Brick 29 Bistro Food Review

Brick 29 bistro serves up a musical medley for the mouth

By Liz Harding

Nampa, Id— Distinctive flavors, sparkling lights, prompt service; Brick 29 Bistro (320 11th Ave. South) provides a sincerely delicious dining experience. Each dish an artistic masterpiece, Chef/owner Dustan Bristol serves up decadent delight in each dish.
For starters, Idaho jo-jos ($5) use at least 2 large russet potatoes cut length-wise. Then, seasoned to perfection, they are stacked “Lincoln-log” style for artistic pleasure and easy pickings. Other tantalizing starters include garlic hummus ($6) served with roasted pitas, and pan-fried oysters ($9) served with cilantro cocktail sauce. In total, seven appetizer choices ($5-10) tempt the taste buds.

While savoring the flavorful appetizers, ample time for a full perusal of Brick 29’s dinner menu is possible. With ten dinners available, even finicky diners have options. Vegetarian fare such as eggplant napoleon ($13) nestles alongside heartier meals such as Black Angus Flat-iron Steak ($18).

Utilizing local and seasonal ingredients, Chef Bristol cooks up additional entrees that vary daily. Knowledgeable staffers describe the surprising and decadent feasts awaiting the diner for the day.

Cooked to order with the freshest ingredients available, the food at Brick 29 is best eaten slowly. The bistro chicken ($14) pleads to be savored and rolled over the tongue as subtle and enticing flavors blend in perfect harmony. A slight hint of bourbon blends with tender wild mushrooms and, paired with chicken so tender it falls apart easily with a fork, the symphony is complete.

Additional offerings include salads ($4-10) and soup ($4-6). Tomato bisque ($4 cup/$6 bowl) encompasses fresh tomatoes in a thick creation of filling, liquid warmth. Conversely, fresh lettuce greens crunch and crisp a musical medley for the mouth.


Though only a few choices are offered for dessert ($5-10), it cannot be ignored. Large boxes, welcoming the remainder of dinner, remind full tummies to find a little more room. The house specialty, simply called, “The Brick,” dresses fresh whipped cream and strawberries atop layers of caramel, bananas, and shortbread. This stacked concoction is then enclosed on four sides with thin, chocolate slabs. The final result, a chocolate brick, beseeches admiration before digestion. Additional choices, including crème brulee ($5) and strawberry cheesecake ($6.50), nicely round out any remaining empty belly pockets.

Saturated with delicious food, full and happy customers relax at their tables casually talking, laughing, or sampling from the extensive wine list. Without garish or brash harshness, lighting is completely sufficient. Pendant fixtures spotlight sparkly halogen bulbs in strategic locations for a feeling of coziness and space. High ceilings and deliberately placed sound absorbers keep restaurant noise to a minimum.

Overall, Brick 29 Bistro harbors a gem in its chef, staff, ambiance, and especially, in its food.

Liz Harding is a junior at Boise State University and can be reached at LizHarding@u.boisestate.edu.