Boka Taps Lee Wolen As Chef At Their New Gold Coast Restaurant

Boka Restaurant Group has revealed the name for their new restaurant planned inside the under-construction Viceroy Hotel in the Gold Coast: Somerset. Partners Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz also announced chef Lee Wolen, who heads the kitchen at Boka in Lincoln Park, will work in the same capacity as executive chef at Somerset. The group—known for Girl & the Goat, Momotaro and GT Prime—announced their first Gold Coast restaurant in October.

They’re aiming for a fall opening at the former site of the Cedar Hotel near Division and State streets. Wolen told the Tribune that he’ll take a more simple approach in the Gold Coast compared to what his kitchen creates in Lincoln Park. While they continue to experiment with the menu, Wolen covets a wood grill and rotisserie while envisioning serving a few pastas. He imagines whole-roasted chicken, suckling pig and whole fish on the menu.

Katz shared a few more details with the Trib. They want to create three themes for the space which will be divided into three areas. The lower level will have a “yacht-club”-type feel, while upstairs will feel more like a country club. The Tribune didn’t mention what the third theme will be. Make any guesses in the comments.