Corso Italian Steak — Restaurant in Boise

Great potential, but squandered by poorly trained staff and a general "half-hearted" attempt at fine dining

We went here for our anniversary tonight. We included this in the reservation. Both of us were extremely excited to go here after seeing the good reviews both here and on social media. Unfortunately, that's where our excitement ended.

Before we even showed up we had an issue. We reviewed the online menu for the last week together, talking about the dishes and what appetizer, sides, etc we wanted. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a menu missing two things we were interested in. The Clams Casino and the Arancini. As of tonight, these are both present on the websites online menu.

The signage on the exterior seemed to be installed on top of the old signage's carcass without repairs completed and in a very rushed way. The hostess station was clearly a bit of an afterthought. No decor in the area.

The general feel for the restaurant is "I blew my entire decor budget on a bar room mural and an over-the-top bar" Cheap wood paneling on the booths, uninspired draperies strewn about, cheap stock image art on the walls. Seemingly secondhand table lamps full of scratches. A dirty carafe of room temp water.

The hostess and waiter made no mention of occasion. No questions, no congratulations, no anything. Neither our hostess or waiter gave us their names. Beyond discussing an order, the waiter really made no attempt to talk with us at all. No mention of specials or featured items.

For drinks, we ordered a beer and mixed drink. Both showed up fine and we ordered an appetizer.

We requested to split a salad as an appetizer, as both of our appetizer options were missing from the menu. The salad arrived a bit shy on toppings but acceptable. It was one singular plated salad and an empty plate, rather than splitting the salad in the kitchen and serving it on two plates. After we finished our salad, a waitress showed up to deliver a second salad. When we explained that we already had eaten our salad, she walked away abruptly without an explanation.

When we ordered our main course, my date requested a fillet. The waiter asked a clarifying question as to if she wanted any toppings or additions. This would usually be fine, however, the way he did it was to reach in front of her waving his finger around the middle of the menu that she was still holding, and very unprofessionally asked "so uh, did you want any of that stuff on it?"

A few minutes after taking our dinner order the waiter came back after we finished our appetizer and asked "did you guys want bread or anything?" Then brought the bread, which was admittedly actually pretty good! I was surprised it arrived so late though, not even showing up until after ordering our main course and only a couple minutes before the dinner arrived. I was almost wondering if that was another change on top of the menu changes.

The waiter placed silverware on our table prior to our main courses showing up, normally a good thing and nice touch when done correctly. It was not done correctly. The placement was off, and my knife was practically just thrown in front of me diagonally without even being placed where it /could/ go.

When our food arrived, we were greeted with the singularly most terribly plated Mashed Potatoes I've seen in my life. Haphazardly squeezed from a piping bag? Really?

The steaks were fine. My dates Medium steak was a bit overly charred, but other than that they were good. Mine was cooked as requested.

We did not feel like staying for dessert by this point though.

All in all, the place was fine. Only fine though. With competition in the same price point as Chandler's, Barbacoa, The Lively, Avery, and Baraboo, I really don't see this place sticking around if there aren't some major changes. The service was the big offender. It killed the vibe and made the dining experience far too casual.

Photos of the mashed...

Corso Italian Steakhouse is a stunning new addition to Boise’s dining scene, delivering an unforgettable experience from the moment you walk in. My husband and I went with two friends and were immediately transported by the atmosphere. The main dining room evokes an old-school Italian steakhouse with red velvet drapes enclosing private booths, classic central seating, and timeless elegance in every detail. The bar, tucked away in a separate room, feels like a speakeasy—dark, intimate, and full of character. With the music, ambiance, and vintage touches, it feels like Sinatra himself could be dining at the next table. Corso is a truly special place, and unlike anything else Boise has right now.

The service was exceptional. Our server, Vic, was warm, knowledgeable, and went above and beyond to accommodate my gluten-free needs with confidence and care.

To start, I had the burrata salad, which was sweet, creamy, perfectly dressed, and topped with raspberries and candied walnuts. It was technically shareable, but I wouldn’t dream of sharing it. The beef carpaccio was also outstanding—delicate, flavorful, and perfectly balanced with capers and a touch of acidity.

My husband had the Lasagna Bolognese, and it completely stole the show. Rich layers of meat and pasta were finished tableside with a velvety béchamel sauce that included tender bits of prosciutto. Every bite was indulgent and memorable.

Our friends raved about their dishes too. The clam chowder was rich and comforting, and the six Pacific Coast oysters were huge and briny fresh. For entrées, they chose the surf and turf and the lamb shank. Both were beautifully prepared, and the steak in particular was so tender it melted like butter. Everyone was reaching across the table for a taste.

The cocktails were just as memorable. The “Joey Corso” managed to capture the essence of a caprese salad in a clear, refreshing drink. The white Negroni was refined and balanced, and I could happily sip the Prosecco-bourbon blend all night. Each drink was carefully crafted and full of personality.

Dessert was the perfect finish. The flourless chocolate cake was rich and decadent, the pistachio crème brûlée had a lovely nutty flavor with a crisp sugar top, and the towering coconut cake was both stunning and delicious.

We’re already planning several return visits with family. The private booths offer a quieter experience, perfect for guests who need it, and the entire evening—from food to service to setting—was outstanding. Corso is exactly what Boise has been missing, and I recommend it...

A Night to Remember at Corso Italian Steakhouse!

My wife and I went to Corso Italian Steakhouse for date night last night, looking forward to some great Italian food and the described atmosphere of a steakhouse inspired by a bygone era—an era I happen to be absolutely fascinated with. The photos online seemed to capture the time period beautifully, but the skeptical side of me knows what a good photographer can do, so I kept my expectations in check. Once we arrived and walked in—wow. Expectations exceeded! The interior décor, ambiance, and overall attention to detail completely nailed the vintage vibe. It felt like we were stepping back in time, and Corso truly delivered on its promise. We had a reservation but arrived early for cocktails and appetizers at the bar. The bar was beautifully designed, and the atmosphere made us feel like we’d been transported straight into 1950s Hollywood—swanky, moody, and immersive. Even the high-top bar seats were some of the most comfortable and supportive I’ve ever experienced. We were greeted by our bartender, Corey, and honestly, I can’t say enough about him—he made our night. Within minutes, we canceled our table reservation and decided to dine at the bar just so we could stay in Corey’s company. He was incredibly knowledgeable, engaging, witty, and attentive—he made us feel like VIP regulars. I’m an Old Fashioned guy, and Corey made one of the best I’ve ever had. He also took time to share the backstory of Corso—its concept, development, and design—and his passion was obvious. He even had deep knowledge of the time period, which was a great bonus for someone like me. Now, onto the food. We started with the calamari and shrimp appetizer—amazing! And yes, they have happy hour every day, which is such a great touch. For entrées, I had the chicken piccata and my wife had the chicken parmigiana. Both were absolutely outstanding—some of the best we’ve had. From the moment we were greeted at the hostess stand to the service throughout the night—including Joe, the manager that evening—everyone was professional, warm, and operated seamlessly like a well-oiled machine. Can’t say enough good things about Corso. We’ll...