The Idaho Statesman from Boise, Idaho • Scene19

RECENTRESTAURANTVISITS ALIBABA ARABIC RESTAURANT Alibaba Arabic draws its culinary inspiration from Iraq, Syria and Lebanon with appetizers such as tabouleh and hummus, with pillowy pita sandwiches and with entrees such as beef shawarma and Iraqi kebab. The flavors might be bolder if owner Ali Alsudani focused more on show- casing the Middle Eastern tastes he grew up with. Middle Eastern cuisine Address: 111 Broadway Suite 115, Boise Phone: 343-4536 Menu price range: $4.99 to $15.99 Reviewed: 05.29.09 TEX-MEX GRILL makes the kind of down- home Tex-Mex food that Alicia Garcia was raise on in San Anto- nio, Texas. Her breakfast beef soup, posole and menudo are great weekend restoratives. The brisket tacos, chili verde and en- chiladas are lunchtime favorites.

Home-cookedTex-Mex well Menu price range: $3 to $10.99. Reviewed: 05.22.09 BELLA AQUILA Bella Aquila is a promising new restaurant with a playful Italian menu, beautifully presented food and a lovely outdoor patio. From the halibut Puttanesca to sweet cannoli, Bella Aquila shows the potential to become one of the Treasure Valleys best fine-dining destinations. Inventive Italian Address: 775 South Rivershore Lane, Eagle Phone: (208) 938-1900 Menu price range: Reviewed 05.08.09 TUCANOS Tucanos revolves around essentially an endless pa- rade of grilled and skewered meats, pineapple and vegetables supplemented by a huge salad and side bar. Tucanos may not be fine dining, but the food is good, and the atmosphere festive.

Brazilian-themed grill Address: 1388 S. Entertainment Boise Phone: (208) 343-5588 Menu price range: $12.95 to $19.95 Reviewed: 04.24.09 FLAME NEAPOLITAN PIZZERIA Flame Neapolitan Pizzeria is not the place for anyone hankering for a cheesy, saucy, casserole- with-a-crust style of deep dish pizza. But for those who like art- fully designed, thin crust, Neapolitan style pizzas, worth a visit. Neo-Neapolitan pizza E. Plaza, Suite Eagle 938-5413 Menu price $15.99 Reviewed: 04.17.09 THAI NALYN Great Thai food like the country, is packed with sun-soaked pri- mary colors; the aroma of wood smoke and incense; and always the stunning juxtaposition of hot and cold, sweet and sour.

Thai Nalyn does a commendable job of transporting that tropical sen- suality to Boise. Authentic Thai Address: 2203 University Drive, Boise Phone: (208) 344-5905 Menu price range: $9.25 to $13.99 Reviewed: 03.27.09 SEASONS This year-old Eagle restaurant is a whole bunch more than a stan- dard-issue deli. got excellent sandwiches, soups, and the occasional Louisiana treat (the owners are from Baton Rouge) like muffulettas and po- boys; but also sophisticated din- ner specials ranging from Asian 445473-01 NowOpen on Sunday! 5204W.FranklinRd. (next to FredMeyer) Boise 429-6788 Small Veggie Cheese Pasty (order $4.99 Large Tri-tip Pasty $7.95 Small Tri-tip or Pork Pasty $4.99 Homemade cookies and fresh coffee Buy 8 Lrg or Small Pasties get 1 FREE! Hours: Thurs. Fri.

11am 7pm ClosedWed. Sat. Sun. 12pm 5pm $875 Live GuitarMusic Every Friday 5:30 from the owner Chris Pasty Lunch Special Small pasty, salad and a drink! Available daily from 11am-3pm Dinner Pasty Special Large pasty, salad and a drink! 3pm-5pm $1099 Stan Let the Dogs Vote Best of Boise! Char-Broiled Hot Dogs and Polish, Italian German Homemade Sausages 818 S. Vista Ave.

342-1199 Monday Thursday, 10:30 am 8:00 pm Friday Saturday, 10:30 am 9:00 pm Sunday 12:00 pm 7:00 pm at Hot Dogs in the Vista Village Shopping Center Onion Rings and French Fries Fresh Daily We have the Only NY Frozen Custard in Idaho 44 35 34 -0 1 IDAHO STATESMAN IDAHOSTATESMAN.COM FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2009-THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2009 SCENE 19 CONTINUED ON PAGE 20.