DININGGUIDE Mexican and Italian cuisine. Soups and salads may be a good choice if a diner is going for the house specialty dessert made in-house by the pastry chef. Selections include a Chocolate Truffle Ugly Cake best experienced with closed eyes and an open mouth. 404 E. Parkcenter Blvd., 208-3222838. $-$$ SU OM . GRAPE ESCAPE—Fine wine, delicious lunch and dinner, delectable desserts and light bites make this little bistro a great place to meet with great friends. And, if you can’t get to Grape Escape, they’ll bring their casual elegance to you at any of your functions or events with their fabulous catering. 800 W. Idaho St., 208-3680200. $-$$ P SU. ONO HAWAIIAN CAFE—A wide variety of the flavors of Hawaii are offered in the form of pupus, sushi, sandwiches and satays. And wherever 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., 208-429-9111. $$-$$$ P SU OM . PAIR—Delicious breakfast and dinner in an atmospheric, upscale bistro downtown. A cozy place for cocktails. The fruit cup—with lovelies like pomegranate and coconut—is recommended. 601 W. Main St., 208-343-7034. $$-$$$ P SU OM. WILLOWCREEK GRILL—The extensive menu features Northwest favorites such as salmon served up a little different in a fish and twigs option, (twigs are fries at Willowcreek). Choose from a selection of yummies like fried portobello sticks and a wide selection of burgers topped with treats like pastrami and Swiss. New to the mix is the addition of sushi in the sister establishment right next door at RAW Sushi. One kitchen serving something for everyone; it doesn’t get much better. 2273 S. Vista Ave., Ste 150, 208-343-5544. $-$$ P OM.
Diner ADDIE’S—The language of breakfast is spoken here. You’ve never seen so many meats followed by “& Eggs” on one menu. Come early to beat the rush for Boise’s best gravy. 507 W. Main St., 208-3381198. $ P SU OM . BLUE JEANS CAFE—Breakfast (starting at 6 a.m. for you early birds) and lunch with some of the biggest biscuits and gravy in the state. Freshly baked pastries, salads and sandwiches. 9140 W. Emerald St., # 300, 208-658-5053. $ . THE BLUE MOOSE CAFE—With moose-inspired decor, an eatery where diners can get tasty bistro fare like soups and salads, sandwiches and wraps. Think about dining in their new sunroom or outside. 79 Aikens Rd., 208-939-3079. $ P OM. GOLDY’S BREAKFAST BISTRO—A desperately popular breakfast destination and with good reason. Generous portions of eggs, hash, cinnamon rolls and more. Good gravy. Can’t make it for breakfast? They’ve got lunch, too. 108 S. Capitol Blvd., 208-345-4100. $-$$ SU . MOON’S KITCHEN CAFE—Get pancakes, biscuits and gravy and eggs for breakfast, or just go straight to dessert and enjoy one of Moon’s famous milkshakes. Founded in 1955, Moon’s has the best breakfast and milkshakes in town, plus an online ordering option for fast delivery, check it out at www. moonskitchen.com. Moon’s offers a fine selection of beer and wine which makes the latest addition to the milkshake flavors possible—a milkshake made with Guinness Stout. 712 W. Idaho St., 208-385-0472. $ SU OM .
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| JULY 15–21, 2009 |
BOISEweekly
THE GRIDDLE—Two whopping menus to satisfy all your from-scratch breakfast and lunch cravings. Get crepes, hotcakes, quiche, good ole bacon and eggs for breakfast, or if lunch is what you require, order up a house specialty sandwich or stick with something more traditional like a Philly cheesesteak or hot roast beef sandwich. 2310 E. Overland Road, 208-288-1848. $-$$ SU . THE TROLLEY HOUSE—The only remnant of Boise’s streetcar system and a favorite neighborhood diner. No-frills atmosphere, efficient service and a giant menu with everything from eggs Benedict to burgers to a lo-cal section. BYOB. 1821 Warm Springs Ave., 208-345-9255. $-$$ SU .
European CAFE RUSSIAN BEAR—Owner Oleg Mironov and his wife make every single thing on the menu from scratch. Borscht, Russian crepes, beef stroganoff, potato pancakes— it’s all homemade. If you are as hungry as a bear, the cafe serves up borscht in up to 18 ounce servings. No preservatives or pre-made ingredients, ever. Try their unique selection of Russian beer and wine. Open for lunch and dinner. 600 S. Rivershore Lane, 208-9391911. $-$$ . CAFE VICINO—Chefs Richard Langston and Steve Rhodes serve up fresh and innovative foods, offering a casual lunch menu with choices like daily quiche, salads and portobello mushroom sandwiches. Dinner choices lean toward finer dining, offering carpaccio, a variety of pastas and entrees that run the gamut from braised lamb shanks to a New York steak to cioppino. 808 W. Fort St., 208-472-1463. $-$$$ P OM. LA VIE EN ROSE—A Europeanstyle bakery where the digs are as beautiful as the grinds. Enjoy fresh baked croissants, brioches, tarts, eclairs and more from chef Patrick Brewer. Check out their breakfast menu, featuring everything from omelets and frittatas to biscuits and gravy and pancakes. Lunch features a selection of homemade soups, sandwiches and salads, and Illy coffee is available all day, every day. 928 W. Main St., 208-331-4045. $-$$$ SU OM . LE CAFE DE PARIS—The display case offers a glimpse of the height of French pastry baking. The food is among Boise’s culinary elite—lush, buttery cooking. 204 N. Capitol Blvd., 208-336-0889. $-$$$ P SU OM . PIAZZA DI VINO—As an art gallery and wine bar, Piazza di Vino offers an extensive collection of wines from around the world and art from around town. But that’s not all they offer: savory soups, chocolates, cheeses, salads, fondue and pizza (try the Italian hard salami and provolone) will bring you back again and again. 212 N. Ninth St., 208-3369577. $-$$ P. TANNINS WINE BAR—Choose wines by the glass or buy the whole bottle. Tannins also features specialty beers and a food menu featuring cheese, fresh baked baguettes and and handmade truffles. The wine list includes a wide range of selections from Idaho, the United State and the world. Each week, six house wines are featured by the glass along with live music and tastings from area distributors. 347 E. Ave. A, Kuna, 208-922-1766. $-$$$ OM.
BBQ ROADHOUSE BBQ—A carnivore’s Valhalla. There’s something about a hunk of expertly ’cued meat served up with glorious barbecue sauces and delectable side dishes that reminds us of primitive days chasing furtive prey across the ancient savannah. 1059 E. Iron Eagle Dr., 208-939-8108. $$-$$$ P OM .
Delis BLUE SKY BAGELS—Hot asiago bagels, soups, morning egg combos and lunchtime sandwiches—the real steal is the veggie sandwich stacked high with all the roughage you want (including avocado). 407 W. Main St., 208-388-4242. 3161 E. Fairview Ave. #150, 208-855-9113. $ P SU OM . BOISE CO-OP—You just can’t leave the Co-op without at least one deli delight in your bag. Each day brings a new selection of delicious foods made with the freshest ingredients. 888 W. Fort St., 208-472-4500. $-$$ P SU OM. THE BRIDGE CAFE—Stop in for breakfast, lunch or a snack. Continental breakfast and coffee, build-your-own wraps and sandwiches, hot lunch and a rack of snacks for the in-between times. 123 N. Sixth St., 208-345-5526. $ . COBBY’S—Serving up soup, salad, brew and wine since 1978. Enjoy deli meats like pastrami, bologna, mortadella, colto and genoa, in addition to all the standards. Every size soup and sandwich can be combined. 1030 Broadway Ave., 208-345-0990. 6899 W. Overland Road, 208-323-0606. 4348 W. Chinden Blvd., P SU OM. 208-322-7401. $ CUCINA DI PAOLO—After years of catering in the valley, Cucina di Paolo now offers heat-andserve gourmet entrees, as well as a deli case full of goodies to enjoy in the small dining area. 1504 Vista Ave., 208-3457150. $-$$ OM. DELI GEORGE—Behind the upside-down sign on Fairview, look for over 30 sandwich options full of homemade ingredients and plenty of imagination. 5602 Fairview Ave., 208-3232582. $ OM. HUGO’S DELI—Unique sandwiches piled high with meat and cheese, fried chicken, deli salads and some of the biggest and best fries in town. 2789 Broadway Ave., 208-385-9943. 10599 W. Overland Road, 208377-9530. 5616 W. State St., 208-853-2323. $ . JENNY’S LUNCH LINE—Jenny’s menu, which changes every day, always features fresh soups, salads and sandwiches made daily. Vegetarian and healthy options are the mainstay with a single yummy dessert treat for the times when your sweet tooth needs a little loving, too. 106 N. Sixth St., 208-4330092. $-$$ P OM.
Coffeehouses/ Bakeries ALIA’S COFFEEHOUSE—A bagel shop that’s not just bagels. Get pastries, smoothies and lattes, or get beyond breaky with a portobella sandwich, a ham and brie bagel, or any of Alia’s fresh soups and salads. 908 W. Main St., 208-3381299. $ SU OM . DAWSON’S—Dawson’s interior is almost as tasty as the handpicked beans roasted the oldfashioned way. Owners Dave and Cindy Ledgard know where to find the best fair trade, organic, shade grown and just plain excellent coffees. 219 N. Eighth St., 208-336-5633. 216 W. 38th St. Suite A, 208-3762787. $ P SU.
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