Wonderful Christmas Dinner!

26 Saturday Dec 2015

Posted by Bob and Robin in 4 Hour Goose, Appetizers, Captain's Shack, Dessert, Dinner At The Captains Shack, Goose, Herbs, Herbs and Spices, Idaho Wine, Indian Creek Winery, Joseph Swan Vineyards, Local Farmers Markets, Meadowlark Farms, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Special Dinners, Special Events, What's For Dinner?

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Christmas goose, tiramisu

(I just love this photo of Robin. It’s my wallpaper for my IPhone!) And everyone was here for dinner! Marnie, Mac, Sophia, Chris, Robin and me. Good food! Good wine! Great time! And the goose came out superbly. Moist. Crispy skin. Great flavor. Fresh goose from Meadowlark Farms (Janie Burns) in Nampa, ID. Robin spent a lot of time on the appetizers – the Christmas Tree Vegetable Platter, the different dips – Caramelized Onion and fresh Ranch Dressing! And then she made a wonderful Crepe Tiramisu. How good is that? Every thing was well worth the two loads of dishes.
Here are some photos of the dinner that we had. Please enjoy them as much as we enjoyed the preparation and devouring the meal. Great to hear all the laughter around the table. Left Click any of these photos to see them enlarged.

Robin made this awesome Christmas Tree Veggie Spread. ()The initial idea came from my Neice, Meg Devine! Thanks Meg.)

Robin made this awesome Christmas Tree Veggie Tree. (The initial idea came from my Neice, Meg Devine! Thanks Meg.) Robin also made an awesome Caramelized Onion Dip and Housemade Ranch Dressing for the veggies.

Good wines with dinner. The best of the reds was the Swan. The Indian Creek was good, but a lot of the fruit was gone.

Housemade Sauerkraut with Green Apples and Dried Corn.

Mac made these awesome rolls.

The goose, from Meadowlark Farms in Nampa, ID. was superb. Moist and done perfectly. Stuffed with Chestnut Stuffing. Delicious. Gravy made from the goose drippings.

For dessert, Robin spent several hours making this Crepe Tiramisu. Oh so yummy!

Want a slice of the tiramisu?

Modern Motel Brunch

19 Saturday Dec 2015

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Beef, Boise Restaurants, Bread, Brunch, Brunch at Modern Motel, Brunch with Robin, Buy Idaho, Comfort Food, Eggs, Greens, Idaho Beef, Idaho Chefs, Idaho Greens, Photos By: Bob Young, Restaurants To Try, What's For Dinner?

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brunch, Modern Motel

The Modern Motel Restaurant, 1314 West Grove Street, Boise, ID 83702, never ceases to amaze me with the quality of food that they present and serve. We have been there several times and I have never had a meal I did not like. Today was no exception. Their Brunch Menu offers at least 1 special. It changes. See if they have the Cauliflower Grits or the Squash Bread with Coffee Butter. If they do, get some! Here is their Dinner Menu, which is also subject to change. Here’s what we had. It’s really great to see that they use local products whenever possible.

Squash Bread with Coffee Butter

Tiramisu Crepes

Steak
Mixed Greens
Cauliflower Grits
Egg Yolk and Balsamic Drizzle

New to us: BrickYard – Steakhouse – Spirits – Dueling Pianos

17 Thursday Dec 2015

Posted by Bob and Robin in 4-Stars, Beef, Boise Adventures, BrickYard Restaurant, Comfort Food, Hamburger, Hendrick's Gin, Housemade Soup, Idaho Beef, Idaho Chefs, Idaho Potatoes, Local Harvests, Local Markets, Lunch With Robin, Photos By: Bob Young, Potatoes, Restaurants, Restaurants To Try, What's For Dinner?

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BrickYard Restaurant, Chihuly, glass art, piano bar

In Boise, one of the better burgers! Almost as good as Storm’s Burger from the Parma Ridge Winery Bistro in Parma, ID. The BrickYard, Boise offers a very attractive dining area and a good BrickYard Menu along with Idaho, and other, wines and spirits. Children are welcome! I need to say right now, our Waiter, Brandon, was superb. Friendly, polite, and liked to engage in good conversation and could answer all of our questions. He even made my lunch a little different and not on the menu. Well worth a trip and be aware, one of the best burgers in Boise! We will go back. “… Brickyard Music – This weekend scheduled to play Friday December 4th, & Saturday December 5th featuring dueling pianos with Robert Morrow, Danny Beal and on the drums (& Vocals), Adam Troutman, playing all requests starting at 10pm. For an extended music calendar and ticket information on upcoming events, follow us on Facebook! The BrickYard strives to showcase local products when available.” Definitely a 4+-Star restaurant. Here are some photos. Enjoy! This would be a good restaurant for the Idaho Wine Commission Restaurant of the Year Award.

The front door sign on Main Street in Boise. 601 Main Street, Boise, ID 83702, Mon-Wed: 11am – 10pm, Thu: 11am – 10pm, Fri: 11am – 2am, Sat: 5pm – 2am. Phone: 208.287.2121, Fax: 208.287.9203, Parking: Street, Food Styles: Steakhouses, Attire: Dressy, Culinary Team: Executive Chef – Drew Ledger and Owners: Chad and Kristi Johnson.”

The restaurant is in what used to be the Idaho Statesman Building.

The dining area.

Chihuly glass art on the wall! “… Dale Chihuly (born September 20, 1941), is an American glass sculptor and entrepreneur. His works are considered unique to the field of blown glass, “moving it into the realm of large-scale sculpture”. The technical difficulties of working with glass forms are considerable, yet Chihuly uses it as the primary medium for installations and environmental artwork.”

Close up of the wall art.

Chuhuli Light in the main dining area! If you know glass art, you know Chuhuli!

Chuhuli Light in the main dining area! If you know glass art, you know Chihuly! This light art is probably worth in the neighborhood of $14000.00 – $15000.00. Just thought I’d let you know.

Flora Dora

Ahi Club
Thin sliced seared Ahi tuna on a toasted ciabatta bun with wasabi sauce, applewood bacon, lettuce leaves, fresh tomato slices and shaved pickled ginger
Smoked Bacon and Potato Soup
Idaho Yukon gold potatoes poached in chicken stock then slow cooked with hand cut shoestring fries

BrickYard Burger
Hand formed half pound ground chuck patty infused with smoked bacon, char-grilled and crowned with sharp cheddar. Dressed out with crispy onions, butter leaf lettuce, sliced fresh tomato and mayonnaise on a fresh baked bun served with hand cut steak fries

I had them hold the bun and they did that. It was good to see that they would alter their menu to suit the client. I ate about 1 cup of the fries and Robin ate the rest.

Two Super Breakfasts!

08 Tuesday Dec 2015

Posted by Bob and Robin in Acme Bake Shop, Acme Bake Shop Sourdough, Apple Sauce, Boise Farmers Market, Breakfast, Breakfast At The Captains Shack, Breakfast With Robin, Buy Idaho, Captain's Shack, Comfort Food, Eggs, Eggs Poached, Idaho's Bounty, Local Harvests, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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Acme Bake Shop Sourdough, Meadowlark Farms, Poached eggs

Potato Latkes
Apple Sauce
Sour Cream

Mostly all Idaho products. Yummers!

Basil Poached Meadowlark Farms Eggs
Toasted Acme Bake Shop Sourdough
Ham

Tea Time at Capitol Cellars

05 Saturday Dec 2015

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Capitol Cellars, Comfort Food, Idaho Beef, Idaho Greens, Idaho's Bounty, Local Markets, Photos By: Bob Young, Restaurants, Tea, What's For Dinner?

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tea, tea time

Ah yes! Interesting and a good time. No wine, although there was a bubbly offered. Tea. All types and kinds of tea. And “finger foods” – really good. And fresh made. Yummers! Here’s what we had.

No. No wine today. Just look and dream.

Interesting tea pot. The pot actually was made to fit into the cup. Look close.

Robin with her tea. Can you see both the cup and the pot?

Tea is poured

Finger foods were delicious. Blueberry/Raspberry Scone Meat, Cheese and Greens with Aoli on Sourdough Slice, Shortbread, Quiche and Chocolate Truffle

Finger foods were delicious. Individual plates consisting of –

Blueberry/Raspberry Scone
Meat, Cheese and Greens with Aoli on Sourdough Slice
Shortbread
Quiche
Chocolate Truffle

Weekend Specials at Parma Ridge Winery

03 Thursday Dec 2015

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Beef, Biscuits and Gravy, Bistro, Eggs Poached, Idaho Beef, Idaho Chefs, Idaho Potatoes, Idaho Wine, Local Markets, Parma Ridge Specials, Parma Ridge Winery Bistro, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Salads, Sliders, What's For Dinner?, Wines - Idaho

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biscuits and gravy, bistro, Parma Ridge Winery, salad

Here is the latest from Parma Ridge Winery. Great weekend specials!

Join us for delicious food, a glass of wine and a beautiful view. Check out our specials this weekend!

Friday Happy Hour Specials from 4-7 p.m. with purchase of glass of wine or beer:
2 Sliders with Rosemary Truffle Fries: Pork, Mesquite Ground Beef, “Triple B“ or “Deluxe” – $6.50
Chargrilled Kielbasa on Pretzel Bun with Black Cherry BBQ sauce, Deli Mustard and Caramelized Onions – $5.95
Personal size Flatbread: BBQ Pork, Grilled Chicken, “The Patricia,” or Pepperoni – $5.95

Ridge House Salad: Mixed greens with apple cider vinaigrette, Bleu Cheese and poached pear – $5

Basket of Rosemary Garlic Truffle Fries with House-made aioli – $5
Sunday Only, in addition to our regular menu items, you can choose from:
Bacon, Egg and Cheddar Breakfast Sandwich with Cheesy Bacon Fries – $5.95

Best Ever Biscuits and Gravy with a Fried Egg – $6.95

Slow Braised Beef Short Rib over Mashed Potatoes with Grilled Asparagus and Fresh Baked Bread – $10.95

Now serving our
Creamy Northwest Clam Chowder
all weekend!

Try our Desserts:
Viognier Poached Pear – Brown Butter Sautéed Pears with a hint of coriander and star anise deglazed with Parma Ridge Viognier and honey served with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream – $5
Decadent Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Chocolate Drizzle – $5
Dining Room and Tasting Hours are Friday 12 -7 p.m., Sat & Sun 12-5 p.m. and we offer our regular menu all weekend.

We were joined by Bob and Robin Young this past weekend, thanks for the awesome write up about Parma Ridge! https://boisefoodieguild.wordpress.com/2015/11/29/brunch-again-at-parma-ridge-winery/#comments

We are now offering gift certificates, nothing says “Merry Christmas” like the Parma Ridge Experience.

See you this weekend!
Cheers,
Steph & Storm
Parma Ridge Winery
208-946-5187
info@parmaridgewineandspirits.com

Storm’s Deluxe Burger – An All-Beef Patty with American cheese and Old-School Diner Sauce served with Fresh Cut Truffle Fries, offered all-weekend

photo courtesy of Bob Young

Northwest Creamy Clam Chowder with Storm’s Fresh Baked Bread, offered all weekend
photo courtesy of Bob Young

24509 Rudd Road, Parma ID, 83660
208-946-5187
http://www.parmaridgewineandspirits.com
https://www.facebook.com/ParmaRidgeWineandSpirits

Easy Eggs Florentine Two Ways

29 Sunday Nov 2015

Posted by Bob and Robin in Acme Bake Shop Sourdough, Boise Farmers Market, Breakfast At The Captains Shack, Breakfast With Robin, Buy Idaho, Captain's Shack, Comfort Food, Eggs Poached, Food Photos, Meadowlark Farms, Photos By: Bob Young, Purple Sage Farms, Recipe: Bob and Robin Young, Recipes, Spinach, What's For Dinner?

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tarragon, tarragon vinegar

Really very easy to do. Fresh spinach that the center ribs have been removed and spinach is chopped. Then soft cooked eggs in water and tarragon vinegar. Served with french fries. That’s one way.
Here’s another. Remove ribs from spinach. Steam 30 seconds in tarragon vinegar and water. Soft cook eggs in the same water. Toasted Sourdough with Raspberry Jam. Either way is quick, easy and yummy!
And yes, eggs from Meadowlark Farms, sourdough from Acme Bakeshop and spinach from Purple Sage Farms, all local farmers. Tarragon from our garden last year. We made the tarragon vinegar November of 2014.

Chopped Raw Spinach Topped with Two Soft Cooked Eggs and served with French Fries.

Chopped Raw Spinach Topped with Two Soft Poached Eggs in Water and Tarragon Vinegar and served with French Fries.

Fresh Spinach Steamed in Water and Tarragon Vinegar and then topped with Two Soft Poached Eggs. Toasted Sourdough with Raspberry Jam.

Fresh Spinach Steamed in Water and Tarragon Vinegar and then topped with Two Soft Poached Eggs that were poached in the vinegar water. Toasted Sourdough with Raspberry Jam.

As Ina would say, “How easy is that?”

Brunch Again at Parma Ridge Winery

29 Sunday Nov 2015

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Boise Adventures, Brunch at Parma Ridge Winery, Brunch with Robin, Buy Idaho, Chowder, Garlic, Greens, Idaho Wine, Parma Ridge Winery, Parma Ridge Winery Bistro, Photos By: Bob Young, Restaurant Reviews, Salad, Snake River AVA Sojourn, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wines - Idaho

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brunch, clam chowder, truffle fries

This is such a treat – even driving all the way from Boise to Parma! Superb food by Chef Storm. And wonderful artwork on the walls by Artist Stephanie. Such talents and such nice people. The food is delicious and servings are quite adequate, even to the point of being large. The Storm’s Deluxe Burger is superb and almost worth the drive just for the burger! The House Salad is exceptional with those pears! We started here for a good and substantial meal before our sojourn through the Snake River AVA and 5 wineries on Black Saturday. I want to say that Parma Ridge is probably the first winery in the Snake River AVA that has open seating brunch. Bitner Vineyards has, at times, cheese plates and other meals. Great to see the bistro type winery restaurant. Parma Ridge Bistro – that’s my name, not theirs – is every bit a 5-Star establishment. Just look at what we had.

Part of the Snake River AVA from Parma Ridge Winery tasting room. Beautiful!

Part of the Snake River AVA from Parma Ridge Winery tasting and dining room. Beautiful! Don’t forget to Left-Click on any of these photos to see them enlarged.

The Tasting Bar. The artwork on the wall is all by Stephanie.

More artwork by Stephanie Hodge. It is for sale if you wish. Contact Stephanie at the winery.

Table menus and wine for our cellar.

Wonderful House Salad

The Clam Chowder is superb, although a little salty. I'd still get it again.

The Creamy Northwest Clam Chowder is superb, although a little salty. I’d still get it again. Many clams and good broth.

Parma Ridge Burger. I'd drive all the way from Boise for one of these! Probably the Best Burger around! Aoli Fries and Black Truffle Oil Dipping Sauce.

Storm’s Deluxe Burger. I’d drive all the way from Boise for one of these! (Yes, it is that good!) Probably the Best Burger around! Rosemary Truffle Fries with Mesquite Aloli Dipping Sauce. A house specialty. Gotta be!

A Thankful and Traditional Thanksgiving!

27 Friday Nov 2015

Posted by Bob and Robin in Acme Bake Shop, Apple, Boise Farmers Market, Classic Cuisines, Comfort Food, Dessert, Dinner At The Captains Shack, Dinner With Family, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Photos By: Robin Young, Recipes, Recipes - Dessert, Turkey, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Zhou Zhou Winery

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cranberry, pecan pie recipe, stuffing, traditional dinners, turkey

Yes it was! A very good Thanksgiving with family. (Sorry you had to work, Chris. There’s a platter waiting for you.) Mac, Marnie, Sophia, Robin, Buddy and me. That made a good group. Mac may have a new Holiday Dinner job – The “Making of the Rolls“. They were super! The stuffing did not turn out so good. (Pictured here to the left) I think next time I will leave it in the turkey. It dried out too much. Crunchy. Difficult to eat. The turkey, though, was delicious and there is some leftover. Yea!! Dried corn was off, for some reason. Even with those drawbacks, we had a good time. Here are some photos. Enjoy! To see any of these photos enlarged, Left-Click the picture.

The wines for dinner.

Good start to the stuffing – making our own – just a not so good ending.

Tried to make individual Stuffing Cakes. I will work on this.

Herb butter is getting “Happy”. Dried corn is soaking.

Robin made this super good appetizer dish from fresh veggies and dips and roll-ups. Delicious and fun!

Mac’s new job – Making of the Rolls!

Buddy watches and waits for any tidbits that may end up on the floor. He was patient!!

The table is set and full!

Sophia brought the delicious ham.

The turkey was worth waiting for. The drippings made super gravy! Smooth, rich and wonderful.

Plated meal: Green Bean Casserole, Dried Corn, Stuffing, Cranberry, turkey and mashed potatoes with gravy.

Plated meal: Green Bean Casserole, Dried Corn, Apple Stuffing, Cranberry, turkey and mashed potatoes with gravy.

And finish off dinner with Bourbon Ginger Pecan Pie that Marnie made. Here is the Recipe. Enjoy!

Fine Steaks at Ruth’s Chris in Boise

20 Friday Nov 2015

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Boise Adventures, Caesar Salad, Chicken, Creamed Spinach, Dinner at Ruth's Chris, Dinner With Robin, Food Photos, Greens, Idaho Chicken, Idaho Potatoes, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Potatoes, Restaurant Reviews, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Salad, Spinach, What's For Dinner?, Wines - French

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#RuthsChris
Ah yes! Once again a really good steak dinner at Ruth’s Chris. Good chicken also. Good service. Polite service. Great food. One of the better restaurants in Boise that ranks a definite 5-Star rating. Kids are welcome, but you also need deep pockets. Happy Hour from 4 – 6 with specials at that time only. Here are some photos of our visit and hopefully you will get an idea of the superb food. Cheers. Here is a link to Ruth’s Chris Steak House, their Menu and their Happy Hour Menu.