Satchel�s-705 W. Bannock, 344-3752At first I was a bit put off by Satchel�s. No, it's not just the name that reminds you of a cartoon. It is their overbearing �healthful� attitude. Not that being healthy is a bad thing. I was lucky enough to grow up in a house where three balanced (mom called them square) meals were essential. More often than not, if you see �light�, or �diet�, or the �low� of the week be it carb,calorie, fat, or salt, it will taste like plastic. So when you see that every item, every single item on the Satchel menu board is accompanied by a cryptic symbol (a scale, or a heart or something) trouble is almost guaranteed right? Well not exactly. Satchel�s is a rare healthy restaurant.
The flavor here does not come from frying. Even the fries are baked. Without fats or excess sugars you gotta� let the spices rule! The blackened chicken is very good. A lunch of the beef au jus was powered by what must have been close to fresh horse radish, if the kick was any indication. On the lighter side, the couple of salads I have enjoyed are tasty bits of fresh greens and interesting
dressings.
The decor is sparse but this month a series of beautiful sunset photographs line the back wall and local musicians are often heard on the patio. Also cool about Satchel�s is movie night. Check their schedule for times. Recent showings have included The Zombie and Ocean�s Eleven. Everything from Airplane to the 1938 classic Robin Hood are scheduled for September. Satchel�s success is a sign that Boise�s downtown is getting hipper and more cosmopolitan, it's about time!