117 S 10th St, Boise, ID 83702
When walking into Nektar you can’t help but feel a sense of cool and calm, and a little bit of wonder creeps in the longer you sit. This is a modern location with a slight industrialized flare. The warm browns and enlightening whites of this space are both inviting and comforting. When looking around the space you notice a multitude of plants and a beautiful focal paintings at the back of the shop, as well as an open concept to show off the beautiful cups and plates that follow the neutral tones of the shop.
The coffee shop is sparse in other details of the space but this allows for a less busy and distracting atmosphere. As you walk in you are met with smooth jazz playing overhead as you walk up to a white marble countertop that extends down the length of the barista station to provide a wide and open bar accompanied by plush brown skinny barstools. Next to the bar the long wall is lined with a booth that opposites a single chair with a table in between them. In the front of the coffee shop there is a long block wooden table that allows a space for larger parties to sit. The space of the coffee shop in total isn’t very big, but the smart spacial planning provides multiple places to sit, mostly catering to those coming in alone or in pairs of two.
When I arrived I was greeted by kind baristas that took my classic question “what do you recommend?” in stride. I was even pleasantly surprised as the barista asked me about my preferences before making a recommendation. As you readers know, I prefer a slight creaminess and hint of sweetness to my coffee that brings out the flavors of the coffee itself instead of drowning them out. The barista recommended the mocha, which is often not my go to due to the sweetness, yet I couldn’t help but try it as the barista explained that it isn’t sweet in the typical way and has a chocolate flavor that brings out the even creaminess of the coffee itself, and I couldn’t agree more. It was $5.25 for a 12oz which is a little pricey, but worth the quality of the drink in my opinion. I would describe the flavor of the mocha as more of a cacao flavor than a milk chocolate, which is perfect for my taste. It provided enough of a bite to awaken my taste buds while smoothing them over with creaminess. In regards to food there are multiple pastry options which look delicious, and there is even an option for a pretzel! After seeing this I just had to get it, and I gotta say the $6 was worth it. The pretzel is made out of sourdough which I am personally a huge fan of, it was crunchy on the outside and soft on the outside, and was brushed with actual salt flakes. It was served with a tart mustard on the side but unfortunately no soft cheese (a personal preference) but overall delicious. The downside to the food is there is not an assortment of full meal food such as sandwiches or salads and such. Although another cool aspect to this shop is that they offer both beer and wine, for when you want to have a chill drink with friends or maybe that coffee just isn’t strong enough to get you through the tasks you want to accomplish on a given day.
In regards to the overall vibe and benefits of the coffee shop itself, there are some small details that puts this location above others we have visited. First, the barstools are actually cushioned so while they are a little tall to have your feet comfortably on the ground, you are able to sit comfortably for long amounts of time without your bottom and legs becoming sore, although personally my back always gets sore after sitting on bar stools for a long time. There is a moderate amount of plug ins throughout the space which is a plus in terms of studying. Now, what really amps it up in my personal opinion is the access to both fresh and sparkling water on a tap at the end of the bar for free! I love sparkling water and it is often an added expense in many places but not here.
Overall, if you are looking for a calm and inspiring place to study or chat with a friend, and don’t mind a little noise (as this spot can get a little busy throughout the day), this is a great option. I will definitely be coming back here to fuel my studying and quality coffee needs.
Ambiance: 8 (but a bit small)
Coffee: 9
Price: 6
bold brookings & brews 