DINING/FOOD ICHIBAN JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE—A sushi and sashimi bar as well as tepanyaki grill. The Ichiban roll is a tasty mouthful of soft shell crab, shrimp tempura, eel, cuke, lettuce, avocado and cream cheese with sweet sauce. If you’re in for the grill, the chef’s slice and dice and entertain all at once. 1233 Broadway Ave, 208-426-9188. $$-$$$$ . LIFE’S KITCHEN—Have a lunch, save a life. Serving lunch three days a week: Wednesday, Thurs-
day and Friday, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Students learn skills for life and for the restaurant business at Life’s Kitchen under the supervision of chef instructor Maggie Kiefer. A new menu is published every Tuesday at www. lifeskitchen.org. 1025 S. Capitol . Blvd., 208-331-0199. $$ LUCKY 13 PIZZA/THE GARAGE—The former North End mainstay has moved essentially “as was” to Harris Ranch, where the best (and best-named) pizzas and sandwiches on the planet
BEER GUZZLER/FOOD
are still on the menu. 3662 S. Eckert Road, 208-344-6967. $ SU OM. LOCAVORE—Casual food with an emphasis on local produce and homemade everything. 3110 S. Bown Way, 208-338-8887. $$ . MAZZAH—Visit the Med over lunch or drop on by for dinner. Gyros, hummus, falafel and baklava on the quick. Try the fatoosh salad; you won’t be disappointed. 404 E. Park Center Blvd., 208-3332223. $-$$ OM . ONO HAWAIIAN CAFE—A wide variety of the flavors of Hawaii are offered in the form of pupus, sushi, sandwiches and satays. And where ever Ono’s catering operation, the Kanak Attack van is parked and serving, a BW staffer is most likely in the vicinity with money in hand. 2170 Broadway Ave., 208-4299111. $$-$$$ OM . PAD THAI—Pad Thai House is so confident that its Pad Thai is the best in Boise, the restaurant is named after it. 1473 S. Five Mile Road, 208-375-6014. $-$$ OM. PAPA JOE’S—Family owned and operated, Papa Joe’s uses family recipes for their pizza and pasta dishes. Food and drink specials all week long and a dozen flavors of gelato with which to reward your plate cleaning skills. 1301 S. Capitol Blvd., 208-344-7272. 1301 S. Capitol Blvd., 208-344-7272. $-$$ SU OM.
EPIC BREWING Yes, they do have craft breweries in Utah. And despite the neo-prohibitionist influence of a certain church, some of them are doing quite well, thank you very much. Case in point: Salt Lake City’s Epic Brewing, which offers a three-tiered lineup with the prices escalating as you move up. I have yet to try the Elevated and Exponential Series, but if the trio from the introductory-level Classic Series is any indication, they’re probably pretty darn good. All three featured this week come in generous 22-ounce bombers. EPIC CAPT’N CROMPTON’S PALE ALE This bright copper pour opens with resiny hops and earthy herbs with touches of pineapple and roasted malt. A wellbalanced brew with caramel-tinged malt playing against citrus, while ample hops add more body than bitterness. There’s a nice black pepper note on the palate that finishes dry with touches of spice and earth. EPIC CROSS FEVER AMBER ALE I’m not usually a big fan of ambers—too much sweet malt in most for me, but this one is a tasty exception. There’s a much bigger hop presence on the nose than one might expect. And while supple malt flavors dominate the palate, the hops keep things in balance. A nice roasted quality—something like lightly charred toast—adds interest in a brew that cries out to be paired with smoked or roasted meat. This beer would make a great choice for a Labor Day barbecue. EPIC PFEIFFERHORN LAGER This is a classic lager in the best sense of the word, which means it goes down oh so smoothly. Buttery grain aromas mix nicely with soft, citrusy hops and honey-laced malt. Creamy fruit flavors mark the palate, along with yeasty fresh bread, lightly sweet malt and just the softest kiss of hops. The finish is clean and refreshing and lingers nicely. —David Kirkpatrick WWW. B OISEWEEKLY.C O M
PAT’S THAI KITCHEN—Pat’s promise to deliver “delicious authentic Thai food” certainly hold true each and every visit. Tom Ka Gai like you find in Chiang Mai, noodles and rice of all varieties and curry done Thai spicy or mild for the farang in you. 577 E. Park Blvd. #C110, 208-345OM. 0026. $-$$ PIEHOLE II—Pizza plain and simple. Nineteen-inch pies by the slice or by the pie and calzones everyday. Try their infamous potato and bacon, or go cheap with the special of the day for two bucks. 205 N. 8th St., OM 208-424-2255. $-$$ SU. POWELL’S SWEET SHOPPE— Old-school, new-school, grossschool and too-cool-for-school school, Powell’s has just about every candy you, your grandmother and your kids have loved over the years. The original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory plays all day, and like it or not, Powell’s is always packed. 3064 South Bown Way, 208-424-6099. $ SU OM. THE RAM—Beer brewed on site, more TVs than you can count and plenty of specials from happy hour to daily dinners. 709 E. Park Blvd., 208-345-2929. OM SU. $-$$ THE REFUGE—Serving the same menu as loved Harry’s of Hyde Park with burgers, fingersteaks, homemade chips from flour tortillas and other bar favorites and pool, beer and TVs to keep diners entertained. 404 E. Parkcenter Blvd., 208-424-8211. SU. $-$$
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