boca, mk or naha?

Waiting on a table at Graham Elliot...

If it doesn't come through, would you go with Boca, Mk or Naha? We're up from Indy for our 5th aniv. We canceled at Tru because jacket required really isn't our thing. On the other hand, we are looking for a more romantic setting than say Avec or Takashi's. Any insight would be welcome, thanks!

I would say either Boka or Naha.

I like the food at mk, but the room is pretty loud (especially on weekends) and service can be rushed...not the best combination for an anniversary dinner.

In terms of food, I would give Naha a bit of an edge of Boka. If you're looking for something a little more on the trendy side in terms of atmosphere, I would give the edge to Boka.

I've had great meals at Boka, MK, and Naha, which Boka being the most recent. I agree that MK is probably the least romantic of the three.

Have you thought about North Pond? It's in the same general price range and, in my opinion, has a much more romantic setting. It's in Lincoln Park (that is, it's actually in the park). The food is outstanding. Here are a few random threads on North Pond:

viewtopic.php?p=13359

viewtopic.php?t=11907

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=11907&start=30&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=18038&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

North Pond
2610 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614
773-477-5845
http://www.northpondrestaurant.com/

Thanks! I have North Pond booked for the night before. Price isn't an issue, we can just do without any pretension. Any other thoughts or ideas?

friend1 wrote:I have North Pond booked for the night before.

Great choice!

friend1 wrote:Price isn't an issue, we can just do without any pretension. Any other thoughts or ideas?

one sixtyblue for our very best contemporary American food in a casual, contemporary, romantic/intimate setting.

moto for avant garde "molecular gastronomy" cuisine.

NoMI for haute cuisine in a romantic setting, with big picture windows looking out over Michigan Avenue.

All of these have outstanding food and the setting on all is nice. Jackets not required at any of them. If I had to choose just one, though, I really love one sixtyblue because every time I've gone there, just about every single dish has had that "WOW! DELICIOUS!!!" feeling to it. And it's elegant without being at all pretentious. It sort of reminds me of Oakley's Bistro in Indy (which I also love).

I have had great meals at Naha and MK . . . and just an average meal at Boka (except for the great dessert). In my opinion, both Naha and MK can get loud, but both should be fine. I slightly prefer Naha for food and MK for decor. Please note that Boka can get very loud thanks to the adjoining bar area which often hosts loud gatherings and the noise can spill into the dining room. At the same time, Boka has a beautiful outside dining area that is quieter and perfect on a nice evening.

I would choose Boka. I wondering if the previous posters have dined here since Chef Giuseppe Tentori has taken the helm. He was just voted one of Food and Wine's top 10 new chefs. Also, the loud bar scene mentioned above, IMO, has moved on since the opening of their new venture, Landmark, up the street.

As to your other questions, I have been to MK many times and enjoy it, however it is very loud on the weekends, and was not impressed by NaHa on my one visit.

rhinopias wrote:I would choose Boka. I wondering if the previous posters have dined here since Chef Giuseppe Tentori has taken the helm. He was just voted one of Food and Wine's top 10 new chefs. Also, the loud bar scene mentioned above, IMO, has moved on since the opening of their new venture, Landmark, up the street.

I was last at Boka in July a few months after the new chef arrived. Here's what I said then: viewtopic.php?p=141567#p141567. Certainly this was just one experience and I understand many people have had great things to say about the restaurant, but my group's meal there wasn't anything to get excited about.

As for the bar scene: Yes, I'm sure Landmark draws some people away from the bar at Boka. But Landmark has been there for years, and on the night I was at Boka, there were a lot of people at the adjoining bar and the noise which carried into the restaurant was very loud. Had we been dining inside (as opposed to the back patio), we definitely would have left because of the noise.

For an anniversary dinner, I would go with Boka over the other two. The food at Boka is on par with MK, in my opinion, and the space is more romantic. Naha would be my third choice based on two so-so meals there.

You could also consider Le Lan, Table 52, Moto, Spring, Custom House, or Green Zebra. Of those, I would go with Spring. It is a personal favorite of mine.

Thanks for all your input! We confirmed our table at Graham Elliot today.

Ideas for romantic drink afterward would be great! Thanks!

The bar at Nomi in the Park Hyatt is glorious.

The Signature Lounge.

http://www.signatureroom.com/lounge/default.cfm?PID=15

rhinopias wrote:The bar at Nomi in the Park Hyatt is glorious.

Here we can agree. I especially love the outdoor area on a beautiful summer night.