Visiting Boise (Parker, Harrison, Hope: house, rent, hotel)

[Wildzan]

I am going to be in Boise for a couple days at the end of July on business, and I am hoping for some great ideas on food & after hours sight seeing. I'll be tied up all day in a seminar, but looking for something to do after 4pm, and some great restaurants to eat dinner at. I love hole in the wall, unusual cuisine, not chain restaurants I can eat at when I'm home! Any great suggestions?

Thanks!

[Ruby]

We had lunch at the Reef last year - it's downtown. We liked it, the food was good and the atmosphere was fun.

[Torrie]

Try Westside Drive In, its got a huge array of food choices, love the sweet potato fries. Very casual dining, you sit outside, something for everyone on the menu. You can google it and read more about Chef Lou or check out the review from Boise Weekly magazine. I would say Westside is a huge hit amongst the Boise locals, it's not you're ordinary drive-in. Located on State St.

Mai Thai is excellent if you like Thai food. If you go to Maithaigroup.com you can see the menu. It's located downtown on Idaho Street.

Looking for something more upscale, try Chandler's downtown. Excellent steakhouse/fine dining. Yes it's a little spendy just to forewarn you, but well worth it. Ask for the Fess Parker Pinot, (scored above 90). It's an allocated wine and you won't find it anywhere else in the state of Idaho, except maybe his other restaurant, as Rex Chandler bought every bottle allocated to the state. They might not have it on the wine list yet, so ask the server. I was sitting there while the deal was being done so that's why I know, just a little inside for you. Hope that helps, enjoy!

Afterwards take a drive through the downtown area, check out Warm Springs Ave and then Harrison Blvd, the old homes are beautiful to look at. Follow Harrison Blvd (about 2miles, North) and you'll cross over Hill Rd which turns into Bogus Basin Rd. Follow that road up to the top if you like (takes around 45 min.) and it will take you to the ski lodge or you can just go up a ways and pull over to get a beautiful view of the city.

[idahomama]

Other food options in downtown Boise...
Bombay Grill- very good Indian food, very reasonable (and yummy) lunch buffet.
Red Feather Lounge is a great place to sit outside and people watch. Kitchen was taken over by the top chef in town this year and the food is really good right now.
Jenny's Lunch Line -open for lunch only, super creative sandwiches and soup. very very good
Milky Way-food a bit over rated in my opinion/menu hasn't chnaged much in years but very cool space and atmosphere and food is pretty good.
Donnie Mac's Trailer Park Cuisine- food isn't bad and a very cool space!

High end- Andrae's (also chef at Red Feather) might make you think you are in NYC or San Francisco with his highly innovative and exceptional fare.

Boise isn't the strongest in my opinion in regards to good, unusual fare or ethnic type foods. They are around but you have to search.

[Syringaloid]

Downtown is full of non chain restaurants. If you want some good Basque food check out Leku Ona or some of the other restaurants on the Basque Block. There are a few good Sushi establishments as well. One of Boise's best attributes is the amount of local intimate restaurants all over the downtown area with good food, many use local ingredients, and sidewalk dining. There is everything from the inexpensive to the posh and the scene is pretty diverse too.

[LVGAZ]

We really enjoyed the BODO district - thre is a great pizza/salad place - sit outside - all fresh
the Wine Store was wonderful there also
and across from Renditions on 13th and main is a place called Tom (something) bewery and and the food (hommous) was incredible.
Then go to Hyde PArk and just eat your way through

[Anchorless]

Lucky 13 (in Hyde Park).
Pollo Rey (best bean and cheese burrito you'll ever eat).
Flying Pie Pizza (whirled famous)
Zen Bento (best Asian food in Idaho. BBQ/salad type stuff)

[Wildzan]

Great suggestions so far! Mexican food I get in abundance, since I live close to Mexico, but I've never had Basque. Where is the Basque Block? I'll be staying at the Red Lion on Fairview, and am not sure I will even bother renting a car, since the hotel has a shuttle and there are taxis. Is that close to the Basque Block & Hyde Park?

[Anchorless]

It's about a 12 block walk down Main.

[Torrie]

Ok, just had dinner at Chandler's again, too die for! Had the prime rib special, amazing! Finished it off with a special chocolate raspberry desert, yummy! No I don't eat there all the time, I wish.....it was my birthday and my husband wanted to take me there as he knows the people well. You will not be disappointed, the food is excellent no matter what you order, atmosphere is great. These people get how to take care of you.

Oh, and on a fun note, Tye Pennington was at the restaurant! No joke! He was sitting up at the bar. Must be here for a taping of one of his shows. I wanted to go up and shake his hand for all the nice things that he does, but I didn't want to bug the guy. Pretty Cool!