Staying at the Sawtooth Hotel is a true rarity and treat. With only six guest rooms (in the main building) that are commonly filled well in advance, making reservations long before your expected arrival date is highly recommended. All of the rooms offer great views of the Sawtooth Mountains. Two of the rooms have private bathrooms and king-sized beds. The remaining four rooms share two bathrooms down the hall. Behind the main building there are three additional rooms with kitchenettes and private bathrooms.

What better way to start the day than with a gorgeous view of the Sawtooth Mountains? The Sawtooth Hotel allows you to do just that, with a coffee in hand and a fabulous breakfast in the works. Their restaurant is open seven days a week, May through October, and Friday-Sunday during the winter months (December through April). Their menu items are fresh, local, and delicious. During the winter months a wood fire keeps the dining area toasty warm and creates a magical ambiance.

In over 80 years both Stanley and the Sawtooth Hotel have seen a lot of changes. From remodels, to paved roads, to a huge increase in tourism – both the town and hotel have matured to accommodate the changing tides. What hasn’t changed are the things that made the Sawtooth Hotel special to begin with: great views, a comfy bed, tasty meals, and an atmosphere of authentic, small-town individuals who care about their visitors.

Contacting the Sawtooth Hotel:

Call them at 208-721-2459
Find them at 755 Ace of Diamonds St.
Visit them online at www.SawtoothHotel.com

Chef Enrique Martinez hails from Cuernavaca, Mexico, and brings with him a restaurant resume that leaves most chefs in the dust. He was the head Chef de Cuisine of The Towers Restaurant and has received a handful of awards including “Epicurean Rendezvous Best Restaurant in Southern California” and “Orange Coast Magazine’s O.C.’s Top Chef”.

For lovers of phenomenal steaks, Barbacoa’s signature dishes will leave your heart melting for more.  Customer favorites include the Grilled Lamb Chops (huge portions), Beef Porterhouse, and Cowboy Rib Eye. On cold winter days the homemade Chicken Pot Pie is sure to warm you up. For those looking for more “Surf” than “Turf”, the Mixed Seafood Grille (marinated shrimp, scallops, and fish with coconut rice) hits the spot.

You simply can’t go wrong at Barbacoa. Make sure your next visit to Boise includes a reservation at this phenomenal restaurant.

Contacting Barbacoa Restaurant:

Call them at (208) 338-5000
Visit them online at www.barbacoa-boise.com
Find them at 276 Bobwhite Court

The Middle Fork Lodge has a storied history on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. First established in the 1940’s, it served as the year-round residence of the Tom McCall family. It soon became a family business to run the “Dude Ranch” and the hunters, or “dudes”, were flown into the Forest Service dirt airstrip just a mile downstream. In fact, much of the supplies and materials used to build the structures were flown into that very airstrip, which is now known as the “Thomas Creek Airstrip”. Items that couldn’t be flown in were packed in by horse or mule or, in some instances, floated in by sweep boat.

As the Lodge gained popularity and prestige it began to take in some high-profile celebrities. Two U.S. Presidents have spent nights at the Middle Fork Lodge. With the closest town of Meyer’s Cove being 40 miles, no roads leading in or out of the property, and the fact that it’s located in the largest wilderness area in the Lower 48, the seclusion and isolation of the Lodge makes it the perfect true “get-away” for visitors.

Today’s Middle Fork Lodge has been remodeled extensively to meet the demands of its clients. High-speed satellite internet, a huge meeting room overlooking the river, and a wide array of outdoor activities offered make it a prime candidate for business meetings and team building events.

Occasionally, river rafting or fly-fishing groups that are floating the Middle Fork of the Salmon will spend a night at the Lodge. For most trips, this is mile 36 of their float down the river and marks their second or third day. Staying at the Lodge means warm showers, a night of comfortable sleep, and a beautiful place to call home for the night.

For more information about the Middle Fork Lodge, visit them online at www.MiddleForkLodge.com.

Jerry’s Country Store, located at 55 Lower Stanley, carries a full line of groceries and non-food items. There is even a gas station out front. The deli is phenomenal and blows most big-name stores out of the water. Which is a fortunate thing considering there really aren’t many other options for groceries in town.

After a day of hiking, biking, fishing, rafting, or swimming near Stanley, what better way to top it off than a barbeque of fresh steaks while over-looking the Sawtooth Mountains? If this sounds like a good plan to you too, make sure to stop at Jerry’s on the way back from your adventure. It’s a long walk or a short drive from Upper Stanley but if you happen to be staying at Jerry’s Cabins and Motel (yes, the two are of course owned by the same people) it’s right next door.

With the Upper Salmon River flowing past your doorstep, one of Jerry’s steaks on the grill, and the Sawtooths etched into the background, you too can live the Stanley, Idaho lifestyle.

Contacting Jerry’s:
Phone: 208-774-3566
Fax: 208-774-3518
Postal: HC 67 Box 300, Stanley Idaho 83278
Email: Janet@ruralnetwork.net
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Getting to Redfish Lake is a breeze. Take Highway 75 headed South for approximately 4.5 miles. Next, turn right onto Redfish Lake Road. Continue for two miles before making another left (stay on Redfish Lake Road) and arriving at the lake.

Facilities at the lodge include a great restaurant that has windows looking out at the lake. There is also outdoor seating, which in the summer time is quite pleasant. There are lots of different lodging options: from small and large cabins to single rooms – each one is rustic but comfortable. For large groups, some of the cabins include a kitchen.

Recreation around the lake area is plentiful. From hiking, biking, and running trails to fishing, swimming, and paddling in the lake itself – opportunities abound.

What’s the perfect closing to a fun day outside? Lay down on the front lawn of the lodge and listen to live music resonate off the neighboring mountains. The Redfish Lake Lodge has a schedule of musicians available on their website at www.redfishlake.com.  The evenings are fun, festival, and delicious. The menu features their famous Prime Rib, but for a more local bite go for the Ruby Red Idaho Trout.

For more information about Redfish Lake, visit www.redfishlake.com or call them at  208-774-3563.

The Sawtooth Hotel in Stanley, Idaho

It was built back in 1931 and since then has passed through a variety of owners, including the College of Idaho, which used it for writing workshops and environmental studies. In 2004, however, the college sold it to now current-owners Tim and Becky Cron. The first thing the new owners did was bring the hotel into the 21^st century with a major restoration that took three years to complete but now leaves the hotel as charming as ever.

Included in their renovations was the addition of a new commercial kitchen and dining area. Visitors can indulge in their brunch and dinner menus, which include the likes of Ham and Smoked Gouda Sandwiches, Soups, Huevos Rancheros, Sauteed Coho Salmon, and Cornmeal Encrusted Chicken.

The Sawtooth Hotel is located at 755 Ace of Diamonds Street in downtown Stanley, Idaho. It is within easy walking distance of the dirt airstrip, fly fishing shop, grocery store, and various restaurants and bars.

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Contact the Sawtooth Hotel:
Visit them online at www.sawtoothhotel.com
Call them at 208-721-2459
Find them at 755 Ace of Diamonds Street

The truth of the matter is that the long-time Solitude guide has been perfecting the art of baking bread for a number of years and, most recently, opened his own bakery in Salmon, Idaho. Odd Fellows’ Bakery, located in downtown Salmon, opened its doors in 2009 and has quickly become a favorite hangout of locals and visitors alike.

Middle Fork of the Salmon outfitters, many of whom have developed a reputation for fabulous menus on their five to six-day trips, have enjoyed the convenience of having a good bakery in town. Of course, nothing beats being on a trip with the baker himself as he slices the freshly baked bread for dinner.

Floating the river with him, also, will give you a chance to hear his story.

While in college at Missoula, Jessica and Craig began baking breads and pastries out of their house and soon uncovered their passion for baked goods. After finishing school, they began seeking out a location for their bakery. They loaded up their 1977 Volkswagen Bus with their kids and dog and started south to California.

Fortunately for the city of Salmon, Carol Fulton, the owner of the building now considered Odd Fellows’, called and convinced them to turn around and make Salmon home. Once they got back to town, they were able to get local culinary gurus, Josh Morton and Ken Korn, to join their team.

Since then, the bakery has been off and running. They serve morning scones, delicious sandwiches, cakes and pastries, and – of course – Craig’s locally-famous bread. Any visit to Salmon is not complete without a stop at their bakery, where locals buzz in and out and the food is the best in town. The best way of experiencing it, however, is from the banks of the Middle Fork of the Salmon.

Many visitors en route to Stanley will spend a night in Boise, Idaho’s capital and business center. Though a city of modest size, Boise has many metropolitan attractions – including some fine restaurants. A few favorites are listed below. They’re a little more spendy than the local drive-in, but hey, if you’re heading to Stanley, you’re probably on vacation – so enjoy!

Chandler’s (www.chandlersboise.com/)

Chandler’s Steakhouse specializes in prime corn-fed and Kobe-Style beef. Martini aficionados will want to visit Chandlers Martini Bar to sample master mixologist Pat Carden’s Ten-Minute Martini. There’s live jazz 7 night a weeks featuring Kevin Kirk and guest performers. The wine list features two hundred fifty selections. Best Fine Dining Award from the Idaho Statesman’s 2008 & 2009 Best of the Treasure Valley.

CHANDLERS STEAKHOUSE is open 7 nights a week for dinner starting at 5:30 P.M. Monday through Saturday. Dinner starts early on Sundays opening at 4:00 P.M.

Chandlers Steakhouse
Hotel 43
981 West Grove Street
For reservations, call 208.383.4300

Berryhill (www.berryhillandco.com)

The creation of noted chef and restaurateur John Berryhill, this downtown eatery boasts a host of Idaho beef options, pasta and the Idaho Pork Chop Ragout – a locally reared chop braised in an herb, fennel, artichoke and preserved lemon ragout. Live Pianist in the restaurant nightly. Berryhill is located in the heart of downtown Boise, Idaho.

The restaurant is located at 121 N. 9th St. Call 208-387-3553 for reservations.  Lunch Monday – Friday 11-2 Saturday 12-3 Dinner Monday – Friday 5 till Close

Red Feather Lounge (www.redfeatherlounge.com)
The Red Feather celebrates the bounty of local food and the legacy of lounge culture. Many meals here – including the three-course Price Fixe – feature sustainably farmed ingredients sourced within 100 miles, including pan seared Hagerman Sturgeon, served with zucchini fritters. Dinner every day starting at 5 pm

208.429.6340
246 N. 8th Street

Al, Jeana and the crew of Solitude River Trips all enjoy the atmosphere, food and John’s honest candor of how the Yanks are doing. While in Stanley why not spend a week on the Middle Fork? Contact Solitude at www.RiverTrips.com