restaurant listings/downtown
Vegan Burger / Boise Fry Company Hand-pressed patty with lettuce, tomato and red onion gastrique.
Falcon Tavern—Known for its hand-pressed burgers and ample beer selection. Cozy up in the interior space or kick back on the patio. 705 W. Bannock St., 208-947-3111, falcontavern. om com. $-$$ FlaTbread communiTy oven—Wood-fired pizza, pasta and sandwiches. The wine and beer selections are excellent, kids make their own pizzas and the patio is a definite summertime draw. The “pick two” lunch is one of the best deals in town. 615 W. Main St., 208-2874757, flatbreadpizza.com. sU om $$ Fork—The rich wood-paneled interior lends itself to a casual atmosphere, with a focus on locally grown, seasonal food. 199 N. Eighth St., 208-287-1700, om boisefork.com. $$
Flaming Turtle Fondue / The Mona Lisa Fruit and freshly baked cakes and cookies to dip into a bubbling pot of melted chocolate laced with gooey caramel.
FronT door norThwesT Pizza and TaP house— You won’t find a Bud Light at this cozy downtown bar, and the food will satisfy serious pizza people. Sandwiches, soups and salads round out the offerings. 105 S. Sixth St., 208-287-9201, thefrontdoorboise.com. $-$$ sU om Goldy’s—The most popular breakfast stop in town does lunch, too. Must-haves: veggie bennies, stuffed French toast and salmon hash. 108 S. Capitol Blvd., 208-345-4100, goldysbreakfastbistro.com. $-$$ sU om
Tapas / The Basque Market A variety of Basque finger foods, served Saturdays, Tuesdays and First Thursdays.
Oatmeal Cookie Pancake / The Egg Factory A stack that tastes just like fresh baked oatmeal cookies, made with oats, raisins, pecans and cinnamon. 22 | RESTAURANT GUIDE 2011 | boiseweekly
GraPe escaPe—Fine wine, delicious lunch and dinner, delectable desserts and light bites make this little bistro a great place to meet with friends. 800 W. Idaho St., 208-368-0200. sU $-$$ Guido’s oriGinal new york sTyle Pizza— There’s nothing like a slice (or three) of Guido’s New York-style pizza for lunch. The giant pies are inexpensive and addictive. 235 N. Fifth St., 208-3459011, guidosdowntown.com. sU om $ ha’ Penny irish Pub and Grill—Bringing a little taste of the Emerald Isle to the City of Trees, with a cozy, old-world-pub atmosphere, the requisite number of taps lining the long, wood bar and a menu filled with both Irish and American favorites. 855 Broad St., Ste. 250, 208-343-5568, hapennybridgepub.com. $$ sU om
haPPy Fish sushi & marTini bar—The martini menu at Happy Fish is bigger than its sushi menu. Go with a Jackie O martini and a Bull’s Eye roll. 855 Broad St., 208-343-4810, happyfishsushi.com. $$$ Res sU om
mai Thai—Hip and colorful, Mai Thai is known for its cocktails, upscale Thai food and great happy hour deals with not one but two happy hours. 750 W. Idaho St., 208-344-8424, maithaigroup.com. $-$$ Res sU om
The huddle—A sports pub with a focus on beer and TV. 205 N. 10th St., 208-3385455. $-$$ sU
modern hoTel and bar—A destination for folks who put a lot of stock not just in what they drink, but where. The menu follows the chic-and-simple rule with finger foods, beautiful salads, paninis and the menu must have: absinthe ice cream. 1314 W. Grove St., 208-424-8244, themodernhotel.com. sU om $$-$$$
Java—In addition to all things coffee, Java also serves scones, muffins and tasty breakfast and lunch offerings. 223 N. Sixth St., 208-345-0777. $ sU Jenny’s lunch line— The menu, which changes constantly, 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., 208-433-0092, jennyslunchom line.com. $-$$ la vie en rose—A European-style bakery where the digs are as beautiful as the grinds. Enjoy fresh baked croissants, brioches, croque-monsieurs and dinner. 928 W. Main St., 208-331-4045, lavieenrosebakery.com. $$-$$$ Res sU om le caFe de Paris— Croque-monsieurs, croissants jambon fromage, Nutella banana crepes, flaky tarte aux fraises and then dinner, too. 204 N. Capitol Blvd., 208-336-0889, lecafedeparis.com. $$-$$$ sU om leku ona—Traditional Basque culture, family and heaven when you visit Leku Ona. Set right on the corner of Boise’s Basque Block. Ask for a picon punch and enjoy. 117 S. Sixth St., 208-345-6665, iparagon. com/lekuona. $$-$$$ Res om liFe’s kiTchen—Lunch is Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Students learn skills for life and the restaurant biz at Life’s Kitchen. A new menu is published every Tuesday. 1025 S. Capitol Blvd., 208331-0199, lifeskitchen.org. Res om $ lock, sTock & barrel— A Boise staple featuring some of the most well-reputed steaks and prime rib in town. 1100 W. Jefferson St., 208-3364266, lsbboise.com. $$-$$$ Res sU om
moon’s kiTchen caFe—Founded in 1955, Moon’s has the best milkshakes in town. The diner also does breakfast and lunch for those times when ice cream does not a meal make. 712 W. Idaho St., 208-385-0472, moonskitchen.com. $-$$ sU om orienTal exPress—Run of the mill Chinese menu, but run by people happy to accommodate vegetarians. General’s Tofu is a local fave. 110 N. 11th St., om 208-345-8868. $ The PanTry—Basic diner food for breakfast, brunch and lunch. 1545 Shoreline Drive, 208-344-5486. $ sU Pho nouveau—Vietnamese comfort food. Must-haves: cha gio with a mound of cellophane noodles, lily blossom salad of young lotus root, shrimp and pork, shaken beef salad and big bowls of pho. 780 W. Idaho St., 208-367-1111, phonouveau.com. $-$$ sU om Pie hole—Nineteen-inch pies by the slice or by the pie plus calzones. Known for the potato and bacon pizza. 205 N. Eighth St., 208-344-7783, pieholeusa. sU om com. $ PiPer Pub & Grill— Perched high on Eighth Street with a wraparound patio, “the Piper” serves up creative, upscale pub fare. 150 N. Eighth St., 208-343-2444, thepiperpub. sU om com. $-$$ Pollo rey—Burritos, tacos and rotisserie-cooked chicken. The green sauce and the fish burrito make food music together. 222 N. Eighth St., 208-345-0323, polloreyboise.com. $ sU om
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