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Insight Boise; Discover the Best of the West in Idaho's Capitol City
United Hemispheres 9-2007
For Your Viewing Pleasure
From sculptures to stained glass, Boise’s public art collection is a reflection of culture and community. Funded primarily by the Capital City Development Corporation and the City of boise, it includes two- and three- dimensional designs as well as performance arts. A highlight is Grove Street Illuminated & Boise Canal by local artist Amy Westover. The sculpture’s panels of aluminum, cast glass, steel, and acrylic feature silk-screened photographs and engraved text depicting Grove Street, one of Boise’s most historic areas.
Public art “is an integral part of what makes Boise a special place,” says Karen Bubb of the Boise City Arts Commission. Though the 80-piece collection spans the city, the majority is centered downtown, adding a splash of local color.
-Courtney Bowman
Wondrous Wines
A high mountain desert climate combines with volcanic ash soils and ancient lakebed sediments to make southern Idaho an ideal venue for wineries. The area’s well-balanced wines, such as those produced by Bitner Vineyards in Caldwell, are winning accolades nationwide. Bitner first planted Riesling and Chardonnay in 1981, making these some of the oldest fields in Idaho.
Idaho was the first wine-producing state in the Pacific Northwest and has long been recognized for its Riesling. Today, Boise Valley wineries yield promising Pinot Gris, Voignoir, Cabernet and Syrah. New vineyards are cropping up all over the valley. “When visiting the vineyards, there is no pretense,” says wine merchant Brian Erickson, who owns Erickson Fine Wines in Eagle. “Everyone is happy to see you coming to taste their wines.”
-Sydney Sallabanks
Keeping a Culture Strong
The roll call in Boise’s classrooms goes far beyond Smith and Jones. Try Uberuaga and Goicoechea, names that came to Idaho from the Basque region of Spain.
Over the years, many Basque surnames have been lost to intermarriage, but Basque culture remains strong in Idaho’s capital. U.S. Census figures estimate a Basque population of 6,000, but Patty Miller, executive director of the Basque Museum and Cultural Center, says the actual figure is much higher, as not everyone knew to write in his or her heritage on the form.
“It is very much a living culture,” Miller says. Unlike the diaspora in other cities, the Basque have stayed in the city since their late- 1800’s immigration. While the community initially worked as sheepherders and miners, today its culture is found throughout the city. Mayor David H. Bieter founded the Boise Basque Choir, performed with the Basque dance troupe, and brings his community ties to his office. “In the United States you can choose to practice your culture, and that’s what the community has done here, they’ve kept it alive,” Miller adds.
Though Basque culture pervades much of the city, visitors can see its liveliness on the Basque Block, a quaint downtown street with the museum, several restaurants, a market, a handball court and significant historical buildings, including the city’s oldest brick building.
-Margaret Littman
Going for Pro
Basketball junkies and top NBA scouts will converge on Qwest Arena in January when the Idaho Stampede plays host to the fourth annual National Basketball Development League (D-League) Showcase. Members of the D-League’s 14 teams will play in front of representatives of each NBA team. At stake for approximately 140 prospects are 10-day NBA contracts, each potentially worth more than twice the $20,000 average annual salary in the minors.
“It’s a chance for your hard work to pay off and let the NBA know you’re on the map as a basketball player,” says defending D-League MVP randy Livingston, who spent time last season with the Stampede and the Seattle SuperSonics. “It’s exciting. You (can) go from Holiday Inns to Ritz-Carltons.”
The Treasure Valley will cash in as well. The showcase is expected to have an economic impact of more than $250,000 for Boise, and anticipated coverage by NBA TV will reach millions of homes in 66 countries.
“This is huge for our town,” says team president Steve Brandes.
-Steve Pastorino
Growing Green
After explorers Lewis and Clark discovered Idaho in 1805, French-Canadian fur trappers followed, trekking across the land and into les bois—the woods. The brilliant landscape and lush forests of Boise still capture attention centuries later, as reflected in its official nickname, “The City of Trees.”
“Boise has always been a ‘green’ city,” says Thomas Chandler, vice president of the city’s board of park and recreation commissioners. “Its citizens are closely tied to and protective of the Boise River, the foothills and their trees.”
The city’s 30,000 trees shade parks and line city streets, and tens of thousands more grow on private properties, turning a sidewalk stroll into a glimpse of the past.
-Courtney Bowman
Three by Three- More than a half-million people make their homes in the Boise Valley. Three of them recommend their favorite spots…
The writer: Ohio native Anthony Doerr moved to Boise, his wife’s hometown, in 1998. Great things have come his way in the years since: His first book, The Shell Collector, was a New York Times Notable Book; his second, About Grace, was named a Book of the Year by The Washington Post; twin boys were born in 2004; and he won the Rome Prize, a year’s sabbatical that led to his latest work, Four Seasons in Rome: On Twins, Insomnia, and the Biggest Funeral in the History of the World (2007, Scribner). For the next three years, Doerr will serve as writer-in-residence for the state of Idaho.
Doerr on the best places to go and take the kids:
- Hull’s Gulch, a network of protected land at the north end of the North End neighborhood, is great for taking the kids—and the dog—in any weather.
- The MK Nature Center is full of geese, bats, trout, and occasionally a Chinook salmon. It’s right next to the Boise River, right on the Greenbelt, and full of urban wildlife.
- Big City coffee has big tables, fantastic hot chocolate, fresh muffins that weigh a pound each, and cookies the size of dinner plates. Great, healthful food in Boise’s Linen District.
The cyclist: When Dave Beck was growing up in Idaho Falls, east of Boise, he was able to ride his bike all over town for hours at a time. “As long as you were home for dinner by 5:30 you’d be OK,” he says. Today he’s giving his children’s generation the chance to hit the open road. He works with the Boise Youth Riders Development Squad, organizing rides for children as young riders, leading them through the mountains and over flat roads. Mom and Dad can come, too, fulfilling another of Beck’s goals: making cycling a family affair.
Beck’s also part of the planning effort for the Idaho Velodrome and Cycling Park, which will have venues for BMX, mountain, and road biking. The park, which broke ground in Eagle in August, is set to open in April
Beck on the best biking trails in the Boise Valley:
- The road ride from Boise to Stanley (on Idaho Route 21) is incredible. It takes you over several large passes.
- The new Shafer Butte trail system located in and around Bogus Basin offers some of the country’s best trails.
- The trails in the Danskin Mountains are great spring riding.
The businesswoman: It’s the little things that identify the products of Camille Beckman, the 22-year-old company headed by Susan Roghani. For example, the tiny rose that tops each jar of cream or lotion. Customers at the 9,000 U.S. shops that sell Camille Beckman come back seeking “whatever it was they tried in the jar with the little rosebud on top.”
Natural products are important to Roghani: She’s worked with plant extracts ever since she made her first soaps and lotions as a child. The company’s factory in Eagle sits on a 40 acre plot of land with two artesian wells. “The pristine beauty of Eagle made it the location of choice,” she says.
Roghani on the best places to experience nature:
- The Idaho Botanical Garden has everything from water plants to cacti.
- The Rose Garden in Julia Davis Park is one of my favorite places. My husband and I have gone there for dates many times.
- To truly experience the splendor of nature, head up to the mountains. You will quickly notice the pine trees and the aroma that fills the air. For best results, go after an invigorating rain.
-Interviews by Marian Cowing and Lisa Watts
Arts All Around
Powered by an enthusiastic audience and a supportive community, Boise’s thriving arts scene is about to boom. The city is home to the Boise Art Museum and many professional and established arts groups such as Opera Idaho, Boise Philharmonic, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Boise Contemporary Theater, The Cabin (a literary arts center), and Ballet Idaho.
“This city cherishes the arts,” says Karen Bubb of the Boise City Arts Commission. As the city grows, its lively arts and cultural scene evolves. Young contemporary artists are opening gallery spaces, organizing film festivals, and creating interdisciplinary events highlighting dance, visual arts, and poetry. “Here, artists have the potential to make a significant impact,” says Bubb.
Weekly outdoor arts events in downtown parks and on The Grove, a plaza in the heart of the city, feature musicians, ethnic performers, artists, and markets selling locally grown food. On Saturday mornings throughout the summer, children are treated to free hands-on workshops in a diverse assortment of artistic disciplines. Plein Air Painters of Idaho, a group of “paint on location” artists, can be spotted capturing Boise’s settings on canvas at venues such as the Idaho Botanical Gardens and Luck Peak Reservoir.
Continuing its tradition of strong visual arts, the city’s next big project is Boise Watershed, an environmental learning center for children and adults, now under construction at Boise’s wastewater treatment plant.
Artworks created specifically for the site will be integrated into the building and its landscape. The works will be reflective of the region’s relationship to water and the environment. “The public artworks relate history, add beauty, and tell neighborhood stories,” says Bubb. The City of Boise has a “percent-for-art ordinance” that dedicates funds toward integrating art into public spaces such as parks, the airport, libraries, City Hall, and downtown streets.
The city has created a department of art and culture, a move Bubb says demonstrates the importance of the arts in the eyes of local government leaders. “The city government embraces the arts as part of a vital economy and a key aspect of livability,” she explains. The department will oversee the city’s support of visual, performing, and literary arts. Along with its charm, Boise’s art scene also is one of the city’s viable industries. According to a 2006 Americans for the Arts study, arts organizations and events in Boise generated $38 million for the local economy.
The Play’s the Thing
Locals and visitors enjoy ideal evenings in Boise by taking in a performance at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival’s stunning outdoor amphitheater with a gourmet picnic basket in tow. Located along the banks of the Boise River and surrounded by the 700-acre Barber Pool nature preserve, the 760-seat theater captures the spirit of Idaho—casual western elegance with spectacular views of the foothills and the river. Recruited from all over the country, the festival’s award-winning company of professional artists makes Boise its summer home. The festival produces five plays each summer, including Shakespeare and other classics, musicals, and contemporary plays. The 2007 season continues through Sept. 29 with Little Shop of Horrors. —SS
With a river running through downtown and mountains beckoning just beyond, southwest Idaho feels like paradise to anyone who enjoys being outdoors. Here’s a sampling of
activities you can try with an hour, a half day, or more.
If you have one hour…
You have time to walk or bike along the Boise Greenbelt. This popular paved path runs on both sides of the Boise River. Most sections are open to cycling, skating, and strolling. Or try your luck fly fishing in the Boise River. You’ll see anglers casting right downtown.
If you have two hours…
Take a hike or mountain bike ride in the Foothills, Boise locals’ name for the city’s mountainous backdrop. For a quick adventure, check out the trails behind the Old Idaho Penitentiary (east of downtown along Warm Springs Avenue) or the Hulls Gulch area, accessible via the north end of Eighth Street.
If you have half a day…
If it’s summer, take a whitewater trip on the Payette River, 45 minutes north of town. Cascade Raft offers half-day trips that range from mild to wild. Or in winter, hit the slopes at Bogus Basin, Boise’s own backyard ski mountain.
If you have a full day…
Experience Tamarack Resort, a fourseason luxury resort two hours north of Boise on the shores of Lake Cascade. The Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed Osprey Meadows golf course is a natural feast for the senses, with stunning views and wildlife wandering the greens. Winter activities include skiing, boarding, and backcountry adventures on snowmobile.
If you have more than a day…
Boise is less than three hours from the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, a gem of the West, with pristine lakes tucked amid mountain peaks. Southeast of Sawtooth, Craters of the Moon National Monument features fantastic landscapes of ancient lava flows.
The Start Up
J.R. Simplot’s potato-processing company changed the way Americans eat when it introduced the first commercially available frozen French fry in 1953. But more significant to Boise has been the tradition of entrepreneurship he helped foster.
From the miners and loggers who settled the region to the next wave of firms like Ore-Ira Foods, Boise Cascade, and Albertson’s to the tech boom that continues today, entrepreneurs have been a constant in Boise’s history, says Mayor David H. Bieter.
“We are the most remote city of our size in the country,” says Bieter, adding that the distance to other metropolitan areas (432 miles to Portland, Oregon; 345 to Salt Lake City, Utah) makes Boiseans both more self-reliant and more willing to help one another. Caleb Chung found entrepreneurial gold in the Boise Valley when he relocated from Los Angeles to Boise more than a decade ago.
“Boise itself is a start-up,” says Chung, who invented the toy craze Furby after moving to Boise and started a robotics toy firm, Ugobe, here. “Boise is the perfect blend of art and science. Innovation happens when you blend those two things. Once I was here I was able to focus. It is easy to go up in the mountains and change from left brain to right brain quickly. I think the natural beauty knocks stuff loose.”
Chung is working with Boise State University to encourage curriculum focused on the intersection of art and science. In addition, he and others say the existence of established tech companies produces more tech start-ups. Employees of other Boise-area tech firms, including Micron Technology and Hewlett-Packard’s Boise divisions, often decide to launch their own local firms after spending a decade learning the ropes at established firms. Also setting up shop in Boise is Dial 411, a free phone service that provides phone numbers and business referrals to residents in southwest Idaho. Similar to the Yellow Pages, but minus the paper, the company’s four founders are bringing the phone book back to the phone.
Meridian-based Dial 411 targets users who likely don’t keep a phone book in their car. “It’s the new generation of the Yellow Pages,” says Matt Lopez, founder and senior vice president of sales. “Dial 411 emulates the experience of Google, only over the telephone.” Dial 411’s founders relocated to Boise from Silicon Valley, California. “There’s a good entrepreneurial spirit here,” says Lopez, pointing to the fact that Boise has been rated among the top places for starting a call center. “Moving to Boise was never an issue for us.”
It is difficult to pinpoint why Boise is such a fertile start-up market. “There’s something in the water here that it has become this tech innovation hot spot,” jokes Chung. But everyone has a theory. Bieter says he thinks that being small and a little bit “behind the times” can be an advantage because entrepreneurs are able to learn from the mistakes of others. Chung and others are trying to continue the tradition of Boise being a “test tube” for entrepreneurs. The City of Boise has developed programs to streamline licensing and other governmental red tape that sometimes waylay start-ups with limited resources.
“We think we have generational intellectual capital. We have a city that was built on that, and there is evidence of that continuing to occur,” says Meg Carlson, board president of Kickstand, a 500-member organization that helps start-up tech businesses succeed in the city.
Kickstand is just 6 years old, but it’s following a tradition of supporting startups. In 1978 J.R. Simplot contributed to the start-up funds for a little technology company. That firm’s name? Micron Technology. Today Micron has more than $5 billion in revenue and helps other tech companies get started in the city. “Boise has had an advantage with these two monster technology companies—Micron and HP—that has given us the technology base,” says Dean Klein, vice president of market development at Micron. “The same thing that happened in the Silicon Valley is happening here.”
-Margaret Littman
Spud Hub
You know that it’s pronounced “potato,” not “potahto,” and, unlike a former U.S. vice president, you know it isn’t spelled with an “e” on the end. And, you know that Idaho is famous for its spuds: 12 billion pounds harvested annually. But here are three fun facts you might not know about the tuber that made the state famous:
- Idaho’s unusual climate—warm during the day, cool at night—helps the tubers bulk up, resulting in larger and fluffier potatoes.
- Idaho’s geological history as a volcanic region contributes to mineral-rich soil, making for tasty taters.
- Idaho has perhaps the world’s only marathon—the Famous Idaho Potato Marathon—after which runners are treated to a baked potato bar.
School’s in Session- Colleges and universities offer rich resources
There’s a spirit of cooperation that pervades Boise’s colleges and universities. Educators, businesspeople, and the community work together to help students succeed. Boise State University catapulted to national attention on New Year’s Day 2007 when its underdog football team scored a come-from-behind victory over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. Boiseans are justly proud of the BSU football team and its unique blue-turfed stadium, but the university—Idaho’s largest, with more than 18,000 students—is making its mark in many other fields, too. Robert Kustra, president since 2003, set a goal of building BSU into “a metropolitan research university of distinction.”
Businesses are helping this happen. For example, Micron Technology helped launch a new doctoral program at BSU’s College of Engineering and has funded programs in the sciences and engineering. “Micron is strongly committed to investing in the future of education and in institutions like Boise State that support a spirit of innovation and execution,” says Dee Mooney, executive director of the Micron Foundation.
Northwest Nazarene University, based in Nampa, reaches out to Boise and beyond. Its MBA classes are offered in both cities, via video link at the College of Southern Idaho, and online. Bill Russell, who is in charge of strategic development for Northwest Nazarene’s School of Business, has invited speakers including Idaho Supreme Court Justice Gerald Schroeder and state Attorney General Lawrence Wasden to speak to students. They come, he adds, because even leading Boise citizens share a sense of community.
Albertson College of Idaho students enjoy a lovely campus in Caldwell, 28 miles from Boise, here they can earn degrees in the liberal arts and sciences. Like BSU and NNU, Albertson offers programs that benefit the entire community. In 2007, for example, Albertson hosted an exhibition of Pulitzer Prize–winning photos.
Two other state universities have campuses in the Boise Valley: The University of Idaho offers master’s and doctoral degrees in education and engineering, and Idaho State University offers associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, mostly in health-related fields. Adding to the educational mix, voters approved formation of the College of Western Idaho in May. The community college will help students begin their college careers and adult learners gain new skills.
—Julie Fanselow
Hidden Assets- Boise’s airport gets global attention for what passengers don’t see.
Art exhibits, natural lighting, and a colored depiction of Idaho’s rivers embedded in the flooring are part of the Boise Airport’s charm. Free Wi-Fi, a high-tech conference center, and award winning concessions are among its perks. But it’s what’s hidden behind the scene that sets it apart.
Boise’s airport was among the first in the world to install an in-line explosive detection system. Luggage travels through a maze of belts from check-in to final carousel, filtering through high-tech screening points such as an Explosive Trace Detection along the way. The system draws attention from the world over, says airport representative Larissa Stouffer: “Many airports are just now installing these systems, and we were one of the first.”
— Sydney Sallabanks
Working Together- Business leaders cooperate on projects for the common good.
When the custom software development company where Daniel VanOrden worked was looking to expand outside of its home state of Alaska, Boise had a strong supporter. It was Phil Bradley, then CFO of ProClarity (now part of Microsoft).
“From a business perspective, there are all those articles in Forbes and Money about how this is a great place to work, but you do not just take those articles to be correct,” VanOrden says. “[Bradley] and I met, and he told me that they turned out to be true.” Thanks to ProClarity’s nudge, Resource Data Inc. opened an office in Boise and quickly grew from one local employee to nine. While business entities may view each other as competition in other cities, the corporate culture in Boise includes a spirit of cooperation and loyalty.
“I have never seen anything like it,” says Paul Hiller, executive director at the Boise Valley Economic Partnership. “I have never seen as closely knit a community in my life.” Hiller came to Boise from California less than a year ago to lead the partnership, a $5 million initiative designed to bring new, high-paying jobs to the area. Of those funds, 80 percent came from the private sector, 20 percent from the public. Hiller says that in most cities, those ratios are the other way around.
Dee Mooney, executive director of the Micron Foundation, meets with leaders of other corporate, community, and family foundations every month to discuss the city’s non-profit needs. “Community giving is very collaborative,” she says. “The community really benefits from all of the corporate energy that is put back into it. There is a sense of interconnectedness amongst the corporations.”
At J.R. Simplot Co., employees are encouraged to volunteer for non-profit causes on their own and get the company involved in philanthropic projects. The company has a volunteer service committee of 20 employees who help choose projects, such as adopting a highway or working in a food bank. Because many of the nonprofits are homegrown organizations, the desire to support them is high, says Tom Ryder, head of Simplot’s tax department and a community volunteer. Ryder adds: “Because we can’t drive an hour and go to the opera in Boston, we have had to grow our own arts community. It is very high-quality, and the big companies in town want to support those resources.”
— Margaret Littman
Location, Location, Location- Boise residents enjoy a city in the right place at the right time.
Anchorage and Honolulu aside, Boise is the most remote metropolitan area in the U.S. Because of this, Idaho’s capital city has evolved as a place where people create the sort of lives they want. With its blend of Rocky Mountain independence and Northwestern verve, Boise appeals to pioneering types who love being outdoors, appreciate fine food and the arts, and show the same gumption that’s always been a hallmark of the West.
This can-do spirit infuses the houses where people live, the offices where they work, the restaurants where they eat, and the places where they congregate. “It really is difficult to find (another) place where the people are this friendly,” says Ryan Perecz, a widely traveled Boise native and real estate agent. “I think it’s because people love where they live.”
New residents find a wide range of housing choices in the Boise Valley. Suburbs such as Nampa, Meridian, Caldwell, and Eagle offer cozy country homes and palatial new developments. Eagle and Meridian are particularly fertile, offering many of the area’s “premier residential opportunities,” says Phil Stifler, Meridian’s economic excellence team leader. Businesses are finding a home in these areas, too: Nampa has a thriving industrial base and Meridian is known for medical services and the health sciences, Stifler says. In the city, older neighborhoods including the North and East Ends and the Boise Bench offer vintage homes surrounded by tall trees. New developments such as southeast Boise’s Bown Crossing combine walkable neighborhoods with low-maintenance homes.
Downtown Boise is booming as a neighborhood, too. Several hundred new downtown condos and apartments are under construction, with more planned. It’s no surprise that downtown is a focal point. Nearly 130 retailers, 90 restaurants, and 40 nightspots fill the compact district. Kâren Sander, director of the Downtown Boise Association, describes downtown as a “magnet,” not just for dining and shopping but also for a full calendar of varied events that bring people onto the sidewalks and streets.
Erik McLaughlin, who grew up in Boise and rose to be the corporate wine buyer for Cost Plus World Market, returned six years ago. Today he owns both Bungalow, an upscale comfort-food eatery in his own Hyde Park neighborhood, and the 8th Street Wine Company in the recently developed BoDo, a former warehouse district. McLaughlin says the “healthy mix of locally owned businesses and quality national tenants” is driving downtown Boise’s appeal.
Innovation imbues Boise’s office environments, too. The Banner Bank Building opened in 2006 as the first building in Idaho to earn LEED Platinum status for its eco-friendly sustainability. George Iliff, managing principal of Colliers Idaho and chairman of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce’s executive committee, points to a revitalization of the Sixth and Front streets intersection and the “Library Blocks” as key new developments. The latter will help link downtown with the Boise River and Boise State University.
Not everyone can live in Boise, but anyone can visit. Bobbie Patterson, executive director of the Boise Convention and Visitors Bureau, says the city has direct or one-stop air service from most of the U.S. “Visitors experience the same sort of qualities that people enjoy when they live here: the recreation, the safety, the friendliness,” she says.
--Julie Fanselow
The pink of health
When it comes to health care, some of the most progressive medicine available is found in the Boise Valley. The city’s two regional medical centers and several smaller hospitals offer a broad range of specialties and provide convenient and accessible health and wellness care.
Boise’s first hospital, St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, was founded in 1894. Its original mission hasn’t changed: to offer health care for the body, mind, and spirit of anyone in need. Today, St. Alphonsus is the region’s leading trauma center. Patients who are critically ill or injured are moved by Life Flight, the area’s first air medical-transport program.
St. Luke’s Boise Regional Medical Center, the flagship hospital of St. Luke’s Health System, was established in 1902 and is community-owned and -governed. It is home to Mountain States Tumor Institute, a full-service cancer center with locations throughout the Boise Valley. St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital, which includes Idaho’s only pediatric intensive-care unit, is across the street from the Ronald McDonald House. St. Luke’s also has facilities in Meridian, Nampa, and elsewhere in southern Idaho.
St. Luke’s is recognized for one of Boise’s signature events, the St. Luke’s Women’s Fitness Celebration, one of the largest all female events in the country. About 15,000 participants are expected to pack the streets of downtown Boise at this year’s event. A 5K run/walk on September 22 will begin in front of the Capitol building and end on a stretch known as Tuxedo Row. Other medical centers in the area include Mercy Medical Center in Nampa and West Valley Medical Center in Caldwell. Southwest Idaho Advanced Care Hospital is due to open in Boise in 2008.
—Sydney Sallabanks
Good Food, Naturally
Nature is the heart of Boise. The postcard-perfect Boise River, wildlife trails, and the lush greenbelt are some of the city’s most popular attractions. It’s no surprise, then, that Boise’s restaurants center on the same natural ideal. Fresh ingredients and organic dishes abound in the city’s eateries. From swanky hors d’oeuvres and cocktails to eclectic comfort food and desserts, Boise offers it all—with a view.
Andrae’s
Perfect for a romantic date or special occasion, Andrae’s offers intimacy and elegance. The French restaurant’s private Wine Cellar Room is ideal for a cozy dinner for eight, and its main dining room is equally opulent. Start with a look at the 15-page wine list, then try the quail stuffed with duck confit, served on a bed of risotto. End the night with the Warm Chocolate Brioche. It’s a treat rich enough for Versailles. 816 West Bannock Street; Tel: 208-385-0707; andraesboise.com
Cazba
For more than 15 years, this Greek and Mediterranean eatery has been indulging customers with its tender shish kabobs, fresh wraps, and flavorful gyros. The menu is extensive and offers a wide range of specialties, including the popular lamb shish kabob. A skewer full of charbroiled marinated lamb combines perfectly with juicy tomatoes, red onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, and zucchini. 211 North Eighth Street; Tel: 208- 381-0222; cazba.com
Chandler’s Steakhouse
At some hotel restaurants, the chief virtue is proximity. Not at Chandler’s, the steakhouse inside Hotel 43. The steaks and seafood—not to mention the Idaho baked potatoes—make this a dining destination no matter where you’re coming from. To start the evening off right, begin with a drink in the adjoining Martini Bar. 981 Grove Street (in Hotel 43); Tel: 208-383-4300; hotel43.com/dining.asp
Cottonwood Grille
Overlooking the serene Boise River, this restaurant owes its charmingly rustic feel to the alderwood-booth seating and a towering stone hearth in the dining room. Try the Salmon in a Cage, a farm-raised salmon wrapped in a crispy Idaho potato. On a warm night, sit on the outdoor patio and absorb the waterfront’s serenity, surrounded by native plants, blooming flowers, and of course, cottonwood trees. 913 West River Street; Tel: 208-333-9800; cottonwoodgrille.com
Flying Pie Pizzeria
Hailed for its trademark “Whirled Famous Pizza,” the Flying Pie offers its share of flaky crusts, fresh meats, and savory vegetables. However, it’s the fun-loving waitstaff and kid friendly atmosphere that make it unforgettable. Stop by and take a look at Flora the Giant Foil Ball, a 254-pound (and growing) beauty made of aluminum foil. Triple Pie Ale is the perfect way to cool off your taste buds after the Zambini, a spicy sourdough pizza with jalapeños and Italian sausage. 6508 Fairview Avenue; Tel: 208-345-0000; flyingpie.com
The Milky Way
Husband and wife chef team Mitchell and Andrea Maricich have more than 30 years of combined culinary experience—and it shows. The MilkyWay serves up comfort food prepared with locally grown organic produce to create a meal that’s both tasty and fresh. Try the grilled hanger steak, a signature dish served with roasted garlic “mashers” and house made Milky barbecue sauce. 205 Tenth Street; Tel: 208-343-4334; milkywayboise.com
Moon’s Kitchen
Reminiscent of early drugstores, Moon’s Kitchen serves up frothy, creamy milkshakes from its soda fountain in unique flavors such as root beer spin and caramel. Browse through the quirky items in the restaurant’s gift shop, then enjoy a warm, hearty meal at the grill. A sizzling lumberjack hotcake or a delightfully messy chili cheeseburger topped with shredded cheese and onions is sure to satisfy. 815 West Bannock Street; Tel: 208-385-0472; moonskitchen.com
The Red Feather Lounge
A trendy, chic atmosphere makes this lounge a hot spot. Its three levels offer everything from quiet, private booths to a bar with one of Idaho’s best wine selections. The bar serves up classic cocktails with a contemporary twist, such as the cucumber ginger mojito. The hand-cut French fries are a favorite, cooked in peanut oil and sprinkled with sea salt. 246 North Eighth Street; Tel: 208-429-6340; redfeatherlounge.com
Tablerock Brewery
The microbrews here have been voted “Boise’s Best Beer” seven years in a row. Combining old-world processes with modern technology and local ingredients, TableRock finds the perfect blend. Bangers and Mashers are a pub fare staple, served with three English sausages, fluffy mashed potatoes, and spicy stone-ground mustard. Wash them down with T.D.’s Nut Brown Ale, a favorite toffee-flavored brew. 705 Fulton Street; Tel: 208-342-0944; tablerockbrewpub.com
—Compiled by Courtney Bowman
Havens and Hideaways
Fall into fresh linens. Wake up to hot coffee and a spectacular view of Boise’s coniferous skyline. Relive your honeymoon with wine and a winding staircase. Whatever the occasion, Boise has the accommodations to cater to every need and taste.
The Anniversary Inn
Beside Boise’s scenic Ann Morrison Park lies a treasure chest of adventure. Each of the inn’s 41 suites is decorated in a different theme, from the romantic Palace to the kid-friendly Enchanted Forest. Indulge your inner rebel in the Biker Road House suite, complete with a soft-tail Harley and round leather bed. Or live like the Montagues and Capulets in the two story Romeo and Juliet suite. The white winding staircase with scarlet carpet ends atop a romantic balcony. 1575 South Lusk Avenue; Tel: 208-387-4900; anniversaryinn.com
The Grove Hotel
Connected to the Qwest Arena of Idaho, the Grove boasts palpable energy. Perfect for the business traveler looking to experience Boise’s
nightlife, the hotel combines functionality with luxury. Lavish condos offer original artwork, Jacuzzi bathtubs, and floor-to-ceiling windows to take in Boise’s breathtaking views. When the office calls, the 24-hour business center makes the transition from play to work a little easier. 245 South Capitol Boulevard; Tel: 208-333-8000; grovehotelboise.com
Hotel 43
One of Boise’s newest luxury boutique hotels, Hotel 43 caters to both the business and leisure traveler. Formerly the Statehouse Inn, it boasts meeting rooms and a banquet facility perfect for a private reception or conference. Its elegant guestrooms and seven suites include plush, oversized furnishings and a morning newspaper delivered right to the door. Stop in downstairs at Chandler’s Steakhouse and try an authentic Idaho potato with all the toppings. 981 Grove Street; Tel: 208-342-4622; hotel43.com
Idaho Heritage Inn
Private covered verandas, bright sunrooms, and rich oak furniture make this inn a quaint getaway. The Governor’s Suite is a favorite, with a private sun porch and elegant oriental carpets. Wake up to complimentary breakfasts of buttery French toast stuffed with apricot cream cheese or a sweet-apple skillet cake. Two additional guest rooms in the refurbished 1912 Flamingo Fire Station offer all the charm and simplicity of the inn. 109 West Idaho Street; Tel: 208-342-8066; idheritageinn.com
J.J. Shaw House
A proprietor built this Queen Anne Victorian house for his family in 1907, and it still maintains the ornate architecture and detail of the time. Walk past the front columns and through the French doors to step into an old world gem. Take in the bed and breakfasts lush gardens through the oversized windows of Muriel’s Room, or soak in an antique clawfoot tub in Gertrude’s Chamber. Want more privacy? Stroll down the tree-lined path to the guest cottage, where a king-size bed and two skylights await—perfect for admiring the stars. 1411 West Franklin Street; Tel: 208-344-8899; jjshaw.com
The Modern Hotel
Just opened this summer, The Modern puts a fresh spin on the midcentury travel lodge. Rooms are furnished in a tastefully mod style and kept up to date with the best of today’s technology, such as iPod docks and gentle rainshowers. As new as it is, the hotel has links to Boise’s past: It takes its name from the Basque boardinghouse run by co-owner Elizabeth Tullis’ grandmother in the 1940s. 1314 West Grove Street; Tel: 208-424-8244; themodernhotel.com
Owyhee Plaza Hotel
Named for Idaho’s Owyhee Mountain Range, this hotel has been a landmark in downtown Boise since 1910. Here, you can get a shoeshine, stop by the in-house barber salon for a trim, then head off to your conference in the hotel’s boardroom. Order your favorite cocktail and take in the live weekend jazz at the hotel’s Gamekeeper Lounge to bring a busy week to a close. 1109 Main Street; Tel: 208-343-4611; owyheeplaza.com
—Compiled by Courtney Bowman
A first time visitor reflects on the mountains that shape a city.
As a native Midwesterner, I’m used to things being flat. What we call hills are mere swells, and the roads run straight on for days, with no elevation to turn the surveyors from their paths. So I wasn’t quite prepared for the mountains surrounding Boise. As I drove down Vista Avenue toward the heart of the city, there they were, big as life: sturdy, gray peaks, dotted with trees and just a touch of snow. The mountains have made Boise what it is: They held the mines that drew the first residents; they created a valley that protected the young city. But they’ve also made the city’s residents who they are. The mountains separate the Boise Valley from the rest of the state, making its inhabitants resilient and self-reliant. “It’s the continuation of the pioneer spirit,” one resident told me. You can see the mountains from just about anywhere in the Boise Valley. Lingering over breakfast alfresco in a downtown cafe, driving through suburban Meridian and Eagle, walking through Ann Morrison Park, I had only to look up to be reminded that I was in a city unafraid to stand on its own. I’ll return to Boise, to spend some more time exploring the mountains that have given the city its freshness, its tang. And I’ll remember that the pioneer spirit lives on.
—Marian Cowhig
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