Joe (as in coffee) and Vino (as in wine) = JoVino's, a combination of coffee bar for a.m. and wine bar for later hours (although, I guess one might be able to buy vino any time) is by the same owner / investors as Rembrandt's and Caci in Eagle so that connection provides a bit of what one might expect here when it finally gets its' groove on. (Open now but not running at full speed at first it seems.) Like the other two by same owners this will find its' demographic in the area for locals who have more interest in gathering in groups to sip and drink together than in great food or stellar service. A step above the "YO Duude!" and "Sooper Cute!" audience but not quite the quality wine bar audience focus.
Not that there's anything wrong with that, as Seinfeld and Costanza would say. And it is genius for how it fits the local demographic.
After our first visit we'll wait a bit to go back and see if once fully set things are better orchestrated. And I'll close my comments with those of the owner(s) as posted on web site so readers can see where this is intended to go but it is not yet there.
That as preamble, here's the rest:
THE VIBE: Walk in high ceiling, lot of windows space with seating at a couple high tables, 1 communal, 4 lounge chairs at a fireplace and 3 tiny "one top" size standard height tables against a wall at back that probably would seat 2 people each but every inch of all 3 tables were taken up by two people with laptops and work documents spread among them...rude of them. A wall of wine bottles are on display at the back en route to the (2) loo. The bulk of the seating, all of it at convenient standard height including upholstered sectionals and tables and chairs, is outside on a big patio. Outside seating has overhead heaters and a water feature. This is going to be at the heart of popularity for this place, outside gathering. Smart.
THE DRILL: High bar counter on left is also order counter with a big menu on the wall above it. Everyone who entered on the roughly noon hour when we were there seemed unsure of what to do, us included, and stood far back to look at the menu. Nice guy behind the counter called out he could take orders. My hubby ordered our Mexican mocha and stepped over to look at wine display while he waited and a nice woman came out to ask if this was his order and handed to him. I don't know if they'll do table service or not when full open.
THE MENU: Coffee beverages of many kinds and wine that can be purchased by glass or bottle. While the advance marketing on this described it as small plates format to go with wine, the only food available currently seems to be a handful of breakfast items - bowls and handheld items. Looks like the small plates options are a ways out but with what seems like a minimal kitchen, not sure what they will be.
THE JOE: One of the things we enjoyed at Rembrandt's when we were customers there was remarkably good coffee. (We finally gave up due to woeful food at times from inconsistent kitchen and too many instances of lackluster service all things management could address...this was 2019 so not pandemic issue...but didn't.) Alas, the great coffee didn't transfer to here if our experience was the standard. The Mexican mocha tasted like cinnamon syrup sweetened milk with not a trace of chocolate or coffee.
THE VINO: Bottles displayed on wall were diverse and seemed curated to offer a number of choices across price points. We are old winos...umm...well seasoned oenophiles...and my husband noted by bottle prices seemed comparable to those at retail locations like the Boise CoOp's Wine Shop. My understanding is, and this may be wrong, given the close to retail pricing of the bottles (most places mark up by a lot) they will charge a corkage fee for service on site if you consume it there.
ACCESSIBILITY: One ADA parking spot in front. Ample floor space at order counter. Seating inside at 3 small tables MAY have floor space for wheelchair users. Loo are accessible. Patio has clear path of travel between seating and standard height tables.
LOO: Two uni, a good plan when beverages are the main service. Auto matic water faucet set to cold water only on our visit...brrrrr.
DRIVE THROUGH: They have one.
PARKING: Private lot.
OWNERS MARKETING NOTE: "JoVinos will have its own proprietary espresso and coffee blends with simple breakfast items and grab and goes for the morning. Lunch offerings will include salads and craft sandwiches. And for the evenings, tantalizing small plates will complement the wine offerings. We will feature roughly 140 bottle selections at aggressive retail pricing, and for those relaxing by the fire or enjoying time with friends by the water feature, we will serve you and just add a corkage fee for the service. We will also feature rotaing wines by the glass and beer by the bottle." read more