The Lobby

www.thelobbyboise.com
760 W Main Street

Time: 4-6 M-F
Special: $2 wells, drafts, and house wines
Rating: 4.5 martinis
Smoking: no
Other mentions: Martini Wednesdays 4-7 house martinis $6; $1 PBR pints on Wednesdays; Specials during all Bronco and Vandal games and during Monday Night Football; bike racks

Due to my crazy travel schedule as of late, I was long overdue to try out The Lobby. Taking over the space formerly occupied by Lush, it is in prime downtown real estate- on Main between 8th and Capitol. They have done a great job with the remodel brightening things up while still providing a cozy feeling. They also promote local artists with their works on display, I believe on a rotating basis.

On this brisk evening, I sidled up to the bar and thought it appropriate to order a Widmer Brrr (it didn’t disappoint!). They do offer a fine selection of beers on tap that will fit anyone’s liking. There are a few wine options as well and of course a full bar. Everyone seemed very friendly, staff and patrons alike. I felt right at home here.

They have a few TVs around for folks to watch whatever game happens to be on but they didn’t distract from the bar experience at all. They blended in well with the tastefully decorated lounge.

I was lucky enough to have Adam, one of the proprietors, as my bartender on this visit. He told me they are working on permits for outdoor seating and an outdoor grill so they can serve food. Both will be great additions to this fine establishment. This is definitely a place to which I plan to return again and again. Once they get the food going, it will be moved up to a 5 martini rating!

Joe's Crab Shack

www.joescrabshack.com
2288 N Garden Street

Time: M-F 3-7
Special: $1.25 domestics, $2 wells, and $3 frozen margaritas and well martinis
Rating: 4 martinis
Smoking: outside
Other mentions: Full Bar, seating outside, on the greenbelt

A friend and I were attending a play reading in Garden City this evening but wanted to get together prior for a beverage and snack. I suggested Joe’s Crab Shack for its proximity to our final destination as well as its location off the Boise Greenbelt. We were able to park our bicycles right on the greenbelt next to our table! The only better thing would for them to have an actual bike rack placed off the greenbelt for high traffic times.

We were greeted by Kat who told us the happy hour specials and how Joe’s works. The specials include $1.25 domestics, $2 wells, and $3 frozen margaritas and well martinis and sometimes appletinis and cosmos are included. Unfortunately, they do not offer any food specials but we decided to order the crab nachos anyway.

The drinks were refreshing, the nachos good, and the service excellent. Mid-way through our experience, Kat hands us a couple of hats and informs us we would be dancing to YMCA with them on the greenbelt. Without question my friend and I were singing and dancing for the restaurant. As much as I dislike the YMCA song, it was fun….or maybe it was just the strong cocktails!

We had a fun time at Joe’s and the nachos kept us full all night! No late night snacking needed.

Tablerock Brew Pub

705 Fulton Street
www.tablerockbrewpub.com

Stop 1 of the Martini Mix-Off 2009

This year’s mix-off maintains the Classic and Original categories while throwing in a cocktail category. This worked well when 3 of us participated at Tablerock Brew Pub. We each ordered a different drink and were able to sample all.

I ordered the Classic titled JudgSmails. It was made with British Dry Gin and Lillet. It had a sweetness to it not what I usually find in a classic martini. No garnish but I suggested a lemon or orange twist would be appropriate. This was a nice, smooth martini. The gin had a subtleness that I enjoyed as I do not care for the often over-powering juniper flavor of many gins.

Monica ordered the Original titled Lacey Vinderale. It was a combination of Tarragon infused Absolut (the event’s sponsor), Absolut Citron, and pink grapefruit juice. While I found the tarragon infusion to add great interest to this drink, the tartness was a bit overwhelming. It also appeared to only be regular grapefruit juice instead of pink which would probably help to greatly improve the cocktail. Again, this was not served with a garnish.

Fran is not a big fan of the martini, so she selected the Cocktail: Ty Webb. This lovely cocktail included Absolut, Chambord, Fume Blanc, and (supposedly) fresh grapes. Said grapes never did appear.....again, no garnish?!?! The glass did arrive sugar rimmed with cocktail on the rocks. The cocktail had a nice amount of sweetness to it and all the flavors were well balanced.

All-in-all we enjoyed our brief time at Tablerock Brew Pub. The service was decent, a bit confused at times, but fine just the same. It was nice having a patio to enjoy our cocktails and a bike rack for our rides. While the cocktails were all pleasant, I’m not sure they have what it takes to compete against some of the competition. And please, add some garnish!!

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.

The Modern Hotel and Bar

http://www.themodernhotel.com/
1314 W Grove Street

Time: 5-7 pm
Special: $3.50 wells, $5 wines, and $3 beers
Rating: 4 Martinis
Smoking: No
Other mentions: No food is served

Located in the revamped Linen District, The Modern Hotel is a renovated Travel Lodge with amazing updates. It has gone from dive hotel to swanky destination. This was my first trip to The Modern Bar, a small bar located off the hotel lobby. I’ve ridden my bicycle past the hotel on several occasions when live music was playing in the courtyard and it has been on my short list of places to try, and finally I made it!

When I first walked up to the hotel it wasn’t initially clear where the entrance was to the bar, and still isn’t, so I just walked into the lobby and asked directions. Turns out, it is just down the hall from the front desk.

It was a Monday so it was no surprise to find only two people in the intimate bar. They each had laptops and phone calls going, so I will assume they were still working. If I had to work after 5, The Modern Bar is not a bad place to do it.

The décor is simple and modern, yet soothing. There are five sets of white antlers on one wall that seemed odd but art is often odd so I didn’t think much of it. The inset, overhead lighting was strategically placed over each table to provide enough light to work, see the cocktail menu, or write notes about ones visit.

I was quickly greeted by the bartender/server and told the happy hour specials: $3.50 wells, $5 wines, and $3 beers (I did not see any draught beer however). I ordered up my usual vodka and soda with lime. I did explore the minimal cocktail menu and was surprised by what a punch it really provides for so few items. It is clear that the proprietors put a great deal of thought into it with a less-is-more style. I will return!

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.