Boise Weekly Annual Manual 2018

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BOISEweekly STAFF Publisher: Sally Freeman sally@boiseweekly.com Editorial News Editor: George Prentice george@boiseweekly.com Senior Staff Writer: Harrison Berry harrison@boiseweekly.com Staff Writer: Lex Nelson lex@boiseweekly.com Contributing Writers: Skylar Barsanti, Marisa Casella, Henry Coffey, Greta Gardner, Jessica Pauley Creative Art Director: Jason Jacobsen jason@boiseweekly.com Graphic Designer: Sean Severud sean@boiseweekly.com Advertising

TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Account Executive: Jim Klepacki, jim@boiseweekly.com

Circulation Man About Town: Stan Jackson

Boise’s Bragging Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

stan@boiseweekly.com Bar Bar Inc. prints 35,000 copies of Annual Manual, which is available free of charge inside

The Ever-Changing Face of Boise. . . . . . . . . . 14

the July 25, 2018, edition of Boise Weekly at more than 1,000 locations, limited to one copy per reader. Additional copies of this edition of Annual Manual may be purchased for $3, payable in advance. No person may take more

Boise Gets Bugged? . . . . 16

than one copy, without permission from the publisher.

Small Spaces, Big Eats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 %RLVH¶V 8Q¿OOHG Labor Pool . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Boise Weekly is owned and operated by Bar Bar Inc., an Idaho corporation.

TO CONTACT US: Boise Weekly is located at 523 Broad St., Boise, ID 83702

Fare-Minded . . . . . . . . . . 22

Phone: 208-344-2055 Fax: 208-342-4733 E-mail: info@boiseweekly.com

Will Crawl for Art . . . . . . . 24 What to Toss and Where to Toss It. . . . . . . . 26

www.boiseweekly.com Address editorial, business and production correspondence to: Boise Weekly, P.O. Box 1657, Boise, ID 83701

Best in Show . . . . . . . . . . 28 The entire contents and design of

Boise GreenBike . . . . . . . 32

Annual Manual are ©2018

by Bar Bar, Inc.

Top of the Pops . . . . . . . . 34

Boise Weekly is an independently owned and operated newspaper.

A Seat at the Table . . . . . 36 Chow After Midnight . . . . 38 Eat/Drink . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 C OVE R A R T:

Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

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BY JA S ON JAC OB S E N

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BADGES OF HONOR T

he very idea of scouting and being recognized for meritorious achievement is set deep in Idaho’s DNA. One of its earliest practitioners was Sacagawea, who scouted the uncharted territory of the Mountain West in the early 1800s (yes, Lewis and Clark were along for the walk). American boys and girls have been scouting since the 1910s, and both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America are currently undergoing more change than at any time in their respective histories. Earlier this year, in a story we called “A Bigger Tent,” Boise Weekly explored how the local BSA council was preparing to officially accept girls into its program and how the GSA, in spite of what it said was the BSA’s infringement, continues to flourish.

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Throughout the history of what has been affectionately dubbed the “scouting movement,” merit badges have signified achievement in all walks of life. Some badges, such as for camping, cooking and personal fitness, are legacies. Others are more contemporary, such as animation, graphic arts and space exploration, which were recently added to an evergrowing list.

So, in that theme, our 2018 Annual Manual has a few merit badges of its own to award—both to the subjects of the stories in these pages, and to you for reading them. For example, our idea of a Citizenship merit badge goes to the dedicated few who help resettle refugees from wartorn corners of the earth to new homes in Boise. In the fertile category of horticulture, we explore the sprouting popularity

of urban gardening. We’ve got you covered in urban studies too, where we reveal the most difficult-to-fill jobs in Idaho, the evolving transportation scene and the lowdown on Boise’s recycling program.

Plus, we have a different twist on culinary arts, checking out some of Boise’s dogfriendly restaurants and pubs, the expanding list of late-night eateries, and the growing movement of professional chefs spicing up dishes with (gulp) bugs.

Our 2018 Annual Manual also has a comprehensive list of restaurants, bars, galleries and must-attend events. Along the way, you’ll stack up a nice collection of merit badges and end up well prepared to blaze down many of Boise’s important, and sometimes imposing, trails.

—George Prentice, News Editor

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HARRISON BERRY

ADOBE STOCK PHOTO / KNOWLESGALLERY

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BOISE’S BRAGGING RIGHTS Brag: 1. (verb) to say in a boastful manner; 2. (adjective) excellent, first-rate GEORGE PRENTICE

BENWHITESTUDIO / 123RF STOCK PHOTO

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he Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce has never had it so easy. Never in the history of Boise has the City of Trees been lavished with so many “Top 10” or “Best of…” listings. One has to go back to New Year’s Day of 2007 for the last memorable time Boise was splashed across the headlines of the nation’s top newspapers. That, of course, was when the Boise State Broncos thumped the

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University of Oklahoma in the nationally televised Fiesta Bowl (Bronco fans are still dining out on that one). The BSU football program continued to keep Boise on the proverbial map with an undefeated season in 2009, but it really wasn’t until after the recession that Boise began to receive the unprecedented and seemingly endless chorus of hosannas it still enjoys today.

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So the next time a relative from, say, San Francisco or New York begins bragging about how great their city is, here’s some highprofile pushback: • Best city in the U.S. for kids (livability.com, November 2014) • Second-best place in the U.S. to raise a family (Forbes, April 2012) • Second-best artistic mid-sized city in U.S. (martinagency.com, November 2017) • Fourth-best city in the U.S. to retire (Forbes, April 2017) • Fourth-coolest downtown in North America (expedia.com, April 2017) • Fifth-best city in the U.S. for quality of life (nerdwallet.com, October 2017) • Eighth-safest city in the world (msn.com, October 2017) • Ninth-best city in the U.S. for coffee (bustle.com, March 2014) • 10th-best city in the U.S. for active families (Outside, April 2014) • 10th-cleanest city in the U.S. (realtor.com, October 2015) And lest we forget the beloved Boise State Broncos, Boise was also named the 10th-best college football town in the U.S. by Time magazine in September 2015.

1 2 3 RF.C O M

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THE EVER-CHANGING FACE OF BOISE Tides change but hope remains GRE TA GARDNER

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f there was ever a “worst day in Boise,” June 30, 2018, may have been it. Nearly a month later, the city is still reeling from the events that unfolded at the Wylie Street apartment complex in northwest Boise. Before the sun had set on that fateful Saturday, nine people, all refugees, had been stabbed by a lone assailant. A three-year-old girl later died of her injuries. Two days after that, Boise Mayor Dave Bieter looked out on a crowd of thousands at a vigil to honor the refugees and said, “This is the Boise that I know: one that comes closer together.”

Indeed, Boise has welcomed hundreds of refugees. Resettled in Idaho over the past few decades, many have come from some of the most dangerous places in the world. Idaho was repeatedly ranked among the top states for refugee resettlement per capita, but under the Trump administration, the number of those resettled has dwindled to a mere 146 admitted during the first half of fiscal year 2018. Compare that to the 426 14 | ANNUAL MANUAL 2018-2019 | BOISEweekly

refugees who arrived at the same time in 2017.

“There are so many in the pipeline,” said Slobodanka Hodzic (pictured above), program director for the Agency for New Americans, a Boise-based nonprofit. “Everybody’s coming here to have a second chance, to have a new life.”

Originally from Bosnia, Hodzic fled the Yugoslav Wars in the early 1990s and spent a year in Hungary waiting for her fiance to exit Serbia, as men were not permitted to leave until the conflict was over. By 1996, Hodzic and her husband were resettled to Idaho. She was seven months pregnant.

“We decided to come to the U.S. because the conflict was still very fresh after the war,” she said. “We just wanted to find a place where we could start a family without being judged, without my kid feeling divided, because my husband and I [practice] different religions. That meant we had a mixed marriage, which was not popular.”

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Hodzic said looking back now, it feels like a dream. Arriving in Idaho seven months pregnant, her stress level compounded by culture shock, Hodzic struggled to find a doctor.

“There was one place and they said they had an opening four months out.” said Hodzic. “I said, ‘I probably won’t need you by then.’”

She gave birth to a baby girl, and Hodzic is proud to say her daughter, a U.S. citizen, is now a student at the University of Idaho.

As program director of the Agency for New Americans, Hodzic knows firsthand that the alreadychaotic process of resettlement is also influenced by the economic and political climates.

“It’s different for everyone; timing is everything,” she said. “For example, right now, the job market is great. Just 10 years ago, we were trying to figure out where to find any jobs.”

The ANA’s first step in igniting the resettlement process is to facilitate refugees’ economic sustainability. Hodzic added that of utmost priority is connecting refugees to their new community by ensuring that newcomers feel welcomed. The ANA partners with the English Language Center, Women’s and Children’s Alliance, Idaho Volunteer Lawyers

Program, Create Common Good and many more organizations to further that mission, which aims to “improve the educational, social and economic wellbeing of new Americans and communities in which they live by creating individual, agency and public/private partnerships.”

Hodzic takes personal ownership of that mission.

“It’s more than a job. It is my mission to help people,” she said, teary-eyed. “I’m sorry, it’s just hard to know that so many families are just waiting for somebody to decide. It’s very disheartening to see what’s happening because the U.S. has always been a leader. Also, this whole country is based on immigration and a country of immigrants, and we’re just trying to structure the process and help people who are already here.”

Hodzic said it’s a mistake to think refugee resettlement belongs in a vacuum.

“There’s a small percentage— less than 1 percent—of refugees that are actually resettled. I really think we all need to remember that everybody in this particular country came from somewhere.

For refugees, they’re legally here.

Sometimes we just need to look a little outside of ourselves.”

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BOISE GETS BUGGED? The trend of eating insects may soon hit the City of Trees full force LE X NEL SON

COURTESY IDAHO BOTANICAL GARDEN

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SE AN SE VERUD

t Idaho Botanical Garden’s Bug Day celebration in 2017, kids munched their way through paper cups of crickets dusted in flavors like cheesy ranch, Buffalo wing and hickory smoked bacon courtesy of the College of Idaho’s Orma J. Smith Museum of Natural History. While the so-called “Pestaurant” may have turned a few grown-up stomachs, it was right on the cutting edge of haute cuisine. Across the country, chefs are turning to insects as a sustainable, low-impact source of protein, citing bugs’ relatively low water intake and ability to thrive in small spaces as advantages over traditional protein sources like cows, pigs and chickens.

The New York Times and Washington Post have written about the viability of eating bugs for years, but in many places around the world, including most parts of Asia, Africa and South America, the practice is de rigueur. America has dragged its heels behind the bandwagon, but in 2015, Time magazine published “20 Delicious Bug Recipes from Chefs,” which included spotlights on such American dishes as Chef David George Gordon’s deep-fried tarantulas and Chef Rick Bayless’ worm-salt margaritas.

Since insects are not yet widely available in American restaurants or on the shelves of most grocery stores (the cricket flour protein bites from Exo pictured to the left, for example, had to be ordered online), it may seem unlikely that the Gem State will be eating bugs any time soon. But entomophagy—the technical term for dining on insects—is already happening in Boise, even outside educational events 16 | ANNUAL MANUAL 2018-2019 | BOISEweekly

like Bug Day. Frozen silkworms (pictured on page 17) sell for $2.95 a pack at Asia Market on Fairview Avenue, and when Boise Weekly took an informal poll at Alive After Five on June 13, we found that 76 percent of respondents would be up for chowing down on creepy-crawlies prepared by a professional chef.

In fact, many had already tried them, whether in survival training or as kids in the backyard.

The next step is white-tablecloth restaurants, and Chef Christian Phernetton, the eco-conscious executive chef now heading up both Camel’s Crossing and State & Lemp, may be the one to take it.

“I’ve worked with some people in California that actually make cookies out of cricket flour,” said Phernetton, speaking to BW as he strolled through one of his two biodynamic-inspired farms, where he sources local produce for his dishes. “I have [cooked and eaten bugs],” he added. “I’ve never served them.”

But Phernetton isn’t against the idea. He started cooking in Boise, but has worked in professional kitchens on both coasts, and said there are two main problems with serving insects in Idaho: sourcing, as they aren’t yet farmed locally, and stubborn palates.

“There’s a big population that feels like they’ve already decided what they like and what they don’t like, and even if they haven’t tried something they still don’t like it,” Phernetton said. “But I think food in general is starting to become more of a concern to a lot of people, wanting to have a relationship with it or an understanding.”

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As a relatively sustainable source of protein, bugs may well be up and coming for Idaho’s adventurous eaters. The more Phernetton talked about the possibilities, the more enthusiastic he got about trying the idea himself.

“I think that [a bug dish] would be a cool thing to do, but probably more at State & Lemp than Camel’s Crossing,” he said. “... The first thing that comes to my mind is ants, because I have seen some chefs in Scandinavian countries use them quite a bit, and out here on the farm I’ve seen lots of them, so it might be something easy that I could get into.”

Culinary thrill-seekers should keep an eye out for a dish flavored

with ants—which Phernetton said offer “pretty strong herbal notes,” and a dash of citrus—on the State & Lemp menu in the coming months. If you’re too curious to wait, score your Bold Chef Badge by trying the bug-based chocolate chip cookie recipe below, which comes courtesy of Bitty Foods, the San Francisco, Californiabased cricket flour company that once collaborated with Phernetton. While cricket flour isn’t yet a common item in Boise, it’s made as close by as Portland, Oregon, where Voodoo Donuts once used it to make a Bavarian cricket cream donut in 2016. Order your own Pacific Northwest grind online at cricketflours.com.

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SMALL SPACES, BIG EATS Growing food in an urban apartment is easier than you think LE X NEL SON

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indsay Schramm could—and often does—spend her whole day talking about vegetables. As a co-owner of North End Organic Nursery in Garden City, it’s part of her job. More than that, Schramm feels that if everyone grew edible plants at home, people might be a bit healthier, a bit richer and a whole lot happier.

At first blush, it may seem impractal for people confined to apartments or townhouses in urban centers like Boise to grow their own dinners, but Schramm said there are ways to make it work, even in tiny spaces.

“I actually really love small-space growing because I find that you can actually do more than you would imagine, or even more than you would typically allow yourself to do in-ground, [when] you are confined to containers,” Schramm said, sipping a coffee in the NEON cafe, a space so filled with potted plants—sitting on tables, stacked on racks and dangling from the ceiling—that it would give anyone the indoor growing bug.

Thanks to a booming locavore movement, motivation among apartment-dwellers to grow food themselves is higher than ever. Business Insider reported last year that the local food industry jumped from $5 billion to $12 billion between 2008 and 2014, and was predicted to soar to $20 billion in 2019. To join this growing movement, here are some of Schramm’s tips for cultivating the smallest of gardens:

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THE GATEWAY PLANT People who are hesitant to garden indoors for fear of losing their investment in seeds should start small, Schramm said, with microgreens or sprouts.

She listed their “super-fast turnaround,” high retail cost and cheap seed price as perks. Plus, they’re practically impossible to screw up.

“Get like a 10-by-20 [-inch] tray with a dome and a light—we have these little SunBlaster kits that people like to get for these—and a little bag of soil. You spread it out, spread the seeds, [and] you literally water it like a Chia Pet, it’s just that basic,” Schramm 18 | ANNUAL MANUAL 2018-2019 | BOISEweekly

said. “And then they grow up, you cut them, you sprinkle them on your salad and you have increased the nutrient value of that meal astronomically.”

LIGHT IT UP It may not come as a surprise that, as Schramm put it, “the biggest issue when it comes to container growing indoors is light.”

Folks with sunny balconies already have an advantage over the average apartment owner in terms of urban gardening. Plants with fruiting bodies like tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers and melW W W.BOISE WEEKLY.COM

ons require strong daily doses of sunlight (Good Housekeeping recommends 8 hours for cherry tomatoes, for example), so they should thrive in containers or raised beds on the patio. If there isn’t space for a large planter, NEON offers flexible planters made from recycled water bottles, which can be draped over balcony railings and have pockets perfect for filling with dirt and seedlings.

Even without a balcony, Schramm said aspiring green thumbs can still grow rooting plants like turnips and carrots, or leafy plants like lettuces, herbs and microgreens, near a sunny window, perfect to cut from for cooking. If the natural light falls short of the required four to six hours, an LED grow light can provide some extra oomph.

GROW-YOUR-OWN HAPPINESS Not only does growing food at home support a local food system, studies have shown tn can be good for your health—and not just because of the oxygen boost plants provide. In 2015, British newspaper The Telegraph reported on a study that found 88 percent of people feel gardening improves their sense of wellbeing. Schramm counts herself among them.

“For me, to have the ability to be in my indoor space and have that green, living thing, I feel like that just balances us out as humans, that we’re not designed to be living in just pure concrete jungles,” she said. “And then growing something where you’re getting high nutritional food in return? That’s fantastic.”

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FEED ME, SEYMOUR Not all fertilizers are created equal. While watering potted plants will wash out nutrients no matter what, Schramm said organic fertilizers will stick around longer in containers because they’re “naturally slow-release.”

And the ratios of nitrogen to phosphorus to potassium, the hyphenated numbers found in that order on the front of fertilizer bags— matter too.

“Nitrogen is for green, phosphorous is for roots, fruits, flowers and sweetness, potassium is kind of the health regulator for the plant.

So making sure that you don’t overnitrogen a plant that you’re trying to get fruit out of is really important,” Schramm said, adding that it’s key to choose a fertilizer based on the characteristics you’d like to enhance in your plants.

She recommends giving plants “a microdose” of fertilizer every day by mixing it with the water they will already be getting.

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BOISE’S UNFILLED LABOR POOL New Idaho Department of Labor report breeds occupational optimism HARRISON BERRY

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mericans,” wrote The Economist in 2017, “are admirably optimistic about shaping their own future.” That’s especially true in Boise, where people are relocating in droves, searching for a higher quality of life, good schools, safe neighborhoods, outdoor recreation and, of course, a gig to put food on the table.

Its rapidly expanding economy makes Idaho— and particularly the Treasure Valley—a great place to live and find work, and though it has a national reputation as “The Potato State,” it’s also gaining traction as a tech hub, and there’s high demand for workers in the medical sector. That’s good news, since more irons in the economic fire means more prosperity for more people—a better life for everyone.

“The more diverse your economy is, the more healthy it is,” said Craig Shaul, a regional economist with the Idaho Department of Labor. “The last recession we had was focused on the housing bubble that burst, and construction was kind of overheated. … A more diverse economy—you’re more resilient to different shocks.”

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to go around, especially for applicants with tech and medical education or experience.

Particularly in demand on the tech side are general computer occupations, software developers, application developers, market research analysts and web developers—jobs bolstered by legacy employers like Micron and, increasingly, a vibrant startup culture that has sprung up across the Treasure Valley.

“In the last four or five years, [tech jobs] certainly grew faster than they [did] in the last decade,” Shaul said, adding that many computer-related occupations cross-apply to other sectors of the economy. “They get plugged into any industry.”

An aging population is driving growth in the medical field, and in Boise, there is an urgent need for registered nurses and nurse practitioners, health educators, physician assistants, physical therapists, medical technologists and pharmacists.

“Healthcare—we project it’s going to be our fastest-growing industry, and it’s going to be the largest industry. It’s still in demand,” Shaul said.

To help folks get their Job Market Researcher Badge, we’ve pulled info from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Hot Jobs report, which uses its own data and a D.C.-based think tank to compile a list of the hottest underfilled jobs. Find that data at boiseweekly.com under News/Citydesk.

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FARE-MINDED A look at the state of Boise’s public transit options SK YL AR BARSANTI

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ith the goal of moving more people to more places more often, Valley Regional Transit, the region’s transportation authority, has merged some of its most sweeping changes to date, into the fast lane.

Listening to a steady stream of queries from public transit commuters during a recent open house, Stephen Hunt, VRT’s principal planner, had an answer for nearly every concern. One passenger said a bus stop at State and Bogart streets would cut down her 2-mile walk to and from the nearest bus stop. A stop at State and Bogart had been discussed,

Hunt said, but a decision on whether to make that happen hasn’t been reached just yet.

Some riders asked about the convenience, or lack thereof, of transferring between routes. Others expressed concerns about simply navigating the current VRT system. One attendee raised her arm, flashed her recently purchased bus pass and asked, “Now, what do I do?”

Whether you’re a newly minted passenger or you’ve been riding Boise’s buses for years, here are a few things to know:

1. VRT KNOWS BETTER THAN ANYONE THAT THERE’S ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT What the City of Boise pays VRT for public transit and what it gets in return is a decent investment; but even Hunt knows the current public transportation service levels are far from perfect.

“We’re behind our peers in terms of transit,” Hunt told Boise Weekly. “And we’re not talking about spectacular cities of transit Nirvana. We’re talking about Reno, Nevada, and Spokane, Washington, which invest four to five times more than what we do on per-capita transportation.”

Can service levels simply continue they way they are now? Yes. But Hunt made it clear that “no one is saying what we have now is super-fancy-awesome.”

2. CHANGES COULD COME AS EARLY AS FALL 2018 The proposed ValleyRide changes would adjust and/or combine existing routes to make better use of time and distance at peak hours (weekday mornings and late afternoons), especially on the ever-congested State Street. For example, fewer stops could mean buses arrive 15 minutes earlier at peak times. These and other changes shouldn’t cost VRT anything extra to implement, but transportation officials are continuing to collect feedback. Once changes are finalized, they will be taken to the VRT Board for approval. If the yeas have it, the routes could be updated as early as fall 2018.

3. VALLEY REGIONAL TRANSIT DEPENDS ON PUBLIC INPUT Boiseans have regularly clamored for a reliable, consistent public transportation system. A 2017 public survey confirmed that investment in public transportation was favored over widening roads by a nearly 2-1 margin. Hunt said it’s critical for citizens to provide feedback and show they’re willing to invest in an improved system, especially if political support is low.

According to Hunt, getting buses that go out to Micron or continue to run on main thoroughfares at night or on weekends is never impossible. When people ask “Why can’t we have those things?” the answer is yes, you can, but there is a caveat.

“It costs money,” said Hunt. “There’s nothing unique about Boise keeping us from having better systems if people are willing to invest in them. All the questions we have about growth and how we’re going to preserve the communities we care about have a relationship with how we get around. There are always other solutions than widening a road.”

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WILL CRAWL FOR ART These nine Boise galleries are worth the trek MARISA CASELL A

HARRISON BERRY

ART SOURCE GALLERY One of Boise’s primary bastions of high-quality, original artwork, Art Source Gallery features work from 35-40 artists and offers a variety of media, including photography, paintings, jewelry, sculptures, ceramics and glassworks. Its artwork can also be found at the Boise Airport in Concourse B. Art Source puts the “fine” in “fine art”—in the classiest sense of the word.

1015 W. Main St., artsourcegallery.com.

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BOISE ART MUSEUM The Boise Art Museum began its journey on Dec. 3, 1932, at the Carnegie Public Library. More than 80 years later, BAM continues to be an educational and charitable organization, creating visual art experiences aimed to engage the community. In addition to its year-round indoor space, BAM also hosts Art in the Park, an annual festival in Julia Davis Park that features over 200 artists. Plus, on First Thursdays, guests can gain admission to the museum by donation.

670 Julia Davis Drive, boiseartmuseum.org.

GALLERY 601 Although no longer located at its namesake 601 Main Street address, Gallery 601 still brings customers art that fits its high standards. The gallery features original artwork and jewelry, as well as books, figurines, ornaments, pillowcases and t-shirts. In addition, any weekday from 5-6 p.m., Gallery 601 offers a service that pairs customers with their own shopping guides, an idea “designed for that one-on-one personal shopping experience.”

2230 W. Main St., stewartgallery.com.

211 N. 10th St., gallery601.com.

MING STUDIOS Ming Studios punches well above its weight class by bringing contemporary art to Boise that might otherwise be inaccessible to Idahoans, often by offering artist accommodations through its residency program. The program invites artists to Boise for working residencies lasting anywhere from two weeks to three months. The artists provide talks, solo exhibitions, workshops and open studios to the public during their stays.

Ming also hosts readings, screenings and other cultural activities.

FREAK ALLEY GALLERY Located between Eighth and Ninth streets, and Bannock and Idaho streets in downtown Boise, Freak Alley was established in 2002 when founder and director Colby Akers drew on the back alley doorway of what was then Moon’s Kitchen Cafe. Since then, it has become the Northwest’s largest outdoor, multi-artist mural gallery and features a constantly-changing array of street art by hundreds of locals. Stop by to snap some Instagram-worthy photos.

420 S. Sixth St., mingstudios.org.

210 N. Ninth St., freakalleygallery.org.

415 S. Eighth St., rgreygallery.com.

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STEWART GALLERY Though Stewart Gallery’s website is minimalist, its mission certainly isn’t.

Representing a small group of artists, Stewart Gallery is dedicated to building their careers through acquisitions, exhibitions, projects and publications. The gallery features paintings, drawings, sculptures, installations and limited-edition prints ranging from non-objective to contemporary realism. Plus, it’s celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2018.

R. GREY GALLERY For the “wow” factor when it comes to gorgeous jewelry, check out R. Grey Gallery. The gallery opened 28 years ago to showcase pieces by Robert Grey Kaylor, but it now hosts the work of over 100 artists. Customers can browse a wide range of furniture pieces, handblown glass art, jewelry and more, or order unique jewelry pieces designed and created in-store.

SWELL ARTIST COLLECTIVE Yes, Swell Artist Collective won best local artist in this year’s Best of Boise.

No, we are not done talking about how great it is. Featuring 70 local artists (including past BOB winners), Swell’s mission is to create a vibrant studio and gallery environment, and help grow Boise’s burgeoning arts community. Swell is also known for events like the annual Boise Art Crawl, which encourages people to explore the downtown scene.

404 S. Eighth St., swellboise.com.

WARD HOOPER’S VINTAGE PIX Take all the elements of life in Idaho, turn them into a vintage cartoon and you have Ward Hooper’s art style. The old-timey look of Hooper’s pieces reflects Idaho’s historical significance, while his subject matter is modern (take the “boy-c not boy-z” argument, for one), and the resulting pieces can be screened onto anything from mugs and t-shirts to iPhone cases.

745 W. Idaho St., wardhooper.com.

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“TERRIFICALLY GROOVY…WORTH THE TRIP.” -BUDGET TRAVEL “I CANNOT SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THIS PLACE. IF YOU LOVE GEEK AND POP CULTURE THIS IS THE HANDS DOWN BEST PLACE TO GET ITEMS. SOME ARE HAND MADE, SOME FROM LOCAL ARTIST, ALL QUALITY AND REASONABLY PRICED. ” -BRIANA, BOISE “SUCH A COOL SHOP! LOCAL ART, NERD NEEDS, GIFTS FOR THE QUIRKY, THE COOLEST FANDOMBACKDROPS IN THE WHOLE TREASURE VALLEY. THERE'S ALWAYS MORE THAN I CAN TAKE IN. IF YOU’VE NEVER BEEN, GET THERE!” -JULIE, KUNA ”EVERY, NERD, GAMER AND DREAMERS ONE STOP SHOP, SUCH A FUN PLACE!” -GREG, BOISE “AMAZING COLLECTION OF STUFF. TONS OF NERDY JOKES AND AWESOME LITTLE COLLECTIBLES! WISH I LIVED IN BOISE!” -TYLER, DENVER ”RE-POP! IS TREASURE VALLEY’S TRUE RETAIL FAN EXPERIENCE” -GREENBELT MAGAZINE

RE-POP GIFTS IS NOT JUST A STORE. IT’S AN EXPERIENCE! IDAHO’S FANDOM & POP CULTURE HEADQUARTERS 3107 W STATE ST BOISE 208-991-6112 W W W.BOISE WEEKLY.COM

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WHAT TO TOSS AND WHERE TO TOSS IT

Everything you need to know about Boise’s new recycling program GEORGE PRENTICE

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ike most American cities, Boise has its share of conversations about politics, sports, the arts and the weather. But never before in the city’s history has there been so much trash-talk—in the nicest possible way. Soon after Boise learned that China would stop taking its discarded plastics (if you want to know the backstory, check out our extensive coverage at boiseweekly.com), city officials launched one of city’s the biggest curbside programs to date, partnering with the Salt Lake City-based firm Renewlogy to turn Boise’s plastics into biofuel. While much has been written on what to throw out and where to throw it, we think the latest reference guide, crafted and updated by the good folks at the city’s Public Works Department, explains it best:

“We knew then that Boise needed a solution. We got to work because we knew what a big deal this would be for people in our city.”

–Boise Public Works Environmental Manager Haley Falconer

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“This new program demonstrates the commitment of the City of Boise to seek out local and regional solutions and reuse and recover more of the waste we generate, keeping more out of the landfill.”

–Boise Mayor Dave Bieter

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BEST IN SHOW Boise’s performing arts festivals are places to watch impressive people do impressive things HENRY COFFE Y

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s Boise’s art and music scenes have matured, the City of Trees has become a Mecca for creative types and home to plenty of events showcasing their work to local devotees. Whether that work is music, dance, visual arts or comedy, Boise has a festival to celebrate it. Here are some of the most exciting options gracing the continually growing cultural landscape:

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208 COMEDY FEST Boise’s ascendant comedy festival is celebrating its second birthday, and the lineup is impressive. Famed goofballs like Kyle Kinane and Rhea Butcher will roll into town and perform alongside local jokesters, and although the Boise comedy scene is currently limited to a few clubs, they all offer some seriously amusing stage acts.

GODDESS FEST Few places to nourish the spirit remain in this fast-paced world. Goddess Fest intends to fix that, gathering people from all walks of life to celebrate the divine feminine spirit through workshops, educational displays, prayer, meditation, belly dancing, laughter yoga, wisdom, love, merriment and acceptance.

September, multiple venues in downtown Boise, 208comedyfest.com.

July, Julia Davis Park, goddessfest.org.

GENE HARRIS JAZZ FESTIVAL Named after the famed Boise musician who guided local jazz to greater heights, the Gene Harris Jazz Festival pumps this original American art form into venues across downtown Boise.

The annual concerts, educational experiences and appearances by notable artists ensure that jazz will thrive in the Gem State for years to come.

HERMIT MUSIC FESTIVAL Idaho’s self-described premier folk festival sets up camp on the verdant grounds of the Indian Creek Winery west of Kuna in late summer. Pitch a tent and spend a long weekend listening to some of the best folk artists around. Set against the lovely backdrop of Southern Idaho, the festival also highlights some fine tastings from the winery.

April, Boise State University, geneharris.boisestate.edu.

August, Indian Creek Winery, hermitmusicfestival.com.

HYDE PARK STREET FAIR This annual celebration in the heart of Boise’s North End boasts unique vendors, a fleet of food trucks and plenty of live music. This is the place to realign chakras, find an emotionally significant necklace or purchase some hand-knitted socks to compliment a pair of Chacos. The best part— proceeds from this event support the North End community.

September, Camel’s Back Park, northendboise.org/hyde-park-streetfair-2018.

MCCALL WINTER CARNIVAL Have you ever wanted to see a gigantic shark made of snow? It’s entirely possible when you check out the ice sculptures at the McCall Winter Carnival. Each season, the fusion snowman making and chain saw operation have created some jaw-dropping artistry.

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more than 60,000 people to McCall each year. For many, it’s the highlight of the winter season.

Late January-Early February, McCall, Idaho, mccallchamber.org/winter-carnival/.

NATIONAL OLDTIME FIDDLERS’ CONTEST AND FESTIVAL Weiser’s world-famous competition is known as the “National Finals of Fiddling.” Once you’ve fully appreciated some top-notch fiddling in the Weiser High School auditorium, dash outside to partake in a lively celebration. There’s a carnival, a parade, an outdoor stage, a beer garden, and you never know when a jam session might break out.

June, Memorial Park in Weiser, weiserfestival.com.

SAN INAZIO BASQUE FESTIVAL Jaialdi happens only once every five years, but thankfully the San Inazio Festival is a way to survive the interim.

This annual weekend-long celebration features local musicians, dancing, traditional sports and tours of sheep wagons on the Basque block. And like any proper celebration of Boise’s Basque culture, there will be plenty to eat and drink.

July, The Basque Block, basquecenter.com/san-inazio.

STANLEY WINTERFEST Winter is tough when you live in the Sawtooths. Every February, the StanleySawtooth Winterfest restores precious sanity to the frozen residents of Stanley, Idaho. There’s plenty of traditional festival fun, including a pub crawl, an icebound beach party, live bands and a concert for kids. But other attractions, such as the outhouse race, the howlin’ wolf raft ride and chicken bingo, sound suspiciously like homespun cures for cabin fever.

February, Stanley, Idaho, stanleywinterfest.com.

TREEFORT MUSIC FEST There is a ‘fort’ for everything. Like readings? Welcome to Storyfort. Love tech? Dash to Hackfort. Enjoy stretching? Hello, Yogafort. With five days of fun encompassing everything from legendary musicians—still the main calling card of the festival, which featured more than 400 musical acts last year—to avant garde tartines, Treefort is a shining star in the Boise festival landscape and an emerging player in the national scene.

March, multiple venues in downtown Boise, treefortmusicfest.com.

KEL SE Y HAWES

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BOISE GREENBIKE: RAISING THE SEAT POST

In just three years, Boise’s own bike-share has become one of the most iconic ways to get around the City of Trees HARRISON BERRY

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HARRISON BERRY

here was work to be done at Boise GreenBike’s State Street headquarters. A shipment of 90 bikes had arrived from a sister program in Topeka, Kansas, several of which waited for mechanics to mine them for spare parts. Another 115 new bikes were on their way from Social Bicycles—GreenBike’s supplier—too, but the program’s director, Dave Fotsch, said riders shouldn’t expect to see them in new neighborhoods just yet.

“We can’t spread ourselves any more thin without pissing off and denying our customer base we have downtown,” Fotsch said.

GreenBike operates almost entirely in Boise’s downtown core using a “dock” model: Users pick up and drop off their rides at hubs, but must pay a $2 redocking fee if they park the bikes elsewhere.

Fotsch said that with its current fleet of 127 bikes, GreenBike can ill afford to expand into the Bench, East End and Foothills neighborhoods, even with the new shipment.

The bikes are, nevertheless, extremely popular.

Rides are cheap—$5 per hour—and there are membership options available for locals who use GreenBike frequently. During peak months, an individual bike is ridden an average of 1.5-1.7 times per day.

In May, the number of rides per bike per day was between 2 and 2.5.

“We’d love to see three, four rides per bike per day, but it’s a matter of where the bikes are, where the people are, and are they convenient to each other.

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With only 127 bikes, people can go to a station and find that there’s nothing for them there,” Fotsch said.

Despite growth in ridership, it could be a long while before GreenBike has hubs in every corner of the city. It may face stiff competition soon, too, from venture capital-funded dockless bike-shares, which have dropped thousands of bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters in other cities. Boise is currently being eyed by two such dockless bike-shares. One has told city officials it wants to enter the Boise market with a mix of 300 bikes and e-bikes, and an additional 900 e-scooters. Another would like to deploy a bike for every 100 residents—2,200 bikes in all.

Fotsch said if they begin operating in Boise on the scale they say they will, they could wipe GreenBike off the map.

“If they’re going to come in here with a bike for every 100 residents, there’s just no way we can compete, honestly. They have us by the numbers. We will soldier on, but I don’t see a bright future for us if they are successful in bringing in that number of bikes,” he said.

This is a crucial moment for bike-shares in Boise, but GreenBike is looking for—and may be on the cusp of finding—ways to stay in the game.

“This time next year, we’ll have 275 bikes. ...

These bikes [from Kansas] are certainly a nice upgrade from this model. We can still remain competitive,” Fotsch said.

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• FOOD TRUCKS • COCKTAILS• • BEER • LIVE MUSIC •

• STREET PERFORMANCES • • CRAFT VENDORS •

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ON BROAD ST. BETWEEN 5TH & 6TH FREE • ALL AGES

TOP OF THE POPS How Boise’s movie theater popcorn measures up GEORGE PRENTICE

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ood critics practically trip over one another in their rush to critique culinary delights. But we ask you: Where are the popcorn pundits? It’s estimated that Americans eat somewhere around 17 billion quarts of popcorn annually. And at the movies, popcorn is considered a main food group and a major reason why cinemas still thrive. Time magazine estimates that theaters make a whopping 85 percent profit at concession stands (a big reason why customers are frowned at when sneaking in their own snacks).

We believe it’s high time to seek out Boise’s best movie popcorn. To ensure a fair apples-to-apples (or kernel-to-kernel) comparison, we ordered a small popcorn with no butter or extra salt at each of Boise’s favorite cinema and placed them on a scale of one to five kernels.

Country Club Reel Theatre (prices ranges from $4.40 for a small to $7.40 for a large) A friendly concession employee said, “Not to brag, but even the folks over at Edwards cinemas say our popcorn is better.” Country Club certainly proved to be a step above Edwards, but it was far from our favorite. That said, extra points to Country Club for serving its popcorn hot.

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Edwards Boise, Downtown Stadium & Stadium 21 ($6.79-$8.79) Not only were the prices identical at each of Boise’s two Edwards cinemas, but the popcorn was equally drab. Edwards tries to spice things up a bit by pushing Kernel Season flavorings (nacho, kettle corn, ranch) for $1.49 extra, but not even that would help.

The Flicks ($2.50-$4.25) On a busy evening, we’ve seen new batches of popcorn made as often as every 15 minutes at The Flicks. That alone gives its snack extra points. It was fresh, hot and tasty. Plus, The Flicks offers real butter as an option, and non-traditional options such as tamari or brewer’s yeast flavorings ($.25).

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Majestic Cinemas ($6.50-$8.50) Not only were the prices (g)astronomical, but the concession stand service was the slowest in town (even fully staffed). The popcorn was room temperature and had zero flavor.

Overland Park Cinemas ($2-$5) The price was right, but the popcorn was oversalted. Extra credit to Overland Park for making fresh caramel corn as an option ($2-$6).

GEORGE PRENTICE

Village Cinema ($5.75-$7.75) Wow, this was horrible.The popcorn tasted as if it had made in the Jurassic era (not the movie, the actual prehistoric period). It simply had zero flavor. Given the whoop-de-doo surroundings of the fancy theater, this was a double-feature disgrace.

VOTED BEST OF BOISE’S BEST DESSERT!

@ILOVETHESTIL

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A SEAT AT THE TABLE (OR AT LEAST NEARBY) Exploring Boise’s dog-friendly bars, restaurants and patios SK YL AR BARSANTI

STE VIE, 10 BARREL BRE WING / ALL PHOTOS BY SK YL AR BARSANTI

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ast year, the personal finance company SmartAsset ranked the top 10 most dog-friendly cities in the U.S., chosen for their high numbers of dog parks per capita, stocks of dog-friendly shops and restaurants, walkability and more. San Francisco; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Tucson, Arizona; were the top three. The City of Trees didn’t even crack the top 25. That said, Boiseans should take pride in the fact that this year, the Center for City Park Excellence, part of The Trust for Public Land, ranked Boise No. 1 in the nation for dog park density—with 6.7 parks per 100,000 resi-

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dents, it edged out Portland, Oregon, and Henderson, Nevada.

And when it comes to dining, while you may not see too many animals inside dining rooms—with the exception of service animals, Idaho Food Code insists that live animals only be allowed in areas not used for food preparation—you’ll see a good number of pet pals in bars and on patios.

Take 10 Barrel Brewing, The Lift, Juniper, Sun Ray Cafe and Highlands Hollow Brewhouse, for instance. They all welcome dogs to their patios.

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CALLIE, E VEN STE VENS

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Other establishments allow dogs on the patio with a few conditions. For example, Bardenay allows appropriately outfitted service dogs inside its patio, while dogs without documentation can be leashed to the outer perimeter of the patio fence. Wild Root Cafe and Market allows dogs inside the patio as long as they’re wellbehaved. And if you’re looking to

stop for a beverage or something to eat during a stroll on the Boise Greenbelt, the Sandbar has water bowls and homemade dog treats available on its patio. Bars such as The Handlebar and Meriwether Cider don’t prepare or serve food, so dogs are more than welcome inside.

Not sure if your favorite patio is dog-friendly? Just call ahead.

21+ ONLY

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Saturday July 6, 2019 For more information and to Pre-Register visit: barsandstripes.boiseweekly.com

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CHOW AFTER MIDNIGHT Check out Boise’s hotspots for late-night eats JESSICA PAULE Y

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ome people forget to eat until the night’s almost over, and on weekends that can mean going to bed both hungry and tipsy. To the hard partier despairing of the lack of after-hours options and ready to call a ride-share: Stay your hand. We’ve made a list of late-night eateries just for you.

BITTERCREEK ALEHOUSE This gastropub stays open until 2 a.m. and the kitchen serves a happy hour menu past midnight. Late-night snacks include a gravy-topped poutine with braised pork curds and fries, salmon croquettes, pork street tacos and more. Sweet-toothed snackers can try the butterscotchdrizzled beignets.

Limited menu after midnight, 208-4296340, bcrfl.com.

HARRISON BERRY

DHARMA SUSHI & THAI This modern American take on Thai cuisine and sushi stays open very late, giving downtowers an Asian option.

Dharma boasts gluten-free and vegan dishes, and offerings range from sushi rolls and curry to sandwiches. Plus, its location above Spacebar Arcade makes it a convenient refuelling station in between Ms. Pacman rounds.

Open until 3 a.m. on weekends, 208-918-1274, eatdharma.com.

DONUT DAZE A recent addition to Eighth Street, Donut Daze provides crunchy and colorful options for the after-hours crowd in search of all things fried. The sinful 38 | ANNUAL MANUAL 2018-2019 | BOISEweekly

comfort food includes fried chicken, waffles, fries and donuts of various styles. Order a Devil’s Food donut to pile guilt onto your hangover.

Open until 3 a.m., 208-576-1876, donutdazeboise.com.

EUREKA! For a pick-me-up appetizer of osso buco riblets or lollipop corn dogs, head to Eureka! The menu features a mix of classic American dishes with unexpected twists like the bone marrow burger or the halibut served in turmeric wine sauce. Enjoy modern American cuisine and crafted cocktails.

Open until 1 a.m., 208-286-4410, eurekarestaurantgroup.com.

MATADOR Have a quesadilla, some nachos or street tacos made with fresh ingredients to satisfy cravings for spicy, limezested Mexican food. Pair your bites with salty-sweet margaritas or sippers of top-shelf tequila.

Open until 1 a.m. 208-342-9988, matadorrestaurants.com.

PIEHOLE Open later than any other restaurant in downtown Boise, Piehole offers binge-worthy pizza by the slice at two locations for less than $3, featuring specialty combinations like the potato and bacon and Thai chicken. There might be a line of revelers past 2 a.m., but don’t worry about losing your buzz during the wait: Piehole also sells cans of PBR for $1.18.

Open until 4 a.m., 208-344-7783, pieholeusa.com.

PROST Hungrig? Even when the cooks leave, the bartenders at this little German bar can whip up a “wurst sampler mit sauerkraut” or cheesy pretzel roll to pair with a tall stein of the latest rotating pilsner or dunkel on tap. Be forewarned: These German eats might satisfy pangs of hunger, but replace them with a spontaneous desire to backpack through Europe.

Open until 2 a.m., 208-336-9395, prostboise.com.

SOLID Solid’s menu runs the gamut, sprinkling unusual offerings like kimchi fries and risotto bites into a changing roster of classic bar and grill items. Its location makes it a convenient place to rest after a movie at Edwards Downtown cinema or a comedy show at its sister bar, Liquid Lounge. The drink menu emphasizes local wineries and breweries, pouring glasses that pair nicely with mile-high platters.

Open until 2 a.m. weekends, 208-3456620, solidboise.com.

WISEGUY PIZZA PIE It’s about more than pepperoni at this downtown pizza parlor. Combinations include the Sad Guy, which features bacon and meatballs; and the White Trash Guy, a slice topped with kettle potato chips and ranch dressing. There are plenty more guy-style slices too, alongside other options like calzones, cheesesteaks and hoagies.

Open until 3 a.m., 208-336-7777, wiseguypizzapie.com.

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NATIONAL

TOURING COMICS THURSDAY-SUNDAY COMEDY HEADLINERS

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WITH KILLER DRINK SPECIALS EVERY FREAKING NIGHT!

208.941.2459 405 S 8TH ST. BOISE W W W.BOISE WEEKLY.COM

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EAT/DRINK

A list of our favorite places to eat and drink in Boise and beyond 10 BARREL BREWING CO. 826 W. Bannock St.

BARBACOA 276 W. Bobwhite Court

BOMBAY GRILL 928 W. Main St.

CHAPALA Multiple locations

Try the house pork belly with a side of rich house mustard, and wash it down with a brew or two. 208-344-5870, 10barrel.com.

Step into one of the most popular restaurants in Idaho for savory Latin-fusion cuisine and a sizable wine and cocktail list.

208-338-5000, barbacoa-boise.com.

The lunch buffet is filled with savory Indian specialties and the tandoori chicken is sublime. 208-345-7888, bombayboise.com.

Head to Chapalas for Mexican fare for the whole family and top-notch chips. chapalarestaurants.com.

BONEFISH GRILL 855 W. Broad St.

CHIANG MAI THAI RESTAURANT 4898 W. Emerald St.

Go for the Bang-Bang shrimp, stay for the salmon, fish and chips, pasta, steak and more. Seriously: Just go.

208-433-1234, bonefishgrill.com.

Try the green curry and the mango sticky rice and see why Chiang Mai has been a local favorite for years. 208-342-4051, chiangmaihousethaiboise.com.

BRICK 29 BISTRO 320 11th Ave. S., Ste.300, Nampa

CHINA BLUE 100 S. Sixth St.

Chef Dustan Bristol reinvents comfort food using local ingredients.

208-468-0029, brick29.com.

Several bars, VIP seating and the hottest tunes bring the city’s night owls out. 208345-9515, boisesbestbars.com/china.

BRU 132 N. Eighth St.

COBBY’S Multiple locations

This self-serve beer bar also has an in-house pizza kitchen and an expansive menu, serving everything from desserts to cheese platters. brutaproom.com.

Boise’s love affair with Cobby’s goes back to 1978, when the sandwich shop opened its first location. cobbys.com.

10TH STREET STATION 104 N. 10th St. If your idea of the perfect bar is a place that serves stiff drinks and is conducive to stimulating conversation, this should be in your Top 10th. 208-344-2677, tenthstreetstation.com.

13TH STREET PUB AND GRILL 1520 N. 13th St. Good eats and drinks and a chill vibe make 13th Street a Hyde Park hotspot.

208-639-8888, 13pubandgrill.com.

36TH STREET BISTRO 3823 N. Garden Center Way One word (or seven): Locally raised Highland beef with pomme frites. 208433-5108, 36streetgardencenter.com.

44 CLUB 4340 W. State St. Do you like beer? Do you like karaoke? Then by the transitive properties, you like the 44 Club. 208-344-0693, find on Facebook.

ADDIE’S 1221 W. Boise Ave. A classic American diner serving ribsticking breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes, now in a new location on Boise Avenue.

208-388-1198, find on Facebook.

ALAVITA 807 W. Idaho St. Alavita is all about “loyal to local,” and making “fresh, uncomplicated, well executed” Italian fare. 208-780-1100, alavitaboise.com.

AMARU CONFECTIONS DESSERT BAR 217 S. Roosevelt St. Recently renovated, this dessert bar is a must-hit spot on the Boise Bench, serving slices of artisan cake paired with beer, wine and cider. 208-991-2253, amaruconfections.com.

AMSTERDAM LOUNGE 609 W. Main St. With its gorgeous cocktails and luxurious atmosphere, Amsterdam is an oasis in the heart of Old Boise. 208-345-9515, boisesbestbars.com/amsterdam.

ASIAGO’S 1002 W. Main St. Housemade pastas, contemporary flavor combinations and a well-designed wine list make this Italian eatery a Boise favorite. 208-336-5552, asiagos.com.

BALCONY CLUB 150 N. Eighth St., Ste. 226 As 20th-century philosopher Harry Wayne “K.C.” Casey (of the Sunshine Band) once said, “Everybody, get on the floor. Let’s dance!” 208-336-1313, thebalconyclub.com.

BAR GERNIKA 202 S. Capitol Blvd.

Basque food is such an integral part of Boise, we forget not every city has a Bar Gernika with its beef tongue, croquetas, lamb grinders and amazing beer selection. 208-344-2175, bargernika.com.

BARDENAY Multiple locations Bardenay took the concept of DIY to a whole new level as the nation’s first restaurant-distillery; it keeps the magic going with good food. bardenay.com.

BASQUE MARKET 608 W. Grove St. Go Basque with tapas, paella and sheepherders’ breakfasts—you won’t regret it.

208-433-1208, thebasquemarket.com.

BBQ4LIFE 930 S. Vista Ave. From juicy ribs to vegan sandwiches, BBQ4Life really does have “something (delicious) for everyone.”

208-639-0568, bbq4life.net.

BELLA AQUILA 775 S. Rivershore Lane, Eagle The “beautiful eagle” has a great patio on the Boise River and stellar Italian food.

208-938-1900, bellaaquilarestaurant.

BACON 121 N. Ninth St. Creative dishes, lovely atmosphere, spot-on service and an owner/chef who knows his stuff, all in the heart of downtown. Sweet, right? 208-387-3553, baconboise.com.

BIG CITY COFFEE 1416 W. Grove St. This Linen District eatery is always packed. Try a BCC breakfast, lunch, pastry or coffee and find out why.

208-345-3145, bigcityboise.com.

BITTERCREEK ALEHOUSE 246 N. Eighth St. Boise’s quintessential gastropub offers as many interesting micros as it does unique takes on local, seasonal pub grub. 208429-6340, bittercreekalehouse.com.

BODOVINO Multiple locations These classy spots offer high-tech, mechanized wine service in an upscaleyet-casual urban setting. bodovino.com.

BOISE BREWING 521 W. Broad St.

CAFFEINA 4774 W. State St. The brainchild of the owners of Coffee Studio, this industrial-style coffee shop roasts its own beans and brews kombucha on site. Don’t miss the “Brew-on-Brew,” a combination of stout and espresso.

208-807-2332, caffeinacoffee.com.

CALLE 75 Multiple locations What started out as a food truck has become part of Boise’s taco and burrito renaissance. Swing by its first Treasure Valley location at the Village at Meridian, or check out its new digs in downtown Boise. 208-846-9001, calle75tacos.com.

CAMEL’S CROSSING 1304 W. Alturas St. Camel’s Crossing has quickly established itself as a destination vegan-friendly eatery and wine bar, with a focus on pours from organic, sustainable wineries owned by women.

208-385-0250, camelscrossing.com.

CAPITOL CELLARS 110 S. Fifth St. This underground bar took itself literally through the roof last summer when it added a patio to its dining space.

If you manage to snag a seat, don’t leave without trying the prime rib. 208344-9463, capitolcellarsllc.com.

This community-owned brewery is the definition of a neighborhood bar—plus, BB’s best beers are available at bars and stores around town. 208-342-7655, boisebrewing.com.

CASA MEXICO Multiple locations

BOISE CO-OP Multiple locations

CASABLANCA CUBAN GRILL 5506 W. Overland Road

Boise’s original natural food store has a wide selection of wines and a deli that is second to none, and there’s a storefront in Meridian to boot. boise.coop.

BOISE FRY COMPANY Multiple locations At BFC, juicy handmade burgers are sides to the fries, which come in six varieties from russet and purple potatoes to yams. boisefrycompany.com.

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Mexican food you know and love. Make this your go-to spot. casamexicoidaho.com.

Classic Cuban cuisine. Get a taste of the island life without leaving home. 208331-2370, casablancacubangrill.com.

CHANDLERS STEAKHOUSE 981 W. Grove St. This Boise hotspot offers live jazz and fine dining at its finest. The Ten Minute martini is a must. 208-383-4300, chandlersboise.com.

COTTONWOOD GRILLE 913 W. River St. Greenbelt-adjacent with a patio and a laid-back yet elegant vibe, Cottonwood is a popular fine-dining destination. 208333-9800, cottonwoodgrille.com.

THE CREPERIE CAFE 7709 W. Overland Road Try mouth-watering crepes filled with cheese, meats and vegetables, or sweet fruits and spreads. Better yet, try both.

208-375-2737, thecreperiecafe.com.

CRESCENT “NO LAWYERS” BAR/GRILL 5500 W. Franklin St. If you like sports, beer and a killer pub, the Crescent—locally owned for 35 years— should be your home away from home.

208-322-9856, sportsbarboise.com.

CUCINA DI PAOLO 1504 S. Vista Ave. Owners Paul and Mary Jean Wegner are two of the nicest people in the world, and you can taste the love in the lasagna, chicken pot pie and everything else they make.

208-345-7150, cucinadipaolo.com.

DAS ALPENHAUS DELIKATESSEN 1340 S. Vista Ave With Austrian, German and Swiss groceries and fresh foods, and super-friendly service, Das Alpenhaus is a welcome addition to the Vista Neighborhood.

208-426-0773, alpenhausdelillc.com.

THE DISTRICT COFFEE HOUSE 219 N. 10th St. Locally-sourced coffee and live music are always on tap at this beloved coffeehouse now under new ownership.

208-343-1089, districtcoffeehouse.com.

DONUT DAZE 160 N. Eighth St. With a bevy of donuts and fried foods—potato wedges and fried chicken, anyone?—this is a must-try spot for late-night food in downtown Boise. 208-576-1886, donutdazeboise.com.

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DON’T LINE, N I T I A W

ER ORD LINE! ON

VOTED BOISE’S BEST MEDITERRANEAN FOOD 11 YEARS RUNNING!

VOTED BOISE’S BEST MEDITERRANEAN FOOD 11 YEARS RUNNING!

1772 W. State St. 208.333.2566 • 404 E. Parkcenter Blvd. 208.333.2223

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@mazzahmedgrill @mazzahmedgrill Mazzah Mediterranean Grill

EAT/DRINK DOUBLE TAP PUB 409 S. Eighth St. Owned by a local veteran, Double Tap Pub is the place to be if you like a laidback atmosphere, top-shelf booze, a slew of taps and high-end menu items.

208-364-7800, doubletapppub.com.

We're More Than Just a Market...

THE FUNKY TACO 801 W. Bannock St.

Go for Enrique’s famous molcajetes or $1 tacos. 208-922-5169, enriqueskuna.com.

Go for the eccentric tacos, stay for the live music, beautiful outdoor patio and 1,000-square-foot mural by local artist Cody Rutty. 208-991-4106, thefunkytaco.com.

EPI’S BASQUE RESTAURANT 1115 N. Main St., Meridian At Epi’s, you’ll feel like family. The chorizos and chops are delish and if tongue isn’t on your bucket list, you’re truly missing out.

208-884-0142, episabasquerestaurant.com.

The Salt Lake City-based “craft casual” chain slings everything from Reubens to sloppy Joes, with a charitable twist: For every sandwich purchased, one is donated to a local nonprofit. Plus, you can get breakfast items like burritos and French toast. 208-343-4018, evenstevens.com.

ON THE PATIO ALL YEAR LONG WED & FRI AT NOON THURSDAY, 6 PM

FANCI FREEZ 1402 W. State St.

PINTXOS/TAPAS

Menu Availible Daily

Fanci Freez has hometown fast food and a to-die-for Boston shake. 208429-1400, fancifreez.com.

FLATBREAD NEAPOLITAN PIZZERIA Multiple locations Neapolitan pizza and a fab regional wine list have made this a local favorite. flatbreadpizza.com.

FLYING M COFFEEHOUSE Multiple locations With its kick-ass staff, delish coffee and pastries, and killer gift shop, Flying M rocks. flyingmcoffee.com.

TAPAS BAR WEDNESDAYS, FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS 11:30 - SLOW

FridaY dinners

EXTENDED HOURS ON THURSDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY

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GOLDY’S BREAKFAST BISTRO 108 S. Capitol Blvd.

The mix of classic and contemporary choices is one reason this is Boise’s favorite breakfast place. While you wait, grab a coffee and pastry next door at Goldy’s Corner.

208-345-4100, goldysbreakfastbistro.com.

GUIDO’S ORIGINAL NEW YORK STYLE PIZZERIA Multiple locations Get serious bang for your buck with giant New York-style slices, whole pies and stromboli. guidosdowntown.com.

HANDLEBAR BOISE 1519 W. Main St.

FORK 199 N. Eighth St.

Sushi, poke, agedashi tofu and icecold martinis. So lovely. 208-3434810, happyfishsushi.com.

Hearty, artfully crafted Northwest fare is made with seasonal and local ingredients.

One of the absolute best burgers you’ll ever eat. 208-287-1700, boisefork.com.

HIGHLANDS HOLLOW BREWHOUSE 2455 N. Harrison Hollow Lane

Head to the Station for upscale pub food at its finest, one of few places in town where risotto bites and balsamic flatbread share menu space with burgers and chicken strips.

208-323-1891, fortstreetstation.com.

FRESH OFF THE HOOK SEAFOOD 507 N. Milwaukee St.

FROG’S FIX COFFEE PARLOR 701 S. Latah St.

208.433.1208 608 W.Grove St.

Gino’s makes some of the best food in all of the Treasure Valley. Try it and see.

208-887-7710, ginosmeridian.com.

HAPPY FISH SUSHI & MARTINI BAR 855 W. Broad St., Ste. 205

Fresh Off the Hook is a lighthouse for desert-dwelling seafood lovers. 208-3229224, f reshoffthehookseafood.com.

TheBasqueMarket.com

GINO’S ITALIAN RISTORANTE 3015 W. McMillan Road, Meridian

This laid-back pizza slinger is one of the best things about living in Boise with its “whirled famous pizza.” flyingpie.com.

FORT STREET STATION 808 W. Fort St.

MONDAY-SATURDAY • CLOSED SUNDAYS

This nook of a bar has daily food specials and a game on the TV. Perfect. 208-345-4420, find it on Fa

FLYING PIE PIZZARIA Multiple locations

Located in The Fowler building on Broad Street, Form & Function is the premier slow-pour coffee spot in the revitalized Central Addition neighborhood. 208-9227824, formandfunctioncoffee.com.

OPEN

GIL’S K-9 BAR 2506 W. Main St.

Boise’s newest bicycle-centric bar has 25 rotating beer taps, five wine taps and workstands and tools for customers who want to work on their rides.

208-344-0068, find on Facebook.

FORM & FUNCTION 511 W. Broad St.

RESERVATIONS REQUESTED CHECK WEBSITE FOR MENU

Pizzas with top-quality ingredients and a nearly endless beer list. Plus, Calzone Tuesday rocks. 208-2879201, thefrontdoorboise.com.

ENRIQUE’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT 482 W. Main St., Kuna

EVEN STEVENS 815 W. Bannock St.

PAELLA

FRONT DOOR NORTHWEST PIZZA AND TAP HOUSE 105 S. Sixth St.

This sweet neighborhood shop serves tea, Italian soda and Evans Brothers’ organic brews. 208-447-9153, frogsfix.com.

Hand-crafted beers, a killer pub menu and monster orders of fries have made this North End brewery/restaurant on the road to Bogus Basin a Boise mainstay.

208-343-6820, highlandshollow.com.

HOPS & BOTTLES 1420 W. Grove St., Ste. 1 With hundreds of local, small-batch and rare beers for sale, and a substantial number of beers on tap, this is a onestop shop for brews downtown. 208345-6470, hopsandbottles.com.

HUMPIN’ HANNAH’S 621 Main St. Rocci Johnson has been rockin’ the house for years, and her No. 1 goal is to make sure everyone has a good time.

208-345-7557, humpinhannahs.com.

HYDE HOUSE 1607 N. 13th St. Featuring handcrafted dishes to complement local brews and wines. 208387-4933, hydehouseboise.com.

W W W.BOISE WEEKLY.COM

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OP OPEN PEN MONDAY-SATURDAY MON ONDA AY Y--SA ATU T RD R AY A DAILY DA A LY HA HAPPY APP PPY Y HO H HOUR UR R 4-6 4-6 6 PM PM W CATER WE CAT ATER ER BEAUTIFUL B BE EAU A T FU F L SH SHADED HAD A ED ED P PATIO AT O AT Like us on facebook for Special Deals and interact with us to win Gift Cards. facebook.com/riceeagle

BOISEweekly | ANNUAL MANUAL 2018-2019 | 43

EAT/DRINK IDAHO PIZZA COMPANY Multiple locations

LUCIANO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT 11 N. Orchard St.

Idaho Pizza Company has the best pizzaand-salad lunch special around, and the signature Idaho Supreme lives up to its name. idahopizzacompany.com

Luciano’s does not accept reservations, but the food is worth even the longest wait. Cafe Luciano’s, a new location on the Greenbelt in Garden City, is also lovely.

208-577-6415, lucianosboise.com.

JAKERS BAR AND GRILL 3268 E. Pine Ave., Meridian This longstanding area favorite is always filled with happy hour revelers and diners enjoying steaks, seafood, sandwiches and more. 208-288-0898, jakers.com/meridian.

JALAPENO’S BAR AND GRILL Multiple locations Check out the huge menu of Mexican dishes and tequilas. jalapenosidaho.com.

SERVING COFFEE It is our aim to provide Boise with quality coffee, crafted to the absolute best of our ability. We source coffees grown by farmers from all around the world, roasted locally in smallbatches each week, and brewed with attention and care.

JUMPIN’ JANET’S 574 S. Vista Ave. Daily food and drink specials, plus weekly trivia. 208-342-7620, jumpinjanetsboise.com.

JUNIPER KITCHEN AND COCKTAILS 211 N. Eighth St. Locally imagined, seasonally inspired and classically crafted farm-to-fork cuisine in a hip downtown Boise space.

208-342-1142, juniperon8th.com.

KIBROM’S ETHIOPIAN AND ERITREAN RESTAURANT 3506 W. State St. If you don’t already, you’ll love Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine after a visit to Kibrom’s.

208-917-8005, kibromsfood.com.

LE COQ D’OR 176 S. Rosebud Lane, Eagle

SENDING HOPE As a non-profit coffee house, we are committed to giving back. We partner with Send Hope, a sister organization that operates a network of nearly two dozen orphanages in India, and supports more than 750 children of families severely impacted by HIV/AIDS. By partnering with Send Hope, we are able to help financially support and provide these children with food, education, health care, and a safe home.

As Idaho’s first farm-to-table fine European dining experience, meat and dairy are locally sourced and humanely raised.

208-947-2840, chateaueagle.com.

LEGENDS PUB & GRILL 7609 W. Overland Road Located near Edwards 21, this sports bar/ pool hall combination is known for its twicedaily happy hour specials and menu of bar classics like burgers, salads and wraps.

208-377-1819, legendsboise.com.

LEKU ONA 117 S. Sixth St. Squid in ink, battered cod and more at this authentic Basque eatery with a fabulous patio. 208-345-6665, lekuonaid.com.

LEMON TREE 224 N. 10th St.

PAYING IT FORWARD The idea is simple. Customers who want to pay it forward can donate cups of coffee to our Pending Coffee board. We keep a tally of available Pending Coffees, and anyone can come in and claim one of them at no charge. Think of it as a way to love your neighbor with a cup of coffee.

219 N 10TH ST BOISE (208) 343-1089 DISTRICTCOFFEEHOUSE.COM 44 | ANNUAL MANUAL 2018-2019 | BOISEweekly

This downtown sandwich spot specializes in funky combinations—roasted beets and yams with whipped goat cheese, anyone?—as well as old standbys and vegan-friendly options.

208-343-6167, lemontreeboise.com.

LIMA LIMON PERUVIAN RESTAURANT 379 W Main St., Kuna The brightly hued Peruvian restaurant is a spicy slice of South America in a small, sleepy town. 208-922-3144, limalimonkuna.com.

LIQUID LOUNGE 405 S. Eighth St., Ste. 121 Something funny happened on the way to Liquid. And inside Liquid. Because it’s Boise’s most popular comedy club.

208-941-2459, liquidboise.com.

LOST GROVE BREWING 1026 S. La Pointe St. Brewing beer with an eye toward sustainability, Lost Grove churns out a solid selection of great brews within rock-throwing distance of Boise State University. 208286-2258, lostgrovebrewing.com.

LUCKY 13 PIZZA 3662 S. Eckert Road Pizza, stacked sandwiches and a substantial beer list are on point at this popular spot. 208-344-6967, lucky13pizza.com.

LUCKY DOG TAVERN 2223 Fairview Ave. Enjoy drag shows, karaoke and beer pong in this super gay-friendly bar.

208-333-0074, luckydogtavern.com.

LUCKY FINS SEAFOOD GRILL Multiple locations Order from a full menu of seafood with a fusion flare and a raw oyster bar. The Grove Plaza location is a perfect spot for peoplewatching, and during Alive After Five, it’s the best seat in town. luckyfinsgill.com

LULU’S FINE PIZZA 2594 N. Bogus Basin Road People who know pizza love Lulu’s.

208-387-4992, ilovelulus.com.

MADHUBAN 6930 W. State St. The Indian menu is ideal for both carnivores and vegetarians. 208-853-8215, madhubanindiancuisine.com.

MAD MAC 7709 W. Overland Road, Ste. 120 Just like the food trucks that gave it its start, this brick-and-mortar spot slings Chinese takeout containers filled with creatively topped mac and cheese. If you have room, the housemade chocolate cake is a must.

801-900-3868, find on Facebook.

MADRE BOUTIQUE TAQUERIA 1034 S. La Pointe St. Street tacos meet innovation and high cuisine in the Lusk District.

208-432-1100, madresrestaurant.net

MAI THAI 750 W. Idaho St. Cosmopolitan cocktails, Japanese-fusion dishes and one of the best lunch buffets are here at one of the winningest restaurants in our Best of Boise poll.

208-344-8424, maithaigroup.com.

MAZZAH MEDITERRANEAN GRILL Multiple locations You’ll love the gyros, baba ghannooj and other Mediterranean favorites. Your wallet will love the prices. mazzahboise.com.

THE MODERN HOTEL AND BAR 1314 W. Grove St. Impeccable service, unique dishes and stunning cocktails will have you not only coming back, but wishing you could move in. 208-424-8244, themodernhotel.com.

MOSS COFFEE & TEA 208 N. Ninth St. Brought to Boise by the owner of Eagle’s Cafe Crane, Moss is a tiny, quirk-filled hotspot that specializes in tea lattes and cinnamon rolls made fresh daily.

208-995-7454, mossboise.com.

W W W.BOISE WEEKLY.COM

Relax with one of our delicious comfort breakfast or lunch options.

• Skillets • Pancakes • French Toast • • Eggs Benedict • Burgers • Sandwiches • • Daily Mexican Themed Special • and more! *Vegetarian Options Available Don’t forget to pick up some Addie’s Gift Cards!

NOW SERVING! • BEER • WINE • MIMOSAS • • BLOODY MARYS • HOURS: Mon - Sat 6 am - 3 pm Sun 7 am - 3 pm

EAT/DRINK MOUNT EVEREST MOMO CAFE 2144 S Broadway Ave.

PROST! BOISE 274 N. Eighth St.

SNAKE RIVER TEA CO. 801 W. Main St., Ste. 103

TXIKITEO 1401 W. Idaho St.

Owner/chef Raj Shrestha makes every authentic dish on his menu like he’s cooking for his family. 208342-1268, boisemomocafe.com.

Prost! offers a wunderbar lineup of German bier, along with brats and other Deutsches fare. 208-336-9395, prostboise.com.

Enjoy a delightful brew and a bite to eat, or take your favorite tea home to enjoy any time you fancy a cuppa.

208-336-7948, snakerivertea.com.

Ah, the simple things in life. From charcuterie to cheese plates, red wine to chocolate mousse, nobody does rustic Basque fare better than Txikiteo.

208-813-6178, txikiteo.com.

NECKAR COFFEE 117 S. 10th St. After years of pouring artisan coffee at the Boise Farmers Market, Neckar Coffee finally has a brick-and-mortar home in downtown Boise. Stop by for a pour over and a sweet treat from Janjou Patisserie.

208-850-7050, neckarcoffee.com

NORTH END PIZZA 1513 N. 13th St. The delectable hand-tossed pizzas have North End neighborhood names, and the meatballs are magnificent. 208345-5669, northendpizzaboise.com.

OWYHEE TAVERN STEAK & SEAFOOD 1109 W. Main St. Lunch, dinner, craft beer and cocktails, fine wines and an urban chic setting make The Owyhee Tavern a place to see and be seen. 208-639-0440, owyheetavern.com.

PADDLES UP POKE Multiple locations At this new poke-focused restaurant, a laid-back vibe and serious-about-quality combination is as awesome as the food.

208-412-5581, paddlesuppoke.com.

PARRILLA GRILL 1512 N. 13th St. Voted Best Neighborhood Bar and second-best Local Sports Bar in Best of Boise. If you’ve been there, you know why. If you haven’t ... why not? 208323-4688, parrillagrillhydepark.com.

PAYETTE BREWING TAPROOM 733 S. Pioneer St. The 200-seat River Street taproom has 20 taps and a thousand reasons to stop by. 208-344-0011, payettebrewing.com.

PENGILLY’S SALOON 513 W. Main St. Be careful: Once you step inside this classic watering hole, you won’t want to leave. Plan accordingly. 208345-6344, find on Facebook.

PETITE 4/SABLE BAKING 4 N. Latah St.

PUSH & POUR 214 E. 34th St., Garden City This coffee shop was made with skateboarders in mind, but anyone looking for a quality roast in Garden City is welcome, too. We promise you won’t be disappointed.

208-488-4747, find on Facebook.

RAM RESTAURANT & BREWERY Multiple locations TVs, big hand-crafted beers, awesome pub food and a super-friendly staff are par for the course at The Ram. theram.com.

RED FEATHER LOUNGE 246 N. Eighth St. This downtown Boise go-to sets the standard with locally sourced, inventive craft food and artful cocktails. 208429-6340, redfeatherlounge.com.

RICE CONTEMPORARY ASIAN CUISINE 228 E. Plaza Dr., Eagle High-end dishes made with a fusion of flavors from across Asia are matched only by the Best of Boise-winning cocktails.

208-939-2595, riceeagle.com.

RICHARD’S 500 S. Capitol Blvd.

SPACEBAR ARCADE 200 N. Capitol Blvd.

Scores of classic video and board games, DJs, beer and an always affable staff.

Spacebar: where the beer-drinking adult and the kid in you can hang out together.

208-918-0597, spacebararcade.com.

THE STIL 786 W. Broad St. With its flights of beer and wine paired with rotating flavors of ice cream, The STIL (aka The Sweetest Things in Life) really lives up to its name. 208-953-7007, ilovethestil.com.

SUDS TAVERN

SUPERB SUSHI 280 N. Eighth St.

Soda and popcorn, housemade lasagna, burgers, beer, wine and a movie: It’s all at Rick’s at the Flicks. 208-3424288, theflicksboise.com/menu.

SA-WAD-DEE THAI RESTAURANT 1890 E. Fairview Ave., Meridian Thai cuisine, sushi and more will have you saying Sa-Wad-Dee or “hello” to this restaurant again and again. 208884-0701, sawaddeethai.com.

SAKANA SUSHI BAR & GRILL Multiple locations

Southern and Island fusion food made with heart. 208-922-6433, shanazhkc.com.

This Vietnamese bistro serves stellar summer rolls and fantastic pho.

208-367-1111, phonouveau.com.

SHIGE CUISINE 100 N. Eighth St., Ste. 215

The creators of Juniper serve up blistering Neopolitan style pizza at this Boise Bench joint. 208-344-6600, redbenchpizza.com.

Top-notch food and drink options, two happy hours, live music, great service and late-night chicken and waffles in the heart of BoDo. 208-345-6620, solidboise.com.

RICK’S CAFE AMERICAN AT THE FLICKS 646 Fulton St.

PHO NOUVEAU 780 W. Idaho St.

RED BENCH PIZZA 1204 S. Vista Ave.

SOLID GRILL & BAR 405 S. Eighth St.

1024 S. Broadway Ave. With 16 HD TVs and a full slate of bar games, you’ll find plenty of red, white, blue and orange on the walls.

208-345-9656, find on Facebook.

Sushi specials and great service draw people in. Rolls like the Black Dragon and the Viking and great prices keep them coming back. sakanaid.com.

Get a bird’s eye view at this downtown Boise favorite, known for its pub menu, friendly service and laudable scotch selection. 208-343-2444, thepiperpub.com.

Gyros, souvlaki, dolmades, burgers, baklava and more, served in a friendly place where you always feel like family.

208-853-0844, sofiasgreekbistro.com.

Chef Richard Langston creates incredible fare with locally sourced ingredients, and pairs it with handpicked wines.

208-472-1463, richardsboise.com.

A French-inspired bistro in the heart of the Boise Bench neighborhood, this is one of the hottest spots to get entrees, dinner or just wine to go with dessert. On Saturdays, stop by for Sable Baking’s pop-up shop.

208-345-1055, eatatpetite4.com.

PIPER PUB AND GRILL 150 N. Eighth St.

SOFIA’S GREEK BISTRO 6748 N. Glenwood St., Garden City

SHANAZ HOME KITCHEN CUISINE 520 S. Main St., Ste. 96, Meridian

For more than two decades, Shige Matzuzawa has been the king of Japanese cuisine in the Treasure Valley.

208-338-8423, shigescuisine.com.

SMOKY MOUNTAIN PIZZERIA GRILL Multiple locations Whether you get a classic pepperoni or try something different and new, Smoky Mountain is always the right choice. smokymountainpizza.com.

46 | ANNUAL MANUAL 2018-2019 | BOISEweekly

Treat yourself to the sweeeeet lunch special, and make all-you-can-eat night part of your regular routine. 208-3850123, superbsushidowntown.com.

TANGO’S EMPANADAS Multiple locations Once you try these Argentine empanadas, you’ll want to Tango all the time. tangos-empanadas.com.

TAP AND CASK 1555 S. Broadway Ave. Tap and Cask combines the warm, inviting feel of a barrel house with the fun energy of a speakeasy. Add in a flirty cocktail menu and comfort food with a twist. 208-338-5458, tapandcask.com.

TASSO 401 S. Eighth St. When a restaurant names itself after a style of pork, you know it takes its meats seriously.

Plus, this may be the only spot in the city that serves popcorn with its sandwiches.

208-336-2555, tassoboise.com

THAI BASIL 3161 E. Fairview Ave., Ste. 110, Meridian You haven’t really had pad thai until you’ve tried it at Thai Basil. 208888-5797, thaibasilidaho.com.

THAI CUISINE 6777 W. Overland Road Warm up to Thai and Vietnamese entrees like crispy tofu, spicy prawn soup and sauteed basil curry seafood.

208-658-0516, boisethaicuisine.com.

VINCENZO TRATTORIA 6970 W. State St. A casual dining experience for those who enjoy authentic Italian food at a reasonable price. 208-853-6292, vincenzotrattoria.com.

THE VISTA BAR 813 S. Vista Ave. With a renovation completed in 2014, this grande dame of the A-frame got a face-lift that left its booze and live music intact.

208-345-5058, vistabarboise.com.

WHISKEY BAR 509 W. Main St. Are you a fan of fine bourbon, rye and scotch? Do you appreciate cocktail craftsmanship? Then what’s taking you so long? You should be at Whiskey Bar. 208-345-2505, find on Facebook.

WISEGUY PIZZA PIE Multiple locations This Wood River Valley-based chain slings New York-style, hand-tossed pizza with local ingredients to Hailey, Ketchum and the City of Trees. Not in the pizza mood? Try a sandwich or calzone and wash it back with a beer or glass of wine. wiseguypizzapie.com.

WHITE DOG BREWING CO. 705 W. Fulton St. Founded in Bozeman, Montana, White Dog has started brewing some of the best brews around right here in Boise.

208-906-0609, whitedogbrewing.com.

THE WYLDER 501 W. Broad St. You can’t go wrong with any one of artisan pizzas, but if you want to get in the true local spirit, try the Gem State of Mind, topped with organic potatoes, caramelized onions, rosemary and sage.

208-209-3837, thewylderboise.com.

YEN CHING 305 N. Ninth St. Covering all the bases, including dim sum, lemon chicken, mao po bean curd, gan shao beef and the best sizzling rice soup in town. 208-384-0384, yenchingboise.com.

YOKOZUNA TERIYAKI Multiple lcoations The affordable noodle bowls, rice dishes, bubble tea and more prove fast food can be fabulous. yokozunateriyaki.com.

ZEE’S ROOFTOP CAFE 250 S. Fifth St., Ste. 900 Get affordable breakfast and lunch items to go, or stay for the view from the top of the C.W. Moore Plaza. The burritos, pitas and build-your-own sandwiches are favorites.

208-381-0034, zeechristopher.com.

ZEN BENTO Multiple locations Bentos, sushi and salad made with your well-being in mind. It’s “peace in a lunch box.” zenbento.com.

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CALENDAR AUGUST BOISE STATE FOOTBALL KICKOFF The start of another gridiron season on the blue turf of Albertsons Stadium has become much more than a sporting event. Pep rallies, tailgating and yes, a wildly popular football game turns the town on its ear, beginning in late August. broncosports.com.

BRAUN BROTHERS REUNION For a small town, Challis really knows how to throw a great party. Need proof? Check out the annual Braun Brothers Reunion Festival.

Everyone is an honorary Braun during the three-day festival, which historically includes performances by Braun relatives Reckless Kelly and Mickey and the Motorcars, along with dozens of special musical guests.

Challis, braunbrothersreunion.com.

CALDWELL NIGHT RODEO The Caldwell Night Rodeo is one of the top rodeos in the country, drawing more than 40,000 fans to watch five nights of bronc busting, bull riding and steer roping, as well as big-name concerts at the Simplot Stadium. Caldwell, caldwellnightrodeo.com.

BALLET IDAHO SEASON OPENER The Gem State’s premier dance company kicks off its fall-to-spring season each September, with classic and contemporary choreography from across the country, as well as traditional favorites like The Nutcracker, each Christmas. balletidaho.org.

BOISE FILM FESTIVAL This homegrown showcase of filmmakers has ramped up impressively, adding more premiers, Q&As, networking events and parties to its schedule each year. boisefilmfestival.org.

BOISE PHILHARMONIC SEASON OPENER Idaho’s largest and oldest performing arts organization is reenergizing audiences of all ages with a new blend of classical and pops concerts. boisephil.org.

CELTIC FESTIVAL AND HIGHLAND GAMES Hitch up your kilt and hit the Treasure Valley Celtic Festival and Highland Games at Expo Idaho. Enjoy traditional music, food, drink, dancing and Highland games featuring both amateur and professional athletes. Garden City, idahoscotts.org.

HERMIT MUSIC FESTIVAL Come out of your shell for craft food, beer and wine workshops, a square dance and an impressive lineup of local and regional bands at Indian Creek Winery.

If you haven’t hit up Hermit, you’ve been missing out on a down-home good time.

Kuna, hermitmusicfestival.com.

LIBRARY! COMIC CON Every year, the Boise Public Library shows it loves comic books just as much as it loves novels, nonfiction, magazines and other media with the Library Comic Con. This year, the event will be held at JUMP, but comic con traditions still apply.

Costumes are “strongly encouraged” at this weekend-long event featuring special guests, cosplay, booths, merch, art and, of course, loads of comics. boisepubliclibrary.org.

JAIALDI / KELSE Y HAWES

HYDE PARK STREET FAIR Proximity to the great outdoors has helped put Boise on more than one top-10-most-livable-cities list, and it doesn’t get much closer to the Boise Foothills than the Hyde Park Street Fair, where vendors, music, food, kids’ activities and community come together in Camel’s Back Park. northendboise.org.

SPIRIT OF BOISE BALLOON CLASSIC For more than 20 years, Spirit of Boise has filled the skies with balloons from across the region. The public can watch the morning launches from Ann Morrison Park or check out the skills competitions, while the lucky ones get to see what Boise looks like from above. spiritofboise.com.

WESTERN IDAHO FAIR The Western Idaho Fair at Expo Idaho is a classic, with livestock shows, 4-H projects, carnival rides, games and food, food, food.

Every summer, the fair draws thousands for family friendly fun, live concerts and more activities than you can shake a (corn dog) stick at. Garden City, idahofair.com.

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER BOISE WEEKLY COVER ART AUCTION One of the things that makes Boise Weekly unique is that we print works by local artists on our covers. Every October, those works go on the auction block with proceeds benefiting artists, a BW grant program and investigative journalism. Win-win-win-win. boiseweekly.com.

ART IN THE PARK For one weekend every year, the Boise Art Museum invites artists and crafters from around the Northwest to sell their wares in Julia Davis Park. Along with the staggering amount of art, there are activities for kids, live music, food trucks, vendors and exhibitions galore. boiseartmuseum.org.

BOISE WEEKLY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES A new tradition, this is our annual celebration of the big screen, where we preview all the potential Oscar nominees and gift our attendees with some exclusive swag from Hollywood’s top film studios. boiseweekly.com.

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HOPTOBER FRESHTIVAL

FESTIVAL OF TREES

Boise Brewing’s Hoptober Freshtival ranks as the biggest fresh hop beer festival in the state. Brewers from more than two dozen breweries across Idaho rush to the fields, gather pungent hop cones, then zip back to brew up the freshest, hoppiest beer possible.

It’s a fun fest, with food, live music and loads of beer. hoptoberfreshtival.com.

Boise is the City of Trees, and this festival highlights the title. Rows of trees decorated with charming ornaments and themes pack the Boise Centre while live music from local orchestras serenade onlookers. Seasonal games and activities are also a big part of the event, which is an important holiday tradition in the tree-loving city. facebook.com/festivaloftreesboise.

IDAHO HORROR FILM FESTIVAL The Idaho Horror Film Festival has been a screaming success since 2014, when it started bringing spine-tingling terror to downtown Boise for three days in October.

If you love horror films, you’ll have a bootiful time. idahohorrorfilmfestival.org.

SEE SPOT WALK With more than 3,000 canines walking their humans, See Spot Walk is the largest dog walk in the state. Join fellow dog lovers for a one-mile jaunt around Julia Davis Park. Proceeds benefit the Idaho Humane Society. idahohumanesociety.org.

NOVEMBER EMPTY BOWLS Every year on the day after Thanksgiving, the Grove Plaza gets a makeover. That’s where thousands of people line up to purchase handmade ceramic bowls and get them filled with specialty soups made by the best chefs in town. Empty Bowls is about more than hot chow(der): Proceeds from the event benefit the Idaho Foodbank. idahofoodbank.org.

WINTER GARDEN AGLOW Chilly nights at Winter Garden aGlow shed some light on the holiday season: The Botanical Gardens are strung with more than 300,000 sparkling lights, creating a winter wonderland. idahobotanicalgarden.org.

DECEMBER FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL Bundle up for this bowl at Albertsons Stadium, which pits a Mountain West team against a Mid-American Conference team in “the nation’s longest running outdoor coldweather bowl.” famousidahopotatobowl.com.

BALLET IDAHO: THE NUTCRACKER Seeing Ballet Idaho’s festive Nutcracker at the Morrison Center is as much of a holiday tradition for some as trimming the Christmas tree. balletidaho.org.

IDAHO POTATO DROP Watch a potato the size of a Winnebago majestically descend from on high, ringing in the new year in downtown Boise and signifying the high point of a massive party that has made headlines around the country. idahopotatodrop.com.

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JANUARY BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL Canadians are known for being nice, but the athletes featured in the Canada-based Banff Film Festival are far from soft. On multiple days at the Egyptian Theatre, watch shorts and movies of people climbing, skiing, rowing, swimming and biking in some of the most remote, treacherous and stunning locations on the globe. banffcentre.ca.

MCCALL WINTER CARNIVAL What was inspired half a century ago by the Payette Lake Winter Games has grown into a cultural juggernaut. Enormous snow sculptures, a parade, a bike race, art auctions, a comedy show and live music bring thousands of people to the resort town each year for a week of winter fun.

McCall, mccallchamber.org/winter-carnival.

FEBRUARY FLYING M VALENTINE FOR AIDS Since 1993, Flying M Coffeehouse has hosted its annual Valentine for AIDS—a silent art auction benefiting the Safety Net for AIDS Program. Since its founding, Valentine for AIDS has raised more than $280,000. facebook.com/valentineforaids.

STANLEY-SAWTOOTH WINTERFEST It wouldn’t be an understatement to say the Stanley-Sawtooth Winterfest is the event of the season. When the snow has piled up to desperate levels, Idahoans look to these fun-filled days in the sticks for activities like dogsled racing, midwinter beach parties, “outhouse” races, glow in the dark pub crawls and live music. Stanley, stanleywinterfest.com.

TREEFORT MUSIC FEST Visitors are beginning to plan trips to Boise around this multi-day festival that has, since its launch in 2012, garnered national attention by filling venues across downtown Boise with readings, food tastings, yoga classes, art exhibits, films and panels, as well as hundreds of performances by local acts and touring bands that stop in Boise on the heels of SXSW shows. treefortmusicfest.com.

APRIL

Color!

What a deep and mysterious language, the language of dreams.

BOISE OPEN MARKETS Both the Boise Farmers Market and the Capital City Public Market begin their outdoor seasons each April. BFM is at the corner of 10th and Grove streets and CCPM fills Eighth between Main and State streets. theboisefarmersmarket. com, capitalcitypublicmarket.com.

Fine Rugs and Artful Objects

Tues. - Fri. 10-5. Sat. 10-4 • 4515 W. Chinden 208-629-8747 • facebook.com/loomfinerugs

RACE TO ROBIE CREEK The Race to Robie Creek is the “toughest half-marathon in the Northwest.” Setting off from Fort Boise, runners climb the 4,734-foot Aldape Summit. Registration fills within minutes, so get some high-speed internet and be ready when it opens. robiecreek.com.

RECORD STORE DAY Record Store Day celebrates the independent businesses that bring music to our ears.

At Record Exchange in downtown Boise, it’s a full-blown Record Store Weekend of exclusive releases, listening parties, live shows and more. therecordexchange.com.

MAY AMERICAN CRAFT BEER WEEK

MARCH BOISE FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW While March might be a soggy mess in some places, in the high desert of the Treasure Valley, it’s the legitimate beginning of spring. Celebrate the start of the season with the Boise Flower and Garden Show, which takes over the Boise Centre with seminars, wine and jazz nights, sales and vendors, displays, auctions and a flower show. gardenshowboise.com.

ILLUMIBRATE JUMP threw its first Illumibrate festival in 2018, but the idea for the light and color festival had been brewing for years before then. The inaugural event was a smash, with a silent disco, family activities, light shows, art installations, music and more, and future installments will likely only be bigger, grander and, of course, brighter. jump.boise.org.

SUN VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL Sun Valley is not only a sanctuary for the rich and famous but home to the Sun Valley Film Festival, which has become a muchvaunted event among both audiences and auteurs. It’s also a proving ground for films that may lead to the kind of wealth and notoriety that make such a hideaway necessary. Sun Valley, sunvalleyfilmfestival.org.

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Every year cities across the nation hoist a few cold ones in celebration of high quality suds—and Boise is no slouch in the beer department. With craft breweries popping up everywhere, there is no shortage of opportunities to explore the work of local brewmasters with tastings, special releases, parties, tap takeovers, games and events all over town. craftbeer.com.

ANIME OASIS For more than a dozen years, local anime addicts, cosplay connoisseurs and manga maniacs have gathered at Anime Oasis to celebrate the popular Japanese cultural export. Anime Oasis runs sunup to sundown for days at multiple locations in downtown Boise, and is so full of panels, games, films, music and more, that even with no sleep, it would be nearly impossible to see everything. animeoasis.org.

BOISE EATS

/ BOISE DRINKS

COMING SEPT. 26, 2018

BOISE BIKE WEEK The City of Trees has made itself one of the most bike-friendly places in America, and the bike organizations that call it home throw down when it comes to events. The celebrations begin afresh in spring, when people gear up for bike sumo wrestling, mini-races and more during Boise Bike Week. biketreasurevalley.org.

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CALENDAR IDAHO GIVES DAY

I48 FILM FESTIVAL

Big and small, nonprofits help make Idaho what it is. While a lot of them raise funds year round, the Idaho Nonprofit Center dedicates one day a year to making it easy for people across the Gem State to support them. In many communities across the state, Idaho Gives rises to the level of a full-on festival, with activities, contests and prizes. idahogives.org.

This long-running competition gives auteurs 48 hours to make a short film: Conception, writing, filming, editing—everything must be done in those two days. Though it’s a stress-inducing process, i48 awards prizes to the best of the best and shines a spotlight on the breadth and wealth of talent in the Treasure Valley. idaho48.org.

MUSIC ON THE MOUNTAIN IDAHO SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL Against the spectacular Boise foothills, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival performs the works of William Shakespeare as well as plays and musicals by more contemporary playwrights. idahoshakespeare.org.

TREASURE VALLEY TATTOO CONVENTION The Treasure Valley Tattoo Convention is a three-day blowout showcasing more than 100 master tattoo artists from Boise to Brooklyn, as well as a slate of activities, vendor booths, displays, kids’ activities, film screenings and more. treasurevalleytc.com.

JUNE ALIVE AFTER FIVE On Wednesdays, what could be considered the lamest day of the week, the Downtown Boise Association throws open the Grove Plaza for live music by big-name touring acts and local talent. With tunes echoing off the buildings and dizzying sunshine, it’s a perfect way to spend an afternoon after work. downtownboise.org.

BIG LE BOISE A blue patch in a mostly red state, Boise could be considered alt-Idaho. Well, Boise Weekly is the alt-newspaper of the City of Trees, and we’re damn proud of it. Every year, we commemorate what makes Boise special with our Big Le Boise party, featuring food, music, vendors, beer and much, much more. boiseweekly.com.

BOISE HAWKS

BOISE MUSIC FESTIVAL The Boise Music Festival brings in high-profile national, regional and local acts to Expo Idaho to perform on five stages. Plus, it has a 21-and-older area and a carnival with rides. Garden City, boisemusicfestival.com.

GREAT GARDEN ESCAPE CONCERTS The Idaho Botanical Garden has become the go-to spot for outdoor music. Audiences looking for a laid-back evening find it at the weekly Thursday night performances June through September during the Great Garden Escape series. Watch from picnic blankets in the Meditation Garden as some of the Treasure Valley’s best acts perform. idahobotanicalgarden.org.

NATIONAL OLDTIME FIDDLERS CONTEST AND FESTIVAL Each year, Weiser gets amped for a week of fiddle contests for seniors, adults, young adults, juniors and even small-fries. There is also a banjo contest and workshops for everyone from beginners to masters, along with an impressive slate of live music and a parade. But If you come across a young man sawin’ on a fiddle and playin’ it hot, do not challenge him. He’s the best there’s ever been. Weiser, fiddlecontest.org.

OUTLAW FIELD CONCERT SERIES The Idaho Botanical Garden is one of the must-see locations in town, and it was a stroke of genius to hold concerts there. For the last decade, the Outlaw Field Concert Series has brought in heavy hitters like Willie Nelson, Wilco, Tom Jones and Tony Bennett. idahobotanicalgarden.org.

BARS & STRIPES After a hiatus, prestigious alleycat race Bars & Stripes is back. The race, presented by Boise Weekly, is a two-wheel sojourn across the City of Trees, with participants hopping from bar to bar undertaking challenges and sopping up brews in their sprint to the finish line. Top finishers pedal home with sweet prizes, but everyone’s a winner when every person who registers for the race gets a grab bag full of goodies. boiseweekly.com.

BOISE TWILIGHT CRITERIUM Nothing clogs downtown Boise with cheering onlookers like the Twilight Criterium. The annual professional bike race touches a nerve with Boiseans, whose passions for sports and fitness are unrivaled anywhere in the country. Thousands of people crowd around the barriers and gates to cheer on favorites, make noise and generally have a great time. downtownboise.org.

BOISE’S FUNNIEST PERSON Boise’s Funniest Person takes the cringe out and ups the worthy by pairing newbies with comedy pros, and it’s one of the best events on the books ... no joke. boisesfunniestperson.com.

FOURTH OF JULY More than a few Boiseans head for McCall, Sun Valley or one of Idaho’s many campgrounds for the Fourth, but the City of Trees puts on a pretty swell Independence Day celebration of its own. Things start off with a pancake breakfast in Julia Davis Park followed by a downtown parade, then really get poppin’ with Idaho’s biggest fireworks spectacular in Ann Morrison Park. parks.cityofboise.org.

PRIDEFEST For more than a decade, lawmakers, activists and the public have tried in vain to secure housing, employment and public accommodations protections for LGBT people by adding “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” to Idaho’s 1960s-era human rights law. Every year at Boise PrideFest, they make a fresh call for LGBT justice, but the event also combines business and pleasure with a bevy of activities in Capitol Park and, of course, the annual Pride Parade. boisepridefest.org.

MCCALL SUMMERFEST What better way to beat Boise’s triple-digit summer heat than to escape to McCall, and hear some top-tier orchestral music to boot? For roughly a week each summer, SummerFest showcases the best in pops and classical music, featuring a 50-piece orchestra and a host of soloists ranging from violin to organ. mccallmusicsociety.org.

MOUNTAIN HOME COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL The inaugural MHCMF has booked some of country’s biggest musicians over the years: Brad Paisley, Florida Georgia Line, Parmalee, master mixer DJ KO and superstar Blake Shelton to name a few. The following iterations will be equally awesome, and rockstar musicians plus top-notch camping packages might lead to Mountain Home becoming a destination vacation spot. Mountain Home, mountainhomefestival.com.

NATIONAL FRENCH FRY DAY French fries are one of America’s side dishes of choice, and Idaho is in the thick of growing the taters that fuel demand for these fried delicacies. Every year, Boise throws down with a huge block party. A good many restaurateurs, particularly Boise Fry Company, join in the celebration. downtownboise.org.

SAN INAZIO FESTIVAL The annual St. Inazio Festival is when the region’s Basque community—and everyone else—comes out to play. From live music and traditional Basque dancing to killer Basque cuisine and plenty of spirits, this is a threeday excuse to let go. basquecenter.com.

SNAKE RIVER STAMPEDE One of the top-ranked rodeos in the country, the Stampede—held at the Ford Idaho Center—is bigger than ever with a full lineup of hard-riding cowboys and cowgirls taking part in some of the top rodeo action in the business, from bull and bronc riding to barrel racing. The action isn’t only in the arena, though. Days are filled with food, drink and entertainment.

Nampa, snakeriverstampede.com.

SUMMER EMPTY BOWLS Almost everyone is familiar with November Empty Bowls in downtown Boise, but in recent years, the success of that event has prompted the Idaho Foodbank to put on a summer installment. In July, instead of filling bowls with hot soup, folks can make their ways to Big Al’s in Meridian to purchase their own hand-decorated empty bowl and fill it with ice cream and toppings. idahofoodbank.org.

BOISE HAWKS / KELSE Y HAWES

Opening night at Hawks Stadium is the symbolic start of summer and full of promise for Boise Hawks fans, who can count on our local baseball team to always play a good, entertaining game. Garden City, boisehawks.com.

Bogus Basin isn’t just for skiing, snowboarding and tubing any more. Thanks to a recent overhaul, the mountain now boasts a full roster of summer activities, including hiking and biking trails, a roller coaster, base area activities and an outdoor concert series. Bring a blanket to listen to top-notch local music while taking in some of the valley’s best views. bogusbasin.org.

JULY

WORLD REFUGEE DAY Maybe it’s the safety, or maybe it’s the temperate weather, but Boise is a big draw for displaced people. The City of Trees has one of the highest numbers of refugees per capita of anywhere in the United States, including Los Angeles and New York City. Every year on June 20, Boise honors people in forced flight from their homelands with food, activities and a naturalization ceremony for new U.S. citizens. idahorefugees.org.

WORLD VILLAGE FESTIVAL As the refugee and immigrant populations continue to grow and change in Boise, it has become imperative that the city grow and change as well. Global Lounge, a local nonprofit organization, hosts the World Village Festival at Capitol Park with the goal of preserving cultural traditions and educating the community on global awareness. worldvillagefestival.com.

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