Boka Bids Au Revoir to Le Select After 10 Months in River North | Eater Chicago

"Opened in January 2023 at 504 N. Wells Street as a heavily hyped River North French brasserie from a celebrated restaurant group, this space—including its second-floor bar, Bar 504—struggled to connect with local critics and diners despite a VIP launch. Its opening chef, Daniel Rose, a suburban Chicago native with Michelin-starred Paris restaurants who also backed a lauded New York fine-dining spot, left after a middling reception; chef Chris Pandel from the group's Fulton Market steakhouse later stepped in to revamp the menu. Citing long-held plans to add a private-event venue for its catering arm and acknowledging that the concept “did not resonate,” the owners are converting the restaurant into an exclusive events space, immediately hosting private parties through the end of 2023, temporarily closing in January for about a month for light renovations and furniture removal, and retiring the current name while already taking event inquiries." - Ashok Selvam