Cool Hand Lukes- Eagle

About a month ago, my family and I ate at Cool Hand Lukes in Eagle. We were celebrating my sister-in-law's birthday so there were 8 total in our party. We had called in a week prior for reservations. Hubby was told they don't take reservations, only call-ins but that they would do their best to have a table for us at 7pm. So to try and ensure a table close to 7, we arrived at 6 and let them know our party was present and we would be in the bar until our table was ready.

Once at the bar, I waited for over a half an hour for a drink. The bar was busy, but not that busy. I can think back to the Main Street Bistro days when hundreds were packed up to the bar desparate for a drink and somehow the Bistro was able accomodate, not the case here. However, once I finally had my drink it was excellent.

By 8pm we still didn't have a table. After inquiring at the hostess stand (once again) we were told sorry, that there had been a misunderstanding and that we would be seated soon. Once in our seats (thank God, I was starving) we settled in and ordered up some grub. Several people had the tri-tip, I had the filet and a few had a chicken entree.

My filet was only so-so. It didn't taste bad, but there wasn't anything special about it. Most filets I have had recently just melt in your mouth...not so much here.

Our service was marginal. I hate being called honey and don't love listening to my server baby talk with my nephew, but that's just me I realize.

The actual decor and setup of the restaurant is great. Very spacious and great merchandising throughout the dining area.

I definitely want to give CHL another shot. I have heard from other people they really enjoyed their experiences here, so it may have been an off night for CHL and for me. We'll see. I'm crossing my fingers that's the case. I'll be sure to post an update once I have gone for Round 2.

Location: 291 E Shore Dr Ste 101 Eagle, ID 83616

Epi's Basque Restaurant

To celebrate Valentine's Day the hubby and I eagerly ventured to Epi’s Basque Restaurant. We had been told this place was amazing and that the service would blow us away.

Did it ever!! I swear I felt like best friends with my server, cook and hostess --- all of whom were out of this world hospitable. Seriously, the owner gave me a hug as I was leaving and I loved it. I felt that we were great buddies and that she truly enjoyed sharing her evening with me and my husband.

The food was equally as good. We ordered the ham croquetas to start with. These little balls are sent straight from heaven. We finished off the plate (which had perhaps 12 of them) in minutes. We then savored a great bottle of Pinot Noir that our waiter suggested, no problem finishing that one off.

A salad and soup came with our entrees. I tried the Red Bean soup and hubby had the Cream of Mushroom soup. I am not a huge bean fan, but I tell you what…this soup was delicious! It had a little kick to it, but not so much it burns out. Hubby isn’t a large Cream of anything fan, but wanted to give the soup a shot, and he was glad. It turned out to be the best mushroom soup that has graced his lips. The salads were simple yet delicious. Whatever their homemade dressing is, I want to get my hungry little hands on it.

For our main course, hubby had the special of the night: Lobster tail and filet mignon. He gobbled it up and said quite frequently how much he was enjoying the lobster. I enjoyed my flat iron steak with an amazing sauce that made it perfection.

As if we were not bursting at the seams already, our server brought us a plate of hand cut fries. DELICIOUS! They were dusted with a specialty seasoning and were amazing.

Next up, dessert. Yes, you may be asking yourselves how we could still be eating…but I had to try an authentic dessert from this amazing gem of a restaurant. We ordered the apple bread pudding and it was a fabulous choice. Every bite was savored down to the last fork full.

I recommend that you visit Epi’s now. Talk about a restaurant having it all…you will not be disappointed here. I had heard it was great and it still far surpassed any expectations I had set.

Location: 1115 N Main St, Meridian, ID 83642

Mesa Taqueria

We just got back from a co-worker's birthday lunch at Mesa Taqueria. Mesa is a great, casual lunch spot in downtown Boise on 8th St, next to Cazba. You order/pay at the counter. The décor is nice (including the expected neon beer signs), large, heavy wood tables and beautiful southwestern paintings on the wall which I am told are done by the owner's wife. It inspired me to start painting again. I am sure that feeling will pass by 5 tonight. Summertime is great because of the outdoor patio but it was a bit too chilly for that today.

My order was one of the last out of the shoot for the group and I about climbed over the counter to get it. The service was fast, I had just skipped breakfast today. I ordered the special, a Pulled Pork torta. It was one of the better pulled pork sandwiches I have ever had. It had a spicy chipotle sauce, cabbage, fresh tomatoes on a freshly baked bun. It came with a side of chips and salsa, and like usual I had to get a side of their delicious guacamole. It was sloppy, heavenly and ended up all over my pants, and a little on the floor. A few others ordered their tacos, which taste yummy and fresh along with some tortilla soup which one of them was raving about. One of my coworkers had eaten here just a few days earlier and ordered the special which happened to be fish tacos which are not a staple on the menu, but according to her should be. She asked about it at the counter and they agreed to cook her up a special order of the fish tacos, very accommodating.


I am not a vegetarian but they do have a special veggie only menu which actually doesn't look too shabby, even to a carnivore like myself. After surveying the table we came out with ratings from 3-5. I would personally rate Mesa tres and a half spicy, fresh forks. It is a great spot for a weekday lunch or a casual weekend dinner. Order the Dos XX.

Donnie Mac's Trailer Park

For lunch a few weeks back, some of the other lady bloggers and me decided to pick up some roadside cuisine at Donnie Mac’s Trailer Park. After hearing some so-so reviews around town, our expectations were well…trashy. Nevertheless, this blogger is always a sucker for a theme restaurant and we decided to give it a try.

The décor was outstanding and very fitting to the trailer park theme and you can even eat inside an actual old car.

We were greeted pleasantly and shown our rolling booth immediately. Our waiter was very nice (and quite the looker). We opted to start off our lunch with the Sweet Potato fries ($3.50) served with a side of trashy sauce (their version of fry sauce). These had a great sweet potato taste and stayed warm for awhile which is often a problem with sweet potato fries. For our main meal, I opted for the Down and Out burger (description from menu):

$4.95 Or $3.95(fries not included) if you’re under 21 years old or come in with a skate board! For future successful business executives, who are presently skaters & boarders, who are just leaning to do tricks! Hand pressed 1/4# Angus burgers! Served on a toasted sesame bun, with crisp lettuce, fresh tomato, red onion slices, crisp kosher pickles, & trailer sauce.

This was a good but not great burger. However, it was served with a condiment basket where you had unlimited trashy sauce, ketchup and mustard. I love condiments so this was excellent!
The other ladies ordered the TUCKER MAC & CHEESE…

$5.95 …now we’re talkin’ American roadside comfort food, served with sweet potato fries & trashy sauce. Add a mesquite grilled kosher dog or a chili for $1.50, just like when you were a kid!

This dish was the real deal -- extremely rich and creamy like mac and cheese should be. I was thinking that if it was really in trailer trash theme it should have been made from the orange powdery stuff with corn flakes crunched up on top. We were all glad it wasn’t though.
Our waiter came back numerous times to check on us and even started up a pleasant conversation. Overall, Donnie Mac’s is trailertastic with really great comfort food and a fun atmosphere --A true hidden-gem of Boise!
I will be back for dinner very soon and will order the DONNIE MAC’S CLASSY DING DONG…

$4.00 A ding dong with vanilla frozen custard accented with 100% maple syrup & dusted with graham cracker crumbs!

Donnie Macs gets 4 trailertastic forks!

Location: Donnie Mac’s Trailer Park -1515 West Grove St. Boise, ID
Order: Sweet Potato Fries, Down and Out Burger
Rating: 4 forks

Happy Tasting Boise,
Lindzee

Murphy's Steakhouse

For round two of our Valentine's Day dinner we made our way to our 9:30 reservation at Murphy's. I was already starving again so I was ready to annihilate the menu. We had our 1/2 off card and were ready to use it. I ordered the french onion soup and mushroom risotto as an appetizer. The french onion soup is really amazing there. Served in an onion with bread baked under the bubbly cheese crust. I didn't want it to end but the way I eat...the end was inevitable, and FAST. I have never been a mushroom person in my life but it was one of those foods I decided that I didn't like before actually trying it, and having a failed attempt at making my own risotto just days before I was curious. As it turns out I am not a fungus person. Confirmed. But I was able to pick around the little caps for some delicious and creamy risotto. El husband ordered calamari for his appetizer (second time of the day). These were the biggest, fattest calamari either of us had ever seen which grossed me out a tad. He LOVED them though and wouldn't quit raving about it.

We both ordered off of the special V-Day menu. He ordered the prawns served over polenta cakes while I got the prime rib, garlic mashed potatoes and blue cheese crème Brule. I didn't know where they were going with the brulee but I was intrigued. If it wasn't for that I was going with the filet mignon. My steak was delicious. Juicy (or I call it bloody) and marbled with fat. It was AMAZING! But my biggest surprise was the blue cheese brule. After my walk with danger the night before (the gamy Duck Brule) I was nervous. This thing was TDF! One of the best I have ever had with subtle bites of blue cheese. I tossed a few elbows and made the fork thru the hand threat to my husband who kept creeping over and stealing it from me. You never steal my food, especially on Valentine's Day. Apparently this was not made clear the previous 7 we spent together.

Our server was incredibly friendly and fast. It was a romantic setting...even though we were all packed in there like steer. Mmmmmmmm meat. To our surprise our half off card doesn't work on holidays. I guess I could have done without the mushroom risotto.

I have been impressed by Murphy's every time I have been there. ESPECIALLY for the Sunday brunch. She costs around $20 +/- but worth every penny as she comes with a dessert and bloody mary bar. Happy hour is a great deal there too. BOGO. I ordered 2 $9 Sea Breazes and had a $5 tab. It is times like those that you don't ask questions but just promise yourself to return, and tell all of your friends.

4.5 forks. So close!

Le Café de Paris - Frenchy Fun

Duck Flavoring Included
















The Decadent Duo


On Friday night, some girlfriends and I embarked on a dangerous path down dessert tasting lane at Le Café de Paris. The ambiance of this astonishingly accurate recreation of a side-street Paris café is charming the minute you enter the door. A bakery case full of beautifully-made desserts draws you in with its irresistable chocolate tractor beam, where you can join the other patrons oohing and aahing over the exquisite creations while nervously fretting over which one to select. People scattered haphazardly at the bistro tables are aglow with the light of good wine, good friends, and the satisfaction that only an amazingly rich dessert can bring. I was losing precious time trying to make a decision, and when the waitress came over, rushed, I closed my eyes and pointed to the Duo au Chocolat. Fellow blogger Crissie let out a squeal as she spotted the Duck Creme Brulée on the menu. Confused, I asked the waitress why it would be called Duck and she pointed out that it was made with duck eggs. Concerned for my friend, I decided to hold my judgement until her dish arrived and the taste test could be executed. Birthday girl Katie ordered the Tiramisu, which came in a chocolate cup and was so beautiful you almost didn't want to eat it. Jamison ordered a cheese plate (you can select 1-oz. cheese samplings from their extensive selection) and with a bottle of Italian Red we were on our merry way. When the desserts landed, oh Merry Christmas from the Chocolate Fairy. Mine had a a sail of white chocolate laid over a piece of chocolate hazelnut and my mouth was watering with anticipation. I wasted no time, took a picture, and got after it. The Duo did not disappoint, with its layers of dark chocolate mousse and white chocolate mousse melting in my mouth. It wasn't too heavy or too rich... dare this blogger say, it was perfect.

On to the wild game brulee. Upon first glance my friend's way, I knew something wasn't right. Fellow Blogger Crissie considers herself to be somewhat of a brulee aficionado and I don't think she saw this one coming in a million. I may have seen a single tear trying to make its way out of the corner of her eye as her fork hovered above the dish after the first bite taken. I gave it a whirl and oh holy heavens what is that taste. Not being a huge creme brulee fan, this aftertaste was pushing the envelope in ways I never thought possible. I have never eaten duck in my life, but if I did I would imagine this is what Grandma Duck that been around the pond a few times tasted like. Imagine that with cream and a crusted sugary top and that was my fellow blogger's experience. Needless to say, I don't think wild game belongs anywhere near the dessert table and Crissie couldn't even get through the dish, which was heartbreaking after her excitement to order it.

The Tiramisu consisted of fantastically rich layers of coffee flavored deliciousness and biting the cup reminded me of the old Charlie and the Chocolate Factory when Gene Wilder bites the teacup when he's singing. Weird? Yes. Tasty. Double Yes. Did you ever see ducks waddling around in the Chocolate Factory? Lesson Learned. And the geese that lay golden eggs don't count.



















Tiramisu Treat


I give Café du Paris 4.5 Chocolate dipped forks with a few feathers on the end for a great escape from the everyday, although I don't think my fellow blogger had quite the same experience.

Pair - Eat, Drink, Share

I got really lucky this Valentine's Day. We are such procrastinators that by the time we had called for a reservation at Murphy's the soonest we could get in was 9:30 pm. Anyone who knows me knows it can be dangerous to let me get hungry (I get angry quick, a downhill slope) so my husband agreed to let us get appetizers at 5 before catching a flick, to hold me over until the main feasting hour. (We saw Gran Torino. Recommended.)

My husband has always been apprehensive to go to Pair for some reason, I think he feels it is too "rave -umcha umcha umcha" for him. The music is very techno there, even on Valentine's Day where I had hoped to hear a little Dean or Frank or something romantic but they did make the place adorable. All of the servers wore black and red. There were rose petals all over the floors, white linens, candles and a special Valentine's Day menu.

I am a firm believer that the Yam Fries are the best in town so I knew I was ordering those but also felt frisky enough to go for the Gruyere spread. Nick ordered the Calamari with Spicy Aioli. I am sure he picked that because he knows I won't touch water food with a 10 ft pole. That is also a reason that I ordered the Yam Fries...he always winces at the mention of them, having never tried them. I felt I was safe and that they were all mine but he just dug right in. The price of the Yam Fries went up from $4 to $5 and the portion size was about 1/4 of the usual but they were served in a stemless wine glass so the presentation was great. It could have been a special adjustment for the night...I hope not permanent. The sweet Mango Sriracha dipping sauce was amazing as always. Nick's Calamari was good, apparently. He really loved the Aioli. The Gruyere spread with bread was delicious and garlicky. Warm, soft bread. It was really, really good. We signed off on the meal with a mini cake bites (they have a cuter name that I can't remember). It was Milky Way flavored, brownie with a caramel center and a cream cheese frosting. For only $1 I can see these becoming a huge hit there.

Pair has a great happy hour with fantastic deals on all of their appetizers which I will definitely be hitting up more, now that I have convinced the husband of the "amazingness" of Pair. Eat Drink Share.

4 techno, blinking forks.