Closed Boise sushi spot to reopen at wine bar, which gets a ‘cool’ remodel and liquor

A downtown Boise wine bar plans to add a familiar pair of chopsticks to its menu.

Bodovino, 404 S. 8th St., currently is serving customers on its patio. But managing partner Daniel Rhodes said he hopes to invite patrons inside next month. Bodovino is working on a remodel that includes a small, integrated restaurant.

After closing recently at 855 W. Broad St., Happy Fish Sushi & Martini Bar will reopen inside Bodovino, which has the same owners. Happy Fish welcomed its first diners in early 2002. Bodovino debuted in the BoDo district in late 2013.

The sushi reboot, called Happy Fish at Bodovino, will feature six or eight bar-top seats at the front, Rhodes said. Bodovino’s self-serve wine bar will operate in its usual space in the rear. Customers will be able to enjoy drinks and food throughout the building, including on the patio. The event room in the back will be rolled out at a later date.

Happy Fish’s liquor license has been transferred to Bodovino, too — meaning cocktails will be served.

“I think it’s going to be really cool,” Rhodes said. “We’re excited to get it going.”

Bodovino has a second Village at Meridian location with an Italian food concept and a liquor license. Business remains solid despite the COVID slowdown, Rhodes said: “The Village is bumpin’. ”

Downtown Boise is another story. With fewer office workers and smaller weekend crowds nowadays, bars and restaurants have struggled. Adding Happy Fish and liquor should give Bodovino a shot of entertainment energy.

Rhodes hopes to launch the two-in-one concept in October with socially distanced customers. But he cautioned that it might take a little longer.

Either way, it should be worth the wait. After keeping Happy Fish open for carryout-only during the early stages of the pandemic, the decision came naturally, Rhodes said.

“We had kind of had this in the back of our mind for a while for Bodovino, as far as moving the concept over, kind of filling the gap ...,” he said. “We only offer small plates at Bodovino. We kind of wanted a full dinner option there.”

▪ Bodovino is open from 3 to 10 p.m. weekdays, and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

This story was originally published September 18, 2020 at 4:00 AM.