DINING/FOOD CRESCENT NO LAWYERS BAR/ GRILL—Lawyers be damned at this popular bar, restaurant and game-lovers paradise. Though they’re famous for their Lawyer Fries and chicken gizzards, the menu is full of tasty pub food, including burgers, chicken sandwiches, tater tots and a most diggable meatloaf sandwich on sourdough. It’s been a Boise tradition since 1963, with a large patio, horseshoe pits and a rambunctious herd of TVs dialed in to the world of sports. 5500 W. Franklin Road, 208-322-9856. $ SU OM. 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., 208-345-7150. 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., 208-323. 2582. $ FLYING PIE PIZZERIA— Boise’s longest-lived and most inventive pizzeria. They have their own beer (the impeccable Triple Pi Belgian-style ale), and pies to please even the pickiest eaters. 6508 Fairview Ave., 208-345-0000. $ OM SU. GOLDEN STAR—Delicious Chinese/American cuisine served at one of the best preserved old storefronts in town. 1142 N. Orchard St., 208-336-0191. $. JUMPIN’ JANETS—Need a beer, a smoke and a meal? Jumpin’ Janet’s is one of the few places left in town where you can do all three. But here’s the real draw for you health conscious types out there: you won’t find a deep fryer in the kitchen at Jumpin’ Janet’s. It’s all baked. Loves it. 574 Vista Ave., 208-342-7620. $ SU. MANDARIN PALACE—Bo-bo, moo-goo, sub-gum and bacon cheeseburgers all under one roof. 5020 Franklin Road, 208345-6682. $ SU. MONGO GRILL—The process begins with choosing a size and bowl and then filling it with your favorite food to toss on a Mongolian grill under the direction of a skilled chef. Mongo Grill has a salad bar, AND seven kinds of pho, plus a Chinese menu with all the usual sweet and sour dishes served on rice noodles or fried rice. 3554 S. Findley Ave., 208-336-2122. $-$$ SU OM. THE OFFICE—This cleverly named sports bar is for the over-21 crowd only. Enjoy a meal, a smoke and a full bar while catching a game on one of The Office’s plasmas. Then, when you’re better half calls looking for you, the simple answer is: “I’m at The Office, honey.” Bar and late night menu until 2 a.m. 6125 E. Fairview, 208-377SU. 2800. $-$$ PANDA GARDEN—Small but comfortable, Panda Garden has a huge selection of menu items. Generous portions from Chinese to sushi, and it’s all good stuff. The staff, too, is friendly and attentive. 2801 Overland Road, SU. 208-433-1188. $-$$
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PATTY’S BURGER TIME—The only Idaho Preferred fast food restaurant keeps it good and local by serving Flying M coffee, Cloverleaf milk and local beef. The early riser menu includes breakfast burritos, diced potatoes and breakfast sandwiches using organic eggs and vegetables. Need more reasons to swing by? Patty’s serves fresh fruit milkshakes with more than 40 different varieties and hosts classic cars shows every Saturday night. 1273 S. Orchard, Boise, 208-424-5073. $ . THE PLANK—Excellent finger steaks and chicken strips to wash down all that beer. A special lunch menu and a punch card for extra lunch savings and a reverse happy hour Sunday through Thursday from 10 p.m. till midnight with $2 bar bites. 650 S. Vista Ave., 208-336SU. 1790. $-$$ RAW—The owners of conjoined and very popular Willowcreek Bar and Grill opened up RAW to sate the sushi cravings up on the bench. Striving for “sushi art in a comfortable atmosphere and promising rolls that make your money worth it,” RAW is a welcome addition to the Japanese food restaurant family in Boise. 2237 Vista Ave., 208-343-0270. OM. $-$$$ ROCKIES DINER—This old school diner blends in with the rest of Overland Road, but once inside, customers are greeted with perky waitresses on roller skates, classic rock emanating from the jukebox and guitars puncturing the ceiling—not to mention the massive Harley mounted above the checkerboard floor. The burgers are big and tasty; we recommend the jalapeno peppers. Even if you weren’t born before the ’50s, you’ll have flashbacks. A DJ booth to boot. 3900 Overland . Road, 208-336-2878. $ SU ROOSTER’S EATERY— Located in historic Vista Village, Rooster’s offers fine lunch fare. If you’re in the mood for salad, try the San Diego with their own creamy Q-min dressing. For a hot sandwich, try the tri tip melt. For a cold one, check out the albacore tuna. 930 S. Vista Ave., . 208-339-9300. $-$$ SHANGRI-LA TEA ROOM—With their own lines of herbal and organic teas and herbal medicines, Shangri-La Tea Room offers a basic menu of vegan and vegetarian offerings. Some items include five types of soup, pita sandwich and falafel sandwiches, curry and southwestern wraps, and one of the best organic salads in the valley, according to customers. Teriyaki tofu, tea cakes and cookies round out a variety of delightful items. On any given day, choose between 80-100 small batch, limited quantity teas produced on small tea farms. The owners pride themselves on knowing where their teas come from. 1800 W. Overland Road, 208-424-0273. $-$$ OM. SONO BANA—Boise’s oldest sushi joint can still hold its own against more stylish newcomers. Chef Yugi Hagino even offers ginger and adzuki bean ice cream. 303 N. Orchard St. $-$$ SU.
STAN’S CHAR-BROILED HOT DOGS—New York hot dogs arrive fresh from the East Coast courtesy of Sahlen’s Smokehouse and are char-broiled to perfection by well-trained and friendly employees. Other menu selections include Italian, Polish or white hot Bockwurst sausages and quarter-pound or half-pound burgers. Add a deep-fried accompaniment such as Stan’s famous onion rings or fries. All the usual sides necessary for serving charbroiled meat are available in addition to a super-secret, coveted Bronco Sauce. The recipe for the sauce took years for Stan to pry out of the hands of a fellow hot dog purveyor. New York frozen custard in vanilla or chocolate is a delicious treat any time. 818 S. Vista Ave., 208-342-1199. $ SU. TANGO’S SUBS AND EMPANADAS—Empanadas: an exotic word that roughly translates to “to-die-for two-dollar treat.” At Tango’s you can get your empanadas traditional, fusion or sweet. 701 N. Orchard St., 208322-3090; delivery 1-866-996OM. 8624. $ WILLOWCREEK GRILL—Contemporary cuisine in a casual atmosphere and a fine place to dine with friends and family for lunch or dinner. 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. $-$$ OM.
Meridian BLUE SKY BAGELS—Hot Asiago bagels, plus a variety of other flavors ranging from plain to garlic to sunflower seed, plus soups, morning egg combos and lunchtime sandwiches—the real steal is the veggie sandwich stacked high with all the roughage you want (including avocado). 3161 E. Fairview Ave., Ste. 130, Meridian, 208-8559113. $ SU . BUFFALO WILD WINGS—Gnaw on some spicy wings drowned in sauce or go for some ribs, sandwiches or tenders. The menu is full of food and drink choices including grazin’ green salads and mojitos. 3223 E. Louise Dr., Meridian, 208-288SU OM . 5485. $-$$ THE BULL’S HEAD PUB—A little bit of England tucked above the bistro, the pub serves up English fare (upside down Shepherd’s pie, anyone?) with plenty of spirits to wash it down. Stay entertained with games including shuffleboard, darts and pool, and for the spectators, flat screen TVs are scattered about the place. 1441 N. Eagle Road, Meridian, 208-855-5858. $-$$ SU.
Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 9th
Music On The Patio (Weather PermiĴing) A Complimentary Dessert For Every Mom (Dine-in Only) Opening At The Earlier Time Of 11AM GiĞ Cards Available For Mom In Any Amount A Complimentary Fresh Flower For Every Mom!
BOISE MOSCOW
MERIDIAN EAGLE NAMPA KETCHUM MOUNTAIN HOME SANDY BOISEweekly | MAY 5–11, 2010 | 39