restaurant + bar listings the huddle—Family friendly sports grill with 10 televisions, virtually guaranteeing that your game will be on. Sixteen taps mean that you can have anything from a Guinness to a Coors Light while watching sports and chowing down on one of this joint’s mac-and-cheese varieties. 205 N. 10th St., Ste. 110, 208-338-5454. humpin’ hannah’S—For three decades, Hannah’s has been the place to get your dance on to live music. On any given night, the place is packed and you’ll have to thread through a throng of smiling party people to order a drink from the bar. Groove to your favorite cover song by the Rocci Johnson Band. There’s enough kitsch on the walls and hanging from the ceilings to keep you entertained for hours and hours. 621 Main St., 208-345-7557.
A-Z’s of Boise’s BAr scene
An alphabetical roundup of what makes Ada County’s boozing awesome. ILLuSTRATIONS BY ADAM ROSENLuND
Java—Three words: Bowl of Soul. This coffee/espresso/chocolate concoction is liquid redemption. In addition to all things coffee, Java also serves scones, muffins and tasty breakfast and lunch offerings, including an early bird slamming breakfast deal until 9 a.m. with $5 eggs, toast, jam, and coffee. 223 N. Sixth St., 208-345-0777. Jenny’S lunCh line—The 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., 208433-0092. jennyslunchline.com.
Absinthe at The Modern Hotel and Bar and Red Feather Lounge
knitting faCtory ConCert houSe— With locations in Los Angeles and New York, Knitting Factory’s Boise HQ has the same major concert connections. Sometimes you want to get to a concert early to get a good seat. That might mean having to miss out on dinner somewhere else, but not if you’re going to the Knitting Factory. While you wait for the show to start, you can dig into a heaping plate of nachos, sink your teeth into a stacked sandwich and fries or wrap your mouth around a pile of buffalo wings; you’ll be eating like a rock star. Open Sunday (show nights). 416 S. Ninth St., 208-367-1212. bo.knittingfactory.com. la vie en roSe—A European-style 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 the 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. lavieenrosebakery.com.
Board Games at Solid, Bottle Service at China Blue, Brewery Explosion in Boise, Bikini Bull Riding at Dirty Little Roddy’s
le Cafe de pariS—Do you love rich dishes such as duck confit or rack of lamb? Oui. Does the thought of a mimosa and a croque-monsieur, croissant jambon fromage or Nutella banana crepe make you yearn for the weekend? Oui. Does a flaky tarte aux fraises or mille feuille make you giggly? Chef Mathieu Choux brought his family’s longstanding French restaurant tradition to Idaho and offers “casual French food in a relaxed atmosphere.” The display case offers a glimpse of the height of French pastry baking. The food is among Boise’s best: lush, buttery, delicious. 204 N. Capitol Blvd., 208-336-0889. lecafedeparis.com. leku ona—Step into a little piece of a traditional Basque home, family and heaven when you visit Leku Ona. Relax in the friendly atmosphere with lunch or dinner, either inside or out on the patio on warm days. Leku’s three-sided bar invites conversation, and it’s decently priced liquor stimulates loose lips. Perhaps that’s why it’s one of the favorites with the political set. But it has a positively sophisticated, Old World feel to it, set right on the corner of Boise’s Basque Block. Ask for a picon punch and enjoy. 117 S. Sixth St., 208-3456665. lekuonaid.com.
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Coldest Beer in Boise Weekly Crooked Fence Brewery 28
boiseweekly | RESTAURANT ANd bAR GUIdE 2012 | 23