Milky Way is one of the best fine dining establishments in Idaho or Utah, including Sun Valley. A varied menu is supplemented by a nightly fish special, ""trifecta"" (mixed grill), and soup special. The ambience is agreeably chic with some delightful touches, like the high ceiling (there's upstairs seating), regular tables, modern booth and couch accommodations, and seating at the long, white counter behind which the chefs are doing their magic. (No cell phones, please.) The servers are attentive, professional and friendly. They quietly present new utensils and keep the water glases full. Talk about attention to detail: presentation is first-class. One of the informal pleasures of eating here is that the silver is real antique silver (or at least silver plate) - and none of it matches. A specialty is the braised beef cheeks - like pot-roast but fork tender, with garlic or horseradish mashers and carrots; cioppino in a light, tomato-based sauce; buttermilk chicken with bacon corn gravy; tenderloin with toasted herbed crumbs and mushroom brandy sauce, potatoes au gratin and veg; and red rock crab enchilada with a southwestern flair. Appetizers are fun: crab cakes with red pepper aioli; mac & cheese with bacon lardons; shrimp jalapeno bites with apricot chutney; and lamb in raddichio cups with mint and cilantro. Salads include a red and gold beet with fennel, ""Milky Wedge,"" and Caesar (anchovies optional) - splendid with one of their signature martinis. Milky Way is a perennial winner in the annual May Martini Mix-off. Try their '33 Plymouth - blended and chilled for ten minutes = Smooth. Diverse and judiciously-chosen wines come by the glass, split or bottle. Desserts include lemongrass cardamom creme brulee - a refreshing change; chocolate-infused bread pudding; devil's food cake; seasonal fruit cobbler and lemon curd tartlet. Mondays and Tuesdays feature light jazz and classics - even some Villa-Lobos. It's no wonder Milky Way has a loyal following.
Pros: Attention to detail, service
Cons: Sometimes too popular!
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