MilkyWay

Milky way went out of business in 2007. They were a hot spot for awhile but the space is now occupied by the awesome Sweetwater's Tropic Zone. Caribbean and Island fare. Very authentic and bold. Great decor. Pros: Closed last year Cons: Not in business any more more

Milky Way is one of the best fine dining establishments in Idaho or Utah, including Sun Valley. A varied menu is supplemented by a nightly fish special, ""trifecta"" (mixed grill), and soup special. The ambience is agreeably chic with some delightful touches, like the high ceiling (there's upstairs seating), regular tables, modern booth and couch accommodations, and seating at the long, white counter behind which the chefs are doing their magic. (No cell phones, please.) The servers are attentive, professional and friendly. They quietly present new utensils and keep the water glases full. Talk about attention to detail: presentation is first-class. One of the informal pleasures of eating here is that the silver is real antique silver (or at least silver plate) - and none of it matches. A specialty is the braised beef cheeks - like pot-roast but fork tender, with garlic or horseradish mashers and carrots; cioppino in a light, tomato-based sauce; buttermilk chicken with bacon corn gravy; tenderloin with toasted herbed crumbs and mushroom brandy sauce, potatoes au gratin and veg; and red rock crab enchilada with a southwestern flair. Appetizers are fun: crab cakes with red pepper aioli; mac & cheese with bacon lardons; shrimp jalapeno bites with apricot chutney; and lamb in raddichio cups with mint and cilantro. Salads include a red and gold beet with fennel, ""Milky Wedge,"" and Caesar (anchovies optional) - splendid with one of their signature martinis. Milky Way is a perennial winner in the annual May Martini Mix-off. Try their '33 Plymouth - blended and chilled for ten minutes = Smooth. Diverse and judiciously-chosen wines come by the glass, split or bottle. Desserts include lemongrass cardamom creme brulee - a refreshing change; chocolate-infused bread pudding; devil's food cake; seasonal fruit cobbler and lemon curd tartlet. Mondays and Tuesdays feature light jazz and classics - even some Villa-Lobos. It's no wonder Milky Way has a loyal following. Pros: Attention to detail, service Cons: Sometimes too popular! more

We went for my birthday this year, they do have a great fixed price menu for three menu items that is a good value. Nice casual place with wonderful service. Food was well prepared and very tasty, Good wine selections too for the wine snob, but my hubby was not impressed with getting a small glass for his beer, at a hefty price. Yes, the wines were not cheap either, but when it is something you sip, it doesn't make that much difference to me. The Frim Fram Four play there early in the week and they are great to go see and have a drink and appetizers though. I didn't really find it a romantic place I must say. But we did have a good time anyway. Menu selections are great! Pros: Great food, selection and music Cons: drinks a little pricy more

This is my current favorite restaurant in Boise. I have been here many times. The food is great. The staff is friendly. The location is good and the ambiance is great. The prices are fair. I love the flat iron steak and I don't even like steak that much. Their salads are also very good. Pros: Food, location, ambiance, late weekend hours Cons: noisy more

I am visiting from out-of-town while attending a family reunion. Highly recommended. Great ambience! Cool art-deco and black-and-silver motif. Nice small, initmate place. Great view from either floor thru two-story window. Wine ""cellar"" on 2nd floor displays the wines nicely behind glass wall (how do they get the wines?). Pros: Great decor and atmosphere! Nice wine list ... sharp cellar Cons: food is hit-and-miss ... service is spotty .. more

Just ask them about how they managed to inflict naseau and sickness on a fourth of a large wedding party dining here for a rehearsal dinner! more

First and foremost, you won't find a restaurant for miles and miles that can compete with the interior of the Milky Way. Large windows spanning from the floor to a height of about 10' provide an open dining experience (add to that the 20' ceilings). The tables are made of granite, and are strewn with a nice mix of eclectic silverware- with the dishes and glassware hailing from Crate and Barrel. Chic, mod-retro, and dowsed in a handful of colors that don't appear they would work well together (but do, beautifully) is the name of the game. The Empire Building, where the restaurant is located, is in and of itself is one of the best buildings in Boise. Pros: Ambience, ambience, ambience... Cons: Can't think of any... more

I have lived and worked in downtown Boise for almost 10 years now. In that time, there have been very few restaurants that I feel capture the burgeoning spirit of Boise, while retaining a community feel. The MilkyWay is absolutely my favorite restaurant in Boise. Has been for years. The food, from the jalepeno shrimp bites to the beef cheeks and the chocolate infused bread pudding, is simply amazing. The atmosphere is hip, urban, and comfortable, all at the same time. Drinks from the bar are always amazing, with two of Boise's best bartenders mixing them up. And the wine list, while not as expansive as a few other establishments in town, is very approachable, inclusive, and wont break your budget. To those reviewers below, I would only say one thing. Give the place another try! Once, when I was little, I fell down while learning to walk...thing is, I kept trying, and low and behold, I eventually learned to walk. Basing your experience on one visit, and then nationally proclaiming your dislike (especially of something like skunky wine, which the restaurant has no control over) is similar to crawling the rest of your life cause you are afraid of falling. The MilkyWay has been voted best restaurant in Boise for years running now...I agree with the assesment, and believe that it many other would too... more

My wife and I had dinner at this restaurant on December 27 for her birthday. Having read several positive reviews about The Milkyway we expected good service and good food. We were disappointed on both fronts. more

I adore the milky way. My husband and I have been dining there since before they moved to the empire building. Prompt, knowledgeable, charming servers, hip, non-pretentous atmostphere, and the food is consistent...always a good portion, always served at the proper temperature, and ALWAYS delicious! You can't beat the martinis or the prix-fixe dining. Entree, appetizer/salad/soup, and dessert for $27/person is HANDS DOWN the best value for fine food in Boise. Whenever we have a special evening planned, it's always at the milky way. Pros: Valet parking. Prix-Fixe dining. seating til 12am on Fri + Sat Cons: If you sit near the live music, it's a little intrusive. more

Not so great. Wine was skunky. There are better establishments in Boise. more