Anchor Bistro and Bar

The Anchor is the home of the Boise State and U of I sports.

Anchor Bistro and Bar, 334 Blue Lakes Blvd N., Twin Falls, opened its doors and celebrated with a ribbon cutting. The Twin Falls Area Chamber’s Ambassadors joined the celebration. Come in and experience the ambiance of Twin Falls’ newest restaurant. The Anchor’s non-smoking environment is perfect to catch games on their eight TVs, sample from their 10 tap beers and great wine list and dine on the patio with two fire pits with tiki torches.

Pictured left to right are owners Shawna Obenchain, Tim Obenchain, Mark Makin, Eric Bingham, Bob Maloney, Janell Maloney.

A group of prominent business owners in Twin Falls are launching a new bistro that will appeal to the after-business crowd and those who are looking for respite from the daily grind.

But don’t be mistaken. The Anchor Bistro & Bar, which is located at 334 Blue Lakes Blvd. N., in Twin Falls, will not be your average sports bar.

The bistro will serve appetizers such as marinated muscles, island fusion foods and other menu items often referred to as tapas – unique appetizers that are made fresh.

The interior and exterior of the old Skipper’s building was gutted to make way for a casual, relaxing atmosphere that includes fire pits and an outdoor dining area lined with tiki torches.

The Maloneys and Obenchains purchased the building earlier this year.

“We’re trying to hit a niche market,”said Mark Makin, the bistro’s executive chef and general manager. “We want to get the after-hours crowd of people just getting off work.”

However, he added that the bar’s happy hour will begin at 3 p.m. to attract other customers looking to relax during the grind.

The bar and bistro is co-owned by Bob and Janell Maloney, who own Pomerelle Portrait Design Studios, as well as Tim and Shawna Obenchain, owners of Obenchain Insurance.

“We got the idea after visiting places we have traveled to,” said Bob Maloney. “We do a lot of traveling, and we enjoyed these places, so we thought we would do something local.”

But putting the menu together took a little custom work with a lot of local producers.

Maloney said the bistro is working with the Twin Falls-based Independent Meat Company to provide specialty cut pork products for its menu. He also said that it is working with a farmer in Buhl to provide locally grown produce.

“It’s going to be a lot of local stuff, not what you would throw in a deep fryer,” Maloney said.

Makin said the bar and bistro will employ between 25 and 30 servers, cooks and other personnel – he said the hiring process should be completed this week.

The Anchor Bistro & Bar will open at a time when other restaurants are reeling under the pressure of a dour economy. However, Makin said the business will thrive because of its unique menu, visible location and an atmosphere like no other in Twin Falls.

“Obviously we wouldn’t have done this if we didn’t think we had a shot,” he said.

The bistro and bar will open in late July with business hours ranging from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Joshua Palmer may be reached at 208-735-3231 or at jpalmer@magicvalley.com