I will be attending a conference in Boise in late June. Does anyone know of any really good places to eat, and places that are BYO friendly (preferably both)

When in doubt, open another bottle.

Boise, Idaho?
You gotta be kidding, Dinwiddie! I assume that the gov't is sending you there. What a plum assignment! What did you do wrong to deserve this?

Irwin

"Life is short....start with the dessert."

Although Boise is not the excitement or cultural capital of the free world, it does posess a certain charm for those who seek ready access to outdoor activities, the Boise River is also very scenic.
My step-daughter works at the Red Feather which is located down-town and is quite wine friendly. BYO is permitted and due to Boise's proximity to the PNW gets a decent alottment of Washington and Oregon wines, check out the co-op stores as well as the CostCo. I got some great deals on 1995 and 1996 first growths a few years ago.
Hoonan (from Boise) is an avid wino, hopefully he'll see this post and provide further info before your trip.

*********************************
"From wine what sudden friendship springs!"

My previous employeer sent me to Boise once every three months. Reason #483 I'm glad I have a new job Roll up the sleaves, put on the goatboy boots and head on down to the Applebees.

Actually downtown there is one winebar I know of. Can't recall the name, but I think it's on 8th or 9th. Decent list. I had a 99 Cinq Cipages for $95 last trip. They do a decent 'wine bar' type of menu. A couple of times that's all we did for dinner. A couple snacks and the cheese plate and a couple bottles.

I usually stayed at the Grove hotel. If you're in Boise, make them put you there. Best feature is a full Gold's Gym on the fourth floor and it's attached to the ice rink. I'm sure it's lovely to visit, but for business travel, well Milwaukee is the only place I've ever been to that was more boring.

---------------
Santa Cruz Mountains Vintage Chart

Boise is very Chic, just ask any Boisean...
Lived there for 3 years, but I couldn't recomend a place to get a 'proper' meal. Take this with the 'I moved 7 years ago grain of salt'. Candidates might include Schott's Steaks & Chops, 928 W Main St, The Chart House, 2288 N Garden St. There are a couple decent Italian restaurants downtown, one is at 6th and Main, across the street from the Grove. Avoid Angels, at the base of the U.S. Bank building (right off the Grove)...that I do remember. Take a pair of inline skates or rent a bike, you'll have a great time and the scenery, both nature and 'el natural' can be quite pleasant. Best wine shopping in Boise is at the Boise Co-op if you can believe that! It's located at 888 W. Fort St. which is just off downtown, but...it requires a membership to buy, but not to look. Still an interesting place for a wino to waste an hour browsing .
Boise Co-op

I almost forgot, if your conference is out on Parkcenter in southeast Boise, the Albertsons at 909 E. Parkcenter Blvd has a pretty good selection of high end wines (a lot of ex-pat Californians live in SE Boise). There also used (3 years ago) to be a little wine shop in the same strip mall that carried some nice wines. An interesting twist might be to try a couple Idaho wines while you're there. Hell's Canyon winery is decent, you're on your own after that...

Unfortunately the Charthouse closed about 18 months ago, it had a really beautiful location on the Boise River which is now home to Crabby Bobs or something like that where they dance around wearing crab claws and singing happy birthday. And, I think "Hoonan" is the wine steward at the Red Feather. My husband said the food is actually quite decent and the atmosphere is quite nice, I think they also have a Sunday brunch?

*********************************
"From wine what sudden friendship springs!"

Yep Irwin. The Government is sending me there. As it turns out, the conference is at the Grove so that is where I will be staying.

Those who know me know that I am not an "outdoorsy" kinda guy. I like looking at the scenery, but hiking and skating is not my thing and I don't play golf.

I do plan to go to the Shakespeare Festival if I can, and they are having a "Basque Outing" one evening, but otherwise, the evenings are my own.

Of course, these guys tend to be hard drinkers, so there will be plenty of action in the hospitality suite.

I appreciate the recommendations for places to eat dinner and will have to try Red Feather, if only to meet Pinot Envy's step-daughter.

When in doubt, open another bottle.

quote:

---

Originally posted by dinwiddie:

Of course, these guys tend to be hard drinkers,

---

Humpin Hanna's 2 blocks from the Grove in the Basque district. Live music, tequilla shots, the A.E. and Project Manager I was with missed their flight the next morning after running up a $400 bar bill for five of us.

Elegant sophistication? No. But it's the closest thing to nightlife we ever found in Boise.

---------------
Santa Cruz Mountains Vintage Chart

The Shakespeare Festival used to be a very enjoyable way to spend an evening and you used to be able to BYOB! Thanks for bringing back the memories of Humpin' Hannas...
Too bad about the Charthouse...

Din-
Ask for Mikaela, and btw, she doesn't believe in charging corkage...she's a smart one
--we just need to get her out of the spud state!

*********************************
"From wine what sudden friendship springs!"

I went once about 12 years ago, had dinner at a brewpub. I want to say it was called Table Rock, but that may just be the only name that stuck in my mind from the trip, since I know of another Table Rock. Is the brewpub still there? I thought it was pretty good.

I just got back yesterday and had a very nice time. Boise is an exceptionally clean city, nice folks, and lovely views of the mountains. I spent most of my time downtown (the conference was at the Grove) but found it to be very nice. Nice restaurants, sidewalk cafes, bars!!, and shops.

I did go to the Red Feather, but unfortunately Mikaela was not working that night. However the food was excellent and they have a very nice and well priced wine list (we didn't order from it but paid the corkage for a couple of bottles I had brought, an '89 Chateau Arnauld and a '00 Bodegas Caro Mendoza) For example, a 2000 Kistler for $74.

Really enjoyed myself. Emilio's in the Grove also had a very nice wine list.

When in doubt, open another bottle.

[This message was edited by dinwiddie on Jun 28, 2004 at 03:32 PM.]

Glad you had a nice trip, sorry you missed Mikaela!

*********************************
ancora imparo

The waiter at Red Feather also allowed us to tour the wine cellar. It is quite nice, three levels with a metal spiral stair. The upper two levels are behind glass and in view from the restaurant, the lower level is brick and looks like the cellar in an old villa. They have a small room where they do some special small dinners and tastings. The folks were very nice and the service was excellent. I highly recommend the place, and not just for the great food.

When in doubt, open another bottle.

Dinwiddie:
Glad you made it back for the 4th.
When is the July, Washington offline, and where?

Irwin

"Life is short....start with the dessert."

It appears that it is going to be on July 17th at the Caucus Room. Contact tj for more details but I think we are going to let the restaurant tailor a menu for us after we tell them what wines we are bringing.

When in doubt, open another bottle.