at
THE LIVELY
& BAR GIBBON
After the stresses and separation of the past 14 months, it is difficult to say “No” to an invitation that reads, “Eat. Drink. Be Lively!” Appropriately named, The Lively restaurant & Bar Gibbon proves a delicious experience worth waiting for. “We moved here from Connecticut 11 years ago with our two kids,” says Kari Strimple, co-owner with her husband, Greg. “We love this community and wanted to give something back to Boise that we knew existed in big cities but hadn’t gotten here yet. So, we built this place from the ground up.” Strimple’s attention to design and detail is rooted in her career as an interior designer. Greg comes from an advertising background and operates a thriving public opinion and consumer behavior strategy firm on the third floor of the sophisticated black building that recalls classic London and/or New Orleans, depending on how far you’ve traveled. “We’ve never been in the restaurant business,” says Kari, polishing a tarnished, antique pitcher to beaming sterling. “But I love making people feel comfortable. We wanted customers to feel like they are entering someone’s home.” The establishment is indeed as welcoming as it is lovely—albeit the vibe of the
Greg and Kari Strimple Michelin-Star Chef, Edward Higgins
marble floors, spiral staircase that leads to the expansive, upstairs dining room, and open kitchen of Michelin-starred chef, Edward Higgins belies an Upper East Side Manhattan abode. Again, the sense of “elevated-elegance” is exactly what The Lively & Bar Gibbon strives for and achieves in each dish served. The grilled octopus appetizer is so tender and tasty that it erases your guilty memory of watching My Octopus Teacher. Higgins’ Wagyu Culotte, an American Snake River special, melts tastily with bone marrow butter on your tongue. Pastries are daily works-of-art
Basque Cheesecake and signature cocktail “Bees Knees”
“Our aim has always been simple. We want to welcome everyone in Boise with great food and gracious hospitality.” with novelties like a coconut cake ball with marberries, a fruit so rare that it escapes a Google search. Upstairs, most impressive is the Chef ’s Table, a reservation-only, interactive dinner experience for eight people. Nightly, Higgins prepares an exclusive menu wherein dietary sensitivities and preferences are delectably accommodated. Downstairs, Gibbon monkeys swing across the wallpaper, reflecting the playful creativity of signature cocktails like the Bee’s Knees, concocted with Empress purple gin. No matter which night you walk into The Lively, the crowd is smiling, welldressed, and the atmosphere is as lively as the owners intended. “Our aim has always been simple,” says Kari. “We want to welcome everyone in Boise with great food and gracious hospitality. It’s your party—so be lively!”
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