The Kansas City Strip Steak — “only at Stardust,” the new restaurant proclaims on its Facebook page.
Stardust/Facebook
Heads up, Chandlers. Watch your back, Ruth’s Chris.
A stylish new fine-dining option has arrived in downtown Boise — priced right up your alley.
Stardust, 1002 W. Main St., is set to open its doors officially on Wednesday. It’s taken over the space that housed Asiago’s for two decades. The building and restaurant were sold last year.
Stardust has a “glamorous, mid-century modern” interior design, according to a media release. “The name Stardust is an ode to the 1950s casino in Las Vegas by the same name and also an ode to the late singer David Bowie. …The mid-century modern theme is being carried through to the design of the cuisine. Chef Robert DeBolt has created a ‘neo-classic’-style menu that is a modern take on what fine dining was like in the late 1950s and early 1960s.”
What does that mean, exactly? Well, hints are floating around. This definitely ain’t dinner with Wally and The Beav. Stardust already served customers recently during a soft opening — and posted video on Instagram. A local Facebook group includes photos of the menu.
Those show nine main courses ranging from Airline Chicken ($29) and Duck Confit ($35) to Bouillabaisse ($39) and Beef Wellington ($50). On the spendier end are a Kansas City Strip Steak ($69) and Surf and Turf ($85).
Online commenters have expressed surprise at a few of Stardust’s more out-of-this-world prices. But depending on the overall experience — specifically, atmosphere and service — they could feel in line with at least some of the downtown upscale-dining competition.
At Chandlers Steakhouse, the USDA Prime New York Strip is $68 for a 14-ounce cut, according to its online menu. Stardust’s Kansas City Strip (the same cut as a New York) costs a buck more — but for slightly more meat: a 16-ouncer. And it comes with crispy smashed potatoes and roasted carrots. You pay extra for sides at Chandlers.
Stardust’s menu also includes several starters. Those range from Shrimp Cocktail ($19) and Cheese Souffle ($15) to Steak Tartare ($20) and Seared Foie Gras ($28). A handful of salads go for $9 to $11. There’s also Lobster Bisque for $15 and French Onion Soup for $11.
Stardust will be open for lunch and dinner, plus brunch and after hours, according to the media release. There’s a full bar, too. (If those other prices spooked you, perhaps you should skip the $60 pour of Don Julio 1942 tequila.) There’s an “immense” wine list, too.
Naturally, craft cocktails are a significant part of the liquor arsenal. You can order something traditional such as an Old Fashioned made with Wild Turkey 101 ($16). Or have a little fun with a Big Bang ($14), a vodka-based drink jazzed up with tongue-buzzing Electricdust powder.
Interested in trying out Stardust? You can make reservations at resy.com, or call the restaurant at (208) 514-2232.
This story was originally published March 7, 2023, 4:00 AM.
