Good Spirits 2018 Vol 2 - 27

Richard's (two images above) seats 28 at its stylish bar. Capitol Bar (right) features fresh, handcrafted classic cocktails.

with your food, Richard's sommelier brings in a
variety of food-friendly wines, both international
and domestic, including 30 by the glass (or bring
your own for a $15-$30 corkage fee). Beer aficionados can choose from a diversity of styles from
carefully selected breweries, including ciders,
Belgians and IPA s that pair well with the
cuisine.
The 28-seat full-service bar serves up a feast
for the eyes as well as the palate, blending with
the classic-chic-modern décor of the restaurant.
Wine lovers will appreciate the barrel staves that
hang decoratively from the ceiling.
Appropriately, this fine-dining restaurant is
connected to a luxurious, contemporary boutique
hotel, Inn at 500 Capital.

Capitol Bar, Boise
Do you equate "classic cocktails" with those classic
books that your high school English teacher
assigned? Do you wonder if "classic" equals
"old-fashioned" or, even worse, boring? You may
not have finished Joyce's Ulysses, and you may
not have enjoyed that Manhattan you got at a
two-bit bar.
OK, so you may never develop a fondness for
old books, but Capitol Bar is on a campaign to
change your opinion on the drinks: "Our focus at
Capitol Bar is on pouring handcrafted classic
cocktails made with fresh juices, house-made
syrups and fresh herbs," their website explains.
After all, no food or drink is better than the qual-

ity of its ingredients, and Capitol Bar chooses
theirs carefully, creating the Daiquiri, Hemingway
Daiquiri, Cosmopolitan, Gimlet, Scoff law,
Negroni, and more.
The Bar Log at TheCapBar.com reaches beyond
the classics to challenge conventional thinking.
For example, bar manager and blogger Kevin
Hopper (also a contributor to the Idaho Statesman)
suggests hosting a taste-test party that compares
pre-packaged cocktails like Lime-A-Ritas to fresh
fruit cocktails. He educates the reader on liquors
and on classic and innovative cocktails; he publishes recipes for at-home enjoyment.
In addition to their classic-focused cocktail
menu, Capitol Bar offers wines-including a significant portion of Idaho and other Northwest
wines-and draft beers, again including regional
producers.
Menu items at Capitol Bar are bursting with
flavors and textures that will bring out the best
in your drink. Chef Ryan Hembree's menu
includes bar snacks like smoked salmon, cream
cheese and accoutrements with saltines, and bleu
buffalo cheese dip. He creates memorable Mac 'n
Cheesies that will help soak up the drinks. A master with a smoker, Chef Ryan smokes prime rib,
pork shoulder, and green chile meatloaf.
The restaurant and bar also offer plenty of specials to make themselves 'specially relevant: happy
hour drafts, late-night cocktail prices, Bloody
Mary Sundays, Wednesday Wing Thing, plus Solo
Sessions music on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

FALL | WINTER 2017-2018 27

http://www.TheCapBar.com

Good Spirits 2018 Vol 2

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Good Spirits 2018 Vol 2