Chandlers Prime Steaks & Seafood:
World Class Dining in Boise
Dining
Detectives
By Carol & Joe Davis
|
Click
on image for caption or enlarge |
We
always enjoy going out to dinner on Sunday Night as it is generally
not as crowded, gives you something to look forward to and lengthens
your weekend. We had heard that Chandlers Prime Steaks
& Seafood in Downtown Boise was offering a Prix Fixe
three course Prime Rib Dinner for only $27.00 and knew we'd better
check it out.
Chandlers
is also home to the Award Winning Ten Minute Martini
which was developed by Bartender Pat Carden back in Petaluma California.
This Vesper Reconsidered (James Bond) Martini is made with Blue
Ice Vodka, Plymouth Gin, Lillet Blanc, Orange Bitters and a Lemon
Twist. It is just so smooth and so refreshing because it is kept
on ice for ten minutes before being poured. This promotes better
drinking through chemistry. We knew about this Martini and wanted
our drinks to be ready when we arrived for our dinner reservation,
so we called in about 10 minutes before and told the bartender
to "Bury two for us".
Sophisticated Decor
We
drove up and took advantage of Chandlers convenient
free Valet Parking which allowed us to enter the restaurant at
the Hotel 43 as our car was whisked away. We were warmly greeted
and seated in a comfortable elevated booth. We loved the Retro
atmosphere and elegant décor which featured fresh flowers
all around the restaurant. There are three dining areas which
are either used for nightly dining or for Private Parties and
a large circular bar on the left as you enter with both indoor
and outdoor seating for cocktails and appetizers. The Glass Wine
Rack walls and atmospheric lighting also exude Fine Dining.
Our
professionally dressed server brought us a large bottle of S.
Pellegrino Sparkling Water as well as dinner menus and an
IPAD which showed the Wine Selections. We were told about the
Sunday Night Prime Rib dinner as well as the facts about the fish
and meats. Chandlers uses locally sourced Idaho
Ingredients and delicacies from around the world.
They
feature Fresh Pacific Fish and Seafood which is flown in daily
and offer Chairman's Reserve 30 Day Aged Premium Mid West Prime
Corn Fed Steaks as well as both American and Japanese Wagyu Kobe-Style
Beef.
Our
Ten Minute Martinis arrived as we listened to soft live
jazz by The Sidemen http://boisesidemen.com/
. We ordered our dinners and as we looked around we saw a roomful
of happy groups and couples mostly who were just out for a nice
dinner, as well as some who were also celebrating special occasions.
Escargot a la Carol
The
starters arrived and we could not have been more pleased. The
Kumomoto Humboldt Bay, CA. and Shigoku Willapa Bay, WA. Oysters
on the Half Shell were freshly shucked raw oysters served
with horseradish, cocktail and mignonette sauces. They were extremely
fresh and flavorful and the mignonette sauce was superb. Next,
we loved the "Escargot a la Carol" which was
served hot and heavy on the garlic...just what we like! These
Organically Grown Burgundian snails marinated with fennel, shallots,
garlic parsley then baked with garlic butter browned in Asiago
Cheese were perfect. You must have the Oysters Rockefeller
which were fabulous fresh oysters baked on the half shell with
fresh sautéed spinach, shallots, red peppers and Pernod
then topped with a light citrus Hollandaise. Simply the best!
Another excellent choice was the Beef Carpaccio which
was sliced paper thin and served with capers, Dijon mustard, horseradish
cream, shaved Asiago cheese, watercress and baby Arugula then
dressed with Dijon vinaigrette.
Our
Second Course was Soup and Salad. The Chandlers Caesar Salad
made with romaine and classic anchovy dressing, parmesan cheese,
croutons and a white anchovy was quite refreshing. The Soup du
Jour was a fabulous Chicken Limp Tortilla soup which
was served piping hot and was light and flavorful.
As
expected, we had to try the slow roasted Prime Rib for
one of our entrees. It was beautifully presented medium rare with
creamed horseradish and beef au jus and served with smashed potatoes
and broiled tomato Provençale. It was a large portion,
not too rich and tasted great the following day for lunch, as
it was too large to finish. Our second Entrée was Surf
and Turf. The Australian Lobster Tail was sweet and Petit
Filet Mignon was tender, juicy and flavorful and we loved the
Cognac Peppercorn Sauce. The entrees come with two sides. We enjoyed
the Pom Frittes with truffle oil and Asparagus Hollandaise. We
also enjoyed a decadent side of Creamed Spinach.
Prime Rib
Chandlers
has a Wine Spectator Award Winning Wine List. Sommelier Richard
Moore has created a wine list with plentiful choices
by the half glass, glass, and bottle. We enjoyed the 2011
Lieu Dit Santa Ynez Valley, CA. Sauvignon Blanc with our
starters. We opted to create our own flight with 4 half glasses
to pair with our entrees. We enjoyed the 2011 Joseph Swan
Cuvee de Trois Russian River, CA. Pinot Noir, the 2011
Split Rail Snake River Idaho Cabernet, the 2010 Freemark
Abbey CA Cabernet and the 2011 Andis Amador Valley Zinfandel
with our entrees. Each had their positive attributes but the Freemark
Abbey was certainly our favorite.
The
Desserts were huge and are definitely shareable. The Berry
Cobbler with house made vanilla ice cream was fabulous! We
also enjoyed the Classic Belgian Chocolate Soufflé
with Grand Mariner and chocolate sauce. Make sure you allow 30
minutes for preparation. It is best to order just after you receive
your entrée. We relaxed and enjoyed a Kopkee 10 yr. old
Tawny Port and a double Espresso which was a great finish to our
fabulous dining experience.
Chocolate Soufflé
Chandlers
Prime Steaks & Seafood established in 2007 is a world
class dining establishment. Restaurateur Rex Chandler
has culminated his 40 years of experience in the restaurant business
by bringing a Gem to the Treasure Valley. With the help of their
seasoned Executive Chef Luis Flores,Chandlers
gives locals and travelers from around the world a chance to experience
fine dining in Boise.
We
also recommend their Social Hour which is Monday-Friday from 4:00
PM-6:00 PM. We've enjoyed their Classic Grey Goose Martinis
which were potent and their Mini Tower of Tuna and Teriyaki
Bites Appetizers which were quite tasty. On our last visit
we had the good fortune to meet Rex Chandler and chatted with
him about his career in the restaurant business. We loved his
story about waiting on John Wayne and his pals who were drinking
and playing Liars Dice while we enjoyed our Martinis and appetizers.
We look forward to returning soon!
Chandlers
Prime Steaks & Seafood
Hotel 43
981 West Grove Street
Boise, Idaho 83702
208-383-4300
www.ChandlersBoise.com
Complimentary
Valet parking
Reservations Suggested
Open 7 Nights for Dinner at 5:30
Bar opens at 4:00 PM
Wine Maker Dinners
Private Parties and Banquets
New Private Capitol Room
Live Jazz