As The Monkey and I drove through downtown Boise on our way to the airport, we spotted a couple of restaurants we hadn’t tried (Front Door and a Basque place) and wondered, “hmm…maybe we need another week here?” Boise had some hearty eats and we found some places we’d definitely recommend to visitors. These aren’t full blown reviews, but general pointers if you’re ever in Boise and needing to eat.

I regret we did not try Goldy’s Breakfast Bistro earlier because I would have had breakfast there every single day. This ranks in the top 5 breakfast joints ever. Where to begin–homemade sausage patties, perfect hash browns, yam hash browns, beet and potato home fries, fresh blueberry pancakes, biscuits and strong coffee…this is no greasy breakfast dive, but a flavorful “wonderful place” according to The Sausage Monkey. I’ll wake up next Sunday and wish Goldy’s was down the street. If there’s one place you try in Boise, make it Goldy’s!

I admit that I gamely (pun intended) resisted the offers of “slow cooked wild boar” and “roast elk” but for Valentine’s Day we tried the “famous Kobe-Angus beef burgers” at the Falcon Tavern. It was ok. The burgers were moist and not of the grade C variety, but nothing to write home about. The onion rings had some heavy cornmeal like batter going on, but they were sweet onions inside. The salads we’d had in Boise were mostly fresh mixed greens, but here the greek salad was iceberg lettuce w/vinaigrette. But as with many Boise dinners, the potaters we’re the highlight. Bob’s “buffalo fries” were thin cut perfection. They we’re crisp, mildly spicy while maintaining a sweet potato taste. Before this trip, I would never had referred to a deep fried potato as “fresh”, but really, they taste more fresh in Boise…

After 4 days of not a single grain of rice, I had to venture to Mai Thai where the pad see ew was too sweet and the green curry was garnished with toasted french bread. But I was getting desperate for rice so I overlooked the wasabi furikake on my “thai” rice and inhaled the fish sauce and basil infused flavors. Given the excellent potato related foods, I think Boise is the one town where I would suck up the rice craving and go find myself a potato.

New York pizza snobbery was silenced by Pie Hole Pizza, where they make a tasty thin crust. There’s a twofer happy hour special so you can get a couple of slices and a beer (a good selection) for under $5. The selections range from the standard cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms and onions to an artichoke, feta and sun dried tomatoes. A solid snack and right next door to Zeppole’s bakery–the sandwiches were kind of dry and skimpy, but it’s connected to a great coffee shop. Super friendly service and what what?! 2 regular coffees and a latte for 4 dollars!

Our last dinner out, we went to Pair, billed as “big city atmosphere” and “the place to be seen” in Boise. I don’t know about scenery, but it was divine comfort food. We took 15 minutes deciding over the 3 cheese mac and cheese, chicken pot pie, salmon wellington, fish and chips. Wait, salmon wellington is not comfort food. Anyway, we decided to order everything–minus the mac and cheese. We opted to fulfill the cheese/bake quota with a baked artichoke and cheese spread. I’d write a longer review, but I’m making myself hungry so won’t torture myself. Suffice to say, if you’re in Boise and looking for a solid meal, this is a good bet. There’s a full bar and the decor is 90’s lounge–complete with a neglected aquarium and sleeve tatooed wait staff.

Finally, Gernika–a warm bar on the Basque block of Boise. Who knew Boise has the largest Basque community in the U.S.? The croquettes were a highlight–deep fried cream, flour, chicken bits/stock/who knows what. Other than that, the paella was bland…the cheese plate was gargantuan and the beer was well…beer. Hey, but it was a cheap and cozy meal with excellent company.

Boise had good eats, but I got home at 4:15 and was in Chinatown at 4:23. We unpacked, drove to Nobuko’s and fired up a soy milk hot pot w/hakusai, mizuna, shiitake, enoki, dumplings, tofu and the finishing udon. Aaaahhh, no place like home.