Tag: boise

Easter in the BOI: Brunching + Hunting

by boisebucketlist, posted in Arts and Culture, Food & Cuisine

Good news: I created a list of things to do this Easter.
Bad news: I won’t be in Boise for my first Easter (more details on that!)

That said, I STILL created  this list of things I would do if I was in Boise this Sunday.. Or, at least things I would LOVE to do.  What I LOVE about Easter (aside for a reason for me to wear bright pastels without judgment lol), is all the different ways to spend time with family. From brunching to feasts, to egg hunts, to church services — Easter is a time of family, friends, and celebrating a new season.

Here is @boise_bucketlist suggested list of Brunching & Hunting activities to do here in the BOI:

[EGG] HUNTING:

Glow-in-the-dark Easter Egg Hunt

Ever wanted to try to find eggs that glow in the dark? Why not try now! Come out with your family and try to find some glow-in-the dark eggs! (Boise, 270 E. Pennsylvania)

EGGventure Hunt

This is hunt like no other. If you’re into engaging in obstacle courses, going on slides, jumping in a bounce house — all to get to your eggs — you’ve come to the right place!  (3225 E. Commercial Street, Meridian)

Pool Easter Egg Swim

Ready to see the Easter Bunny in his bathing suit? Well, you’ll have your chance at the Easter Egg Swim! Kids will be able to swim and look for the eggs at the bottom of the Nampa rec pool.  (131 Constitutional Way, Nampa Rec Center)

 

BRUNCHING

Angell’s Bar and Grill- Renato: looking for a buffet opportunity for both daytime and evening? Look no further.  Guests will have access to a traditional Easter spread, as well as an omelet station and meat-carving station.

 

The Riverside Hotel: it’s great to see that the Riverside Hotel is hosting an Easter event. I went to Riverside Hotel for Thanksgiving, and it was SO GOOD! Mmmm. From 9am-1:30pm, guests will have access to a diverse buffet spread: ham, rib, salmon, egg Benedict. I’m getting hungry as I read this!

 

Cottonwood Grille: I’ve only been to Cottonwood Grille once for lunch when I JUST moved to Boise. I am anxiously waiting to return. Luckily for you, you can enjoy their brunch menu this Sunday. The Sunday Brunch menu can appeal to just about anyone: egg lovers, seafood lovers, vegetarians, the brunching daredevil. Whatever your taste palette, the options are bountiful and can cater to your Easter brunching needs.

Honorable Mentions:

Bunny Ball – An Easter Prefunk @ Fatty’s:  I probably would have decided to go out on Friday, but why not for a Bunny Ball! I see this as an “adult” Easter egg hunt, especially with Wild 101 in the house, giving out plastic eggs filled 1) candy, 2) drink tickets, or even 3) CASH. I think it’s a perfect time to wear the brightest pastel colors, grab your girls (or bros), and get your funk on with the Easter Bunny.

Get Your Bunny On @ Reef Boise: Why not listen to some rock on a Saturday night? I would. Pilot Error, a classic rock cover band, will grace the stage for all of Boiseans to experience. Rock out this Easter at Reef Boise!

For those seeking to attend church, Boise has its fair share of Easter Services. I strongly encourage you to use Facebook to find which ones you’d prefer to attend. I never attended a early Easter morning service, and maybe I’ll save that experience for next year.

I wish you all a Happy Easter! And don’t forget to follow me at @boise_bucketlist to see what new adventures I’ll be experiencing overseas. It’ll be like you’re right there with me!

 

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Bonjour Chérie: BOI Foodie Review

by boisebucketlist, posted in Coffee Shops, Food & Cuisine

Looking for a French bakery filled with perfectly crafted delectable pastries and desserts? No need to go to France. You have it right here in the BOI.

With no coffee in my hand while driving to work, I knew I wanted to grab some coffee before I head into work. Rather than driving to my usual spots, I decided to give a local bakery a try. I remembered when one of my @boise_bucketlist followers tagged me in a photo of her while eating at Janjou, and I knew I needed to (FINALLY!) visit this hidden gem.

Nested in a small shopping center on the corner of 17th Street and State Street, Janjou Patisserie is a small French bakery with a modern decor. Named after the owner’s grandmother, Janjou gives the Treasure Valley beautifully crafted French desserts and pastries.

Maybe I missed the memo of the Friday-trip-to-Janjou’s because when I walked in, the line was out the door. It was so busy the chef herself had to staff the register! Waiting in line was actually enjoyable because I was greeted by this large glass display filled with these delectable desserts crafted with immaculate detail and to perfection. From the eclair covered with glazed chocolate, to the  Framboise Tart, covered with fresh raspberry, to my ham & Gruyere croissant.  I was imaging taking a bite of the chocolate eclair, and how it elevated my mind as a foodie Ecstasy.

Yes, delicious food can bring me to that level.

As I said, I ordered the Ham  & Gruyere croissant with a 12oz of the Americana to go. The Americana was exactly what I needed to kickoff my Friday morning. I waited until I arrived to work to enjoy my croissant. With the croissant slightly warmed up and a side of Americana, I had the best Friday morning ever!

 

Although it can be a bit pricey (croissant was $5.50), I know it’s locally owned, locally supplied, and crafted with detail and to perfection. If you happen to be driving along State Street and want to cross French bakery off your #boisebucketlist, head over to Janjou’s.

I WILL return to try the chocolate eclair. Yes, I love eclairs. If you couldn’t tell!

 

Seeking Refuge @ the Refuge: My 1st Meeting with an IG Follower

by boisebucketlist, posted in Food & Cuisine

Social Media has its pros and cons.

Pro: networking with new people.

Con: oversharing.

Last week something cool happened: I met a follower of mine from Instagram! No, this wasn’t a date and part of my Dating in the BOI tales.

Well, that’s a lie.

We actually did exchanged our own individual stories over some drinks. It was a win- win. Meet someone new & hear about his dating horror stories.

Although he granted me permission, I still like to protect people’s identity. I’ll call my Instagram follower Mr. Artist. Which leads me to explain how our encounter went from online to in-person.

Last week while checking out my IG feed, I came across this vibrant and colorful illustration of the state capitol building and Boise written across the top. I immediately paused and said danggggg, this is a cool illustration! Yes, this is my actual voice. I do say words like dang.

Source: Mr. Artist’s website

As any pro-Instagrammer would do, I commented and engaged with this account. I was pleased to see he followed me in return. After some time passed since I commented, I received a DM (direct message, for those who were unsure). Mr. Artist told me how he enjoyed my Dating in the BOI blogs, and how he too has dating stories worth sharing.

I thought it’ll be worth hearing about a male’s perspective with online dating. I’m slightly curious given that I’m only living my own female experiences.

Before I knew it, we’d exchanged numbers and met at The Refuge. After messaging back and forth, receiving nothing but good vibes from him through our messages, I thought to myself go and network!

I’m all about networking when living in a new place. I highly encourage it, actually. A few of my followers personally know me, and I met them through networking events throughout Boise.

Here’s the kicker:  Just the DAY BEFORE meeting, a friend suggested I go and checkout the Refuge, for its delicious food and beer options. And of COURSE Mr. Artist suggested the exact same place.

Mr. Artist was right on time. He approached me, we did the whole “hey are you…?” dance, and walked over to an empty table.

I’ll just say that I enjoyed my time getting to know Mr. Artist. He shared stories ranging from dating to his worldly travels, to his career path. I mean, let’s not forget his art. The exact reason to what prompted us to meet.

His illustrations are rich with color, depth, and uniqueness that’ll make a color fanatic like me stop in her tracks. If you were in SoCal, you may come across a surfboard covered with some of his illustrations.

But get this — this isn’t even his full-time job. He simply loves doing it. Which shows in his work.

We shared our stories, and boy was it enlightening. To hear about his experiences made me wonder how I come across on my online profiles. From pictures of cats & sunsets, to extremely outdated profile photos, to newly divorced women looking to find their Christian Grey — it’s the hodgepodge of dating fiascoes.

I don’t feel too bad about my dating stories. I still, however, have experienced the most awful online messages one can EVER receive. To the point where you wonder if it’s a real person behind the screen!

I know I’ll see Mr. Artist again. He is an intelligent  person with knowledge to share. And with that, I’ll end my blog post with something he said while talking about happiness:
A person should like what they do, like who they are with, and like where they live. 
When you take a step back and think of the times you may have been unhappy in your life, it probably stems from one of these things. I speak for myself and say these exact reasons are why I had to reevaluate my life while living in New England.

To end,  I’m an actual person who is all about networking and meeting new people. Whether you’re a native Boisean or a transplant, I’d love to network and learn from my peers. Boise Bucket List is more than just crossing activities off my list. It’s about pushing myself out of my comfort zone, embracing a life of simple joys, and living in the moment. A philosophy I hope you, my follower, will start to embrace as well.

Mr. Artist —  I look forward to proudly hanging up your artwork in my office for all to see!

5 Ways I Dress Warm in the BOI Winter

by boisebucketlist, posted in How-To Guides

Anytime I tell someone I’m originally from West Palm Beach, Florida I’m greeting with this automatic “oh dear, how are you holding up in the winter?” Great question.

Fortunately for me (or unfortunately, depending on your mindset), I lived in Portland, ME for 5 years. During that time, I gained firsthand experience of what it means to dress warmly. Such is a foreign concept for Floridians — unless that 3-day cold front we usually get in January.

Thankfully, lessons learned in Maine helped me transition to life during this BOI winter. Here are the 5 ways I dress warmly:

  • L.L. Bean Boots. For those who don’t know, the founders of L.L. Bean are from Maine. If you ever visit Freeport, make sure to snap a photo in front of the famous Bean Boot.With all my Mainer friends talking about their “beans,” I took note and decided to do some research for myself. I immediately became hooked after purchasing my 1st pair. Yes, I have more than one! The ones I wear for winter are the L.L. Bean Boots with the shearing-lining. They keep my feet extra warm, which is necessary for me! They can be a bit costly upfront, but it’s a lifetime guarantee with their products. I’ve had mine for over 6 years, and they still look good as new.

 

  • Wool Socks. Understandably, I had NO CLUE what wool socks were prior to moving to New England. Once winter came around, I overheard a classmate of mine talk about his wool socks and how they made him itch.  Say what? What are wool socks? Rather than asking and being embarrassed, I did the usually thing: Google search. I have no clue how I survived my first winter without them! I try to keep it colorful with these wool socks. 

 

  • Parka. I tried my  hardest to refrain from pulling out the parka here in Boise. I wanted to show that I can handle the cold temps. Then I was (re) introduced to 20 degrees F. That made me change my mind real quick. I have a few parkas, but my favorite is my North Face parka. 

Here’s a tip: if this is your first winter and costs of jackets are wearing you down, I recommend visiting the local thrift stores such as Idaho Youth Ranch and Goodwill. I received this tip when in New England because I was worried about costs, particularly since I never had to spend over $20 for any warm piece of clothing. At the thrift stores, I found everything from brand new jackets still with tags to gently used high-end jackets. My first winter in New England was manageable because of those 2nd hand L.L. Bean jackets.

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  • Gloves. A few weeks ago, I made the terrible mistake of leaving my gloves at home when I volunteered at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Boy were my hands freezing! Moving forward, I now I have 2 pairs — one I keep in my jacket pocket. My go-to gloves are those with a buckle closure and those which are  touchscreen-friendly.  Prior to these touchscreen-friendly gloves, it was annoying to have to remove my gloves to answer my call or text.

 

  • My winter hats. I have my fair share of winter hats. Some hats are more appropriate to wear when my hair is straightened; others times I wear hats made to fit my entire head of curls. My when-my-hair-is-straight winter hat is the standard beanie. It’s comfortable, keeps my head warm, and it compliments my face. Now, when my hair is too curly, the only hats that can handle it is the ski caps with a visor. I wear this all the time — even at home! Makes me feel warm and toasty.

 

With what appears as this record-breaking winter for snow, I’m glad I’m equipped to stay warm. What are some of your must-have winter items?

Moonstuck @ Moon’s Kitchen Cafe: 10 Day BOI Bucket List Challenge 

by boisebucketlist, posted in BOI Bucket List Challenge, Food & Cuisine

Christmas shopping & all that running around can really stir up an appetite. Or what about all those FanFest events for the Idaho Potato Bowl. Walking around each one can also make you have an appetite.

For me, NONE of the above applied 😂. I simply wanted a hearty breakfast to keep me satisfied for the early part of the day. Plus, I needed to an activity to add to my 10 Day BOI Bucket List Challenge.

Moon’s Kitchen Cafe is a staple of Boise. It’s been serving its homemade milkshakes (something I need to return & try!) since 1955. It’s the epitome 1950’s diner, from the tables to the countertop for solo patrons. The decorations also add to the experience: Elvis Presley photos when he was younger, authentic commercial ads during that era, newspaper clippings.

My timing couldn’t have been more ideal because right when I sat down, a FLOOD of guest stepped in. It’s because of the CSU and UIdaho game —  I saw a sea of green, black & gold.

As a solo patron, I sat at the countertop and reviewed the menu. I knew I wanted a protein-filled breakfast, omelet in particular.

With the diner unusually packed & what I later found out that an employee was a “no-show”, it did take some time to get service. Nonetheless, once the waiter came by, she poured me a delicious hot cup of coffee which I thoroughly enjoyed. Maybe it was multiple cups ☕️☕️.

I ended up ordering the Spicy Sausage Omelet with a side of red potato hash browns, wheat toast, and their homemade jam.

While waiting for the deliciousness soon to be coming my way, I took some time to do research for this blog (yes, I want to see what’s going on in Boise that I can share with you all 😎). Once the waitress walked over with the plate of food, I dropped everything I was doing so I can fully concentrate on this beautiful omelet.

The meal was absolutely worth the wait. I can tell you that I was pretty full after that meal. Breakfast at Moon’s is officially off my Boise Bucket List.

If you’re a newbie:

  • try one of their staple milkshakes, or their chicken fried steak
  • If going for breakfast, try their Lumberjack plate (that was my 2nd choice) or one of their many omelet combinations.
  • If going for lunch, try their chicken fried steak or their burgers (Bleu Moon being my fav!)

If you’re a regular, I challenge you to try something completely new & different from what you normally order. Try a different flavored milkshake or a new burger.

What are some of your places in Boise to have breakfast?

 

 

Appetite @ Addie’s: 10 Day BOI Bucket List Challenge 

by boisebucketlist, posted in BOI Bucket List Challenge, Food & Cuisine

I’ve heard about Addie’s.


My coworker mentioned she has lunch here on a weekly basis. With her recommendation, I decided to checkout Addie’ for a (late) breakfast.
Addie’s is located in Old Boise, on the corner of 5th and Main Street. It has the most decorative window art I’ve seen so far (excluding all the window paint for the holiday season). My favorite is the painting of two ladies sitting at a table, sipping tea.

With Boise Weekly in one hand and my wallet in the other, I headed into Addie’s. After being greeted with a warm smile, I was instructed to find my own seat. I chose a comfortably-sized  booth facing Main Street.

Before I even had the chance to sit, a young man with framed black glasses, dressed in a vintage-styled sweater covering a joker tee-shirt, with his hair pulled up in a ponytail asked me if I wanted coffee (bottomless coffee, by the way). I quickly responded with yes! and sat down.

The table over had college students talking about:

–  earning Dean’s list

– happy finals ended

– talked about skiing with family

While perusing the menu (and overwhelmed with the delicious choices), I overheard one college student order the meat skillet.

Hmm, meat skillet?

I thought that sounded rather scrumptious (well… Maybe my mind didn’t use the word scrumptious, but it’s a good word for this blog).

When the young waiter walked over asking me what did I decide to order, I responded with my usual:

This is my first time here; what do you recommend?

Waiters, you probably hate this question but I like to know what is the most standard meal at a restaurant I’ve never been to.

He graciously smiled, and recommended:

– Waffles

– Eggs Benedict

– Skillet

Oh, that word skillet. What the hell is a skillet?

I embarrassed myself and asked what it was. Believe it or not, I never knew that hash browns mixed with meat & veggies was called a skillet! My parents have made that before on our Sunday mornings.

I’ll take the meat skillet please!  I said enthusiastically. Maybe too enthusiastically.

While waiting for my food, I read the newest Boise Weekly, marked down a few events for my reference, like the Humpin’ Hannah’s Fugly Nightmare B4 Christmas Party (which I’m going to anyway) and the Treasure Valley Children’s Theater: Little Women showing).

What seemed liked only a few minutes, the young waiter approached my table with a plate topped with some fried eggs & a meat skillet covered with melted cheddar cheese.

OMG! So delicious.

Basque chorizo sausage mixed with crispy hash browns, and the soft texture of melted cheese was a party in my mouth. Seriously. Let’s not  forget about the fried egg on the side, which I kept forgetting to eat because the allure of the meat skillet kept my attention.

 

If you’re looking for a diner with its fair share of comfort food, add Addie’s to your Foodie #boisebucketlist.

So 1 down, 9 to go! What should I do next…?

And don’t forget, if you want to party & dance with me this Friday night, let me know! Email me at theboisebucketlist@gmail.com. If you’re new to Boise & looking to explore, I’m your person.

 

10 Day BOI Bucket List Challenge

by boisebucketlist, posted in BOI Bucket List Challenge

3 months.

The total time I’ve been in Boise! And, being that I like celebrations, why not celebrate this moment?

To celebrate, I’m going to do an accelerated #boisebucketlist challenge:

Doing 10 New Things Before 2017

This 10 new things will be random, ranging from something small to big.

Will I:

  • try a new coffee shop?
  • ring the bell in front of the State Capitol Building?
  • watch the potato drop?

Who knows?

But I’m excited for this #BOIbucketlistchallenge. Want to join me? TAG me over the course of the 10 days to see what new thing you’re trying in Boise. I’d love to share what you all are doing in the beautiful BOI.

 

Waffle Me Up!

by boisebucketlist, posted in Food & Cuisine

Waffles are just pancakes with abs.

Or, at least that’s what some people say. For me, waffles are delicious warm creatures which warm up my belly while I eat.


Fortunately for you, Boise has its own waffle hot spot: Waffle Me Up. It’s a family owned storefront who has been serving the Treasure Valley since 2012. Originally, Waffle Me Up started selling waffles at the Nampa Farmer’s Market. Now it sells waffles at the Boise Farmer’s Market and the storefront in Downtown Boise.

I blessed my first visit to Waffle Me Up by having their Waffle Me Strawberry: Pictures don’t do justice because it’s a flavor party in your mouth:

  • Nutella
  • Fresh Strawberries
  • Homemade Strawberry Sauce
  • Topped with Whipped Cream

 

Being the coffee addict that I am, I also ordered their  regular-sized drip coffee.

Side note: I never heard of the term “drip coffee.” It wasn’t until I ordered my first cup of coffee here in Boise where the cashier kindly corrected by saying “oh, you mean drip coffee?”

 

Put Waffle Me Up on your #boisebucketlist today!

 

 

MUSEUM MONDAY: IDAHO BLACK HISTORY MUSEUM

by boisebucketlist, posted in Arts and Culture

Welcome to my very first blog post!

Today is #MuseumMonday, where I will review one of Boise’s many museums. It’s a win-win because 1) it encourages me to visit the different museums in the Treasure Valley, and 2) I get to share my experience with you! So sit back, relax, and enjoy the read.

Front Entrance of the Idaho Black History Museum

Last Saturday, I went to the Idaho Black History Museum. The museum is housed in a white small church near Julia Andrews Park.

 

After going to Claus-n-Paws at Zoo Boise (stay tuned for a separate blog post on my afternoon of #boiseadventures), I decided to walk over to the Museum and see if it was open. Fortunately for me, it was opened, from 10AM to 5pm to be exact. That gave me 2 hours to explore the Museum.

Given its size (think of a small local Baptist church from the 1950s: small staircase, wood doors, glass-stained windows), exploring the Museum wasn’t going to take me 2 hours.

Once I walked in, I was immediately mesmerized and in completely awe. Maybe it’s because I LOVE museums and learning about cultural influences.

After scanning and talking in the view, I eventually was greeted with the amazing From Slave to Presidency piece by Pablo Rodriguez, Jr. This piece was donated to the Museum in December 2009, installation of the final piece in January 2010. It’s a beautiful piece, which you can see a glimpse in the photo above.

 

Here are some other cool photos from my visit

 

Powerful quote

 

 

1st black graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law

 

 

Example of the informational panels

 

 

Thank you for your service!

 

 

My only (small) critique is I wish some video showing the history of Black Idahoans or something similar, or alternatively, music playing in the background. Aside from that, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit!

 

Here are some of my suggestions to maximize your visit:

  • Take the time to read each informational panel
  • Look at the From Slave to President Piece above the front door
  • Make a donation
  • Stop by the Abraham Lincoln statue next door
Say hi to Abraham Lincoln

Have you visited the Idaho Black History Museum? If so, I’d love to hear about your visit. Comment below! If you’d like to learn more about the Museum, including volunteer opportunities, please visit: http://www.ibhm.org/

Join me next week for my next #MuseumMonday feature!