Pho Nouveau

780 W Idaho Street

Time: 4-6 M-F
Special: All beer and wine 2 for 1; ½ off appetizers
Rating: 4 martinis
Smoking: no
Other mentions: outside seating during warmer months

This little gem opened up in the old Falcon location in the heart of downtown but I had yet to visit so I made a point to pop in on this brisk winter’s eve. The restaurant is decorated modestly with plenty of seating for such a small establishment. The lay out is still very much as it was with the previous folks but modernized just a bit.

I was very surprised to find all of their drinks on the happy hour specials, even bottled drinks. I ordered up a sake which came in an individual bottle warmed, while my friend enjoyed the plum wine. The menu offered up a nice selection of beers with options spanning Asia. The wine selection was also nice but most options from the U.S.

With ½ off appetizers we would be crazy not to try at least a couple. We ordered the Summer Rolls with Tofu (normally $5.50) and the Sizzling Saigon Crepe (normally $5.75). Both were fantastic. The Summer Rolls came with a very light peanut sauce that provided a delicate flavor without over powering the rolls. The crepe was something I had never had before. It was filled with shrimp and chicken, served with herbs, cucumber, and carrots, and lettuce to wrap around it. Very tasty.

When we first arrived, our service was great with the server being very attentive. But as our time there progressed, the service got a little spotty. I couldn’t tell if a different server had taken over and we were just forgotten about or if our server had just gotten overwhelmed with tables. We still very much enjoyed the food, drinks, and atmosphere. We would definitely return and try some of the other tasty offerings on the menu!

Bonefish Grill

www.bonefishgrill.com
855 W Broad Street

Time: 3-6 and 9-Close daily
Special: $6 featured martinis, $5 premium wines, ½ off wells, ½ off premium liquor, $4 draft beers & house wines. And ½ off select appetizers.
Rating: 4.5 martinis
Smoking: no
Other mentions: They offer an anytime menu with several $5 options including sangria and Svedka Martinis.

My friends and I first came upon Bonefish during the Martini Mix-Off in May and it quickly became one of our favorite stops, especially on the weekends. It is located in a great part of town at the 8th Street Marketplace. The happy hour deals are fantastic and every time we have Shannon for a bartender, the service is stellar. Unfortunately on this visit Shannon had gone home for the day but we still had a great time.

There were several of us on this visit and most of us ordered food so we were able to sample a variety. I personally love the Bang Bang Shrimp. But the mussels were tasty as well and there were plenty to go around. I heard no complaints whatsoever from our group and the food went down quick.

Drinks were plentiful on this visit. A few of my friends continue to return to Bonefish specifically because of one of the martinis they entered into the mix-off: The Bandit. It is a lovely concoction of American Honey Bourbon and Butterscotch Liqueur with a honeyed rim. This particular evening my friends only got one because they ran out of this fine liquor. Note to Bonefish: stock up! Besides this one glitch in our plans, everything else was fantastic. We will continue to return, especially if the American Honey is there!

Lock, Stock, & Barrel

www.lsbboise.com
1100 W Jefferson Street

Time: 11-6 M-F
Special: $2.50 wells & house wine, $2 domestic bottles, $3 drafts
Rating: 2 martinis
Smoking: no
Other mentions: restaurant with separate bar

This was a last minute decision to try out Lock, Stock & Barrel when a friend texted me to meet early. Few bars start happy hour before 4pm but LSB starts at 11- wow!

We parked our bikes against a tree outside since they don’t have a bike rack and wondered on it. The bar area is quite substantial with several four-tops and a lengthy bar with seating. It definitely has a feel of an upscale steak house as soon as you walk through their doors.

We were the only patrons at the moment and sidled up to the bar in typical boise happy hour (bhh) fashion. When I asked what the happy hour specials were, we received a slight grunt and a pointing up to a board above the bar. We also noticed another board stating $2 off appetizers. I was a bit surprised by the slim choices on the appetizer menu since it is a large restaurant but the options were substantial. We opted for the baked brie and garlic.

We continued to be amazed by the lack of attention from our bartender, especially being the only two patrons and sitting right at the bar. While nothing was bad at this location, we found it to be very mediocre at best.

The Melting Pot

www.meltingpot.com
200 N 6th Street

Time: 5-7 Daily
Special: $3 micros, $2 other beers, $5 wines, $3.50 wells, and $5 Feature drinks and martinis
Rating: 4.5 martinis
Smoking: no
Other mentions: Full Bar, seating outside, $5 appetizer specials

The Melting Pot is a fondue restaurant located in downtown Boise. It opened a few years ago and has been very successful, filling a niche that is otherwise absent in the area. It is also much more than cheese and chocolate dip.

I have visited the restaurant on other occasions for dinner but this was my first for happy hour. My friends and I sidled up to the bar (we often prefer to sit at the bar versus at tables as this offers better access to the bartender for insider knowledge). The bartender of the evening, Bobby, was very attentive and enthusiastic. We couldn’t decide on a wine to have so he let us sample several before we made our selection. We really liked this!

They have a vast selection of their wines for $5 during happy hour, as well as beer and liquor specials. An interesting tidbit about their liquor selection, their well offerings are higher end than most places. So for their vodka, they offer Smirnoff as the well instead of something like Kamchatka.

They have a special food menu set up for happy hour also. It includes a couple of fondue options perfect for sharing with someone, as well as salads, shrimp, and dips most priced at $5! We enjoyed the Baked Brie with Pesto, Honey and Almond Baked Brie, and the Spinach Artichoke Dip. Everything was fantastic and nicely presented. The brie was served with bread and chips; the chips seemed like an unlikely pairing but actually worked. The spinach and artichoke dip was a more than ample portion of creamy goodness.

A note of mention, happy hour is only available in the bar area. This should not pose a problem, however, as there is ample seating in the bar. The restaurant also has an outdoor patio, as well as several booths throughout- some are very intimate 2-top tables tucked away behind curtains. There were only a few groups in the bar on our visit, but on a trip through the restaurant I noticed most of the tables full....and it wasn’t even a weekend evening.

The owner of the restaurant made his way around the establishment while patrons dined, personalizing each persons visit. This was nice to see as it is a rare occurrence to visit with the owner anymore. This seems to be an area that several restaurants lack but I believe it to be key in keeping diners returning. Every diner wants to feel special and that extra step does just that.

Bobby the bartender actually gets big kudos from us. A few days after our visit to Melting Pot, he spotted us downtown and said hello! Nice work remembering us! We will definitely return to the Melting Pot for happy hour and hopefully it is on a night Bobby is working!

Mai Thai

750 W Main Street

Time: 5-6:30 M-F 9-10 M-TH
Special: daily bottled beer selection $2, 2 for 1 wells $5, mojitos $5
Appetizer specials
Rating: 4 martinis
Smoking: no

Food specials!
99¢ APPETIZERS
satay (chicken, pork or tofu)
spring roll or summer roll
thai wing
$1.59 APPETIZERS
three flavors popcorn chicken
imperial vegetable potsticker
thai taco
$3.95 APPETIZERS
asian chicken lettuce wraps
seafood packets
lotus dim sum

Matt and I went out for drinks for my birthday! I have gone to Mai Thai on my birthday every year it has been open except one when I was out of town. The bar area was nearly vacant but the restaurant looked mostly full.

Thomas was our bartender. He gave us the low down and we quickly ordered a beverage and appetizers. While the appetizers are cheap, they are also very small. I’m not complaining, because they were very tasty! I’m just saying that you should not expect to get the same item you would get on the regular menu. I ordered the summer roll and the satay. Mai Thai’s summer roll is one of my favorites. I often attempt to recreate it and think I come very close, but there is nothing like having someone else make it for you! ……especially on your birthday. My only problem of the night is Thomas trying to rush us off. Thirty minutes after receiving our drinks, he asked if we were ready to tab out…..it was before 7! He qualified it with “you don’t look like drinkers”. Well that is good but it was my birthday!! I at least enjoyed my company. We moved on…..but I’ll be back sometime…..

Pair

601 Main Street
Eatdrinkshare.com


Time: 3-6 M-F
Special: $5 infused martinis and $3 select appetizers
Rating: 4 martinis
Smoking: no

Pair is a swanky restaurant at the corner of 6th and Main Streets. The bar area provides great seating with swivel, jetson-like chairs and faux leather sofas. The other side of the establishment is more restaurant than bar but the line of transition is a bit blurred, allowing for easy spill over from either side.

The martinis on special include Blackberry, Tangerine, Strawberry, Rosemary Lemon Drop, and a Mango concoction. I tried the Rosemary Lemon Drop and was pleasantly surprised. It had just the right amount of everything in it.

The appetizer specials include the mini wimpi burger, artichoke spread, hummus, edemame, age tofu, and pommes frites. I ordered the hummus. It came with a generous portion, along with pita wedges and olive tapenade. The hummus was fine but not spectacular. The tapenade was nothing more than pimento stuffed green olives chopped. While not very impressive it was adequate for $3.

The service was good and the ambiance was great. The happy hour selection isn’t vast but is perfect if you are after something a bit different. During warmer months, outdoor seating is available for great people watching. I also noticed that Pair serves brunch on weekends with $6 bottomless mimosas. I’ll have to return on a weekend soon!

Café Ole

www.cafeole.com

8th Street Marketplace
*some call this BODO but technically BODO is the new construction and this is not. The buildings even have signage at the doors stating “8th Street Marketplace”.

Time: 4:30-6 M-F
Special: 2 for 1 drinks (any drink!)
Rating: 4 Martinis
Smoking: No
Other mentions: Free chips and salsa and a $3 all you can eat taco bar (only in the bar). Each day offers up different food specials. Cell reception can be spotty if seated in the back corner of the bar.

I met up with 8 others this particular evening. The bar is rather large so it was easy to accommodate all of us. Several folks ordered a variety of margaritas, including one frothy pink one. By the multiple orders of margaritas, I will assume they were to everyone’s liking. I had my usual Vodka and Soda and it was very satisfactory. The server brought us several baskets of chips served with beans and salsa. Their chips are soooo good. Considering the size of our party, I found the service to be acceptable, however the clearing of our table of the empties was very slow. We really didn’t need to show off how much we can drink! I will definitely return (it also helps that it is across the street from my office too!).

Leku Ona

117 S. 6th Street
Boise, ID 83702

Time: 4-5:30
Special: ½ off Stella and Budweiser draughts, $1.75 wells, ½ off wine M-Sat
Rating: 3 martinis
Smoking: only in the bar which is separate from the restaurant
Other mentions: Full menu available

Located on the Basque block, this restaurant couldn’t have a better location. The place is rather large with its corner location and entrances from Grove Street and 6th Street. Leku Ona has also restored the building next door into a boutique hotel, which I find perfect. The rooms are updated yet cozy, located in the heart of Old Boise, and very reasonably priced (around the $70/night range).

The bar is well stocked with a variety of options and there appeared to be 5 beers on tap- micro brews and domestics. They also have a selection of Basque beers in the bottle. The wine selection is good with just the right amount of options and all reasonably priced. I still have yet to eat at Leku Ona but the menu items look tasty. They are all available in the bar with appetizers ranging from $4-10.

A mixture of folks hangs out at Leku Ona, from local artists to politicians to those from the Basque country. This eclectic assortment of patrons is one of the great things I love about the establishment, plus it is locally owned! While it was rather smoky in there, I would still go back especially in the summer time and enjoy the large patio area.

Murphy's

Time: 4-6 Monday – Saturday
Special: 2 for 1 Beer, wells, and appetizers
Rating: 3 martinis

While the outside of Murphy’s remains relatively unchanged, the inside has undergone big changes from the days I used to frequent it in the mid-90s. The bar has been expanded greatly with several tables, a designated bar area separate from the restaurant, and many TVs for game viewing. The restaurant also offers up plenty of free parking!

I met Dan for this happy hour. I ordered a vodka soda with lime and he ordered one of the Bighorn Beer on draught. I was surprised they brought the free drink out at the same time so I did end up with a bit of a watered down drink. I could understand if it was busy inside making it difficult to keep track of drinks but there were only a couple of tables filled.

For appetizers, we ordered up the nachos and the tuna roll. They were both very tasty and more than adequate to accommodate our hunger. The nachos had plenty of cheese and beans. The roll had a yummy, spicy sauce drizzled over the top- not too much yet just enough.

While this won’t become a regular stomping ground, I will definitely be back!

The Piper Pub

Time: 4-6

Special: 2 for 1 cocktails, beer, wine, appetizers.

Rating:
1 martini

I recently visited “The Piper” Tuesday 23 December with my friends Kimberlee, Eric, and Cathy. It was a bit noisy but partly due to the Boise State Broncos playing at the Poinsettia Bowl and of course all TVs were on for our viewing pleasure. The restaurant itself is located at a fantastic location at the corner of Main and 8th Streets with a balcony around the whole corner. During warm months it offers great viewing of the street, and unfortunately the whole in the ground. Also worth mentioning, the Piper has one of the largest scotch selections in town.

The Piper offers up 2 for 1 cocktails (except top shelf but martinis are included as well), beers, wine, and appetizers from 4-6 M-F. The service was only fair as I’ve witnessed several times in the past. We had to flag down a server a couple of times and one of Eric’s beers was left at the bar for about 10 minutes before it was finally brought around. We'll be back but it isn't at the top of my list.