"Boka Restaurant Group made a big splash with its foray into Japanese dining. Decorated chef Gene Kato not only carves into prime seafood, such as fatty bluefin tuna belly and striped beakfish, but also uses a robata to produce succulent pieces of lamb, chicken thighs, and more. Downstairs, a Tokyo-inspired izakaya serves more casual dishes like uni pasta and chicken katsu. Thee’s also an impressive sake and Japanese whisky collection. In early 2023, Kato and Boka introduced Itoko, an intimate new Japanese restaurant in Lakeview that shares the former Southport Lanes building with Little Goat Diner and GG’s Chicken Shop." - Naomi Waxman, Eater Staff
