cocktails, which was delicious. and then decided to stay for dinner. We ordered a couple of the urban bites which were small but were perfect for tasting. We then had the rib eye and the lamb and both were superb. They were coupled with very original sides that brought out very interesting flavors. The service was very attentive and the sommelier helped us pick wine that went very well with dinner. I have to say I will definitely add BOKA to my list of top Seattle restaurants.

Pros: Menu, Happy Hour, Service

Cons: Can be busy so I would recommend reservations

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

05/08/2007 Posted by drtseattle

I recently went to Boka during one of our rare sunny Seattle days and was pleased to see that the patio was already open! Hardly anyone in the city has a nice patio this time of year, but Boka was rockin! We sat outside all night and they turned the heaters on for us when it got dark. The staff was so courteous to even reserve a table inside for us in case we wanted to move. And i have to mention their signature cocktails. I had the Fresh, whis has gin, mint, cucumber and soda. It was so refreshing I must have had at least three. When it came time for dinner, their sommelier/manager came out to open our bottle of wine and suggest a few dishes to go with it. We had an amazing moroccan leg of lamb that is carved to order (according to our server) and the ginger and carrot poached halibut. They also bake their desserts to order so our strawberry shortcake came out warm and fresh. I hope the patio isn't to full next time we eat there.

Pros: Great food and people

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful