Boka to Reboot Under Lee Wolen; New Giuseppe Tentori Restaurant Coming

Big changes are afoot at Boka. The Boka Restaurant Group was already gearing up for a massive 2014, and are now adding another star chef to its portfolio—Lee Wolen. Wolen guided The Lobby to a Michelin star this year and will move over to helm the kitchen at Boka as executive chef. The restaurant will close for renovations on New Year's Day and hope to reopen by February 1 with a new chef and look.

Giuseppe Tentori, who was executive chef, will launch a new restaurant next year. Details on that are currently few. Carl Shelton was running the Boka kitchen as chef de cuisine, but recently moved to California.

Boka partner Kevin Boehm says the change in Boka's look and food will be "pretty dramatic." "With Lee coming in, we thought there should be symmetry between the chef and his food and the feel of the restaurant," Boehm says. "It's a 10 year-old restaurant and it needs some love." Boka also underwent a remodel in February 2012.

The Boka Group is also working on a large Fulton Market steakhouse with chef Chris Pandel and The Bristol team, as well as a sushi concept, both opening sometime next year. You can now add a new Boka under Michelin-starred Lee Wolen and a new project with Giuseppe Tentori. Stay tuned.
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