Yet another disappointing Asian restaurant in the Treasure Valley. The menu is vast including noodle dishes, curries, etc.... When our server told us the two most popular dishes on the menu were the Kung Pau Chicken (he said it's ordered 5:1 more than any other dish) and the fried rice I knew we were in trouble. We ordered the shrimp fresh rolls and fried green beans to start. The fresh rolls needed some more cilantro and romaine lettuce instead of iceberg. The beans were not what I expected at all...I guess I thought they would be pan fried Chinese long beans like what most Asian restaurants serve but when they arrived they were deep fried green beans. You couldn't even taste the bean underneath the thick layer of breading. Noticing the almost full dish of beans our server asked if we didn't like them and we just explained they weren't what we thought they were going to be. We didn't even have them boxed up because we knew we weren't going to eat them. Our server did take them off the bill. My husband ordered the Chicken Pad See Ew and I went with the ginger filet dish. The pad see ew was sweet which isn't typical of the dish. You can tell they seem to be dumbing the food down. The ginger filet dish was just okay. So I am giving this place 2 stars because they have a great tap list and their decor is comfortable and inviting. I guess I am just learning I need to get my Asian fare fixes in Seattle or San Fran.
(2)
Victoria G.
SO, SO GOOD. After eating it once, I wanted to eat it every day.
(5)
Rebecca R.
Unfortunately, the meal I had here was not very good. I had the General Chicken - the sauce was super thick and way too sweet - and I usually LOVE sweet anything! On a positive note, the Fried Green Beans were very good - nice and crispy. The service was not stellar - the waiters were okay, but the greeters at the door were younger women and didn't even acknowledge us when we left.
(2)
Richard L.
I am an engineer and work on surgical lasers, so I usually travel to Eagle Idaho 4 times a year. While I am there, I usually take my aunt and uncle out to Rice because I really like their General Chicken. But all of that changed since the last time I went there. I will now, never step foot in this restaurant, ever again. the last time we went there, there were only 3 tables occupied and we waited an hour before anyone came to serve us. after the lady came and took our drink order, it took a half hour to get our drinks, and another hour to get our food. on top of that, the lady who seated us was rude as heck to us while she took our empty plates. I thanked her for taking them and got a "Yeah, whatever," from her! keep in mind, she had nothing to do with our ordering process and she didn't cook the food either. we also aren't the type of people to do complex ordering such as..."meat to one side of the plate, vegetables to the left...ect." I just order food, as is. anyway, Rice, you lost a loyal customer, as well as, a great tipper! I'll stick to Grinkers, next door!
(1)
Joan W.
Had lunch: two appetizers and shared a salad. The fresh rolls with shrimp were very good...especially enjoyed the three different sauces that came with. The green beans were good...but a lighter batter would have been better. The sauces were excellent . We had the papaya salad...very fresh and good tasting. Service was excellent. Our waitress was very prompt and lunch was served soon after ordering. We sat outside and the very nice patio. The inside is very attractive as well. Planning a return trip for dinner soon.
(5)
Linda F.
My friend and I went for girls lunch and had a horrible experience. It's been a while back but I can't even begin to remember how or what the food was that we ordered. We placed some sort of appetizer order that we were going to share and also what we wanted for our main course. Our appetizer never came even after asking our tall female server about it and her saying that it would be right up. After waiting about 45 minutes to an hour our main course finally came. Our waitress acted shocked that we still hadn't received our appetizer when she brought our lunch and our check. She apologized and volunteered that she would comp our dessert. After finishing our lunch we waited for her to come back to our table and bring us a dessert menu but she never returned. She was still walking around the restaurant so we asked the hostess if she could send our waitress over so that we could order the dessert. The hostess or the waitress never returned to our table so eventually we paid our tab and left. I won't ever go back. I couldn't even tell you how the food was since the service was so bad. We were told that the restaurant was owned buy the owner of SayWaDee on Fairview and really wanted this place to be a new, local favorite but that won't happen.
(1)
Matt T.
Let me start by saying, I really wanted to like this place. I love Asian cuisine, I live close by and they use fresh, local ingredients. We went in on a Friday night around 7:30. Place was busy but no wait and we were sat immediately. That's where the experience started to break down. We sat for almost 10 minutes without being greeted by a server or anyone. Our waitress finally did make it over and helped explain the menu and dropped off water. We asked some questions about the dishes which she was able to explain. We have 2 vegetarians, one that is almost vegan (very selectively eats fish/shrimp) and every one was able to find something to eat. One of the nice things about the menu is that many of the items can be made vegetarian and vegan. So our order was taken, appetizers, entrees, a beer and a wine. The appetizers arrived about 15 mins later, and prior to that our waitress dropped a rice dish for our 6 year old which was very nice of her. Shortly after the apps came, the beer was delivered. No wine. Which is weird. We thought it would be coming shortly, but it didn't. We didn't see our waitress again until after the entrees came (they were delivered by a couple of runners from the kitchen). To me, selling the drinks is a big deal to restaurants who want to be profitable so I am not sure why it took so long to bring them, and then why they didn't get the wine on the order. By the time we got our entrees, they place had quieted down and there were lots of tables beginning to open up. Our waitress stopped by mid bite and asked how things were. The food was good, no doubt about it. We finished our meal and got the bill. And it was incorrect (although for her credit, the wine wasn't on the bill, she must have missed it entirely). After two times of addressing it with her manager, she fixed the bill. What disappointed me was that the manager never came out to: 1)ask how things were during the meal, 2) apologize for the confusion on the bill, 3) ask us to please come back. So, we ate at the speed of service and were out of there 90 minutes after having arrived. The food was good, the service was missing key components of what will make them successful. Maybe we were there on an off night. I really wanted to like this place. The management needs to tighten up service, fix the POS and get their sushi bar up and going (the waitress said they were waiting to do that until they figured out demand ???).
(2)
Micah C.
Great margaritas at a great price during happy hour! Tons of wonderful tasting gluten-free options on main menu. Great service, friendly staff, eager to please. Fun atmosphere. Check this place out!
(5)
David H.
Love Love Love!!!! Food was well beyond anything else in the area. Staff was friendly and decor was a step above!!!
(5)
Kimberly H.
I gave this place two tries, and today just blew it out of the water. A few months ago, my mother and I went to have dinner during happy hour. Let me start with how cheesy the paper menues are... Are you kidding me? They are literally stapled with five pages of random food everywhere; in no order. We ordered quite a few appetizers, since we were bringing some home to the rest of the family. Our waiter (some bald idiot) insinuated that we ordered a ton of food for the two of us. After our meal, he said "did you finish all of that???!" Then he lifted up the lid of the carry out box and looked at what food was left! That was the rudest restaurant experience that we have ever had. Tonight, my mother went to grab some dinner to go and to give them another chance. Apparently, you can't have the happy hour prices as take out. My mother had to sit in a booth with about six entrees in front of her. How embarrassing. What difference does it make? She ended up taking it all home anyways. Also, to top it off, the bald idiot was her server again. Rice has good food, I give them that, but they should re think their management team. I have lived here all of my life, and I guarantee you that this restaurant will fail. Spend the few extra dollars and go to downtown Boise to Pf Changs... Don't have the same experiences we had!!!!!!!!!!
(1)
Michele R.
Always cautious about restaurants that combine multi Asian cuisines in the same menu, Rice is one of those restaurants with Chinese, Thai, Japanese and Korean food options. Lunch here for three people was better than we expected it to be for the Thai curries and noodles we shared. Good enough that we'd go back if in the area and looking for a reasonably priced quick meal. Not so much that it would be a destination for us Overall, it might be better if the owners would "pick a lane and stay in it". My intuition from looking at the menu is the owners may have Thai heritage. If so,Thai food would be a great lane to choose and let the kitchen focus. FOOD Menu is extensive, multi page, and broken down into Appetizers, Fried Rice and Curries, Noodles, Soup and Salad and Entree Specialties. General Tsao's, Teriyaki, Bulgogi, Thai curries and noodles and so on. There is a lunch special menu but you can also order off the main menu at lunch. We choose Thai options and shared two curries and two noodle dishes. All were tasty but very light on the spice level. Chili condiments are brought to the table to add your own. Three of the four dishes are ones we would order again. Thai basil noodles were particularly good. Although we are not vegetarians, my husband and I lean to vegetarian options much of the time and tend to eat in that mode at home. So we were delighted to note the menu had a plethora of options that were vegetarian and vegan friendly. Also many dishes are gluten free. Full bar if imbibing is in your plans. VALUE Prices range from roughly $6 (soup) to roughly $20 (specialty entrees) with lots of options in between. Lunch for three, minus beverages, with leftovers was $37. SERVICE Friendly and knowledgable to answer our questions about the menu items. Although one of the dishes delivered to the table was wrong, not the one we ordered, it was cheerfully whisked it away to be corrected. Also, while the replacement was delivered piping hot, the other three dishes were lukewarm suggesting they may have waited in the kitchen for delivery. Puzzling given the restaurant was maybe only a quarter full. VIBE Eclectic is the word that comes to mind for decor. A cacophony of different lights hanging from the ceiling. Offered as constructive observation, it seemed as if a good cleaning might be useful. Small example of that were "eewww.."y condiment jars and tables that seemed wiped up but not cleaned. There' is a difference. SEATING Bar has high stool seating at high tables and what looked to be some booths. Booth and standard height table seating in remainder of space. Tables are tightly spaced which I imagine could feel a bit like "sardine can" seating if full. Outside seating on patio when weather permits. THIS N THAT 1) PARKING: Small, strip mall private lot. If the address sounds familiar, Rice is in the space formerly home to the River Rock Ale House. So...yes...the parking lot can be too small at times. 2) ACCESSIBILITY: Level in and throughout. Spaces between tables could be a problem but there is standard height table seating. Parking in the lot is not compliant with ADA and Idaho code minimum standards. 3) NEIGHBORS: Starbucks at the opposite end of the strip mall.
(3)
Darren G.
Amazing food and great service at a reasonable price. We will keep coming back. The pad Thai is the bomb and the general chicken too
(5)
Ricardo C.
Great food, Great service.... We ordered three different entrees that our waiter Matt suggested and they were delicious ! On top of the great food, Matt made our dining experience enjoyable and relaxing. We don't often post on yelp, But when we do, It is worth the time to do so..
(5)
Nick T.
Can't think of anything wrong with this restaurant, the only thing is that it doesn't make you choose whether you want to go out for Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, or Sushi.. You can have them all. The Panang curry was very tasty with tofu, but I wish it were a bit spicier. I also wish it were fresh tofu instead of fried tofu. The choice of Jasmine or brown rice is always appreciated, I prefer brown rice and it was very good. The tilapia was also very good but the coconut lime starting wasn't really to our liking. We preferred the mayo/vinegar one that came with the house salad. Overall a great experience and the service was excellent.
(5)
Aubree W.
Great choices of contemporary asian cuisine! I can never decide between the beef bulgogi, wonseen noodles amd the shrimp kung pao. I highly recommend the beef and wonseen. Drinks are also delicious! The only thing is, with all their artwork and chandeliers in the restaurant, someone needs to dust.
(4)
Tom K.
Everyone's favorite Iceman recently moved to Idaho from Austin and has eaten at this establishment on four occasions, each visit more disappointing than the prior one. This past week, Ice ordered the Kung Pao Chicken, which was served atop a bed of diced veggies you'd find in the freezer section at the Albertson's across the street. Not cool, Rice man. How can you rationalize charging what you do for something like that? Not only is it insulting my intelligence as your customer, but it devalues your restaurant and I have to think embarrasses the hell out of any employees who actually care about what they're doing. Iceman is taking his tastebuds and his cash elsewhere, never to return. Danger zone.
(1)
Melissa K.
Pleasantly surprised with this restaurant. It was more than I expected, judging from the location in a strip mall. Very comfortable and inviting. Great drink menu, and great mixologist. The food was very yummy, full of flavor and a nice balance of heat. It appeared they had a good happy hour menu, I will have to go back to give a try!
(4)
Carl Y.
I would give them a 3.5, but not quite 4 stars. If you know what dishes are better than others, you will be OK, but it is hard to believe anyone can master a menu of this size plus sushi too. They seem to do better on Thai than Chinese dishes. Lots of good reviews of length here, so I will not try to duplicate these. But we do like to come here for a drink and appetizers. The appetizers are quite good and diverse and the bar seems to produce cocktails quickly and well. So for visiting with friends and grazing with a cocktail, we recommend Rice for such a meal. Parking can be a problem at high traffic hours.
(3)
William S.
Been numerous restaurants at this Location. I hope Rice continues to impress. Food is good and has a nice outdoor area.
(5)
Bob G.
I've given Rice more opportunity since my last mediocre rating and have only seen improvements in the food and service. The music and specials have now become more relevant and I'm happy to say that Toffee and Phon have really got things running more smoothly. I frequent routinely.
(5)
Bruce T.
Went here a couple of times last week. The noodle dishes are superb - five stars. On the other hand, I had Kung Pao chicken served over what looked like overcooked succotash rather than freshly cut and flashed-cooked, crunchy veggies. The flavor was good, but the texture, not so much - 2 stars. Another big turnoff was the "entertainment" at dinner. I go to a good restaurant to enjoy a meal and conversation. The conversation wasn't possible with the amplified music. It completely spoiled the experience. This place has real possibilities and I'll go back for the noodle dishes, but only for lunch as long as the "dinner entertainment" persists.
(3)
Marlon M.
We've been here a few times and the food is good, but nothing spectacular. The decor is modern, the bar seems popular, and they have live music a few days a week. However, it can get so loud in here that it's difficult to have a conversation. I've only had a handful of dishes on the menu. My fav is the Chicken Makhani. Creamy curried chicken with basmati (I think) rice, mango yogurt salsa and naan. I was impressed with the naan, but it's nothing like what you can get in an Indian restaurant. You absolutely cannot go wrong with the Bangkok Shrimp app here. Had it every time. Just order it. Service has always been great and no bad attitudes. Even on a night when staffing issues went awry and they were short handed, though my drink stayed empty for a while. Not the server's fault they were short. They were all running around, but kept up with a smile on their faces. You can definitely find better food at restaurants with a single theme, but they don't do too bad in their attempts to showcase food from all across Asia. Give them a try.
(3)
Forrest W.
This is one of our favorite restaurants in Boise. Great Asian cuisine. Nice people great food. Try the Generals chicken. The Bangkok shrimp is awesome.
(5)
Carolyn P.
The food was good but the wait was 1.5 hours to be served. We finally found out they were short staffed and they comped us a round. Still 2 hours with 3 kids was very challenging. It would have been nice to get an update on the service as we had to ask what was going on. The food is worth going back for but the kitchen situation makes it hard to think about going back.
(2)
Kevin K.
Great Place! In judging it from the out side I was expecting standard Chinese food. I was pleasantly surprised buy the quality and uniqueness of the dishes. My wife and I were both very happy with our dinner and look forward to going back and trying more. The decor was also a bit funky which made the dining experience a little more fun. And if all you are looking for is a couple drinks, this is the place to go! Great drink menue!!!!!
(4)
David F.
Northwest Ada County has been needing a PanAsian establishment like no manana. Rice delivers the best Noodle dishes north of the Boise River. So good they should have called it Noodle. Especially considering the recents questions surrounding the use of the word "rice" in school sports boosterism by a journalistic outlet. (Yeah, it is racism even if you say you didn't mean it because it is in the ear or eye of the beholder). Wonton Noodle Soup and Spicy Noodle dishes are excellent. I want to try them all. A big plus is the inclusion of baby bok choi, small flowered asian broccoli, red peppers, etc. It's great to have veggies in high proportions because that's the shining differentiator of Asian cuisine. There is a huge menu with a variety of Asian traditions including Korean BBQ. The Beef Bulgogi comes with a small amount of Kim Chee and other condiments. They should probably plate up a bit more of these. The real reason for Rice's existence where it is has to do with the restaurateurs of Sawadee obtaining a liquor license in Eagle, ID. Chris the bartender is putting the license to good use, Check out the Rising Sun with savory pepper basil, and cilantro.
(4)
Joy S.
I'm updating my review today after having lunch at Rice with my daughter. I keep finding myself coming back to Rice on a regular basis. The consistency is what brings me back. I know what I can expect coming into the restaurant. The lunch service was quick and the dishes were cooked to perfection. I respect a place that can get noodle dishes right on. I didn't order any spice on mine and was able to add the proper amount of spice with the chile paste. The vegetables were cooked perfectly and they were plentiful. The portions were hearty and I definitely didn't leave hungry. Again I come back to the consistency. I like coming to Rice because I know what I want when I come here. The menu is really huge but I have my favorites. I love the noodle dishes and the sushi is also very good. I also like the fresh rolls, fried green beans and the chicken wings. I do NOT like the eggplant salsa. This is one of those places that if you live in Eagle you will come into and find your favorites by trying things out. I will say that the service has also improved over the last few months. That has been an area that has been hit and miss over the last year. My favorite person is Dusty, she knows her stuff and something about her is just likeable. She is someone you will always see when you go into Rice. I'll keep going into Rice so I have to give them the extra star.
(4)
Heidi I.
Rice is an outstanding "find" in Eagle...and has menu items for those who like traditional (not very adventurous Asian cuisine) as well as for those who want innovative, unique dishes that can't be found anywhere else. Service at Rice is friendly, personal, and often provided by one of the owners or family members. If you provide them with an idea of what you'd like to try, they are always great with suggestions that are spot-on. I've never had a disappointing experience...and have taken-advantage of the fantastic deals during their happy hour in addition to visiting for lunch or dinner. When we decide to go to Rice for dinner, we almost always call-ahead as it can be very busy. By getting on the list we don't wait too long. My best friend that lived in Thailand always makes RICE and their sister-restaurant SA-WAD-DEE in Meridian a dining priority when she visits. They've got outstanding food, a ton of options for special diets (vegetarian, gluten-free, low-carb), and they are always willing to go to the ends of the earth to make your experience special!
My wife and I have been here two times; the last time last night. We were pleasantly surprised on our first visit and thoroughly enjoyed our meals. My wife ordered, among other things, the combination fried rice, and it was huge. Plan on taking home food after your meal. Now about last night... As we walked in a man was playing a piano. The place is a little small for live music but I thought, wow, that's a nice touch. Those feelings quickly dissipated when the piano player was joined by a female singer. I use that term loosely because this lady - although I am sure she is very nice - couldn't carry a tune in a shower. After her first few notes, I thought to myself, this must be the owner's daughter or some relation to get this gig. Then to top it off she walked around the restaurant singing and even sat down at a table near us to "serenade" the customers who were sitting there. I would have died had she sat down at our table. But enough about the "music." We had another very nice meal and were well treated by our server, Timothy.
(3)
John B.
Unlike some of the others leaving reviews I will make this as short as possible. First of all since I discovered Rice I have been there at least once a week. The food, staff and the atmosphere are terrific. I like having the variety of Asian cuisine on one menu. I definitely would reccomend to friends!
(5)
Angela D.
Delicious vegetarian options! We ordered the Pannag curry with mixed veggies & Thai Basil with mixed veggies. This was a take out order which was prompt, without issue. Both dishes were filled with wonderful fresh veggies and the sauces were amazing. They both came with side orders of brown rice for a total of $26. Great value, healthy and so yummy! We are definitely going back.
(5)
Laura G.
I always love eating at Rice. Whenever I need to have a lunch meeting, I try to schedule it here. They have a great lunch menu- the Panang curry, basil noodle dish, and pad thai are all some of my favorites. If you're in the mood for an appetizer, try the Bangkok Shrimp. It's delicious! Shrimp and sauce over a bed of greens doesn't sound like it would be good, but it is truly excellent. The waitress we usually get, Dusty, is wonderful and always remembers our favorites. (And she's the one the turned us on to the Bangkok Shrimp a few visits ago- great suggestion!) They also label their gluten-free options, and have a wide selection for those GF folks. Overall, this place has great flavors, excellent waitstaff, and appealing decor. Check it out, you won't be sorry!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Amy K.
Yet another disappointing Asian restaurant in the Treasure Valley. The menu is vast including noodle dishes, curries, etc.... When our server told us the two most popular dishes on the menu were the Kung Pau Chicken (he said it's ordered 5:1 more than any other dish) and the fried rice I knew we were in trouble. We ordered the shrimp fresh rolls and fried green beans to start. The fresh rolls needed some more cilantro and romaine lettuce instead of iceberg. The beans were not what I expected at all...I guess I thought they would be pan fried Chinese long beans like what most Asian restaurants serve but when they arrived they were deep fried green beans. You couldn't even taste the bean underneath the thick layer of breading. Noticing the almost full dish of beans our server asked if we didn't like them and we just explained they weren't what we thought they were going to be. We didn't even have them boxed up because we knew we weren't going to eat them. Our server did take them off the bill. My husband ordered the Chicken Pad See Ew and I went with the ginger filet dish. The pad see ew was sweet which isn't typical of the dish. You can tell they seem to be dumbing the food down. The ginger filet dish was just okay. So I am giving this place 2 stars because they have a great tap list and their decor is comfortable and inviting. I guess I am just learning I need to get my Asian fare fixes in Seattle or San Fran.
(2)Victoria G.
SO, SO GOOD. After eating it once, I wanted to eat it every day.
(5)Rebecca R.
Unfortunately, the meal I had here was not very good. I had the General Chicken - the sauce was super thick and way too sweet - and I usually LOVE sweet anything! On a positive note, the Fried Green Beans were very good - nice and crispy. The service was not stellar - the waiters were okay, but the greeters at the door were younger women and didn't even acknowledge us when we left.
(2)Richard L.
I am an engineer and work on surgical lasers, so I usually travel to Eagle Idaho 4 times a year. While I am there, I usually take my aunt and uncle out to Rice because I really like their General Chicken. But all of that changed since the last time I went there. I will now, never step foot in this restaurant, ever again. the last time we went there, there were only 3 tables occupied and we waited an hour before anyone came to serve us. after the lady came and took our drink order, it took a half hour to get our drinks, and another hour to get our food. on top of that, the lady who seated us was rude as heck to us while she took our empty plates. I thanked her for taking them and got a "Yeah, whatever," from her! keep in mind, she had nothing to do with our ordering process and she didn't cook the food either. we also aren't the type of people to do complex ordering such as..."meat to one side of the plate, vegetables to the left...ect." I just order food, as is. anyway, Rice, you lost a loyal customer, as well as, a great tipper! I'll stick to Grinkers, next door!
(1)Joan W.
Had lunch: two appetizers and shared a salad. The fresh rolls with shrimp were very good...especially enjoyed the three different sauces that came with. The green beans were good...but a lighter batter would have been better. The sauces were excellent . We had the papaya salad...very fresh and good tasting. Service was excellent. Our waitress was very prompt and lunch was served soon after ordering. We sat outside and the very nice patio. The inside is very attractive as well. Planning a return trip for dinner soon.
(5)Linda F.
My friend and I went for girls lunch and had a horrible experience. It's been a while back but I can't even begin to remember how or what the food was that we ordered. We placed some sort of appetizer order that we were going to share and also what we wanted for our main course. Our appetizer never came even after asking our tall female server about it and her saying that it would be right up. After waiting about 45 minutes to an hour our main course finally came. Our waitress acted shocked that we still hadn't received our appetizer when she brought our lunch and our check. She apologized and volunteered that she would comp our dessert. After finishing our lunch we waited for her to come back to our table and bring us a dessert menu but she never returned. She was still walking around the restaurant so we asked the hostess if she could send our waitress over so that we could order the dessert. The hostess or the waitress never returned to our table so eventually we paid our tab and left. I won't ever go back. I couldn't even tell you how the food was since the service was so bad. We were told that the restaurant was owned buy the owner of SayWaDee on Fairview and really wanted this place to be a new, local favorite but that won't happen.
(1)Matt T.
Let me start by saying, I really wanted to like this place. I love Asian cuisine, I live close by and they use fresh, local ingredients. We went in on a Friday night around 7:30. Place was busy but no wait and we were sat immediately. That's where the experience started to break down. We sat for almost 10 minutes without being greeted by a server or anyone. Our waitress finally did make it over and helped explain the menu and dropped off water. We asked some questions about the dishes which she was able to explain. We have 2 vegetarians, one that is almost vegan (very selectively eats fish/shrimp) and every one was able to find something to eat. One of the nice things about the menu is that many of the items can be made vegetarian and vegan. So our order was taken, appetizers, entrees, a beer and a wine. The appetizers arrived about 15 mins later, and prior to that our waitress dropped a rice dish for our 6 year old which was very nice of her. Shortly after the apps came, the beer was delivered. No wine. Which is weird. We thought it would be coming shortly, but it didn't. We didn't see our waitress again until after the entrees came (they were delivered by a couple of runners from the kitchen). To me, selling the drinks is a big deal to restaurants who want to be profitable so I am not sure why it took so long to bring them, and then why they didn't get the wine on the order. By the time we got our entrees, they place had quieted down and there were lots of tables beginning to open up. Our waitress stopped by mid bite and asked how things were. The food was good, no doubt about it. We finished our meal and got the bill. And it was incorrect (although for her credit, the wine wasn't on the bill, she must have missed it entirely). After two times of addressing it with her manager, she fixed the bill. What disappointed me was that the manager never came out to: 1)ask how things were during the meal, 2) apologize for the confusion on the bill, 3) ask us to please come back. So, we ate at the speed of service and were out of there 90 minutes after having arrived. The food was good, the service was missing key components of what will make them successful. Maybe we were there on an off night. I really wanted to like this place. The management needs to tighten up service, fix the POS and get their sushi bar up and going (the waitress said they were waiting to do that until they figured out demand ???).
(2)Micah C.
Great margaritas at a great price during happy hour! Tons of wonderful tasting gluten-free options on main menu. Great service, friendly staff, eager to please. Fun atmosphere. Check this place out!
(5)David H.
Love Love Love!!!! Food was well beyond anything else in the area. Staff was friendly and decor was a step above!!!
(5)Kimberly H.
I gave this place two tries, and today just blew it out of the water. A few months ago, my mother and I went to have dinner during happy hour. Let me start with how cheesy the paper menues are... Are you kidding me? They are literally stapled with five pages of random food everywhere; in no order. We ordered quite a few appetizers, since we were bringing some home to the rest of the family. Our waiter (some bald idiot) insinuated that we ordered a ton of food for the two of us. After our meal, he said "did you finish all of that???!" Then he lifted up the lid of the carry out box and looked at what food was left! That was the rudest restaurant experience that we have ever had. Tonight, my mother went to grab some dinner to go and to give them another chance. Apparently, you can't have the happy hour prices as take out. My mother had to sit in a booth with about six entrees in front of her. How embarrassing. What difference does it make? She ended up taking it all home anyways. Also, to top it off, the bald idiot was her server again. Rice has good food, I give them that, but they should re think their management team. I have lived here all of my life, and I guarantee you that this restaurant will fail. Spend the few extra dollars and go to downtown Boise to Pf Changs... Don't have the same experiences we had!!!!!!!!!!
(1)Michele R.
Always cautious about restaurants that combine multi Asian cuisines in the same menu, Rice is one of those restaurants with Chinese, Thai, Japanese and Korean food options. Lunch here for three people was better than we expected it to be for the Thai curries and noodles we shared. Good enough that we'd go back if in the area and looking for a reasonably priced quick meal. Not so much that it would be a destination for us Overall, it might be better if the owners would "pick a lane and stay in it". My intuition from looking at the menu is the owners may have Thai heritage. If so,Thai food would be a great lane to choose and let the kitchen focus. FOOD Menu is extensive, multi page, and broken down into Appetizers, Fried Rice and Curries, Noodles, Soup and Salad and Entree Specialties. General Tsao's, Teriyaki, Bulgogi, Thai curries and noodles and so on. There is a lunch special menu but you can also order off the main menu at lunch. We choose Thai options and shared two curries and two noodle dishes. All were tasty but very light on the spice level. Chili condiments are brought to the table to add your own. Three of the four dishes are ones we would order again. Thai basil noodles were particularly good. Although we are not vegetarians, my husband and I lean to vegetarian options much of the time and tend to eat in that mode at home. So we were delighted to note the menu had a plethora of options that were vegetarian and vegan friendly. Also many dishes are gluten free. Full bar if imbibing is in your plans. VALUE Prices range from roughly $6 (soup) to roughly $20 (specialty entrees) with lots of options in between. Lunch for three, minus beverages, with leftovers was $37. SERVICE Friendly and knowledgable to answer our questions about the menu items. Although one of the dishes delivered to the table was wrong, not the one we ordered, it was cheerfully whisked it away to be corrected. Also, while the replacement was delivered piping hot, the other three dishes were lukewarm suggesting they may have waited in the kitchen for delivery. Puzzling given the restaurant was maybe only a quarter full. VIBE Eclectic is the word that comes to mind for decor. A cacophony of different lights hanging from the ceiling. Offered as constructive observation, it seemed as if a good cleaning might be useful. Small example of that were "eewww.."y condiment jars and tables that seemed wiped up but not cleaned. There' is a difference. SEATING Bar has high stool seating at high tables and what looked to be some booths. Booth and standard height table seating in remainder of space. Tables are tightly spaced which I imagine could feel a bit like "sardine can" seating if full. Outside seating on patio when weather permits. THIS N THAT 1) PARKING: Small, strip mall private lot. If the address sounds familiar, Rice is in the space formerly home to the River Rock Ale House. So...yes...the parking lot can be too small at times. 2) ACCESSIBILITY: Level in and throughout. Spaces between tables could be a problem but there is standard height table seating. Parking in the lot is not compliant with ADA and Idaho code minimum standards. 3) NEIGHBORS: Starbucks at the opposite end of the strip mall.
(3)Darren G.
Amazing food and great service at a reasonable price. We will keep coming back. The pad Thai is the bomb and the general chicken too
(5)Ricardo C.
Great food, Great service.... We ordered three different entrees that our waiter Matt suggested and they were delicious ! On top of the great food, Matt made our dining experience enjoyable and relaxing. We don't often post on yelp, But when we do, It is worth the time to do so..
(5)Nick T.
Can't think of anything wrong with this restaurant, the only thing is that it doesn't make you choose whether you want to go out for Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, or Sushi.. You can have them all. The Panang curry was very tasty with tofu, but I wish it were a bit spicier. I also wish it were fresh tofu instead of fried tofu. The choice of Jasmine or brown rice is always appreciated, I prefer brown rice and it was very good. The tilapia was also very good but the coconut lime starting wasn't really to our liking. We preferred the mayo/vinegar one that came with the house salad. Overall a great experience and the service was excellent.
(5)Aubree W.
Great choices of contemporary asian cuisine! I can never decide between the beef bulgogi, wonseen noodles amd the shrimp kung pao. I highly recommend the beef and wonseen. Drinks are also delicious! The only thing is, with all their artwork and chandeliers in the restaurant, someone needs to dust.
(4)Tom K.
Everyone's favorite Iceman recently moved to Idaho from Austin and has eaten at this establishment on four occasions, each visit more disappointing than the prior one. This past week, Ice ordered the Kung Pao Chicken, which was served atop a bed of diced veggies you'd find in the freezer section at the Albertson's across the street. Not cool, Rice man. How can you rationalize charging what you do for something like that? Not only is it insulting my intelligence as your customer, but it devalues your restaurant and I have to think embarrasses the hell out of any employees who actually care about what they're doing. Iceman is taking his tastebuds and his cash elsewhere, never to return. Danger zone.
(1)Melissa K.
Pleasantly surprised with this restaurant. It was more than I expected, judging from the location in a strip mall. Very comfortable and inviting. Great drink menu, and great mixologist. The food was very yummy, full of flavor and a nice balance of heat. It appeared they had a good happy hour menu, I will have to go back to give a try!
(4)Carl Y.
I would give them a 3.5, but not quite 4 stars. If you know what dishes are better than others, you will be OK, but it is hard to believe anyone can master a menu of this size plus sushi too. They seem to do better on Thai than Chinese dishes. Lots of good reviews of length here, so I will not try to duplicate these. But we do like to come here for a drink and appetizers. The appetizers are quite good and diverse and the bar seems to produce cocktails quickly and well. So for visiting with friends and grazing with a cocktail, we recommend Rice for such a meal. Parking can be a problem at high traffic hours.
(3)William S.
Been numerous restaurants at this Location. I hope Rice continues to impress. Food is good and has a nice outdoor area.
(5)Bob G.
I've given Rice more opportunity since my last mediocre rating and have only seen improvements in the food and service. The music and specials have now become more relevant and I'm happy to say that Toffee and Phon have really got things running more smoothly. I frequent routinely.
(5)Bruce T.
Went here a couple of times last week. The noodle dishes are superb - five stars. On the other hand, I had Kung Pao chicken served over what looked like overcooked succotash rather than freshly cut and flashed-cooked, crunchy veggies. The flavor was good, but the texture, not so much - 2 stars. Another big turnoff was the "entertainment" at dinner. I go to a good restaurant to enjoy a meal and conversation. The conversation wasn't possible with the amplified music. It completely spoiled the experience. This place has real possibilities and I'll go back for the noodle dishes, but only for lunch as long as the "dinner entertainment" persists.
(3)Marlon M.
We've been here a few times and the food is good, but nothing spectacular. The decor is modern, the bar seems popular, and they have live music a few days a week. However, it can get so loud in here that it's difficult to have a conversation. I've only had a handful of dishes on the menu. My fav is the Chicken Makhani. Creamy curried chicken with basmati (I think) rice, mango yogurt salsa and naan. I was impressed with the naan, but it's nothing like what you can get in an Indian restaurant. You absolutely cannot go wrong with the Bangkok Shrimp app here. Had it every time. Just order it. Service has always been great and no bad attitudes. Even on a night when staffing issues went awry and they were short handed, though my drink stayed empty for a while. Not the server's fault they were short. They were all running around, but kept up with a smile on their faces. You can definitely find better food at restaurants with a single theme, but they don't do too bad in their attempts to showcase food from all across Asia. Give them a try.
(3)Forrest W.
This is one of our favorite restaurants in Boise. Great Asian cuisine. Nice people great food. Try the Generals chicken. The Bangkok shrimp is awesome.
(5)Carolyn P.
The food was good but the wait was 1.5 hours to be served. We finally found out they were short staffed and they comped us a round. Still 2 hours with 3 kids was very challenging. It would have been nice to get an update on the service as we had to ask what was going on. The food is worth going back for but the kitchen situation makes it hard to think about going back.
(2)Kevin K.
Great Place! In judging it from the out side I was expecting standard Chinese food. I was pleasantly surprised buy the quality and uniqueness of the dishes. My wife and I were both very happy with our dinner and look forward to going back and trying more. The decor was also a bit funky which made the dining experience a little more fun. And if all you are looking for is a couple drinks, this is the place to go! Great drink menue!!!!!
(4)David F.
Northwest Ada County has been needing a PanAsian establishment like no manana. Rice delivers the best Noodle dishes north of the Boise River. So good they should have called it Noodle. Especially considering the recents questions surrounding the use of the word "rice" in school sports boosterism by a journalistic outlet. (Yeah, it is racism even if you say you didn't mean it because it is in the ear or eye of the beholder). Wonton Noodle Soup and Spicy Noodle dishes are excellent. I want to try them all. A big plus is the inclusion of baby bok choi, small flowered asian broccoli, red peppers, etc. It's great to have veggies in high proportions because that's the shining differentiator of Asian cuisine. There is a huge menu with a variety of Asian traditions including Korean BBQ. The Beef Bulgogi comes with a small amount of Kim Chee and other condiments. They should probably plate up a bit more of these. The real reason for Rice's existence where it is has to do with the restaurateurs of Sawadee obtaining a liquor license in Eagle, ID. Chris the bartender is putting the license to good use, Check out the Rising Sun with savory pepper basil, and cilantro.
(4)Joy S.
I'm updating my review today after having lunch at Rice with my daughter. I keep finding myself coming back to Rice on a regular basis. The consistency is what brings me back. I know what I can expect coming into the restaurant. The lunch service was quick and the dishes were cooked to perfection. I respect a place that can get noodle dishes right on. I didn't order any spice on mine and was able to add the proper amount of spice with the chile paste. The vegetables were cooked perfectly and they were plentiful. The portions were hearty and I definitely didn't leave hungry. Again I come back to the consistency. I like coming to Rice because I know what I want when I come here. The menu is really huge but I have my favorites. I love the noodle dishes and the sushi is also very good. I also like the fresh rolls, fried green beans and the chicken wings. I do NOT like the eggplant salsa. This is one of those places that if you live in Eagle you will come into and find your favorites by trying things out. I will say that the service has also improved over the last few months. That has been an area that has been hit and miss over the last year. My favorite person is Dusty, she knows her stuff and something about her is just likeable. She is someone you will always see when you go into Rice. I'll keep going into Rice so I have to give them the extra star.
(4)Heidi I.
Rice is an outstanding "find" in Eagle...and has menu items for those who like traditional (not very adventurous Asian cuisine) as well as for those who want innovative, unique dishes that can't be found anywhere else. Service at Rice is friendly, personal, and often provided by one of the owners or family members. If you provide them with an idea of what you'd like to try, they are always great with suggestions that are spot-on. I've never had a disappointing experience...and have taken-advantage of the fantastic deals during their happy hour in addition to visiting for lunch or dinner. When we decide to go to Rice for dinner, we almost always call-ahead as it can be very busy. By getting on the list we don't wait too long. My best friend that lived in Thailand always makes RICE and their sister-restaurant SA-WAD-DEE in Meridian a dining priority when she visits. They've got outstanding food, a ton of options for special diets (vegetarian, gluten-free, low-carb), and they are always willing to go to the ends of the earth to make your experience special!
(5)Maureen K.
We've been meaning to try "Rice" ever since it replaced the previous establishment last year. Not that we needed an excuse, but one of our fave "Meetup" groups was gathering here for a 2nd time, and Hubby & I decided to join in. We were greeted warmly at the door, identified ourselves as being with the "Good Peeps" group that was out on the patio, and were escorted to them. There were only a few of us thus far, and the band "Smooth Avenue" was wrapping up their first set. (Another nice plus-- live music on Thursdays!). The rain held off, and JT and the boys were able to play a couple more sets that evening. What a delight! More members of another Meetup group came in about an hour later and the good times continued on. OK... now to the serious part: the FOOD! We arrived in time for happy hour so we ordered our drinks and a reduced-price appetizer, the fried green beans that was served with both a sweet and a hot sauce. Very tasty! Others around us ordered the Bangkok Shrimp which I didn't sample, but it got major thumbs up. Then, entrees: I had the Green Noodles w/ Chicken & Shrimp and mixed veggies. Wonderful flavor fusion. The sauce was on the sweet side (but not too much) and not knowing what their "spice" levels were, I ordered a 2. I could have easily gone for a 3 and maybe a 4. It was definitely mild to me. Large (and generous) pieces of chicken and whole shrimp. Very satisfying. Hubs had the Rib Eye Basil topped with Fried Egg. He loved it, and I tried a piece of the rib eye which was amazingly tender. He ordered it well-done (as usual) and it only had a little bit of pink-- in his words, it was "perfection". A few folks in our group ordered the fried rice entrée with ginormous shrimp. It's also served in the long rectangular plate and is enough for two people, in my opinion. One thing I would change is to use less oil in their recipes. The service was exemplary. I don't know if it was because of the special occasion with the live music, but our group was checked upon regularly-- water glasses refilled, plates cleared, adult beverages monitored for empties. I can't think of one negative thing. And owner Toffee herself was overseeing everything and chatted with us briefly as we were leaving. We told her how pleased we were with the service, the food, the *presentation* of the food, as well. Oh, and we only briefly passed through the interior but I noticed that the décor was quite chic. To say we were impressed is an understatement. We really hope that Rice stays around and will be doing our part to keep them in business. Update: Returned on 7/18/13 for the Boise Wine Club meetup group (fun!) and tried the cream cheese wontons (not as described as their online menu- there's no crabmeat or onion & carrot in them, just a flavored cream cheese on top of a carrot/cabbage "salad" and a dipping sauce). This might be a change only for "happy hour", we don't know. It was a reduced price-- $4.99 for 6 of the wontons, and they were very tasty. The General Chicken was "okay", nothing really noteworthy. The spicy basil (I think they renamed it Thai Basil) with brown rice was really good! I ordered it with shrimp and it was very satisfying with all the veggies. That's one thing I hope they continue to do: offer dishes with lots of vegetables and give you the choice of protein addition.
(4)Mary A.
Today was our first visit to this Eagle restaurant. It's been here for awhile but we just never got around to trying it and decided to have lunch here. I had a take-out menu so we sort of perused that and read some reviews on line. It's always helpful to read about other people's experiences. We ordered what was recommended by most people. Bangkok Shrimp: Now this is listed as an appetizer, but there were at least twelve medium sized shrimp on the plate. They were sautéed in a light batter with a kind of tangy/sweet creamy sauce on a bed of greens. They were very tasty, fresh, crispy on the outside, and cooked just right. My husband and I were able to share this. There was some chili sauce sprinkled on the rim of the plate as well. Very beautiful plating! General Chicken: It's been awhile since I've had this dish and it was one of my favorites but most of the time it's usually heavily battered and deep fried with a sort of molasses/soy sauce taste sprinkled with sesame seeds. The portion I got was lightly breaded with some crisp scallions on top, sliced, and a lighter version of the sticky sauce was sparingly ladled on the bottom of the plate. It was served with steamed(not stir fried) broccoli and carrot wedges. Jasmine rice completed this plate. Again we shared and it was ample. Nicely flavored, not overly sweet. Dessert was again shared and we chose Sweet Sticky Rice with Mango. A small portion and with a coconut syrup. A great end to a very delicious meal! There are so many dishes listed on the menu, it's hard to know what to try next, but we will definitely return!
(4)Chris B.
My wife and I have been here two times; the last time last night. We were pleasantly surprised on our first visit and thoroughly enjoyed our meals. My wife ordered, among other things, the combination fried rice, and it was huge. Plan on taking home food after your meal. Now about last night... As we walked in a man was playing a piano. The place is a little small for live music but I thought, wow, that's a nice touch. Those feelings quickly dissipated when the piano player was joined by a female singer. I use that term loosely because this lady - although I am sure she is very nice - couldn't carry a tune in a shower. After her first few notes, I thought to myself, this must be the owner's daughter or some relation to get this gig. Then to top it off she walked around the restaurant singing and even sat down at a table near us to "serenade" the customers who were sitting there. I would have died had she sat down at our table. But enough about the "music." We had another very nice meal and were well treated by our server, Timothy.
(3)John B.
Unlike some of the others leaving reviews I will make this as short as possible. First of all since I discovered Rice I have been there at least once a week. The food, staff and the atmosphere are terrific. I like having the variety of Asian cuisine on one menu. I definitely would reccomend to friends!
(5)Angela D.
Delicious vegetarian options! We ordered the Pannag curry with mixed veggies & Thai Basil with mixed veggies. This was a take out order which was prompt, without issue. Both dishes were filled with wonderful fresh veggies and the sauces were amazing. They both came with side orders of brown rice for a total of $26. Great value, healthy and so yummy! We are definitely going back.
(5)Laura G.
I always love eating at Rice. Whenever I need to have a lunch meeting, I try to schedule it here. They have a great lunch menu- the Panang curry, basil noodle dish, and pad thai are all some of my favorites. If you're in the mood for an appetizer, try the Bangkok Shrimp. It's delicious! Shrimp and sauce over a bed of greens doesn't sound like it would be good, but it is truly excellent. The waitress we usually get, Dusty, is wonderful and always remembers our favorites. (And she's the one the turned us on to the Bangkok Shrimp a few visits ago- great suggestion!) They also label their gluten-free options, and have a wide selection for those GF folks. Overall, this place has great flavors, excellent waitstaff, and appealing decor. Check it out, you won't be sorry!
(5)