Restaurants – Journeys with Eileen Diane

Road Trip ~ Western Washington to Boise ~ Photos

May 25, 2021May 24, 2021Journeys with EileenDiane

I last visited Boise in September 2019 and it was fabulous to be able to plan a road trip and visit again. This was my first journey since the pandemic. It was very special to be able to visit favorite places (Boise and Meridian) and discover a new area (Eagle).

The beautiful Boise River Greenbelt is a paved path which follows the river through the heart of the city and beyond, along many parks. It is 25 miles long with many bridges to make it easy to loop back.

The walk in Boise takes you past Boise State University, to Julia Davis Park where you can stop and explore the gorgeous Rose Garden. Note to self: plan trip next year in June, as many of the rose bushes were not yet in bloom.

About a 15 minute drive from Boise is the Village at Meridian Mall. I am not a fan of shopping centers, but this one is an exception. Many interesting shops to explore, nicely laid out and all outdoors.

Stop in the locally owned Royal Coffee Company for a terrific latte, cappuccino or fruit smoothie. Enjoy it while sitting outside, deciding whether to browse the shops, walk about, dine or stay in the Fountain Square area and people watch.

My favorite places to dine in the area include:

The Cottonwood Grill (on the Boise Green Belt), Anthony’s (recently opened, downtown, near hotels) and The Yard House at the Village at Meridian Mall.

It’s an easy drive from western Washington to Boise via I-90 to I-82 to I-84, especially when the weather is good. For my return trip I was planning to drive via the I-84 to the Portland area and then north via I-205 and I-5. It is a longer route, going along the Columbia River in Oregon and is quite beautiful. However, as it was raining, I opted for the faster route and did encounter wet snow in the Oregon mountains. Very glad it was wet snow …

Below are some photos from my journey; will be posting more photos of the River Walks (Boise and Eagle), the Rose Garden and Boise Capitol Building.

Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Savor your journeys… real, imagined or virtual, near or far

Photos ~ Gig Harbor, Washington ~ Feb 2020

February 20, 2020February 19, 2020Journeys with EileenDiane

On a beautiful crisp sunny, winter day, it’s marvelous to walk about Gig Harbor. A clear, sunny day in February is delightful as it’s so rare. After walking about, I stopped for a lunch at my favorite Italian Restaurant, Il Lucano

I discovered that you can order from their extensive dinner menu at lunchtime, which meant a fabulous lunch of Caesar Salad, Veal Saltimbocca, White wine (Sicilian) and Cappuccino … Fantastico! Maybe we will have an early Spring?? And yes, that is Mount Rainier in the distance .. on a clear day, it is visible and very beautiful.

Savor your journeys … past, present and future … real and imagined, near and far.

Boise, Idaho ~ The Village at Meridian

October 14, 2019October 13, 2019Journeys with EileenDiane

About a 15 minute drive from Boise is the marvelous Village at Meridian Mall. I am not a fan of shopping centers, but this one is an exception. Many interesting shops to explore, coffee shops and restaurants to try and it is nicely laid out.

My favorite place to dine is The Yard House. They have a very good, varied menu (fabulous fish ‘n’ chip), an extensive bar (including 140 unique beers) and multiple TVs showing sports. Terrific place for lunch or dinner.

Savor your journeys … enjoy the ride …

Road Trip ~ Western Washington to Coeur d’Alene and Boise

Favorite Restaurants ~ Road Trip ~ Western Washington to Mt Rushmore

June 21, 2019June 13, 2019Journeys with EileenDiane

When on a road trip, I prefer to dine close by my hotel, i.e., walking distance. I lucked out as there were several very good restaurants on my recent road trip from Western Washington to Mt Rushmore close to where I was staying. I would definitely go back to each of them.

The Stone of Accord, Missoula Montana

An Irish Pub serving fabulous comfort food (including pork chops, meatloaf, fish n chips), soups, salads, desserts (including Guinness Chocolate Cake, Irish White Chocolate Cheesecake). The staff have terrific customer service skills. I highly recommend the Peppercorn Pork Chops (served with delicious champs (best mashed potatoes, with scallions!) and vegetables) and the cheesecake is superb. As expected, there is a terrific bar menu, including Moscow Mule or an Irish Mule. Check out their menu on-line for ideas.

http://thestoneofaccord.com/

A Moscow Mule

Delicious Pork Chops, Champs, Soda bread

Montana’s Rib and Chop House, Billings Montana

Terrific place for either a quiet dinner or the sports bar area. I chose the latter and enjoyed a fabulous meal (champagne plus a delicious Caesar salad, salmon & baked potato). Great customer service skills. It is a chain (other locations are shown on their web site) and I would highly recommend.

https://ribandchophouse.com/

Terrific Caesar salad with anchovies

A Vodka Mule

Delicious Salmon & baked potato

Anthony’s at Coeur D’Alene, Idaho

I’ve eaten at Anthony’s prior to this trip and always enjoyed it. This time I ate in the bar area and loved it. The drinks and food are very good, terrific customer service and the view is lovely (overlooking a pond in Riverstone Park). The salmon was excellent as was the marvelous dessert (a Baily’s Mousse). Plus, there were some uninvited guests: ducks had somehow managed to enter. The staff immediately escorted them out and put up a stuffed animal which is supposed to keep the ducks at bay. We all had a hearty laugh and enjoyed the show.

https://www.anthonys.com/restaurants/detail/anthonys-at-coeur-dalene

Savor your journeys!

Anthony’s Coeur d’Alene

Uninvited guests

Checking out the surroundings

where to go?

Time to leave

staff showing ducks how to get back to the pond

Fabulous salmon dinner

Marvelous Bailey’s Mousse

Supposed to scare the ducks

Favorite Restaurants ~ Los Angeles area

November 8, 2018November 7, 2018Journeys with EileenDiane

Crème de La Crepe

A terrific restaurant for breakfast, lunch, Happy Hour, Dinner; French food; marvelous selection of crepes and so much more; very good champagne, wine, cappuccino and deserts (Crepes Suzette is great!). Several locations, highly recommend the restaurants in Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and Palos Verdes. http://www.cremedelacrepe.com/

Cheesecake Factory, Redondo Beach

This location has a terrific outdoor patio, looking over the Redondo Beach Marina. Good place for brunch, meet friends, enjoy sitting outside …http://locations.thecheesecakefactory.com/ca/redondo-beach-3.html

Fritto Misto Italian Café

Very good place for fabulous Italian food; nice wine variety; extensive pasta selection, including a marvelous Sweet Potato Ravioli in a sage cream sauce with wild mushrooms; home-made desserts, cappuccino. https://www.frittomistoitaliancafe.com/

Hennessey’s Tavern, Hermosa Beach

Great place for breakfast or drinks / dinner later in the day. It’s on the beach, sit outside or upstairs and watch beach volley ball and the activity on The Strand as you indulge … https://www.hennesseystavern.com/hermosa_beach.html

Marmalade Café, Malibu

Nice place for lunch when you want a good salad, sandwich, burger or pasta There are other locations, but this one, in a small shopping center is a favorite. https://marmaladecafe.com/locations/malibu/

Parker Lighthouse, Long Beach

Nice menu, you will enjoy sitting outside, taking in the splendid view, including the Queen Mary. http://parkerslighthouse.com/

Paisano’s Pizza, Hermosa Beach

The Best Pizza west of NYC! NY Style pizza and good southern Italian favorites; NY style cheesecake for desert. http://www.paisanospizzahb.com/

Tea at Trump National Golf Club, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Have fun trying new restaurants and foods when you travel. Enjoy discovering new restaurants and coffee shops and returning to your favorites. Bon Appetit!

Travel well and often.