Every year the Boise Weekly does a "Best of Boise" thing where readers get to vote on what their fave places/things/events/etc are here in Boise. There are sometimes when I agree with the overall consensus, but I have my own list of favorites for Boise that I want to share in case my opinion matters.
Best Place to Tan: Image Sun Tanning
If you make the choice to subject yourself to potential skin cancer, then you should choose to do it here. Image Sun is by far the most pleasant tanning salon I have ever been to. The place is super clean, not to mention the mother/daughter team that runs the place are the nicest people to do business with. They are genuinely concerned about keeping their clients safe and will take into consideration skin type before letting you get into a bed. What I also appreciated when I went there is the fact that they take the time to actually show you how all the features work on the beds so you aren't turning on the radio when you meant to turn on the fan instead.
Best Coffee: Flying M
Duh. Flying M coffee rocks! Not to mention the vibe of the place is super cool. Even better than all that is the fact that they are open late! Lattes at 11 pm make Flying M the best place ever.
Best Annual Event: Hyde Park Street Fair
If you need a place to go get your hippie on, this 3 day festival is it. There's artwork, belly dancing, live music, atheists trying to inform the masses what they do or rather don't believe, psychic Shiela, crazy hard core yoga demonstrations, tie dye, and massive amount of highly entertaining people to watch. This is by far the one thing that takes place in Boise that I look forward to each year. Love it! It's like our very own tiny little Woodstock with homemade soaps and lotions for sale.
Best Local Band: Blaze and Kelly
I don't care what their preference is, these ladies are super awesome! I love, love, love their style of music (both covers and originals). Plus, they are fun to watch. Entertainers that actually entertain, imagine that.
Best Place to Eat Pizza: Proto's Pizza
Proto's does the traditional Italian thin crust accompanied by a great outdoor eating area for people watching and good alcohol. If the parking situation were better, I would probably eat pizza there all the time. I recommend trying the mozzarella salad and dessert while there as well.
Best Place to Take Pizza Home to Eat: Flying Pie
Their ingredients are so fresh it makes my skin itch! Literally, since I have a bizarre allergy to real mozzarella. And the names for the pizzas are clever. This place is full of wit and good food.
Best Place to Get Your Groove on in a Nonthreatening Environment: The Balcony
Fun people, nonsmoking nights, good music=a night of dancing till your legs fall off (or at least feel like they're going to). And if you like adult beverages, this place is reasonably priced for a night out on the town. And if you are a gal who loves her dancing gays, you're in the right place.
Best Place to Discover Local Talent: The Sockeye
Nice that this place not only brews it's own specialty beers, but that they host local bands every Tuesday and Friday evening. Best part: no cover. So if the band sucks, drink more beer because it's not like you paid to see them. I highly recommend the onion rings with the chipotle mayo dipping sauce. It's like heaven in your mouth.
Best Place to Get Down With Your Girly Girl Self: Miss Tami's Tea Cottage
Oh, how floral prints make me nauseous! However, this place is great for creating the whole pretentious princess experience that every woman craves once in a while. They have an entire menu of different teas to choose from. The brunch buffet is legendary, as are their AMAZING monte cristo sandwiches (and normally I wouldn't be one to eat ham, but seriously these are the best sandwiches ever). The place has that old Victorian tea time feel that is leisurely and elegant. Definitely not a place to go if you are in a hurry, hate homemade fresh foods, or are morally opposed to consuming carbs.
Best Place to Grocery Shop Now That It's Finally Been Remodeled: The Boise Co-Op
Alas, you can fit more than one person with a grocery cart in the aisles. Yippee! The distinctive Co-op aroma of food and Nag Champa is still present so some things haven't changed in spite of the facelift.
Best Place to Buy the Hippie Clothes to Wear to Hyde Park and the Co-Op: Eyes of the World Imports
Guaranteed you will walk out of this place actually smelling like Nag Champa but it is well worth it because the Boho style of clothing is abundant in this shop. Also has super nifty gift ideas for your fellow new agey, hippie friends. This is one of my absolute favorite places in Boise to shop at.
Best Local Business to Support Even if You Can Find the Merchandise Cheaper Somewhere Else: The Boise Record Exchange
If you've ever shopped here then you understand what I am talking about. It's a music lover's haven of hard to find music. Plus the attached gift shop has fun stuff to look at/laugh at/buy.
Best Place I Wish I Could Afford to Replace my Entire Wardrobe At: Dragonfly
A boutiquey store in downtown that also has quite the selection of bohemian styled clothing, but there's also stuff you could wear to work and not get stared at repeatedly throughout the day. They just have cute stuff all around. It's unfortunate the price point is a little high. They too have a gift section of the store plus a rather extensive selection of sterling silver jewelry. Sigh.
I make this list with the intention of rereading it at times when I want to bag on my current location. Obviously, it's not so bad here. Especially if you like Nag Champa, music, and a sense of community. High fives to Boise for not completely sucking!
