Emilio’s

NOTE! The valet parking at the Grove Hotel is validated at the restaurant for up to 4 hours (which they don’t advertise on their website). Don’t waste time drive around looking for a space on the street or parking in other garages.
Our recent weekday lunch there wasn’t the best experience. Our waitress was very nice and courteous. But considering there was only one other table of people in the restaurant, we couldn’t figure out why it was taking 40 minutes to get our food. Turns out no one in the kitchen was preparing it — they thought someone else was preparing our food. The three of us were comped our meals, which was nice, but after 30 minutes of trying to find parking, and then waiting 40 minutes for our food, and then scarfing down our lunch in less than 15 minutes, it was not the most relaxing time.
I had the Grilled Salmon and Spinach salad, which was very good, but it was hard to enjoy it since we were so rushed at that point. I’m pretty sure I’m not inclined to return.

A high end restaurant pushing GMO’s. They could do better. Went for lunch, usually able to find something on a menu that is safe, opted for their house special, a «Southern» chicken salad. Asked if the dressing was made without transgenic/​GMO oils, or if any of their dressings were GMO-​free. Had to educate them on what GMO’s were… ingredients like soy bean oil, canola/​rapseed oil, corn oil, cotton seed oil (unless organically grown). The waitress and cook staff tried to accommodate, but were unable. They didn’t even have a simple pure olive oil on hand to offer. Luckily I brought my own dressing. When the salad was served it came with a thickly coated, deep fried piece of chicken. Ugh! Asked the waitress to look at the ingredients label on the oil they use in the deep fat fryer for her own education. Wake up people! Thankfully, she and the cooks replaced the fried chicken with a piece of chicken cooked without any oil. The only other thing that was «Southern» about the salad were two pickled okras on the plate and one cherry tomato. It was an awfully expensive salad for having to supply my own dressing, more like an appetizer. Left feeling unsatisfied and still hungry.
The restaurant industry needs to change it’s ways and source foods that have not been genetically altered. We need a new breed of restaurant owners who are attuned to the rising public sentiment against GMO’s and can think outside the box in providing tasty, creative meals that are safe to consume.

Paying for lousy service.
I went with my family to this restaurant for Christmas Eve. At first it seemed like an amazing place. The atmosphere was fantastic and it was a nice luxurious restaurant we were looking for for the holiday. No one was really there, only a few tables were taken so it wasn’t crowded at all, however the service was the worst you could get for the money you are paying. The waiter had a hard time keeping up with drink and the manager didn’t seem to care that this was happening as he disappeared after our complaint. The waiter also forgot to order a majority of the stuff we wanted such as appetizers. After we paid for the $ 40 prime rib dinner they didn’t include our dessert (which we called for it two days later and was still a struggle to receive). The price of the meals was high, but that was not a concern to us. It was the fact that we pay for great service which we didn’t get the whole night. So if you want to put a decent hole in you wallet for the same service you would get at a rough and on edge diner, then this is the place for you.

Boise you are missing out on this gem. My wife and I had breakfast around Thanksgiving. Her Emilio’s Classic was «the best»…“better than Goldie’s.” My Smoked Salmon Benedict was poached just right and just as excellent. Quiet and comfortable; great service by Dianna.

Business Lunch at Emilio’s. Haven’t been in awhile. Best damn sandwich. Steak and Portobello Grinder. Crumbled porter cheddar, candied cipollini onions, Yukon potato frites. Must come back soon.

My waitress, Luana, was an absolute delight. Not only was she friendly and very helpful in my menu selection, but also knowledgeable of culinary arts. She was able to teach me a number of interesting facts without being overbearing or preachy.
The menu does good job of sharing how its contents are special without «deconstructed», «toothsome «, «sumptuous», or other pretentious drivel.
I started with the beef potato soup. I would describe it as just fine, very slightly spicy which I liked (Luana added some pepper, too), but not special. The potato chunks were too large for a bite. The beef was soft and flavorful but some pieces had gristle.
My pot roast came with fancy mac & cheese. I never order the stuff but I’ve tried a lot because my wife orders it. It was very good; one of the top 10 I suppose, but not amazing.
…
Next I tried the pot roast. I nearly yelled, ‘holy sh*t!’, with my first bite, which would have been socially inappropriate.
I had no idea that mere pot roast could be so amazing. This pot roast is the new standard and has ruined me for put roast at probably every other restaurant on earth.
If you come here only once, order the pot roast! Do it!
I finished with a seasonal berry cobbler. Cobblers have a hard time impressing me because I’ve tried some great ones.
It didn’t change my life. I like how the cobbler balanced so many berries. It had good flavor and was surprisingly large. Definitely a good, high-​end American cobbler.
The service and pot roast: 5. Overall: 4

This is directed to the lobby bar
The lady serving hospitality and cocktails, absolutely stunk. The only feeling I had was «Why am I here?». Amelia.

So, it took me overnight to digest the experience we had at Emilio’s last night.
First, the ambiance emitted that of a 5 star 5 diamond. Rebekah our server catered to us in a perfectly professional manner, she was quick and attentive without being overbearing. Truly, she was first class.
Second, the food… wow. Chef Chris Hain has put together a masterful menu. We started with a brilliant wild mushroom tart the flavor and crust mmmmm. Also, a shrimp martini of grilled shrimp w/​a very tasty remoulade, portobello fries coated in macadamia nuts including an outstanding pomegranate aioli, and last but far far from least a «in the restaurant made duck bacon» served with jalapeño jonny cakes and fig butter. The last was my personal favorite!
The second course of salads, those I was with enjoyed huckleberry feta salads while I had roasted beet salad showing two kinds of beets, point reyes blues cheese, fennel and orange blossom vinaigrette. Super tasty!
Our final course I unfortunately cannot remember what all my party had but I immensely enjoy the monk fish and chips made with purple potatoes. The fish was wrapped in pancetta and drizzled with a lovely blood orange sauce.
Dessert…our party of four each choose a different dessert of the five offering, then decided the fifth looked lonely and should not be left out so onto the table it came.
There was a wonderful fruit cobble, crème brûlée which was very good but not the best I’ve had, a mouse filled chocolate cake, honey and chocolate cheese cake and what’s think was called the lemon bomb. All were decadent and delicious. The lemon bomb could of used a touch more lemon for my taste but other than that the desserts were wonderful.
Emilio’s is defiantly one of Boise’s best kept secrets. Kudos to chef Hain and his staff for creating a menu and atmosphere that are a true pleasure to enjoy.

Good food. Good atmosphere. Overall I didn’t feel the price I paid for my dinner was worth the experience or the flavor. Gourmet prices, but did not backup with quality. There are other restaurants in town that provide the same experience but at half the Cost.

Refreshing! A great atmosphere and very relaxing! Wonderful location downtown. I spent 3 days at grove at are there three times! Not a disappointment!

What a treat! An honest to goodness «piano-​man» playing in the lobby adjacent to «The Bar» of Emilio’s inside the Grove Hotel. An absolutely and unexpectedly perfectly delightful experience was our couple of hours lingering in the bar for libations and dinner.
I’m surprised by the dearth of reviews from locals here. If we lived in Boise, The Bar would be on our regular rotation. Well, at least from Tuesday through Sunday night when the pianist is in the house.
Back in the day when my hubby and I were young and «keeping company» (to use his dad’s phrase) and living in the NYC area, we’d take the train in to the city and go to piano bars for a cocktail. We loved it then, in our youth. We still love it in our «not youth» but «piano-​men» and bars like this are a dwindling breed. Too bad. So enjoyable.
Use it or lose it folks. There are «YO Dude» watering holes aplenty. The Bar is of a different kind altogether and one of a kind.
VIBE & SEATING
As you walk in the Grove’s lovely, timeless lobby you’ll see Emilio’s restaurant to the right. The Bar is to the left, beyond the piano. (Look for the TV on the wall as location point. The one thing I’d change in that bar is remove the TV. Sadly they are here to stay everywhere it seems.)
High stool seating at the bar. Otherwise all standard height (yahoo) tables with comfortable chairs or banquettes.
There is a big window covered with sheer draperies through which you can watch the cars sailing past on Capitol Boulevard. Otherwise, it is just dark enough but not too dark inside.
SERVICE
Stellar. Jacob was the server on the night we arrived around 5:30 and he could both recommend from the specialty cocktail menu and from the food menu. He was there when we wanted him but didn’t hover. We felt well tended indeed.
LIBATIONS
Prices for specialty cocktails are not listed with the beverages. Odd since the prices are a bargain, at least by the standards of the town we live in. We each had a Paloma, fresh grapefruit juice and agave tequila, for only $ 8 each.
FOOD
Bar snack mix is complimentary. We declined since we knew we were there for dinner in the bar. There is a bar only small menu and you can also order anything off the Emilio’s menu after 5:00p. At Jacob’s recommendation we started with grilled shrimp served with a vodka pepper cocktail sauce ($ 12). It was delicious and unexpected to have little ribbons of lemon zest and fresh herbs in the sauce. We continued with a small pizza with fresh basil and roasted bell peppers ($ 10). Last, since Emilio’s has an in house pastry chef, we ended with a delectable chocolate ganache and and walnut torte ($ 8).
VALUE
Total bill, before taxf for food and libations was only $ 46.00. Add in the free entertainment, a great deal!
PIANO-​MAN
He plays from 6p on Tuesday through Saturday. Repertoire is extensive from old classics from composers like Mancini and Gershwin to newer classics from the Beatles, James Taylor, Elton John, Carole King and Jim Croce. The latter a request from my hubby to play the song which was «ours» in our «keepin’ company» days. It brought tears to my eyes in the best possible way. Make sure to put a tip in the jar on the piano to say «Man, thanks to you for being here!»
THIS N THAT
1) PARKING: Seems The Grove’s parking is reserved for hotel guests and not open to patrons of the restaurant or bar. Odd. But it is what it is. Park on street or at the public garage.
2) ACCESSIBILITY: Level in the door and throughout. Ample standard height seating in the bar. Accessible loo.
3) GOOD DEEDS: The pianist came over to chat with us during his break. He writes scores for TV as his day job. He is also in the process of organizing a series of filmed events called «Grant-​A-​Chance» for disabled veterans with musical talents to perform with chance to win a prize. The first one will be in Boise in June. If you want to know more about this, go in for a drink in The Bar and talk to this delightful «piano-​man» on his break.

The food was good, the presentation — great, and the menu was more than I was expecting from a hotel restaurant. They definitely pay attention to detail, from the cucumber water to the bread service (an amazing rustic bread with sunflowers, grilled to order). But the best thing about this meal was the service. Thank you Lauren Lowe! Your service was impeccable, the best I’ve had in a long time. Thank you for helping me select a great glass of wine, answering all my menu questions with detailed insight, telling great stories, being perfectly attentive without being overbearing, and this morning I thank you for sending me to my room with that bottle of water!
Great service can turn a good meal into a fantastic experience. Well done!

Emilios is my favorite Boise restaurant for special occasions! My husband and I have been there several times in the past couple of years, and it has been consistent in it’s excellence in food and service. It is a bit pricey, but so worth every penny!

Emilio’s is a great place to have breakfast when you stay at the Grove. The $ 10 voucher makes breakfast about $ 6. Menu is creative and tasty. Sevice is good until the restaurant gets busy. Then they leave you wanting for a coffee refill.

For a hotel restaurant, surprisingly good for dinner. Dull menu, but lamb chops were very good. Wonderful young waiter Ryan. Good selection of wines by the glass. Expensive but not so bad you feel ripped off.
On the other hand, breakfast was inexpensive but cold. Coffee weak and lukewarm. But you get $ 10 off if you are staying here, so eggs, potatoes and sausage just cost me $ 2 plus tip.

Cobb salad fans rejoice! Emilio’s cobb is one of the best in town. I can’t really comment on anything else on the menu because I can’t pass up the opportunity to order the same salad time after time. But, everyone I am with when I stop in for lunch is always pleased with their selections. Then, head out to the lobby bar for yummy snacks, great (strong) drinks, a friendly staff and a great upscale atmosphere… sometimes they even have a piano playing. A great spot to meet new people… there are always friendly travelers in town with interesting stories to tell. This is also a great place to stop in before (or after) a Stampede or Steelhead game. Oh… and surprisingly the sushi menu is also fantastic! Emilio’s and the Grove Hotel have a little bit of everything for someone looking for a fun… and tasty night.

This a great fine dining restaurant in Boise. The food and service were top notch. They were great to my fiancée and I even though I’m pretty sure we kept our waiter an hour past closing. The wine list was the thing that drew me to this place originally, which is exceptional for Boise, but the food was amazing as well. Great American cuisine with European influences.

Emilio’s is a great hotel restaurant.
the food is pretty good. It can be exceptional at times and is a lot better than the hotel at this time.
On a recent trip I ate breakfast twice and dinner once here. All three visits were great. I had the granola on one visit. It was nutty, tasty and filling. the portions were pretty big and the coffee was very good. The second time, I had the southwest burrito. It was fresh with an interesting Chorizo sausage, eggs, tomatoes, onions and other things of a burrito. the breakfast potatoes were fresh cut and very good. And, again, the coffee was very good too. the service was prompt and the food served quickly. You must have fast service for breakfast.
The dinner was outstanding. I had a bowl of gumbo and a Cesare salad with white anchovies. The gumbo was spicy, but not over hot. I did use Tabasco, but I use Tabasco on everything. The Cesar was fantastic. Delicate dressing that was not overdone and – of course – those salty little fish!
I would recommend Emilio’s to anyone coming to Boise for any occasion.

Finding a ««special occasion» restaurant in Boise these days is not easy, so my wife and I struggled to decide where to go for our anniversary dinner this past weekend… we decided on Emilio’s after realizing we had not been for several years. Sadly, I know think it will be many years before we ever go again. Besides being just about empty on a Friday night, the food was overpriced and just not good. My $ 12 crab cake was more of a corn bread cake with maybe $ 1.50 worth of crab in it. The scallop and shrimp dish was one of the most confusing dish I’ve ever ordered… lots of different things going on in this dish, but ZERO flavor. My wife fared better with a steak, but the rest of the plate was under-​seasoned and not well thought out. This place has the luxury of being in a hotel, so a captive audience I suppose… can’t think of any reason I would ever go back.

I had a great dinner at Emilio’s this past weekend. I had the Ahi tuna special and the seafood bisque. So delicious! Normally this place wouldn’t be in my budget but I had a gift certificate from
, which was a great deal. All 4 of us in our party were greatly impressed with our meals.