Eem

Eem is a Thai barbecue restaurant and cocktail bar at 3808 N Williams Avenue in the Boise neighbourhood, and its name does double duty: the restaurant explains that eem translates to satiated in Thai and is also the initials of owners Earl, Eric and Matt. Those are chef Earl Ninsom, pitmaster Matt Vicedomini of Matt's BBQ, and bartender Eric Nelson, and the food is exactly the collision that suggests — Thai cooking drawn from the northern and southern regions, infused with Texas-style barbecue. The kitchen is direct about its scope: it focuses on curries and rice dishes, encourages family-style dining, and does not serve noodles. The Oregonian named it Restaurant of the Year in 2019, the New York Times has included it on a favourite-restaurants list, and Texas Monthly's barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn wrote that Eem served the best meal — not just the best barbecue meal — he ate that year. There is a year-round heated and enclosed patio alongside sidewalk seating in warmer months.

The non-alcoholic drinks sit in their own printed menu section headed "Clear Headed", and all four are $8 — roughly half what the full cocktails cost, which is unusual enough to be worth stating plainly. Approved by Chef is a cucumber yuzu shrub with ginger lime soda. Secret Serendipity builds hojicha tea with strawberry guava cordial, fresh lemon, orange blossom water, lemongrass and bitters. That's It, That's All runs coconut cream, pineapple soda, lime, cinnamon and grapefruit. The fourth is a Pathfinder N/A Negroni, described as notes of orange, herbaceous pine and mildly bitter — and the menu flags it 21+, a distinction worth noting for anyone avoiding hemp-derived ingredients. Heck non-alcoholic golden ale or IPA is $7, and the cooling classics list runs Thai tea with oat milk, coconut water, guava and mango nectars and a CBD seltzer. Travel Oregon, writing a non-drinker's guide to the city in November 2022, said Eem brings the funky vibes and fruity, alcohol-free cocktail options. Minors are welcome everywhere except the bar top; reservations are taken only for parties of six or more, and the waitlist must be joined in person.