Leigh Ann D.'s Profile

Best family-style Basque fare in the Treasure Valley. Come hungry, and order with on open mind.

Basque food is not for vegetarians or finicky eaters.

Love the lamb chops and BEST rice pudding for dessert, family recipes, and authentic Basque atmosphere. This is a great place for foodies, out-of-towners, and locals curious for a taste of this region's rich Basque culture!

¡Salud!

BEST place to eat in Nampa. Finest dining around! Great food and location without being pretentious. Lovely Sunday Brunch Buffet for a come as you are clientele looking for good eats and something local.

In a beautifully restored Masonic Temple. Chef Dustan Bristol is young and fierce in the kitchen. He understands locavore trends while providing a comfortable atmosphere for this quieter area of Idaho.

Sono Bana (formerly Tsuru) on Orchard is my personal favorite for sushi in Boise. Tsuru, the owner, has been in the sushi business in Boise for over 30 years, and actually taught Shige (of the restaurant 'Shige") back in the day.

Sono Bana is not downtown, nor is it fancy. Their overhead is low, but the sushi is fresh and delicious! It's definitely one of Boise's best "hole in the walls."

I'm disappointed that I can't give this place more stars. I strive to support local places, but was not impressed here.

The concept is different: cafeteria style, you fill up a cup with fro-yo, add toppings, and then the cashier weighs your treat in. However, $0.45 an ounce doesn't sound like a lot, but it adds up! A large size fro-yo can cost you $8! Not to mention, they only offer one size cup... LARGE (which subconsciously encourages filling to the brim).

The good stuff first: It was clean. The staff was actively cleaning up after any little spill or morsel that would hit the counter. Kudos. Also, the staff (high school age) was very friendly. Again, kudos.

Now, the bad stuff: Well, the price, as I mentioned before. Ouch. Then, the fro-yo tastes carbonated, like there is Sprite in it, or something. Very odd. Very watery. Not creamy.  Also, the flavors taste like other flavors. My "cheesecake" tasted like pina-colada. Maybe they aren't cleaning out the machines properly before adding a different flavor, but my taste buds were in shock!

Now, this is personal preference, and doesn't take any stars away from Blue Cow, but there were children running around everywhere and screaming. This is that kind of place. Sugar, yada, yada. I don't have kids, and I certainly don't want to deal with other peoples. Just a warning.

I hit up Superb Sushi at least once a week for lunch. The lunch special is unbelievable, especially if you're a casual sushi eater. It comes with three or four slices of three different types of sushi, a noodle salad, a sweet rice pocket, and miso soup, all for about $8!

Their rolls are ginormous and tasty! Miso is average. Sashimi is fresh and generously portioned. Superb Sauce is good alternative to soy sauce. Great selection of beverages.

If there isn't something on the menu, ask - the staff and owner are very accommodating, friendly, and generally fast (I've been there when it's packed, and it gets crazy)!

I like the basement atmosphere, very casual - almost like a secret. Superb is generally clean, and the staff works hard to clean tables for incoming patrons.

The patio furniture is a little uncomfortable (and inefficient space-wise) to sit and eat from, but that it is my only complaint.

I wish I could half stars, because Yokozuna is between a two and three for me.

I was really excited to have a Teriyaki joint move into the Vista bench neighborhood. I like the style of the restaurant, it's always very clean, they have sidewalk seating, and they deliver - which is why I'm giving it three stars.

The food is worth two stars. First of all, I'm surprised that there isn't a tofu option on the menu, leaving only a few meatless dishes for vegetarians and the like. Secondly, the food seems to get overcooked. Thirdly, the curry is icky.

Aside from the food, the prices are very reasonable, if not great. I'll keep giving them a try - because they are new to the hood, within walking distance, and my husband will eat just about anything. Hope to see some tofu or additional vegetarian options on the menu!

----------------------------------

Yokozuna has added vegetarian options to their menu. (updated 1/29/2011)

I give Andrade's four stars as it is eaily the best Mexican restaurant in Boise. Though, it is not the best Mex I've had.

If you just want tasty tacos or a chicken burrito or something basic and good - you should go to just about any taco truck on the side of any street, especially in Nampa or Caldwell.

Friends have been disappointed at Andrade's for such selections: dry chicken, ground beef... odd tasting steak carbon.

My favorite dish (of the two times I've visited) is the "Enchiladas de la Casa," spucy chorizo enchiladas with grilled zucchini, other veggies and cojita, served with pinto beans and delicious herbed potatoes (a nice change from refried beans and rice).

An extensive salsa bar, not for the faint of heart... Their "mild" has some kick!

The decor is clean and kind of "fancy" for a Mexican restaurant, the wait staff is very friendly.

Price is comprable to other Mexican restaurants in the area, about $7-$12 for dinner.

Casanova is the best "sit-down" pizza place in Boise!  The restaurant is local and quaint, and offers a lot to this cute bench neighborhood.

Generous and not fussy salads, great Italian sandwiches (lunch anyone?) and killer pizza! The crust is perfect, toppings that don't disappoint; beer and wine or Pellegrino and espresso.

I've never tried the Tiramisu, I've always been too full from the pie!

The decor is casual and simply elegant, I like where they're going with the place, and hope they're around for years!

Salads run $3-5, sandwiches about $7, and pizzas start as low as $7 for a small and to $22 for large.

My favorite pizza is the "Clams Casino" and my better half is all about the "Don Ho" - I'm not a stranger to the "Medusa" with figs, either!

Yay for Casanova! The owner drives a sweet classic Cadillac, too! How can you not love THAT in an Italian restaurant owner?

Addies could be so much better. Ideal location. The service & kitchen are sloooooowww. Food is okay, but nothing that keeps me coming back.

And, it's freezing cold in here!

Understaffed service, sticky tables & odd smell. Yuck. Food reminded me of a Denny's.

1950s diner kitsch gone bad.

Nice view though - too bad that's the only saving grace!