Chandlers Steakhouse

Can you imagine life without a car? Here in the Treasure Valley, we’re fortunate to have more options than others, with bike lanes lining streets throughout the city as well as the famous Boise River Greenbelt that stretches throughout the city. Feel up to a challenge? Celebrate International Car-Free Day in Boise with these tips.  What Is Car-Free Day? On September 22 nd every year, people around the world are encouraged to ditch their car and instead walk, run, bike, scooter, or take public transit to get around. The mission is to spread awareness about alternative transport and reduce the number of cars on the road. Enough people choosing alternative transport could make an impact on the environment, and the demand for gas and other fossil fuels. Although one day out of the year doesn’t really seem like it could make a huge impact, if more people realize that alternatives to the car are easy to access, it can really move the needle in big ways. Not everyone...

Summer is quickly approaching its conclusion, and while many of you might feel sad, the good news is fall in the Treasure Valley is equally as enjoyable. While you might have to trade in your flip flops for boots, fun and excitement know no seasonal bounds in Boise and the surrounding areas. If you don’t already have a pumpkin-spice-themed itinerary, here are some of the fun fall Treasure Valley events and activities to look forward to. Head to the Pumpkin Patch If you have kids, they’ll love this activity. Going to the pumpkin patch and finding the perfect pumpkin for carving is a family-friendly event that people of all ages enjoy. A handful of pumpkin patches and farms call the Treasure Valley home. And wherever you are in the Valley, be it Meridian, Boise, Nampa, or Star, there’s bound to be a pumpkin patch close by. Some of the favorites in the area include The Farmstead, The Berry Ranch, and Jeremy’s Pumpkins.  Celebrate Oktoberfest Oktoberfest only hap...

As you start searching for the best fine dining Boise experience, you’ll likely notice that many of the restaurants have a dress code page on their website. For some uninitiated to the fine dining scene, this might come as a surprise. It might seem to be a hassle, but dress codes are an important part of the experience. Most restaurants are less strict than you might think and are willing to work with you.  The dress code holds an important place in fine dining culture and is there for a reason (or a few). Let’s take a look at why you should dress up when going to a fine dining restaurant.  Dress Codes Uphold Tradition As the years go by, fashion choices come and go and what your grandparents might have considered casual is now considered formal attire. The same is true for fashion expectations at a fine dining restaurant. A modern version of dressing up is normally perfectly acceptable. The tradition of dressing up has continued through many generatio...

When was the last time you had a real day off—a chance to forget about work and the hustle of life? For many of us, those days only happen a few times a year, typically on vacation. If it’s hard to get away for long periods of time or you just feel like sticking around town, a staycation in the Treasure Valley could be just what you need.      With so many different downtown Boise restaurants to try, beautiful year-round weather, and activities for the whole family, a staycation over Labor Day weekend or any other weekend could be what you need to relax, refresh, and recharge. Here are a few fun things to do while you’re “away.” Book a Room The first and probably most essential step of a successful staycation is getting out of the house and booking a hotel room. Even if it’s just for one night, staying outside of your home can help you separate yourself from the typical hustle and bustle of the day. That way you can still feel as if you're a m...

Food is the star of the show for any dining experience, but the sounds, sights, smells, and feel of a restaurant are more important than you might think. Restaurant owners spend a great deal of time and money to make the atmosphere and ambiance of their restaurant perfect, and it's worth noticing. When you head out for your next fine dining Boise adventure, savor the entire experience and soak up the restaurant’s atmosphere to see how it interacts with your senses. If it checks off these boxes, you know you’ve found one of the best in the area.   The Concept Should Be Sophisticated and Clear If a restaurant's concept isn't quite right, then the rest of the experience will suffer. The concept of a restaurant is essentially the foundation that the vibe and the rest of the décor are built upon. Typically, certain types of restaurants will have almost pre-determined concepts that guests have come to know and love. For example, a diner usually involves ...

As you scan the menu of some downtown Boise restaurants , you might spot a seafood section. Although the selections might sound appetizing, understanding where the fish came from could impact your decision. While you’ll find that farm-raised fish and seafood is almost the standard for landlocked areas, wild-caught fish is still available at select places.  So, can you taste the difference? Well, that’s something you may need to decide for yourself. But when faced with a choice between the two, here are a few things you should keep in mind.  What Is Wild-Caught Fish? Exactly as it sounds, wild-caught fish is caught from a natural source of water, such as the ocean or a lake. It eats what its species is meant to eat in the wild, and because of its natural diet, wild-caught fish can have higher levels of essential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. Many claim that wild-caught fish taste slightly better because of their natural diets. What Is Farm-Rais...

Enjoying coffee after dinner is a tradition that serves multiple purposes. If you’ve had the pleasure of enjoying a cup of espresso or a coffee-based cocktail at one of the best downtown Boise restaurants , then you know there’s something special about finishing a meal with coffee. Let’s take a closer look at a few reasons you should start concluding your dinners with a cup of joe. Post-Dinner Drinks Prolong Conversation Part of the origin story of after-dinner coffee was that it prolonged the party and kept the conversation going even after dessert had been served. In the fast-paced, “go, go, go,” world we live in, it’s not uncommon for many of us to eat and then rush onto the next event or activity. But sometimes it’s better to take our time and enjoy each other’s company as we sip on some freshly brewed coffee. Caffeine Staves Off Post-Meal Drowsiness It’s no secret that many of us will start feeling drowsy after a big meal. Dinner is often the largest meal of the day for most...