Boise Foodie Meet-Up: Bodovino Wine Bar

28 Saturday Dec 2013

Posted by Bob and Robin in Antipasto, Appetizers, Baguette, Boise Adventures, Boise Foodie Meet-Up, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Pizza, Tapas, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wine Tasting, Wines - French, Wines - German, Wines - Idaho, Wines - Italian

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bodovino, Bodovino Wine Bar, Tastings Wine Bar, wine bar

On December 28, the Boise Foodie Meet-Up group – see their link in the sidebar – visited Bodovino Wine Bar (an excellent website!) and the experience was a good one. Good food, really good service and a unique venue. You purchase a “card” with some dollar amount, and then you can visit up to 144 different wines (see photos below) and get whatever wine you desire and whatever amount you wish, 1oz, 3oz or 5oz. Each wine and each amount has a different price and they range from $1.00 to $12.00 (the highest I found).
The tapas that we had was very good. A nice selection of cheese, pasta (pizza) and antipasti. They have a full selection of menu items, including salads and sliders, and all seem to be reasonably priced. Overall – a good experience. I will rate them 4-Stars out of 5-Stars. The room that we were in, there are several, was very noisy and loud. Otherwise, good. We will probably return. Please enjoy these photos. You will get some idea of the ambiance and of the tapas. Cheers!!

“Still Life”

Wine Bar overview.

Some of the 144 available wines. A unique idea for dispensing the wine.

French Cheese Flight

Charcuterie Plate

“Baguette and Cheese”

North End Flatbread

Boise Foodie Meet-Up Group Meets

16 Monday Dec 2013

Posted by Bob and Robin in Boise Adventures, Brunch, Chicken, Ethnic Foods, Friends, Indian Food, Main Dish, Nepalese Food, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Restaurant Reviews, Restaurants, Special Events, Tibetan Food, Vegetables, Whats For Lunch?

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Boise Foodie Meet-Up Group, curry, India, indian food, Mount Everest Momo Cafe, nepalese food, tibetan food

Six of the Boise Foodie Meet-Up Group met at the Mount Everest Momo Cafe today for lunch. They specialize in Indian-Nepalese-Tibetan foods. And I was pleasantly surprised. This was really an interesting lunch. I spent a year in India, so when I enter a restaurant specializing in Indian, or even Nepalese, food, I want the spices of India to be present. As we walked into the restaurant, I did get that “smell of the Indian spice”. I know then that the entrees are not canned – they are made on location. It was nice that the owner, Rajesh Shrestha, took the time to talk about the cuisine and the dishes that they serve.
The hot link above will take you to their website and a complete menu with descriptions of the entrees and prices. The serving sizes were completely satisfying – Just the right size. Out of 5-Stars, I rate the Mount Everest Momo Cafe 4-Stars. Pictured below, are some of the dishes we had. Left-Click any of these photos to see enlarged. Enjoy! We did.

The menu cover.

Curry Soup

Chicken Momo
Mint Sauce
Curry Sauce

Basmati Rice Naan (Bread) Spinach and Cheese Vegetables Chicken Curry Potato and Cauliflower

Basmati Rice
Naan (Bread)
Spinach and Cheese (Sag Panir)
Chicken Curry
Potato and Cauliflower (Alu Kaoli)

I thoroughly enjoyed this dish. The spices were perfect and everything was done to perfection. I do like the Naan. Light. Fluffy. Yet somewhat chewy. Here is a direct link to the Mount Everest Momo Cafe Dinner Menu with more definitive descriptions of the entrees. They also have a menu for their Lunch Specials ($6.95 per plate Monday – Saturday, 11 – 2:30) and it is printed below. However, it is not on their website.

Lunch Specials Menu

The Drink Bar and Waterfront Grill Visit

26 Tuesday Nov 2013

Posted by Bob and Robin in Beef, Bisque, Boise Adventures, Chowder, Dinner With Friends, Lobster, Main Dish, Photos By: Bob Young, Pubs, Sandwiches, Seafood, Shell Fish, Soup, Things To Do, What's For Dinner?

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Drink Bar and Waterfront Grill, Idaho humanists

The Boise Humanist group met at Drink Bar and Waterfront Grill on November 25. The restaurant is a nice setting right on the lake. But just a little cold on the Cabana when the temperature is in the high 20’s, even if the sides are shielded by plastic. They probably could have turned the heaters on an hour or so earlier so that the room would warm up a little more. People were cold. Here is their Cabana/Tiki Bar Page and menus.

The food was OK, but not much more. The clam chowder was tasty as was the lobster bisque. It would have been nice to have fries or something come with the burgers. They could probably do with better hamburger buns, too. These were “gummy”. I will rate this as a 3-Star ( out of 5-Stars) restaurant based on what we had. Here are some photos from the evening. Left-Click any of the photos to see enlarged. Cheers!

The Cabana

View out over the lake.

Some of the people who were there.

Lobster Bisque

Clam Chowder

The Haole Burger

The Big Wave Burger

Mai Thai Restaurant and the Idaho Foodie Meet-Up

22 Friday Nov 2013

Posted by Bob and Robin in Asian Food, Boise, Boise Adventures, Boise Foodie Meet-Up, Cooking Styles, Dinner With Friends, Ethnic Foods, Local Markets, Mai Thai, Mataki Mushrooms, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Special Events, Sushi, Things To Do, What's For Dinner?, Whats For Lunch?

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asian food, Boise foodie, Mai Thai

On Thursday, November 21, the Idaho Foodie Meet-Up group met at Mai Thai in Boise for a delightful gathering and some scrumptious food! Our very good Waiter Benjamin, suggested that we try their Buffet Lunch, 11am until 2pm daily, because we can try a large variety of menu items for a very reasonable price. We highly recommend the Mai Thai restaurant for their Asian cuisine and their service. Easily a 4-Star, out of 5, rating. We will have to try their buffet. Thanks, Benjamin. Eight of the Meet-Up group were in attendance and here is some of the food we had. But first, the ambiance. Enjoy and Left-Click any of these photos to see them enlarged. Please VOTE above. Cheers!

Some of the glass work and water works in the restaurant. Beautiful!

Neither this lamp, nor the one above, were made by Chihuly, but rather by a local artist. They are simply marvelous.

Each table had one of these candles on it. The Missionary's Downfall goblet (left) Hawaiian Mai Thai goblet were not on each table. Just on ours.

Each table had one of these candles on it. The Missionary’s Downfall goblet (left) Hawaiian Mai Thai goblet (right) were not on each table. Just on ours.

The bar area. As you can see, the lighting in the restaurant was awesome. A fun place with superb food and service.

And at any party, there may be door prizes. Here was one of several. A mouse pad, at that!

And now …. The food!

Chicken Pot Stickers

Braised Oxtail Gyoza

Koi Cucumber Wrap

Seared Salmon

Kakitage – Corn and Red Onion Fritter
with
Spicy Curry Sauce

Maitaki Mushroom Tempura Fritter

Tuna Tartar

Vegetable Spring Rolls

Mai Thai Noodles with Pork

Chocolate Cake

Robin and I had an excellent time. Good group! Good food! Until next time ……………….

Lunch At Mazzah

11 Monday Nov 2013

Posted by Bob and Robin in Boise, Boise Adventures, Chicken, Comfort Food, Cooking Styles, Lamb, Mazzah - Mediterranean Grill, Photos By: Bob Young, Restaurant Reviews, Restaurants, What's For Dinner?, Whats For Lunch?

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Mazzah, Mediterranean Grill

And it was a good lunch! Huge servings. Robin and I should have shared a plate. I ate too much and she brought half of her’s home. Very, very good. Great flavors. Here is a link to Mazzah – Mediterranean Grill. They are located at 1772 W State Street in Boise. (208) 333-2566. They also have a grill at 404 E Park Center Blvd., Suite 250. (208) 333-2563. My only problem is that the service was a little slow. The Chicken Kabobs that I ordered were fresh made, but it took almost 20 minutes. We were there at the lunch hour, so that may have been part of the problem. The restaurant is small. Still good food, though. Just be prepared to wait. Here are some photos from today. Enjoy!

Robin, Janine and Gina enjoying the experience.

One of the mixed chicken kabob platters.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry ……………….

11 Monday Nov 2013

Posted by Bob and Robin in Appetizers, Boise, Boise Adventures, Captain's Shack, Chocolate, Chocolate and Food, Comfort Food, Cooking Styles, Duck, French Foods, French Wines, Friends, Gaston's Bakery, Locavore, Main Dish, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Salads, Salmon, Soup, Special Dinners, Special Events, Things To Do, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wine Dinners

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DineOut Boise

………….. For tomorrow you may be dieting! Boise had this wonderful program called Dineout DowntownBoise where some of the restaurants offered a 3-Course dinner for $30. I have posted earlier on the subject, but it only lasted a week, so one had to hurry to make all of the eaterys. We didn’t make them all, but we tried.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the sponsors of this week long event: Boise Weekly, Sysco, the River – 94.9FM, Agri Beef Co., I Support Idaho Wines, Pepsi, DOWNTOWNBOISE Assoc. and Downtown Parking. Thank you one and all for offering this program. It was a joy!
And for the last dinner we went to Le Cafe de Paris where we met Michael and Sandra. Wonderful and fun people. He plays a mean guitar!! Ed K, we must introduce the two of you.

Can not have a good meal without a good wine …….

and can not have a good dessert without a good wine. (Both of these were from our cellar.)

When there is a choice on the menu, as there was at Le Cafe, Robin and I will usually get “one of each”. That way, we can try all and share. Le Cafe offered two entrees of each course. Here is what we had.

Salade de Bettraves et noisette
Butter lettuce topped with gold and red beets, toasted hazelnuts and served with a mustard vinaigrette

French Onion Soup

Confit de Canard
Duck confit
served with
roasted potatoes and Calvacios flambe apples

Saumon Papillotte Salmon with white wine, tomato and shallot baked in parchment paper

Dessert. Need I say more?

One each, then share!!

And then on Sunday night we made a 5-Hour Roasted Chicken. The recipe for a 5-Hour Roasted Duck is in the recipe section of the blog – See the headings above. We used the same recipe for the chicken.

5-Hour Roasted Chicken

Michael and Sandra joined us for the dinner party. Lots of wine. Some Scotch, Amarula, B&B, Guinness and Armagnac.

Boise Farmers Market Fall Fundraiser

21 Monday Oct 2013

Posted by Bob and Robin in Beef, Boise Adventures, Boise Farmers Market, Brats, Carrots, Comfort Food, HDR, Heirloom Squash, Herbs, Idaho Wine, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Local Markets, Locavore, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Special Events, Squash, Tapas, Things To Do, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food

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Homestead Farms, Meadow Lark Farms, New Boise Farmers Market, Purple Sage Farms

Yes, even The New Boise Farmers Market must have funds to operate. And since it is not privately funded, the funds must come from the public sector. That’s you and me!! So Robin and I did attend. It was held at the Purple Sage Farms outside of Middleton, ID. A beautiful Fall day as you can tell from some of these photos.
Robin and I try very hard to eat local products and we are totally committed to the “Buy Idaho” and “Support You Local Farmers” programs. We are at the New Boise Farmers Market every Saturday and we will follow them indoors on November 2, 2013 to their winter home at the Fulton Street (Boise) location. So we were very pleased when we got the opportunity to attend this gala event at the Purple Sage Farms. Enjoy these photos and please, please support your local farmers. From the New Boise Farmers Market web page,

Vision: The Boise Farmers Market is a community marketplace where local food and agricultural products are available year round and where the community can learn about and become engaged in food system issues. The Market is a catalyst and incubator for local food-related activities in the region, and helps to build personal and community self-reliance.

Mission: The Boise Farmers Market supports a regenerative, healthy food and agricultural system by operating a vibrant marketplace featuring locally grown and crafted products.

Tim Sommer and his son Mike, owners of the Purple Sage Farms, talk to the crowds that were there.ike3 loves to work on and with the land. They use only their own compost and their water supply is from the Payette River.

Tim Sommer and his son Mike, owners of the Purple Sage Farms and our hosts today, talk to the crowds that were there. Mike loves to work on and with the land. They use only their own compost and their water supply is from the Payette River.

Daughter Arie Sommer and Grandmother Ava Latteman

Daughter Ariie Sommer and Grandmother Ava Latteman

Bill Gates, Homestaed Farms whose beef were pasturing directly across the road, talks to the folks about his years of experience of raising cattle, among other livestock. Their products can be found at the New Boise Farmers Market and in Whole Foods. It is some very good beef!

Bill Gates, Homestead Farms whose beef were pasturing directly across the road, talks to the folks about his years of experience of raising cattle, among other livestock. Their products can be found at the New Boise Farmers Market, of course, and in Whole Foods here in Boise. It is some very good beef!

Karen Ellis and Janie Burns discuss the program for this afternoon.

Karen Ellis and Janie Burns – Meadow Lark Farms – discuss the program for this afternoon.

Here are some photos of some of the greenhouses that Purple Sage Farms use for winter production of their vegetables and herbs. Temperatures during the summer may reach well above 100 degrees, so they whitewash the outsides to reduce the intensity of the sun.

Greenhouse Row. There are about 10 houses here.

Greenhouse Row. There are about 15 houses here.

Rosemary and Lettuce

Basil

I think these are carrots.

With all of the available source for different foods, look what they served.

Stuffed Peppers

Delicioso Squash. (I am not a squash fan, but this was delicious!)

Pepper Bruchetta

Kabobs with Zucchini

Hot Dogs

Brats

What a great afternoon! Interesting. Informative. Delicious. Thirst quenching.

Liquid Refreshment is served.

French Wines At The Buzz

11 Wednesday Sep 2013

Posted by Bob and Robin in Boise Adventures, Classics, Croissant, Dinner With Friends, French Foods, French Wines, Friends, Healthy Eating, Locavore, Party Time, Pasta, Photos By: Bob Young, Quiche Lorraine, Salads, Special Events, Traditional Food, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food

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food, quiche lorraine, salad nicoise

Another in a series of good wine dinners at the Buzz last night. Some very interesting wines, presented blind, and good food. Our friend Maggie, pictured here, came along with us and it was great to see that she was feeling chipper enough to join us. We always like to have her join us in these adventures. I
This was a good meal. Not particularly the best I have had at the Buzz, but very good. I am very salt conscious, and there were two dishes that could have had a little more salt and/or pepper. I will list those dishes below. All in all ….. a fun night with good friends and good food. Glad to hear and see that Bailey is doing OK after her bike fall. Enjoy these photos of the dinner and the commentary. Cheers! Left-Click any of these photos to see them larger.

Robin is studying the wines and the dinner menu.

Quiche Lorraine
2009 Baron de Hoer Alsase Riesling
12.5% alc. went well with this appetizer, but light. [15] $14.00

Salad Nicoise
(Could have used a little cracked pepper and olives. But still good.)
2012 Sable d’Azure
12.5% alc blend of grenache, mouvedre and petite syrah. this went well with the salad [17] $13.00

Vegetable Trimbale
(Needs a very light sprinkle of Sea Salt)
2011 Chat du Pape Cote de Rhone
14.5% alc. big wine but went well with the trimbale. [15] $13.00

Beef Bourgogne
(This was the best part of the dinner. Full of flavor and seasoned perfectly!)
2010 Gigondas
14.5% alc. a big red that went very well with the beef and onions. [17] $22.00

Cream Puff and Apple Crepe
(Good job on the cream puffs, Cristi!)
Veuve du Vernay Sparkling Chardonnay
11.0% alc. a great choice to pair with this dessert. [18] $12.00

This review may sound harsh to some. It is not. Cristi and I talked about some of these comments and I think she accepted them as positive. Like I stated at the start, I really try to watch our salt intake, even if the food seems to need additional salt. And I know Cristi tries very hard to limit the amount of salt in her dishes. This was just one of those times when a little more would have enhanced the dishes. It was still a good dinner. Hope to see you at the next one. Cheers!!!

Williams-Sonoma Cooking Class – Pizza!

21 Friday Jun 2013

Posted by Bob and Robin in Arugula, Baking, Boise Adventures, Cooking Classes, Cooking Programs, Cooking Styles, Food Prep, Italian Food, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Pizza, Prep Work, Special Events, Special Information, What's For Dinner?

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anchovy pizza, bread flour, mario batali, pepper pizza, willams sonoma

A really good experience last night attending this class. Great conversations, comments and information. For instance, in Italian cooking, “In Italy, flour is classified either as 1, 0, or 00, and refers to how finely ground the flour is and how much of the bran and germ have been removed. Doppio zero is the most highly refined and is talcum-powder soft.” [ochef.com] The recipe that was used is from Molto Gusto by Mario Batali and Mark Ladner, and calls for “00” flour. Chad Poznick, resident Chef at this Willams-Sonoma store, said to replace it with bread flour. Just remember to sift it several times to get the same “softness” as 00 flour.
Here are some photos from the class. Enjoy and please VOTE above. Also, Left-Click any of these photos to see enlarged. Goot Essen!

Chad Poznick, resident Chef at the Boise Williams-Sonoma.

Chef Chad kneads the pizza dough.

The pizza toss. Nice job, Chef!

Prepping the Sausage and Pepper Pizza. Pair this with a great bottle of wine, say a Cold Springs (ID) Hot Red Red or a good Chianti.

Adding the cheese.

The finished product.

Prepping a Prosciutto and Arugula Pizza.

The finished product and ready to eat.

Anyone for a Potato, Anchovy and Ricotta Pizza? Pair this with a Caesar Salad and you’ve got a wonderful meal.

Yum!

Finish the meal with a wonderful Creme Fraiche Gelato. Double yum!

Finish the meal with a wonderful Crème Fraîche Gelato. Double yum!

A delightful evening and I expect to join in on more of these events. Loads of fun. Cheers!

Sunday Brunch at Cottonwood Grille

26 Sunday May 2013

Posted by Bob and Robin in Boise Adventures, Brunch, Classic Sauces, Cottonwood Grille, Crab, Eggs, Main Dish, Photos By: Bob Young, Restaurants, Salmon, Vegetables, What's For Dinner?

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cottonwood grille, gravlox, snow crab, strange mixture

Last night Robin said she would like to go to the Cottonwood Grille for brunch. No problem! It’s always a party when we go there. A good treat, since we missed our seafood this week. And I still had my vegetables before 6:00pm. As we were going into the parking, one of “Boise’s Folks” was at the entrance (photo above). I have no clue as to what or who this is. Just interesting. A strange mixture of cultures here in the Mountain West. Interesting. Enjoy these photos of our breakfast, Left-Click any photo to see enlarged and please VOTE above. Cheers!