Its summer patio? Still ‘awesome.’ But now Boise restaurant becomes year-round attraction
Whether it was called Lucky 13 or Sun Ray Cafe over the decades, Hyde Park’s best-known restaurant suffered from seasonal Jekyll-and-Hyde syndrome: busy summers, slow winters.
That wasn’t going to magically change two years ago when Lost Grove Brewing took over the outdoors-focused space at 1602 N. 13th St.
“Everybody I’ve talked to,” owner Jake Black explained Thursday, “… the first thing out of their mouth is, ‘You guys have an awesome patio.’
“… Which makes it hard to get them here in winter.”
Not to get ahead of our skis, Boise — but expect that to start changing.
Unveiling an 850-square-foot addition this week over former patio space, the North End restaurant and bar significantly altered its dynamic. Long a summer oasis with limited indoor seating, Lost Grove suddenly feels like a spot to enjoy Asian fusion food (or a mean burger), modern cocktails and craft beer — all year-round.
Tugging open enormous windows facing Eastman Street, Black showed off an al fresco-tinged, yet entirely sheltered, atmosphere.
“I’m pretty excited,” he said. “I think it adds quite a bit for us.”
Indoor seating capacity has jumped from 50 to 88 customers. Garage doors — formerly exterior — can be raised to combine the bar and addition. Or lowered to create separation for private events.
It’s the best of Idaho seasonal exploitation: a heated indoor area in frigid winter, an open-air spot during enticing spring or gorgeous fall, and an air-conditioned chill zone during blazing summer.
From a business perspective, this makes total sense. Lost Grove’s staff usually decreases from about 48 employees in summer to 20 during winter, Black said. With the indoor addition? “We are hoping we will be able to maintain a staff of about 30,” he said. “A 50% increase.”
Theoretically, better employee consistency will translate into improved customer service, too.
Either way? Black’s enthusiasm is infectious. “I think it’s a really fun space,” he said proudly.
And don’t worry, patio diehards. You and your dogs still have plenty of room outside.
“We still have 89 seats fully outdoors,” Black says.
This story was originally published February 14, 2025 at 4:00 AM with the headline "Its summer patio? Still ‘awesome.’ But now Boise restaurant becomes year-round attraction."