This local Boise restaurant has closed after 4 years. Something ‘really cool’ is next

If you were a fan of breakfast and coffee at the Original Sunrise Cafe on the Boise Bench, you’re out of luck.

The restaurant recently closed at 4218 W. Overland Road.

But don’t panic, caffeine junkies. You’ll still be able to order a steaming cup of java there this fall — along with lots of gourmet-style dishes.

The former Sunrise will reopen in November as the upgraded Blue Bench Brunchette, owner Boomer Godsill says. It will be a sister operation to Huck House Brunchette, which debuted in June at 7135 W. State St. That building was the longtime home of another Sunrise Cafe before it closed.

Godsill opened the Overland Road Sunrise in 2017. But he shuttered the family-style diner in August, transferring employees to a location at 6767 W. Fairview Ave. A Treasure Valley chain, the Original Sunrise Cafe also operates in Meridian at 805 W. Main St. and 2032 E. Overland Road, and in Middleton at 200 E. Main St.

Blue Bench Brunchette will have a menu similar to Huck House Brunchette’s, Godwill says.

In other words, this won’t be a Denny’s.

At Huck House, you can grab a 12-hour Smoked Brisket and Eggs ($15.99). There’s a Lobster Cognac Omelette ($19.99). Or dive into an array of bowls, including the Keto Harvest ($15.99). Huck House features keto- and vegan-friendly selections, along with vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Lunch entrees include sandwiches such as the BLTerrific ($13.99, grilled country white bread with roasted red pepper aioli, Tender Belly bacon, arugula, sliced tomatoes and pickled red onions).

Huck House also has its own Brunchette Blend house-roasted coffee, and plenty of sweet-sounding espresso creations.

One initial difference between Blue Bench and Huck House?

“We have a really, really cool salad bar/charcuterie bar,” Godsill says. “The goal is to get people to stop in before they go to work for coffee, and then grab the salad bar for lunch.”

Customers will find a rotation of five to eight different kinds of salads along with a selection of dried meats and cheeses, he said. The bar will run on a pay-by-the-weight system, he adds.

Sound tasty? But — oh no — you live in West Boise, not on the Bench? Be patient. After launching at Blue Bench Brunchette, the salad and charcuterie bar will make its way over to Huck House, too, Godsill says — at the end of November.

This story was originally published October 7, 2021 at 4:00 AM.