Whoa, even lobster? Dozens of Downtown Boise restaurants, bars do $12 deals for 10 days
It’s time to get serious about eating and drinking in Boise.
Taste of Downtown is back.
Nearly 50 Boise restaurants and bars will offer $12 specials for the next 10 days. Organized by the Downtown Boise Association, the annual promotion is a convenient way to sample a variety of food and drink at a “heck, yeah!” price. Taste of Downtown runs from Friday, Oct. 27, to Sunday, Nov. 5.
Some deals are more enthusiastic than others, so it pays to do a little research. To see the full menu, visit downtownboise.org/taste.
In addition to $12 specials, some restaurants will offer prix-fixe breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Other businesses will host social hours and dining “experiences.” (Some are available on certain days only, so check the website carefully.)
John Berryhill, owner of Bacon, 121 N. 9th St., has been involved in the event dating back to its inception more than a decade ago, he said. “It’s a 10-day local taste-fest of our beautiful downtown culinary vibe!” Berryhill explained.
Bacon will feature a noteworthy package deal. You get five bacon-strip “shots” — different varieties served in shot glasses — plus a signature, over-the-top Bacon Bloody Mary. These normally sell separately for $10 each — so it’s a $20 value for $12.
The bacon shots include the original Berryhill, Spicy Hot, Maple Rosemary, Candied and Tiger Bacon (a blend of Asian and BBQ).
Wash it down with that crazy bloody mary that includes, among other ingredients, a bacon infusion syrup, yet another slice of bacon and bacon salt on the rim.
Hungry yet?
New menu, nuts
House of Western, 610 W. Idaho St., is joining Taste of Downtown for the first time. Formerly Western Proper, the large restaurant, bar and entertainment hub recently rebranded.
The redesigned menu is packed with fun foods to eat with your hands — whether it’s Buffalo Waffle Fries with rich blue cheese (so good!) or one of several tempting tacos and burgers.
House of Western’s $12 special is The Jam, a delicious hamburger supercharged with Wagyu beef, goat cheese and bacon. The key is a slather of peach marmalade; it sends the flavor profile over the top. As part of the $12 special, the burger comes with a 16-ounce can of Horseshoe Collective Golden Lager. (You’d normally pay $16.50 for this combination.)
Christmas season is around the corner. Kill two birds with one stone by visiting City Peanut Shop, 803 W. Bannock St. The local nut purveyor does a massive amount of gift business during holiday season.
While you’re there, try the $12 special: Your choice of a bag of nuts or snack mixes off the wall — along with a City Peanut shot glass.
Lobster, cocktails
Curious about the “lobstah” roll at Freshie’s Lobster Co.? But still gritting your teeth about taking the pricey plunge? (A roll with 4 ounces of lobster costs $27.)
Here’s a rare opportunity.
Freshie’s will offer three $12 options. You can get half a lobster roll or half a crab roll served with kettle chips and a pickle spear. Or you can dip a mega-buttery grilled cheese sandwich into a cup of lobster bisque shipped from the East Coast. Located inside The Warehouse Food Hall at 370 S. 8th St., Freshie’s opened in February.
Taste of Downtown also is a perfect time to reacquaint yourself with off-the-beaten-path standouts. When is the last time you visited the cozy, ultra-cool Modern Bar, located inside The Modern Hotel at 1314 W. Grove St.?
The Modern is known locally for its cocktails. So it’s no surprise that the $12 Taste of Downtown drink is complex and fun. Called City of Trees, the cocktail features ingredients ranging from potato vodka and mezcal to piney Zirbenz liqueur. (It smells fantastic.)
But do not overlook the fact that The Modern also is a formidable restaurant.
As part of Taste of Downtown, The Modern will unveil a four-course dinner for one. It costs $65. You get to choose from a variety of options for each course. Eye-grabbing temptations include bouillabaisse, Thai red curry and potato gnocchi. Whatever you do, consider ending with hot, fresh doughnuts for dessert. Thanks to peach puree, cinnamon sugar, berries and Chantilly, they’re borderline ridiculous.
