Chandlers Prime Steaks & Seafood: World Class Dining in Boise
Article from Food & Beverage World – Chandlers Prime Steaks & Seafood: World Class Dining in Boise by Carol & Joe Davis
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”.
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 www.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.
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.
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.
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!
By
Carol & Joe Davis
Dining Detectives
