DINING/FOOD North Boise 36TH STREET BISTRO—Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner in the sprawling 36th Street Garden Center. The cafe serves espresso, pastries, sandwiches. salads and the dinner menu is ever-changing. 3823 N. Garden Center Way, 208-433-5100. $-$$ SU .
BOISE CO-OP DELI—You just can’t leave the Co-op without at least one deli delight in your bag. Each day brings a new selection of delicious foods made with the freshest ingredients. 888 W. Fort St., 208-472-4500. $-$$ SU OM.
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. 808 W. Fort St., 208-472-1463. $-$$$ OM.
CAFE VICINO—Vicino serves up fresh and innovative foods, offering a casual lunch menu
FANCI FREEZ—Shakes, malts, spins, sundaes and the Boston shake are what have made Fanci Freez a Boise favorite for years. Fanci Freez also serves a whole mess of burgers, some of the crispiest tots in town and even a grilled cheese for the non-meateater. 1402 W. State St., 208SU OM. 344-8661. $
WINE SIPPER/FOOD
HIGHLANDS HOLLOW BREWHOUSE—Whether it’s the appetizers, the entrees or the burgers and sandwiches, stopping in at Highlands Hollow after winter skiing or hiking up Camel’s Back hill in the summer is always a great idea. 2455 Harrison Hollow, 208-343-6820. $-$$ SU OM.
SAUVIGNON BLANC
HYDE PARK PUB—Harry’s is that special bar that’s inviting no matter what your mood. With its dog-friendly patio and a menu chock full of twists on American classics, this is a neighborhood bar that feels like it’s in your neighborhood. 1501 N. 13th St., SU. 208-336-9260. $
It’s spring and that means time for sauvignon blanc, one of the most recognizable grape varieties in terms of aroma and flavor. Stylistically, it is also one of the most diverse. In New Zealand, it achieves a purity of flavor with overtly herbaceous and unmistakably pungent aromas. Elsewhere, with the influence of oak, it achieves a more subtle elegance. Our three top picks help illustrate some of that diversity.
LULU’S FINE PIZZA—Big Apple-style gourmet pie for pizza lovers of everywhere kind. Check out the usual toppings or get adventurous with some tasty things you’re not used to seeing on a pizza menu. 2594 Bogus Basin Road, 208-387-4992. $-$$ SU OM.
2008 JOEL GOTT SAUVIGNON BLANC, $12.99 Beautifully floral aromas combine with accents of orange blossom, soft citrus, lemon zest, fresh-cut grass and a touch of mineral. This California charmer is ripe and round in the mouth with lively tropical and citrus fruit flavors—Meyer lemon, tangerine, guava and mango. The finish lingers nicely with an enticing lemon tart quality and an intriguing touch of spice and white pepper. 2008 MOHUA SAUVIGNON BLANC, $11.99 With its crisp and sassy pink grapefruit, gooseberry and grass flavors, this is the most overtly varietal of the three, but it is in no way over the top. This is a nice mix of sweet and sour on the palate as green apple and grapefruit match sweet lemon and blood orange. Touches of fresh basil and mineral add interest on the bright finish. This is a quintessential New Zealand sauvignon blanc at a great price. 2007 MASON SAUVIGNON BLANC, $16.50 Fermented in both stainless steel and oak, this wine strikes a nice balance between the overtly varietal and a more restrained elegance. Nice crisp citrus, zesty lemon and grapefruit play against smooth pear and mango aromas with touches of clover and fresh spring greens. Creamy stone fruit flavors up front are backed by orange, lime and a hint of pineapple. A soft acidity on the finish adds balance in this lovely California offering. —David Kirkpatrick
AVERAGE PRICE PER ENTREE: $ —Less than $8 $$ —$8 to $14 $$$ —$14 to $20 $$$$ —Over $20
—Wine & beer —Full bar —Delivery —Take-out —Open late RE S —Reservations
MAZZAH—Visit the Med over lunch or drop on by for dinner. Gyros, hummus, falafel and baklava on the quick. 1772 W. State St., 208-333-2566. $-$$ SU OM . O’MICHAEL’S PUB & GRILL—It’s a North End institution. The casual menu is full of traditional and specialty sandwiches, fish and steaks, and the best giant fried prawns in town. 2433 N. Bogus Basin Road, 208-342-8948. $-$$ SU. PARRILLA GRILL—For fabulous fusion food, Parrilla is one of the best in town. Serving breakfast, wraps and burritos, Parrilla’s patio is a summer favorite. 1512 N. 13th St., 208-323-4688. $ SU. SUN RAY CAFE—SunRay holds down the coveted corner patio at the cross of 13th and Eastman streets. The menu is familiar to that location, featuring salads, subs and pizzas named for geographical features in Idaho. Bring your dog, all your friends and break pizza crust with a pitcher of beer. 1602 N. 13th St., 208-343-2887. $-$$ SU.
needed/recommended —Patio S U —Open on Sunday O M —Online menu —Breakfast —Boise Weekly Card
Boise Weekly Dining Guide offers selective listings of editorial recommendations. Listings rotate based on available space.
Updates from diligent readers and listed restaurateurs are heartily encouraged. E-mail to food@boiseweekly.com or fax to 208-342-4733.
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BOISEweekly | MARCH 31 – APRIL 6, 2010 | 33