The Basque Market
608 W Grove St, Boise, ID, 83702
The Basque Market Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Boise for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Boise for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Boise for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
608 W Grove St
Boise, ID, 83702 - Phone (208) 433-1208
- Website https://www.thebasquemarket.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :10:00 am - 6:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
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Dave M.
This place was a real treat. I ate here on the Friday of 4th of July weekend, when I was walking around downtown Boise. I stepped in and was immediately greeted by friendly staff, who showed me how the tapas "bar" worked. You pick out what you want, put it on a plate, eat it...and then they cash you out based on the various toothpicks that were in the food. I tried 5 pieces, loved all of them - from a watermelon ginger gazpacho to a Basque Egg Salad crostini to a chicken apple salad - very delicious. After lunch one of the staff saw me out front fiddling with my phone and they offered navigational assistance. "I'm not lost," I said. "I'm visiting from San Francisco and I'm posing a photo of the food and bragging about you on Facebook." Enough said!
(5)Kate P.
Visiting Boise I found this place thanks to fellow yelpers. The high ratings are completely justified for this little place. It is a market and a restaurant. they have a nice patio outside, but I chose to sit inside amongst the Spanish wines, cured meats and the biggest paella pans I've ever seen. I was warmly greeted and offered a taste of their different wines before deciding on a tempranillo. They had a cute tapas menu where I got to check off my selections. I went with the cheese spread, Spanish meatballs, and the paella rolls. I really enjoyed all, but was hard pressed not to put in for five more orders of the paella rolls. My only regret is that I won't be in town for their paella night, which as I understand is Wednesdays and Fridays from noon on. Check their website for more details. A gem in downtown Boise to be sure. Come check it out, you won't be disappointed!
(5)Jess A.
I stopped by for the first time last night to treat my Basque boyfriend for his birthday. We opted for the 3-course meal, which offers various selections for a starter, entree, and dessert. We also ordered a bocadillo (a small sandwich/tapa) that featured a slice of cheese and olive tapenade. The tapenade was too salty for my taste. My boyfriend loved his chorizo starter and pork entree. My entree was vegetarian and very flavorful. The dessert was fantastic - he got the chocolate pudding, which was massive and rich but divine. I got the basil panna cotta, which I probably won't order again but I'm glad I tried it. The flavor was nice, but I wasn't crazy about the texture. Now I know to avoid panna cotta! I slurped down my food with their famous frozen white sangria. I can't recommend it enough. Refreshing, unique, and not too sweet. The restaurant has a welcoming atmosphere. It's laid back and very clean. And it was nice to avoid the hustle and bustle of the 8th street restaurants. Definitely coming back!
(4)Nick T.
Wonderful family style dinner experience, we shared a table with another larger party and immediately hit it up chatting the evening away. I really enjoyed the entire experience, the appetizer was delicious, a smoked salmon tortilla with a balsamic reduction garnish. For the main course I had the pork loin with herb mashed potatoes. The pork loin was prepared with a thyme, salt and pepper tub and cooked to perfection. For dessert I had the basil panna cotta with strawberries and it was just the right size and mix of sweet and savory to round off the meal. I am looking forward to the next visit.
(5)Meghan H.
I love true, authentic cuisine and the Basque market was just that. I loved the sangria & the sheep herder's breakfast was awesome. The chorizo was to die for and it was such a cool little restaurant/shop. Highly recommended even though the price is a little more than I would usually pay for brunch.
(5)Elizabeth K.
I had heard this place served good food in addition to being a market. My son and I had the 3 course dinner. In short, the food was amazing! Roasted peppers were from their garden and very fresh and flavorful; croquettes were excellent as was the salmon wrapped in spanish ham and gnocchi. Dessert was great--excellent flan and tres leches cake with pink peppercorn frosting--very subtle and delicious. We will definitely be back and hope to take paella class.
(5)Meghan T.
Came here for lunch twice in one week while visiting Boise. Love the paella and Pintxos! Very authentic and delicious food.
(5)Chris C.
Incredible food and incredibly nice staff. The croquettes are soooo good, basque meatballs were very soft and delicious as well. If I had to complain it would be that they only make frozen sangria. They do have regular sangria in a bottle that you can buy, but home made is the best.
(5)Margaret H.
This adorable market and restaurant is great! The owner let me come in for an early lunch even though they weren't quite open and the food is delicious. Felt like I was back in Spain!
(4)John T.
It's awful, but don't worry, I'll take your reservation for you and spare you the misery. I know, I'm good like that.
(5)Justin H.
This review is for the monthly Sheepherder's Breakfast. Dear lord... so... damn... AMAZING! I should start by saying that, apparently, I've missed my calling. Forget any job I've held, past or present, as I'm now giving it up to become a Basque Sheepherder. The breakfast entailed all you can eat Sheepherder's bread (light, airy, porous, with a nice egg glaze crust), chorizo sausage (some of the best I've ever eaten, salty, greasy, flavorful), eggs piparade (basically scrambled eggs with a nice roasted pepper sauce and ribbons of scallions), Basque potatoes (basically a very flavorful potatoes O'Brien type dish with red and green peppers, onions, near-raw garlic and crispy potatoes, and the most authentic churros I've ever tasted. I normally am not a fan of bloody Mary's, but the tomato juice was thin enough and really well-flavored that I could enjoy a full glass. The sangria blanco, however, totally stole the show. Rather than white wine with fruit, as I had imagined, this was like a white wine smoothie. It was almost effervescent, but didn't actually have sparkling wine. There was some kind of orange fruit puree blended with ice and white wine, and the flavor was to die for. Somewhere between a mimosa and a Bellini, garnished with blueberries and raspberries. I have to admit surprise. At first glance, the eating space was tiny and we were being waited on by only two (very friendly) ladies. Even though the space was small, I was concerned we would be neglected. We were the smallest group (just three of us) and we were seated back at the bar in the corner, versus the other three large, louder tables. I couldn't have been more wrong. The ladies had food to us in no time, brought us all of the additional food we could stand (and then some!) and had our glasses full constantly. My wife, currently pregnant, had decaf coffee with her meal. Her mug was always full and the coffee was tasty enough to not need sugar or cream. One of the young ladies was even kind enough to teach me how to say "thank you" in Basque, which I couldn't spell if I tried. In case you skipped to the bottom: go to the monthly breakfast and make a reservation! I couldn't complain about a thing and was amazingly satisfied, if not totally glutted on delicious Basque breakfast specialties.
(5)Carl Y.
First time into this neat market. They are the only place in Boise to get dried cod fish for our Christmas Eve meal. So while here, we decided to have lunch too. The ladies helped us decide what we would like. Get a menu, mark down what you would like and they will get to the cooking quickly. Very personable service and answering of newbie questions. We had two different soups: tomato bisque and potato-leek. both excellent renditions of these soups. My wife loved the potato-leek because it was not a creamy soup, but a clear broth potato soup. With the soups, we had croquettas,and a paella sandwich. All of these were tasty and satisfying. I washed it all down with a micro-brew from Utah. The finishing touch was the rice pudding. since my wife is an aficionado of rice puddings, I asked her opinion. She judged it more soupy than she was used to, but still a good rice pudding. We will try the flan next time. We added some candies and olives to the cod fish for our groceries to go home with. They have many interesting things to try and for gifts. We will be back to try the paella next time.
(4)Scott Y.
I was in Boise for the Basque Friendly Soccer game featuring my favorite team Athletic Club Bilbao. Getting some good Basque food was on the top of my list of things to do. The Basque Market did not disappoint. We ate dinner on Friday night and came back for Pintxos the following day. The food was excellent as was the service. Amaya was wonderful and the owner Tony could not have been more friendly. Although very busy, everybody took the time to make you feel at home. The Basque Market is a must stop if you are in Boise. The food is great and the Basque culture alive. I felt like I was back in Bilbao. Thank you so very much. Scott from San Diego.
(5)John S.
The paella, with chorizo, mussels, clams, shrimp, chicken and rice is wonderful. They make it outside for lunch on Wednesdays and Fridays. While there's seating inside, go outdoors to watch people walk by and stop at the giant paella pan and ask the chef what he has cooking.
(5)Michele R.
The caller was peppering the gracious woman behind the counter at Basque Market with twenty questions. My husband and I were there enjoying Pintxos and a bottle of Temperanillo on a Tuesday evening and I could hear her end of the call. It went like this: "Yes, you can eat here"..."Because we also have market products for sale"..."We have tables"..."In and out"..."Beer and wine"..."Pintxos are like Tapas."...."No, you pick up Pintxos at the counter"..."75 cents or $1.50, or $3.00"..."You mean describe the ones we have now?"... It was about then I wanted to ask to talk to the caller so the gracious hostess could get off the hook. I might have said this: "The Basque Market should not be missed if you're visiting Boise. As high praise I say this is a delight for people of all ages and appetites. Here's what you may want to know..." THE VIBE Basque Market market is located in Boise's Basque Block downtown. Part specialty market for Basque and Spanish foods, part wine sales bottle shop, part eat in casual dining for Pintxos, the Basque equivalent of Tapas, at lunch and some weekday evenings, as well as Paella meals a couple of times a week. Not only are the folks working at Basque Market friendly, so were the other people we met there, locals who have this place on their regular rotation. As was our experience overall in Boise, they were welcoming and eager to encourage us to explore their city with suggestions for what to see and do. THE DRILL Pintxos appear on the counter alongside the deli case and kitchen. Help yourself to what you like and pop it on your plate. Pintxos have a small skewer in them that is coded to the price of the item. Save your skewers and at the end of your meal, take them to the register and your bill is calculated. We thought this was honor system sort of participation approach made the great food taste even better. THE FOOD We grazed our way through shrimp served on baquette slices with a tangy sauce, bocadillos (mini-sandwiches) with tapenade and cheese, flatbread with roasted grapes and chorizo, potato croquettes, olives, Spanish tortilla, mushrooms stuffed with potatoes and piquillo peppers as well as other delights. As you sip your beverage and enjoy the evening, from time to time the chef will appear with something new for the Pintxos bar to tempt you back for another nibble. During our visit we noted many delicious options for vegetarians as well as omnivores. For us the highlight of the options was also one of the best bites of food we have had anywhere; a savory blue cheese custard dish topped with port poached figs and chopped walnuts. I nearly had to glue myself to my chair not to go retrieve all those little custards back to my table. LIBATIONS Soft drinks, beer or wine. Each night there are a few rotating whites and reds by the glass (as little as $5 each). You are offered a taste before ordering. Or you can choose a bottle from the excellent in store bottle sales, Spanish and other international as well as domestic wines. (A bottle enjoyed there also has a five buck corkage fee.) Prices run the gamut. We had a very good bottle of Temperanillo that was only $12. Their house made frozen Sangria had a lot of fans.. GREAT VALUE Our bill at evening's end with a bottle of wine, including corkage, many pintxos and a couple of hours of fun was only about thirty seven bucks, before tax, for two people. THIS N THAT HOURS: Check their web site for up to date info on store hours and food service times as they seem to change occasionally. When we visited they were: Store = Opens 10a M - Sat. Closes 6p M,W,Sat & 8p Tu,Th,F Pintxos/Tapas = Noon - 3p Mon - Sat & 4p - 8p Tu,Th,F Paella = W &F @ Lunch from Noon until sold out & @ Dinner Thu starting 6p. Happy Hour = A buck off wine by the glass or beer 4p - 6p M-F PAELLA DINNER: Thursday Paella comes as dinner option ($13.50) including chef's choice tapas trio and salad. Or a la carte Paella @ $9. No reservations. ACCESSIBILITY: Universally accessible entryway, level in door and throughout, standard height seating in and out. All good. Accessible loo is next door see below. LOO: The loo is next door at Bardenay. You have to walk through the kitchen and exit into Bardenay to get there. Or go out the front entry, enter Bardenay through their front door. For "being in the know" purposes... PARKING: Public lot one end of street, garage on another. Limited on street.
(4)Danielle M.
Make your reservation for their friday fixed menu dinner in advance! We were lucky enough to be able to snag a table and after a short wait, enjoy some good food - lamb and scallops. Standouts were really the sides and deserts, but all in all a hearty meal for a decent price. Would love to go back and try the tapas option to sample a few more dishes.
(3)Simon L.
If you want smoked paprika, enormous paella pans - 30 inches and up - cheese, jambon or olives, this is the place to find them. Everything you might expect from a specialty food market. The Basque Market is a good find in Boise.
(4)Rodger C.
Awesome spot. Extremely customer friendly. While trying to decide on a white wine, the girl working here opened up two new bottles just for us to try. That doesn't happen often...especially when we didn't even ask her to do that. Great food, if you are into trying regional cultural specialties-this is your place. We have been to the Basque Country and these guys do a wonderful job of recreating the experience. Come check it out! You won't be disappointed.
(5)Deb R.
Best Flan in two (if not 3) continents - North AND South America , for sure and maybe Europe, but I wasn't such a flan aficionado until living in Mexico and along the border for several decades then marrying a /restaurateur/foodie who's Cuban chef made both flans and creme brûlées.
(4)Nikki R.
This is the type of place I like to see in a city. Quaint, packed full of high quality imported goods, friendly but not phony staff, and a wide range of food and wine products that are authentic to the asthetic. I have been there twice now and plan to visit many more times in the future. They offer classes and tastings, and they serve food as well, but only during limited times which is the only bummer and hence my 4 stars and not 5. This is the kind of place you wish could be open all night! It's awesome!
(4)Thomas V.
Must go on Thursday nights! Get a good bottle and enjoy great food. So happy we stumbled on this place!
(5)Paul A.
Stopped by with my son, to try some Tapas. In a two word review "Don't bother" Of particular concern was the service. The "waiter" managed to ignore us for 8 plus minutes, which was quite the accomplishment, since counting the waiter there were all of 5 people in the dining area, and, we had to walk right past him and the two other customers, to get to our table. And then to top it all off, food was stale and frankly, over salted.
(1)KC H.
Numerous, well-priced Spanish wines and spices. They offer Basque cooking classes. A small selection of Basque/Spanish imported ceramic kitchen items. It has a small deli. And best of all, treats.
(5)Dave S.
What a great place for lunch or a snack! Delicious freshly made pintxos, wine and more. I had the meatballs, some croquettes, and a chorizo sandwich- each were not just good but outstanding.
(5)Mark B.
Stopped by for happy hour and waited for paella to be served! This was our first visit to Boise, and this place has great reviews and we would have to agree! We sat outside in the shade, ordered two pitchers of sangria, had an assortment of tapas, and waited and watched while the paella was cooked on the street. The owners are great people, happy to talk to you about almost anything. The paella was made in a large pan and served 40, so you have to buy tickets in order to get a serving when it is done. At $10, very reasonable. Typical paella with chorizo, chicken, shrimp, clams, mussels, etc. We enjoyed it and will come back the next time we are in Boise!
(5)Dave W.
I shop at the Basque Market frequently, to buy Pamplona Chorizo. Occasionaly, I bring others to enjoy tapas or Paella. I met a friend today, and knew I'd enjoy Diet Coke with my lunch. When paying the bill, I was astonished to learn the 2 cans of Diet Coke (pulled from a refrigerator myself), were $3 each !!!! I don't mind a business making a profit, so $1.50 or even $2 would have been "okay". But, the "surprise" and greediness kind of ruined the moment for me. I probably could have enjoyed some wine for that amount, except for the fact that it was lunchtime and I needed to return to work. I'll continue to shop there, but I certainly won't be as eager to dine there. Boo... (By the way- Leku Ona, also Basque-ish and right next door, has an AWESOME happy hour from 4:00-5:30).
(2)Fud I.
Wednesday's and Friday's for Paella at lunch. Get it while it lasts! Chorizo is also awesome!
(5)Tiffany R.
We have now been to the Basque Market twice both times attending classes. The soup class was a good class, the soups were quite yummy. This last time we attended the paella class which was a blast. Of course the paella and wine were delicious but I feel the best part is the experience. They offer quite a few bottles of nice wine, you can get some meats and other lovely bits for tapas. Or head over just to enjoy someone else's cooking and a glass of wine. If you can, take the time and attend a class because it is a great experience and plus you are fed a lovely meal while enjoying a few samples of wine.
(5)Ranee S.
I've been purchasing Spanish and Basque non-perishables from here for years. Today, I decided to order lunch along with my Spanish groceries. What a fabulous decision. My sister and I split our sandwiches (Chorizo Pamplona and the Turkey con Manchego) and our sides (potato salad and rice pudding). The staff there actually split them for us - at no charge. Both of us ate lunch for $12 - what a DEAL! It was delicious and with some bites I felt as if I were sitting at an outdoor cafe in Spain. The potato salad, specifically, tasted of Spain. The rice pudding was creamy and the added dusting of the cinnamon lauburu was a nice touch. Their red pepper aioli on the turkey sandwich added a perfect depth of flavor to what could have been a standard turkey sandwich. We added some croquetas from the nearby Bar Gernika and had a lovely lunch. At these prices, the wonderful outdoor patio and the delicious food, I don't see how you can go wrong here.
(4)Nicole D.
My company has the Basque Market cater many of our events and they never fail to please. Their tapas are always delicious and enjoyed by everyone. The frozen sangrias are also yummy but very dangerous!
(5)Charlie B.
Paella on the Patio: After a beautiful bike ride along the Boise River Greenbelt, we stopped here for the weekly paella. We arrived a bit early and had primo seats and watched the rest of the amazing preparations for our soon to be lunch. Starting with Estrella beers, sitting on the patio in the gorgeous sunshine. We had a little tapas inside from the self-serve bar of croquetas, superb crostini with manchego and figs and of course the super amazing paella filled with chicken, mussels, chorizo, saffron and deliciously fragrant creamy rice. For $8 a plate - this was a super amazing deal! Am trying to get back here Friday before I leave on Sat back to the SF Bay area! I will miss eating in Boise's for a bargain!
(5)JP C.
Their white sangria is really good and great quality of tapas. I'm planning to come here every time I visit Boise.
(5)David C.
The staff is very friendly and the selection is nice. I stopped in to purchase a couple bottles of wine and they were extremely helpful.
(5)Sharece B.
Yes. Come to the Basque Market when they're serving tapas. They are great. I stopped in as an unsuspecting visitor to Boise and as soon as the friendly people behind the bar greeted me and explained their toothpick system to me, I was sold. Three dollars gets you a generous portion of wine during happy hour and the tapas to go with it are delicious and well worth the money that adds up as you nibble. If you're interested in Basque culture, unique places in Boise, or just trying something new, go to the Basque Market. There is something there for everyone. (They even have a fancy container for self-serve water.)
(5)Betsy H.
Boise's Basque Block can't be missed when you are visiting this city. The Basque Market is a gem! Should you be searching for a place to purchase Basque food or wine, this is the place. The staffers are extremely friendly and knowledgeable about their products. Basque Market is a treasure trove of goodies for foodies and food lovers. Generally, they will have a few bottles of wine on ice and are more than willing to give you a taste and recommendation. The darling young man who was assisting me purchase a bottle of vino to take home as a gift explained the different vintages, flavor notes and regions in Spain from which each bottle came. I didn't try any of the Tapas, but I really wish I had it all looked super fabulous. The next time that I am in Boise, I will return for sure.
(5)Dan L.
Love this place! I come here every time I'm in Boise. Friendly, family owned shop with a real old world flavor. Nice place to sit and enjoy some fresh bread and good wine.
(5)Emma M.
This is one of my favorite places to have a quick lunch in the summer. You can get a selection of tapas or their lunch special which is a small sandwich, soup or salad, and a dessert. Everything they make is excellent. They also have a great frozen sangria that is soooo good in the summer. I like going for an early lunch and sitting outside on their little patio -- very relaxing. The people who work here are always friendly and it's very informal. You order your lunch at the counter and then grab a table either inside or outside and enjoy.
(5)Marissa H.
Only bought port-poached figs (they were ok) but thought the store offered a good selection of "things that are Basque related". A bit pricey but it is a specialty store.
(3)Loralee P.
Great selection of products, unfortunately completely unaffordable. Didn't try the tapas but they looked good. Didn't buy anything bc we couldn't stomach paying the insane mark-up. Very friendly place.
(4)David W.
Wonderful food, authentic tapas, great drinks. Lovely afternoon in continental outside seating.....one of Boise's must try places
(5)Janet M.
Highly recommend this hidden treasure on the Basque Block in Boise. I enjoyed Tapas Tuesday this week with wine tasting and delicious tapas. Great service and a perfect patio setting for greeting passers by on a warm spring and summer evening...
(5)Diana W.
I wonder why the wording is listed weird for this business. I'm pretty sure it's "The Basque Market" not "Basque the Market." Anyway... I'm in Boise for the week and I was wandering around downtown today killing time while B was at work. I ducked into this little shop in search of some reprieve from this relentless heat and the scorching sun (my scalp is so sunburned! it will fall off tomorrow...). It was dark and cool inside, and I was immediately greeted by a friendly man. Coolgirl was working the deli counter when I approached to look at the menu. A crisp white wine seemed like great idea so I asked about the house. Well, coolgirl gave me a sample of the house white and of the other whites they carried and discussed them with me. Very cool, hence, the title. I decided to go for the New Age White. It was very bright, clean, and easy to drink. The citrusiness (ok, so that's probably not a real word) and slight effervescence--think vinho verde--balanced out the sweetness. I got strong floral and peachy notes with a touch of honey. It was served over ice with fresh lime. Very refreshing. With cool cocktail in hand and teetering back from the brink of heatstroke, I perused the shelves of exotic basque treats. They had some interesting stuff I had not seen before (tinned octopus! and snails stewed in tomato sauce--had to get that one) and some nice Spanish wines. I wanted to pick up one of everything, but the thought of lugging around a sackful of canned goods and bottles of wine in the heat didn't appeal to me. I noticed that some of the items were past their freshness dates, which is a sad thing to see at small specialty stores. People need to buy more goodies from these places so that can stay in business! In my exhausted (been moving all weekend--packing, loading, uhauling across multiple states, unloading, reloading due to last minute apartment change at destination, and unloading again...) and dehydrated state, the wine affected me quite quickly and I got a bit chatty. Although coolgirl was trying to get some work done, she was very accommodating and nice. As I was leaving with my little parcel of goodness, she warmly welcomed me to Idaho. Sweet.
(4)Meghan H.
I love true, authentic cuisine and the Basque market was just that. I loved the sangria & the sheep herder's breakfast was awesome. The chorizo was to die for and it was such a cool little restaurant/shop. Highly recommended even though the price is a little more than I would usually pay for brunch.
(5)Dave M.
This place was a real treat. I ate here on the Friday of 4th of July weekend, when I was walking around downtown Boise. I stepped in and was immediately greeted by friendly staff, who showed me how the tapas "bar" worked. You pick out what you want, put it on a plate, eat it...and then they cash you out based on the various toothpicks that were in the food. I tried 5 pieces, loved all of them - from a watermelon ginger gazpacho to a Basque Egg Salad crostini to a chicken apple salad - very delicious. After lunch one of the staff saw me out front fiddling with my phone and they offered navigational assistance. "I'm not lost," I said. "I'm visiting from San Francisco and I'm posing a photo of the food and bragging about you on Facebook." Enough said!
(5)Kate P.
Visiting Boise I found this place thanks to fellow yelpers. The high ratings are completely justified for this little place. It is a market and a restaurant. they have a nice patio outside, but I chose to sit inside amongst the Spanish wines, cured meats and the biggest paella pans I've ever seen. I was warmly greeted and offered a taste of their different wines before deciding on a tempranillo. They had a cute tapas menu where I got to check off my selections. I went with the cheese spread, Spanish meatballs, and the paella rolls. I really enjoyed all, but was hard pressed not to put in for five more orders of the paella rolls. My only regret is that I won't be in town for their paella night, which as I understand is Wednesdays and Fridays from noon on. Check their website for more details. A gem in downtown Boise to be sure. Come check it out, you won't be disappointed!
(5)Jess A.
I stopped by for the first time last night to treat my Basque boyfriend for his birthday. We opted for the 3-course meal, which offers various selections for a starter, entree, and dessert. We also ordered a bocadillo (a small sandwich/tapa) that featured a slice of cheese and olive tapenade. The tapenade was too salty for my taste. My boyfriend loved his chorizo starter and pork entree. My entree was vegetarian and very flavorful. The dessert was fantastic - he got the chocolate pudding, which was massive and rich but divine. I got the basil panna cotta, which I probably won't order again but I'm glad I tried it. The flavor was nice, but I wasn't crazy about the texture. Now I know to avoid panna cotta! I slurped down my food with their famous frozen white sangria. I can't recommend it enough. Refreshing, unique, and not too sweet. The restaurant has a welcoming atmosphere. It's laid back and very clean. And it was nice to avoid the hustle and bustle of the 8th street restaurants. Definitely coming back!
(4)Nick T.
Wonderful family style dinner experience, we shared a table with another larger party and immediately hit it up chatting the evening away. I really enjoyed the entire experience, the appetizer was delicious, a smoked salmon tortilla with a balsamic reduction garnish. For the main course I had the pork loin with herb mashed potatoes. The pork loin was prepared with a thyme, salt and pepper tub and cooked to perfection. For dessert I had the basil panna cotta with strawberries and it was just the right size and mix of sweet and savory to round off the meal. I am looking forward to the next visit.
(5)Carl Y.
First time into this neat market. They are the only place in Boise to get dried cod fish for our Christmas Eve meal. So while here, we decided to have lunch too. The ladies helped us decide what we would like. Get a menu, mark down what you would like and they will get to the cooking quickly. Very personable service and answering of newbie questions. We had two different soups: tomato bisque and potato-leek. both excellent renditions of these soups. My wife loved the potato-leek because it was not a creamy soup, but a clear broth potato soup. With the soups, we had croquettas,and a paella sandwich. All of these were tasty and satisfying. I washed it all down with a micro-brew from Utah. The finishing touch was the rice pudding. since my wife is an aficionado of rice puddings, I asked her opinion. She judged it more soupy than she was used to, but still a good rice pudding. We will try the flan next time. We added some candies and olives to the cod fish for our groceries to go home with. They have many interesting things to try and for gifts. We will be back to try the paella next time.
(4)Elizabeth K.
I had heard this place served good food in addition to being a market. My son and I had the 3 course dinner. In short, the food was amazing! Roasted peppers were from their garden and very fresh and flavorful; croquettes were excellent as was the salmon wrapped in spanish ham and gnocchi. Dessert was great--excellent flan and tres leches cake with pink peppercorn frosting--very subtle and delicious. We will definitely be back and hope to take paella class.
(5)Meghan T.
Came here for lunch twice in one week while visiting Boise. Love the paella and Pintxos! Very authentic and delicious food.
(5)Chris C.
Incredible food and incredibly nice staff. The croquettes are soooo good, basque meatballs were very soft and delicious as well. If I had to complain it would be that they only make frozen sangria. They do have regular sangria in a bottle that you can buy, but home made is the best.
(5)Margaret H.
This adorable market and restaurant is great! The owner let me come in for an early lunch even though they weren't quite open and the food is delicious. Felt like I was back in Spain!
(4)John T.
It's awful, but don't worry, I'll take your reservation for you and spare you the misery. I know, I'm good like that.
(5)Scott Y.
I was in Boise for the Basque Friendly Soccer game featuring my favorite team Athletic Club Bilbao. Getting some good Basque food was on the top of my list of things to do. The Basque Market did not disappoint. We ate dinner on Friday night and came back for Pintxos the following day. The food was excellent as was the service. Amaya was wonderful and the owner Tony could not have been more friendly. Although very busy, everybody took the time to make you feel at home. The Basque Market is a must stop if you are in Boise. The food is great and the Basque culture alive. I felt like I was back in Bilbao. Thank you so very much. Scott from San Diego.
(5)Danielle M.
Make your reservation for their friday fixed menu dinner in advance! We were lucky enough to be able to snag a table and after a short wait, enjoy some good food - lamb and scallops. Standouts were really the sides and deserts, but all in all a hearty meal for a decent price. Would love to go back and try the tapas option to sample a few more dishes.
(3)Simon L.
If you want smoked paprika, enormous paella pans - 30 inches and up - cheese, jambon or olives, this is the place to find them. Everything you might expect from a specialty food market. The Basque Market is a good find in Boise.
(4)Justin H.
This review is for the monthly Sheepherder's Breakfast. Dear lord... so... damn... AMAZING! I should start by saying that, apparently, I've missed my calling. Forget any job I've held, past or present, as I'm now giving it up to become a Basque Sheepherder. The breakfast entailed all you can eat Sheepherder's bread (light, airy, porous, with a nice egg glaze crust), chorizo sausage (some of the best I've ever eaten, salty, greasy, flavorful), eggs piparade (basically scrambled eggs with a nice roasted pepper sauce and ribbons of scallions), Basque potatoes (basically a very flavorful potatoes O'Brien type dish with red and green peppers, onions, near-raw garlic and crispy potatoes, and the most authentic churros I've ever tasted. I normally am not a fan of bloody Mary's, but the tomato juice was thin enough and really well-flavored that I could enjoy a full glass. The sangria blanco, however, totally stole the show. Rather than white wine with fruit, as I had imagined, this was like a white wine smoothie. It was almost effervescent, but didn't actually have sparkling wine. There was some kind of orange fruit puree blended with ice and white wine, and the flavor was to die for. Somewhere between a mimosa and a Bellini, garnished with blueberries and raspberries. I have to admit surprise. At first glance, the eating space was tiny and we were being waited on by only two (very friendly) ladies. Even though the space was small, I was concerned we would be neglected. We were the smallest group (just three of us) and we were seated back at the bar in the corner, versus the other three large, louder tables. I couldn't have been more wrong. The ladies had food to us in no time, brought us all of the additional food we could stand (and then some!) and had our glasses full constantly. My wife, currently pregnant, had decaf coffee with her meal. Her mug was always full and the coffee was tasty enough to not need sugar or cream. One of the young ladies was even kind enough to teach me how to say "thank you" in Basque, which I couldn't spell if I tried. In case you skipped to the bottom: go to the monthly breakfast and make a reservation! I couldn't complain about a thing and was amazingly satisfied, if not totally glutted on delicious Basque breakfast specialties.
(5)John S.
The paella, with chorizo, mussels, clams, shrimp, chicken and rice is wonderful. They make it outside for lunch on Wednesdays and Fridays. While there's seating inside, go outdoors to watch people walk by and stop at the giant paella pan and ask the chef what he has cooking.
(5)Michele R.
The caller was peppering the gracious woman behind the counter at Basque Market with twenty questions. My husband and I were there enjoying Pintxos and a bottle of Temperanillo on a Tuesday evening and I could hear her end of the call. It went like this: "Yes, you can eat here"..."Because we also have market products for sale"..."We have tables"..."In and out"..."Beer and wine"..."Pintxos are like Tapas."...."No, you pick up Pintxos at the counter"..."75 cents or $1.50, or $3.00"..."You mean describe the ones we have now?"... It was about then I wanted to ask to talk to the caller so the gracious hostess could get off the hook. I might have said this: "The Basque Market should not be missed if you're visiting Boise. As high praise I say this is a delight for people of all ages and appetites. Here's what you may want to know..." THE VIBE Basque Market market is located in Boise's Basque Block downtown. Part specialty market for Basque and Spanish foods, part wine sales bottle shop, part eat in casual dining for Pintxos, the Basque equivalent of Tapas, at lunch and some weekday evenings, as well as Paella meals a couple of times a week. Not only are the folks working at Basque Market friendly, so were the other people we met there, locals who have this place on their regular rotation. As was our experience overall in Boise, they were welcoming and eager to encourage us to explore their city with suggestions for what to see and do. THE DRILL Pintxos appear on the counter alongside the deli case and kitchen. Help yourself to what you like and pop it on your plate. Pintxos have a small skewer in them that is coded to the price of the item. Save your skewers and at the end of your meal, take them to the register and your bill is calculated. We thought this was honor system sort of participation approach made the great food taste even better. THE FOOD We grazed our way through shrimp served on baquette slices with a tangy sauce, bocadillos (mini-sandwiches) with tapenade and cheese, flatbread with roasted grapes and chorizo, potato croquettes, olives, Spanish tortilla, mushrooms stuffed with potatoes and piquillo peppers as well as other delights. As you sip your beverage and enjoy the evening, from time to time the chef will appear with something new for the Pintxos bar to tempt you back for another nibble. During our visit we noted many delicious options for vegetarians as well as omnivores. For us the highlight of the options was also one of the best bites of food we have had anywhere; a savory blue cheese custard dish topped with port poached figs and chopped walnuts. I nearly had to glue myself to my chair not to go retrieve all those little custards back to my table. LIBATIONS Soft drinks, beer or wine. Each night there are a few rotating whites and reds by the glass (as little as $5 each). You are offered a taste before ordering. Or you can choose a bottle from the excellent in store bottle sales, Spanish and other international as well as domestic wines. (A bottle enjoyed there also has a five buck corkage fee.) Prices run the gamut. We had a very good bottle of Temperanillo that was only $12. Their house made frozen Sangria had a lot of fans.. GREAT VALUE Our bill at evening's end with a bottle of wine, including corkage, many pintxos and a couple of hours of fun was only about thirty seven bucks, before tax, for two people. THIS N THAT HOURS: Check their web site for up to date info on store hours and food service times as they seem to change occasionally. When we visited they were: Store = Opens 10a M - Sat. Closes 6p M,W,Sat & 8p Tu,Th,F Pintxos/Tapas = Noon - 3p Mon - Sat & 4p - 8p Tu,Th,F Paella = W &F @ Lunch from Noon until sold out & @ Dinner Thu starting 6p. Happy Hour = A buck off wine by the glass or beer 4p - 6p M-F PAELLA DINNER: Thursday Paella comes as dinner option ($13.50) including chef's choice tapas trio and salad. Or a la carte Paella @ $9. No reservations. ACCESSIBILITY: Universally accessible entryway, level in door and throughout, standard height seating in and out. All good. Accessible loo is next door see below. LOO: The loo is next door at Bardenay. You have to walk through the kitchen and exit into Bardenay to get there. Or go out the front entry, enter Bardenay through their front door. For "being in the know" purposes... PARKING: Public lot one end of street, garage on another. Limited on street.
(4)Rodger C.
Awesome spot. Extremely customer friendly. While trying to decide on a white wine, the girl working here opened up two new bottles just for us to try. That doesn't happen often...especially when we didn't even ask her to do that. Great food, if you are into trying regional cultural specialties-this is your place. We have been to the Basque Country and these guys do a wonderful job of recreating the experience. Come check it out! You won't be disappointed.
(5)Deb R.
Best Flan in two (if not 3) continents - North AND South America , for sure and maybe Europe, but I wasn't such a flan aficionado until living in Mexico and along the border for several decades then marrying a /restaurateur/foodie who's Cuban chef made both flans and creme brûlées.
(4)Nikki R.
This is the type of place I like to see in a city. Quaint, packed full of high quality imported goods, friendly but not phony staff, and a wide range of food and wine products that are authentic to the asthetic. I have been there twice now and plan to visit many more times in the future. They offer classes and tastings, and they serve food as well, but only during limited times which is the only bummer and hence my 4 stars and not 5. This is the kind of place you wish could be open all night! It's awesome!
(4)Thomas V.
Must go on Thursday nights! Get a good bottle and enjoy great food. So happy we stumbled on this place!
(5)Paul A.
Stopped by with my son, to try some Tapas. In a two word review "Don't bother" Of particular concern was the service. The "waiter" managed to ignore us for 8 plus minutes, which was quite the accomplishment, since counting the waiter there were all of 5 people in the dining area, and, we had to walk right past him and the two other customers, to get to our table. And then to top it all off, food was stale and frankly, over salted.
(1)Sharece B.
Yes. Come to the Basque Market when they're serving tapas. They are great. I stopped in as an unsuspecting visitor to Boise and as soon as the friendly people behind the bar greeted me and explained their toothpick system to me, I was sold. Three dollars gets you a generous portion of wine during happy hour and the tapas to go with it are delicious and well worth the money that adds up as you nibble. If you're interested in Basque culture, unique places in Boise, or just trying something new, go to the Basque Market. There is something there for everyone. (They even have a fancy container for self-serve water.)
(5)Dave S.
What a great place for lunch or a snack! Delicious freshly made pintxos, wine and more. I had the meatballs, some croquettes, and a chorizo sandwich- each were not just good but outstanding.
(5)Mark B.
Stopped by for happy hour and waited for paella to be served! This was our first visit to Boise, and this place has great reviews and we would have to agree! We sat outside in the shade, ordered two pitchers of sangria, had an assortment of tapas, and waited and watched while the paella was cooked on the street. The owners are great people, happy to talk to you about almost anything. The paella was made in a large pan and served 40, so you have to buy tickets in order to get a serving when it is done. At $10, very reasonable. Typical paella with chorizo, chicken, shrimp, clams, mussels, etc. We enjoyed it and will come back the next time we are in Boise!
(5)KC H.
Numerous, well-priced Spanish wines and spices. They offer Basque cooking classes. A small selection of Basque/Spanish imported ceramic kitchen items. It has a small deli. And best of all, treats.
(5)Dave W.
I shop at the Basque Market frequently, to buy Pamplona Chorizo. Occasionaly, I bring others to enjoy tapas or Paella. I met a friend today, and knew I'd enjoy Diet Coke with my lunch. When paying the bill, I was astonished to learn the 2 cans of Diet Coke (pulled from a refrigerator myself), were $3 each !!!! I don't mind a business making a profit, so $1.50 or even $2 would have been "okay". But, the "surprise" and greediness kind of ruined the moment for me. I probably could have enjoyed some wine for that amount, except for the fact that it was lunchtime and I needed to return to work. I'll continue to shop there, but I certainly won't be as eager to dine there. Boo... (By the way- Leku Ona, also Basque-ish and right next door, has an AWESOME happy hour from 4:00-5:30).
(2)Fud I.
Wednesday's and Friday's for Paella at lunch. Get it while it lasts! Chorizo is also awesome!
(5)Ranee S.
I've been purchasing Spanish and Basque non-perishables from here for years. Today, I decided to order lunch along with my Spanish groceries. What a fabulous decision. My sister and I split our sandwiches (Chorizo Pamplona and the Turkey con Manchego) and our sides (potato salad and rice pudding). The staff there actually split them for us - at no charge. Both of us ate lunch for $12 - what a DEAL! It was delicious and with some bites I felt as if I were sitting at an outdoor cafe in Spain. The potato salad, specifically, tasted of Spain. The rice pudding was creamy and the added dusting of the cinnamon lauburu was a nice touch. Their red pepper aioli on the turkey sandwich added a perfect depth of flavor to what could have been a standard turkey sandwich. We added some croquetas from the nearby Bar Gernika and had a lovely lunch. At these prices, the wonderful outdoor patio and the delicious food, I don't see how you can go wrong here.
(4)Nicole D.
My company has the Basque Market cater many of our events and they never fail to please. Their tapas are always delicious and enjoyed by everyone. The frozen sangrias are also yummy but very dangerous!
(5)Charlie B.
Paella on the Patio: After a beautiful bike ride along the Boise River Greenbelt, we stopped here for the weekly paella. We arrived a bit early and had primo seats and watched the rest of the amazing preparations for our soon to be lunch. Starting with Estrella beers, sitting on the patio in the gorgeous sunshine. We had a little tapas inside from the self-serve bar of croquetas, superb crostini with manchego and figs and of course the super amazing paella filled with chicken, mussels, chorizo, saffron and deliciously fragrant creamy rice. For $8 a plate - this was a super amazing deal! Am trying to get back here Friday before I leave on Sat back to the SF Bay area! I will miss eating in Boise's for a bargain!
(5)JP C.
Their white sangria is really good and great quality of tapas. I'm planning to come here every time I visit Boise.
(5)David C.
The staff is very friendly and the selection is nice. I stopped in to purchase a couple bottles of wine and they were extremely helpful.
(5)Tiffany R.
We have now been to the Basque Market twice both times attending classes. The soup class was a good class, the soups were quite yummy. This last time we attended the paella class which was a blast. Of course the paella and wine were delicious but I feel the best part is the experience. They offer quite a few bottles of nice wine, you can get some meats and other lovely bits for tapas. Or head over just to enjoy someone else's cooking and a glass of wine. If you can, take the time and attend a class because it is a great experience and plus you are fed a lovely meal while enjoying a few samples of wine.
(5)Betsy H.
Boise's Basque Block can't be missed when you are visiting this city. The Basque Market is a gem! Should you be searching for a place to purchase Basque food or wine, this is the place. The staffers are extremely friendly and knowledgeable about their products. Basque Market is a treasure trove of goodies for foodies and food lovers. Generally, they will have a few bottles of wine on ice and are more than willing to give you a taste and recommendation. The darling young man who was assisting me purchase a bottle of vino to take home as a gift explained the different vintages, flavor notes and regions in Spain from which each bottle came. I didn't try any of the Tapas, but I really wish I had it all looked super fabulous. The next time that I am in Boise, I will return for sure.
(5)Dan L.
Love this place! I come here every time I'm in Boise. Friendly, family owned shop with a real old world flavor. Nice place to sit and enjoy some fresh bread and good wine.
(5)Emma M.
This is one of my favorite places to have a quick lunch in the summer. You can get a selection of tapas or their lunch special which is a small sandwich, soup or salad, and a dessert. Everything they make is excellent. They also have a great frozen sangria that is soooo good in the summer. I like going for an early lunch and sitting outside on their little patio -- very relaxing. The people who work here are always friendly and it's very informal. You order your lunch at the counter and then grab a table either inside or outside and enjoy.
(5)Marissa H.
Only bought port-poached figs (they were ok) but thought the store offered a good selection of "things that are Basque related". A bit pricey but it is a specialty store.
(3)Loralee P.
Great selection of products, unfortunately completely unaffordable. Didn't try the tapas but they looked good. Didn't buy anything bc we couldn't stomach paying the insane mark-up. Very friendly place.
(4)David W.
Wonderful food, authentic tapas, great drinks. Lovely afternoon in continental outside seating.....one of Boise's must try places
(5)Janet M.
Highly recommend this hidden treasure on the Basque Block in Boise. I enjoyed Tapas Tuesday this week with wine tasting and delicious tapas. Great service and a perfect patio setting for greeting passers by on a warm spring and summer evening...
(5)Diana W.
I wonder why the wording is listed weird for this business. I'm pretty sure it's "The Basque Market" not "Basque the Market." Anyway... I'm in Boise for the week and I was wandering around downtown today killing time while B was at work. I ducked into this little shop in search of some reprieve from this relentless heat and the scorching sun (my scalp is so sunburned! it will fall off tomorrow...). It was dark and cool inside, and I was immediately greeted by a friendly man. Coolgirl was working the deli counter when I approached to look at the menu. A crisp white wine seemed like great idea so I asked about the house. Well, coolgirl gave me a sample of the house white and of the other whites they carried and discussed them with me. Very cool, hence, the title. I decided to go for the New Age White. It was very bright, clean, and easy to drink. The citrusiness (ok, so that's probably not a real word) and slight effervescence--think vinho verde--balanced out the sweetness. I got strong floral and peachy notes with a touch of honey. It was served over ice with fresh lime. Very refreshing. With cool cocktail in hand and teetering back from the brink of heatstroke, I perused the shelves of exotic basque treats. They had some interesting stuff I had not seen before (tinned octopus! and snails stewed in tomato sauce--had to get that one) and some nice Spanish wines. I wanted to pick up one of everything, but the thought of lugging around a sackful of canned goods and bottles of wine in the heat didn't appeal to me. I noticed that some of the items were past their freshness dates, which is a sad thing to see at small specialty stores. People need to buy more goodies from these places so that can stay in business! In my exhausted (been moving all weekend--packing, loading, uhauling across multiple states, unloading, reloading due to last minute apartment change at destination, and unloading again...) and dehydrated state, the wine affected me quite quickly and I got a bit chatty. Although coolgirl was trying to get some work done, she was very accommodating and nice. As I was leaving with my little parcel of goodness, she warmly welcomed me to Idaho. Sweet.
(4)