Story by Brandon Coates, Photos by Peppershock Media
When Chef Richard Langston learned about a new “boutique hotel” opening in downtown Boise in 2017 it piqued his interest. Chef Langston and his wife and business partner, Melinda, have been looking for the perfect location to build their own restaurant in downtown Boise for the last several years to expand the successful Richard’s Café Vicino.
That opportunity came when Chef Langston contacted Inn at 500 Capitol owner Brian Obie expressing interest in relocating to the hotel. What Chef Langston didn’t know is that Obie had already taken notice of the locally celebrated chef and his restaurant Richard’s Café Vicino in Boise’s North End. Serendipitously, Obie had also mailed Chef Langston a letter to gauge his interest.
Chef Langston and Melinda toured the hotel’s sister property in Eugene, Oregon and liked what they experienced and saw great potential in the Inn at 500 Capitol. The Inn sets a high bar for guest experience, which is right in line with what Chef Langston and his staff strive to provide their customers.
“This isn’t a typical hotel restaurant,” said Chef Langston, “but rather an independent chef-owned restaurant in a boutique hotel like you’d see in Portland.”
The Langstons officially opened their doors January 9, 2017 at 500 S. Capitol Blvd., in Boise. The new restaurant, simply called 
“Richard’s,” offers the exceptional cuisine and dining experience that his loyal customers have come to love. The restaurant’s design provides restaurant goers an elegant and comfortable atmosphere for dining or just enjoying a drink at the bar, and features well-appointed finishes and elements that add to the ambience. In addition, the increased space allows Richard’s to provide private dining and banquet rooms, seasonal outdoor dining, and a full bar.
While the location has changed, the food is still prepared with the same culinary philosophy that celebrates the integrity of ingredients, sourced locally when possible, and prepared simply to showcase the natural flavors of the products. According to Chef Langston, his food is a “modern take on regionally inspired Italian/Mediterranean cuisine.” The menus retained all of Chef Langston’s most popular dishes from Café Vicino, but he has added daily breakfast and weekend brunch menus to the delight of customers.
“It has been a wonderful experience to design and build a restaurant that both Melinda and I feel will give Boise that exceptional dining experience it deserves,” said Chef Langston, “it has always been a dream for us to provide our customers with the best restaurant experience in Boise, and I think we are on our way there.”
If you would like to experience Richard’s in downtown Boise, visit them at 500 S. Capitol Blvd. Reservations are recommended for dinner. You can see their menus or make reservations at richardsboise.com
