Food Notes: Oak Barrel opens in Eagle; Twin Dragon in Boise to close March 20

Oak Barrel of Eagle recently opened in the former Windingcreek Grill spot at 1065 E. Winding Creek Drive near downtown Eagle.

Diners may remember when chef Jered Couch operated SixOneSix in the space from 2006-2008. Oak Barrel still has the same cool booths.

Owners Mark and Kristina Anderson, who have operated Boise Oak Barrel Catering for about four years, decided it was time to jump into the restaurant game.

After a quick remodel, the Andersons debuted the restaurant and lounge March 4.

Executive chef Mike Gradian, formerly of A Lively Chef Catering, was hired to run the kitchen. His lunch and dinner menus, which boast flavor profiles from around the world, emphasize fresh and local.

At night, expect to find libation-friendly appetizers such as roasted garlic-tomato bruschetta, assorted flatbreads, mini beef Wellingtons and a charcuterie and cheese plate.

Entrées include herb-crusted Idaho trout, rack of lamb with cabernet-mint reduction, grilled flat iron steak with chimichurri sauce and a goat cheese-vegetable Napoleon, to name a few.

During the day, the menu focuses on soups, large salads, sandwiches and burgers, in addition to a few smaller-scale entrées.

The wine selection has just enough labels to keep diners interested, and many of the wines are offered by the glass.

“We have some incredible wines. Our list hits most of the major wine regions around the world,” Kristina Anderson says.

Besides wine, also expect to find craft beers on draft and signature cocktails billed as the “New School of Classics.” The restaurant hosts live music on Friday and Saturday nights.

Oak Barrel of Eagle is open daily for lunch (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and dinner (4 to 10 p.m.) The lounge stays open till 11:30 p.m.

Online: boiseoakbarrel.com

Slow by Slow comes to BoDo

BoDo has a new multi-roaster coffeehouse where people can add a little zip to their day.

Slow by Slow Coffee Bar, 405 S. 8th St., opened Feb. 18 next to Fresh Off the Hook. The exposed brick walls and black-and-white tiled floor give the place a Parisian feel.

Here, owners Joe and Diana Shafer decidedly keep the emphasis on pour-over coffee and espresso drinks — made with small-batch roasted beans from all over the country. Don’t be surprised to find beans from Boise’s Neckar Coffee and Sandpoint’s Evans Brothers.

The craft coffee bar also serves sweet goodies from local bakeries such as Gaston’s Bakery croissants, Sugar Whipped cookies and bars, and Bramble pies.

Slow by Slow Coffee Bar is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

Online: slowbyslow.com

Twin Dragon calls it quits

Now’s the time to take your last trip down memory lane at Twin Dragon, 2200 Fairview Ave. It’s closing March 20.

Owner James Lam is retiring to spend more time with his family after working seven days a week for 32 years. Twin Dragon originally opened in 1965. Lam is the second owner.

The popular Chinese eatery, in the shadow of the Red Lion Hotel, has long been a favorite for late-night diners looking to score plump egg rolls, chow mein, lo mein, fried rice and fragrant egg-drop soup.

Stop by this weekend and toast the place with a cold bottle of Tsing Tao beer. Don’t forget to try the barbecued pork and seeds served with eye-melting Chinese mustard.

Twin Dragon is open 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday; noon to 2 a.m. Saturday, and noon to midnight Sunday.

Online: twindragonboise.com

Trout Trilogy tasting

It’s not too late to score tickets for Sawtooth Winery’s Trout Trilogy Petite Sirah Vertical Tasting event March 19.

The popular Nampa winery, high atop a windswept hill at 13750 Surrey Lane, has had much luck with its Trout Trilogy wines in recent years. And here’s your chance to try different vintages of the winery’s petite sirah side by side. It’s a great way to taste the difference in the fruit from year to year. Expect to taste five vintages (even some straight from the barrel) ranging from 2011 to 2015.

The event ($20 per person/free for wine club members with gift certificates) features two two-hour tasting sessions: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. Each wine will be paired with an artisanal cheese.

For tickets, go to universe.com/sawtoothpetitsirahvertical.

This story was originally published March 17, 2016 at 2:16 PM with the headline "Food Notes: Oak Barrel opens in Eagle; Twin Dragon in Boise to close March 20."