Welcome addition to the 'neighborhood', Oak Barrel of Eagle opened this evening in the location previously occupied by Cylos and Winding Creek Grill. New owners have created a restaurant on one side and lounge on the other both of which are family friendly until 9p when 'no minors' kicks in for the lounge.
Owners have over a decade of food experience running the catering business Oak Barrel Boise, eager-to-get-it-right wait staff and a kitchen focus on fresh ingredients. It was a good enough out-of-the-gate opening night dinner. With inevitable tuning up needed by any new kitchen and wait staff as it finds its' groove, enough hiccups to start for 3 stars but with potential for more in future.
MENU & PRICES: Same menu served in both restaurant and bar. Options for all eaters. The menu is designed to encourage folks to come for a libation and small plate or a full meal or just dessert.
Choices range from starters, several shareable and in half or full sizes that could be assembled into a "grazing" meal, to soup, salads, burgers and sandwiches to full entrees that include things like Idaho trout, steak and a goat cheese vegetarian dish. The menu also offers a dozen-ish sides of veggies and starches with selections including roasted asparagus, mac n cheese, mushroom risotto or potatoes. Half a dozen desserts, all made in house. In any new place there will be menu changes the kitchen will make based on diner response and I imagine that will be so here for several items.
We shared three starters, two sides, a Bananas Foster-esque dessert and a pot of French Press coffee. Large portions meant we had a take away bag that included the remainder of our lamb meatballs, Spanish tapas plate, prosciutto and spinach flatbread, risotto and Brussels sprouts for meals at home.
Dinner menu prices range from $8ish to $28ish. Our total bill with items above plus one glass of wine was around $55
GRACIOUS HOSTS & BUT A MISS ON 'ALL ARE WELCOME' VIBE:
On unadvertised soft opening night, they were doing a brisk business with people of all ages. An 'all people are welcome here' vibe is something my husband and I enjoy. But in the remodel they made a major error in eliminating standard height seating in the dining room itself where new seating is now high tables or step up booths. This prevents equal access by people with mobility disabilities . There are two tables of standard height near the bar. A separate, shut off "Chef's Room" at back also has standard height tables and owner said disabled people could sit in there. But that segregates out this 11% population from equal access to the main dining room. A separate room is not equal access. Think of the Veteran who uses a wheelchair being directed away from the main room where others gather to be segregated in a separate space because of his or her disability minority status. Tilt. This is a big error on their part.
SERVICE: The young staff were all eager to make their guests welcome. Some of them were likely new to the table service 'gig' but had an innate interest in hospitality (a key factor in hiring wait staff and kudos to the owners for knowing how to identify that) and the "we're glad you came" welcome modeled by the owners. Our server, Andrew, (he of million dollar dimples) was delightful. There were some hiccups in the kitchen getting food to table. The lounge staff seemed swamped. Not unexpected on opening night when systems and processes are still being choreographed but seemed more than usual here. Everyone involved remained cool and collected. Part of the fun of opening night, for us at least, is getting a chance to participate in the unexpected.
THIS n THAT:
1) PARKING: Private lot.
2) HOURS: 7 days / lunch and dinner.
3) ACCESSIBILITY: Level in at doors. Most lounge seating is high stools. A few spots of standard height at far end. Main dining has no standard tables. Two standard height tables at bar. Patio seating is accessible.
4)MUSIC: Live music bands performing in evenings on several nights and you can find a schedule on the web site. Owner has a music related degree and matches bands to the venue.
5) OUTDOOR SEATING: On back patio at creekside in warm months. read more