Bardenay in Eagle comes with an Idaho distillery story

Here's a local dining fact that makes a decent conversation starter: Bardenay describes itself as the nation's first restaurant-distillery. Its story traces back to a downtown Boise location and a 1999 federal distillery permit.

That history carries across its Idaho locations, including Bardenay in Eagle at 155 East Riverside Drive. The company says the Eagle restaurant opened in 2003 and that different locations have been associated with different house-distilled spirits.

You can read the original account on Bardenay's website, where the company also lists its current restaurants and menus. We aren't reviewing drinks we haven't sampled; we're pointing you toward a piece of local food history worth knowing.

For an actual outing, check the Eagle location's current menus and hours, then browse the city guide for another activity. It's a practical way to make one dinner stop feel a little more local.