PARKCENTER Location (River Quarry)
404 E ParkCenter Blvd
Boise, Idaho 83706
(208) 333-2223
Like the name states, it's a Mediterranean Grill. This restaurant has 2 locations in Boise, we chose to go to the one on Parkcenter.
Very casual setting. It has booth-table combo along one wall and regular tables on the rest of the floor, able to accommodate all party sizes since all table can be combined or separated, a very stroller friendly environment. This time we opted for the high chair.
You walk in, you stare-gawk-ponder at the menu which is available on paper or in colour on the giant chalk board that's behind the cashier. The staff was efficient, friendly, and ready to answer any questions you have about it's many offerings. The closest I ever had of Mediterranean food of any regular basis was baklava so my understanding of their culture or food is VERY limited. But the cashier was patient as we (mostly me, I'm a very slow order-er) asked her about the food even though the description was written right NEXT to the menu item, I'm the type that can't seem to comprehend the written description I guess. I always like to ask what the staff recommends, they know best right?
My final decision was the Gyro Platter. Which was gyro (pronounce like "euro") strips on top of Basmati rice, a gyro sandwich (gyro pita really), and 2 small sides which I chose the Mujaddara (don't ask me how to pronounce this, I let my fingers do the pointing) which was rice and lentils cooked together with spices and extra virgin olive oil. topped with glazed onions and sumac. The other side was Za'atr bread, which is an oregano mixed with toasted sesame on pita. With bottomless fountain drink this came to about $10. I took advantage of being a local university student and got a small discount.
Gyro was nicely done which by my definition means, it wasn't like eating lamb jerky. And, yeah it really did taste like lamb. The rice and lentil was a very nice surprise. Because rice and lentil itself is rather plain in flavoring but mixed together with the flavor packed onions and sumac it was just the perfect amount of seasoning that I totally bypassed the salt I was about to reach for after my first taste of just plain rice and lentil. The Za'atr was very, herb-y. There's no other way for me to describe this pita, it was like eating pita bread that was coated with a fine dusting of dried oregano. Not bad, but nothing awe inspiring, that is until my pita found its way into my friend's Tzakziki sauce.
Her platter order of, Kabob came with Basmati rice, and 2 small sides also. She chose the Hummus and Pita, and the Tzakziki and Pita. Never having had tzakziki before she found it a delightful experience and found a new favorite dip.
Their staff is one of the best I've ever seen. An incident happened while we were there, a child with upset tummy happens to have made a mess after his meal. The parents were apologetic if somewhat frazzled by the experience but the staff was totally cool about it. Without a word of complaint, grimace nor pause one of the staff members brought out the mop and cleaning supplies and went about cleaning up the area and sanitizing the effected area. He cleaned the area up quickly but thoroughly with an casual professionalism. His professionalism at the upsetting task shows how much the staff is dedicated to this restaurant's reputation.
The portions was filling, I had so much food that I actually had to take the Gyro sandwich home. Roomy, plenty of parking areas in front, good food. Definitely worth coming back to explore more of its menu offerings.
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