Awesome Meal At Parma Ridge Winery and Bistro …. Again!

22 Sunday Dec 2019

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Beef, Bistro, Bistro - Parma Ridge Winery, Brunch, Brunch at Parma Ridge Winery, Buy Local, Chef Storm Hodge, Chocolate, Classic Cuisines, Cooking Styles, Dinner at Parma Ridge Winery and Bistro, Dinner With The Winemaker, Idaho Wine, Merlot, Parma Ridge Specials, Parma Ridge Winery Bistro, Party Time, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Snake River AVA, Special Dinners, What's For Brunch?, What's For Dinner?

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brunch, Parma Ridge Bistro, Parma Ridge Winery

Always good food! And good wine! And good visits. But then, I am extremely biased. Definitely a solid 5-Star restaurant and superb Wait Staff. You can always see what they are doing by looking at – and following – Snake River AVA Happenings and their page Parma Ridge Winery and Bistro Information. It is a good idea, and sometimes extremely necessary, Sunday brunch for example, to make reservations. Parma Ridge Winery, 24509 Rudd Road, Parma ID, 83660. 208-946-5187. Here is their website: www.parmaridge.wine. So what did we have for dinner? (Left-Click any of these photos to see them enlarged.)

Robin enjoys the Bistro

Wonderful, fresh made Cream of Mushroom Soup. They also have Storm’s Northwest Clam Chowder which is super!

We also tried Chicken Tortilla Soup, which is not on the menu yet.

Robin had the Filet Mignon, which was awesome.

I had the Ribeye Steak,which is also superb.

Avielle Rosé of Merlot, a good breakfast wine

Late Harvest Riesling. These are both new releases.

Chocolate Bread Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream. Oh yum!

Wow! Just a superb meal. You really need to go sometime. Just Call First!

> View from the patio. Open seasonally.

Awesome Meal at Parma Ridge Bistro, Again!

20 Monday May 2019

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Alaskan Salmon, Asian Food, Asparagus, BBQ Chicken, Beef, Bistro - Parma Ridge Winery, Brunch at Parma Ridge Winery, Chef Storm Hodge, Chocolate, Dinner at Parma Ridge Winery and Bistro, Dinner With Family, Dinner With Friends, Food Photos, Friends, Parma Ridge Specials, Parma Ridge Winery Bistro, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Photos By: Parma Ridge Winery, What's For Dinner?

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great friends, Parma Ridge Bistro

Yes! It certainly was a great 2 hours spent in the Barrel Room eating with friends and family. Our neighbor Craig and his Mom and Dad, Craig’s girlfriend Jessica and her son and Mom, Marnie and Eric and Robin. Such a good group who all thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Definitely a 5-Star Bistro! We highly recommend them – they are open Wednesday thru Sunday and reservations are highly suggested. (24509 Rudd Road Parma ID 83660, 208.946.5187 and info@parmaridge.wine) Here is their Bistro Menu. Here is what we had! Enjoy! Left-Click any of the photos to see them enlarged.

There is always wine and beer is available, too.

House Salad. Delicious!

Robin had the beef!

Marnie had the Mushroom Omelet

Eric had the Biscuits and Gravy

Craig had the Rutherford Burger

Jessica had the Korean Chicken

Trey had the Parma Ridge Burger and Fries

Jessica’s Mom had a Poutine Bowl

Bob had Storm’s Salmon

We all had some Wine Lovers Chocolate Cake

Chocolate At The Mexican Consulate in Boise

06 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by Bob and Robin in Boise, Boise Adventures, Boise Area Food Adventures, Boise Food Adventures, Boise Weekly, Chocolate, Food - Mexican, What's For Dinner?

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Mexican Consulate

This looks like a fun and interesting event this weekend in Boise. Maybe we’ll see you there. Left-Click the graphic to see it enlarged. Thanks to the Boise Weekly for this information.

Richard’s and Clearwater Canyon Winery Dinner

30 Friday Nov 2018

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Acme Bake Shop Breads, Appetizers, Boise Area Food Adventures, Boise Restaurants, Brunch at Richard's, Buy Idaho, Cheese, Chef Richard Langston, Chocolate, Classic Cuisines, Clearwater Canyon Cellars, Cooking Styles, Dessert, Dinner At Richard's, Dinner With The Winemaker, Greens, Idaho Lamb, Idaho Polenta Floriani, Idaho Vegetables, Idaho Wild Game, Idaho Wine, Inn At 500 Capitol, Lamb, Local Markets, Photos By: Bob Young, Potatoes, Restaurants, Restaurants To Try, Richard's, Salmon, Seafood, Sourdough Bread, Special Dinners, What's For Dinner?

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naverin, ora king salmon, oyster aiolo, quail, taleggio, tuile

Richard’s interior

A wonderful event at Richard’s in Boise, an “…Inventive European bistro dishes & regional fine wines served in an elegant, romantic atmosphere. 500 S Capitol Blvd, Boise, ID 83702. 208) 472-1463”
The dinner was wonderfully paired with wines from Clearwater Canyon Cellars, 3143 10th St, Lewiston, ID 83501. 208.816.4679. Tasting Room Hours: Friday & Saturday, 12pm – 5pm & by appointment. Left-Click any of these photos to see them enlarged.

The Menu

Chef Richard Langston, Richard’s

Coco Umiker, Winemaker

House-Cured Ora King Salmon
Oyster Aioli
Toast
Greens
2017 Lochsa Chardonnay

Buttermilk Marinated Fried Quail
Crispy Potato Pancake
Organic Oregon Cranberry Sauce
2016 Heritage Series Mary Bonita

Delicata Squashed Stuffed with Risotto, Pecans and Imported Taleggio
2016 Coco’s Reserve Blend No. 5

Naverin of Lamb with Winter Vegetables
2016 Louis Delsol Cabernet Sauvignon

Chocolate Mousse
Almond Lace Tuile
Emmett Cherry Sauce
2016 Renaissance Red

3 Horse Ranch Vineyards Wine Dinner at Bella Aquila

01 Wednesday Feb 2017

Posted by Bob and Robin in 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards, 5-Stars, Appetizers, Arugula, Asparagus, BBQ Beef, Bella Aquila, Carrots, Chocolate, Dinner With Robin, Dinner With The Winemaker, Eagle Hills AVA, Food Photos, Green Salad, Local Harvests, Photos By: Bob Young, Salmon, Special Dinners, What's For Dinner?, Wine Dinners, Wines - Idaho

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Bella Aquila Restaurante in Eagle, ID sponsored the 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards wine dinner. A full 6 course dinner was served with as many 3 Horse Vineyards wines. The participation was superb and the crowd enjoyed themselves. It was good to see the Cunninghams again – it has been a while. They are the owners of the winery. Also they have added Brandon St-Martin to their staff as the winery manager. Just look at this menu. (You can Left-Click any of these photos to see them enlarged.)

Gary Cunningham, owner of 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards, talks to the crowd.

Brandon St-Martin, Manager

The menu. Look what you missed!

Passed Appetizers.

Arugula Leaf Salad tossed with White Pear Vinaigrette, Fresh Pear, Polenta Croutons and Truffle Cheddar Cheese

Baked Idaho Trout with a Strawberry Beurre Rouge, Roasted Almond Rice Pilaf and Asparagus

Braised Leg of Lamb servedx over Creamy Risotto

Braised Leg of Lamb served over Creamy Risotto

Pepper Crusted Smoked Flat Iron Steak, Bourbon Glaze, Twice Baked Fingerling Potato and Baby Carrot

Chocolate Lava Cake with Raspberry Coulis

The Chefs are congratulated on a meal well done! Bella Aquila Manager is in the background.

Very good 2014 Vivacious™ wine.

Cottonwood Grille Revisited

04 Wednesday Mar 2015

Posted by Bob and Robin in Bearnaise Sauce, Beef, Boise Restaurants, Buy Idaho, Chocolate, Chocolate and Food, Classic Sauces, Colter's Creek Winery, Cottonwood Grille, Dinner With Robin, Herbs, Idaho Wine, Idaho's Bounty, Kobe Beef, Locavore, Oysters, Photos By: Bob Young, Potatoes, Restaurant Reviews, Salads, Seafood, Shrimp, Snake River AVA, Special Dinners, Syrah, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food

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Béarnaise sauce, Colters Creek winery, cottonwood grille, Crème Brûlée, garlic mashed potatoes, London Broil

It was a good meal. And to get the negative out of the way, I thought the peas we had were a little salty for us – we eat very little salt – so the saltiness may not be entirely true for everyone. We would have liked a little more garlic in the potatoes. So will this keep us from going back? Probably not. The Kobe beef that Robin had was so very tender and delicious. My London Broil was good and the Béarnaise sauce on it was wonderful! Robin had an awesome Chocolate Mousse served in a White Chocolate Cup and I had a delicious Crème Brûlée. Here. Look at these photos and enjoy! If you want a more detailed review of the Cottonwood Grille, look at Our Restaurant Guide.

Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail

Wonderfully fresh seafood!

Oysters On The Half Shell

How fresh were these? You could taste the ocean and smell the ocean and hear the waves crashing on shore. That’s how fresh they were!

Caesar Salad

Love how this is presented.

Fresh Green House Salad

Kobe Beef with garlic mashed potatoes steamed peas

Kobe Beef
with
garlic mashed potatoes and steamed peas

London Broil with Bear garlic mashed potatoes and steamed peas

London Broil and Béarnaise sauce
with
garlic mashed potatoes and steamed peas

Chocolate Mousse in a White Chocolate Cup

Crème Brûlée

And with our dinner, we asked for a Fraser Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon but they were out of it. So we got a good 2011 Colter’s Creek Syrah, both are Idaho wines are very good and went quite well with our dinners.
But beforer we went for dinner here at the Cottonwood Grille, we went to the Arid Club, which is designed “To establish a club of business and professional men and women whose members are uniformly congenial with one another as nearly as may be, to provide them with an attractive and convenient meeting place, and to exclude there from bigots, propagandists, boosters, go-getters, uplifters, reformers, and snobs. [Arid Club Preamble]” for the release of the documentary film on the Idaho Wine Regions called “Idaho Wines: From Bud to Taste Bud”. It is on its way to be presented at the Sun Valley Film Festival.

NW Wines and Food at “The Buzz”

10 Wednesday Sep 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Appetizers, Beef, Bread, Buy Idaho, Cakes, Chocolate, Coffee, Cuts of Beef, Dinner With Friends, Dinner With Robin, Idaho Wine, Local Harvests, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Salad, Seafood, Shrimp, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wines - NW

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chocolate, NW wines, pot roast

Cristi and Tommy keep “adjusting” the floor plan of The Buzz. They have moved the wine bar around to be able to add more table space. You can see the “adjustment” in this photo.
The dinner tonight was OK. I have had better at the Monthly Wine Dinners. But, I have also had worse. I think that by tonights dinner – Wednesday, things will be adjusted. Many thanks again to Peggy Hands-Behrens and Joseph Geist for helping with the wine pouring, table settings, menu planning and bussing the tables.
Cristi opened the evening with a 2013 Split Rail Rosé of Tempranillo that was pretty good. I was surprised. Mellow and smooth with a long finish and good appeal. [17] $15.00. Here is what else we had. Enjoy! Left-Click any of these photos to see them enlarged.

Cranberry Feta Pinwheels A very good opener and I don't like Feta! There were none left ove3r on my plate. 2011 Iris Pinot Noir 13.5% alc. light on the body and balance. fair appeal [16]

Cranberry Feta Pinwheels
2011 Iris Pinot Noir
13.5% alc. light on the body and balance. fair appeal [16] $19.00

A very good opener and I don’t like Feta! There were none leftover on my plate.

[caption id="attachment_12654" align="aligncenter" width="524"]

Shrimp Louis Pasta Salad
2011 Willamette Chardonnay
12.5$ alc. very light on the bouquet but moderate balance and finish. [15] $21.00

The chardonnay went well with the salad. Good paring and good salad!

Vegetable Barley Soup
2010 Basel Claret
14.3% alc. good body and bouquet. moderate finish [15] $22.00

The soup, to me, was over spiced. It wiped the wine out and the wine emphasized the spiciness. The carrots and celery needed to be cooked a little more.

Pot Roast with Potatoes and Carrots
2013 Saviah Creek Jack Syrah
14.1% alc. great bouquet, balance and body. mild finish [18] $16.00

Some servings of the pot roast needed to be cooked longer. They were tough. And again, the carrots and potatoes needed to be cooked a little longer. I missed some gravy with the pot roast. My two slices of bread – gravy soppers – were good. Thanks, Tommy!

Vanilla Cupcake with Coffee Buttercream
2009 Brian Cellars Byzance
14.3% alc. Awesome! great balance and finish with a good appeal. The wine was a perfect match. A winner! [19] $30.00

Cristi said she would work on the recipe for the Coffee Buttercream and post it. I hope so. It was that good. See the photo below for the wine bottle label.

Brian Carter Cellars Byzance – a blend of 53% Grenache, 23% Syrah, 18% Mourvedre, 4% Cinsault and 2% Counoise. A very good wine. We bought 1 bottle.

Joseph Geist brought these two wines for us to savor. I really liked the apricot. The pomegranate very tart. I did not care for this one.

Joseph Geist brought these two wines for us to savor. I really liked the apricot. The pomegranate was very tart. I did not care for this one.

An Afternoon at Asiago’s and Powells

23 Wednesday Apr 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Asiago's, Boise Adventures, Caesar Salad, Chicken, Chocolate, Cooking Styles, Dinner With Robin, Italian Food, Pasta, Photos By: Bob Young, Restaurants, Salads, Salmon, Seafood, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wines - Italian

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Asiagos, candy, chocolate, Italian food, Powells Sweet Shoppe

We originally planned to go and see the baby owls. But the property owner was not feeling good so we will go on Saturday. We had planned to go to Asiago’s for lunch before going birdwatching. We did. And then we needed dessert, so Powell’s Sweet Shoppe in east Boise was the place to go. Here are some photos from today. Left-Click any of them to see the photo enlarged. Enjoy the food photos and following us on a Foodie Sojourn! Cheers. Here is a link to Asiago’s Menu. Asiago’s is definitely a 5-Star restaurant (out f 5-Stars) for an Italian restaurant in Boise.

Robin at Asiago’s

(L) 2012 Vesevo Beveventano Falhnghina Campania, Italy Althnuma Pinot Grigio DOC Val d'Adige, Italy

(L) 2012 Vesevo Beveventano Falhnghina Campania, Italy
(R) Althnuma Pinot Grigio DOC Val d’Adige, Italy

Can’t really say that any one of these was better than the other. The Pinot Grigio went extremely well with the smoky salmon while the Beveventano went better with the salad and the mushrooms. They were both good selections.

Funghi
fresh mushrooms sautéed in champagne and butter, finished with gremolata

Caesar Salad
hearts of romaine, croutons, anchovies and asiago with the house caesar dressing

Yea! Finally a restaurant in Boise that knows how to make a Caesar Salad. It’s not a Caesar without the anchovy and garlic! Sorry, but that’s the way it goes.

Smoky Salmon with Fettuccini and Cream Sauce

Chicken Asiago
gremolata chicken breast over fresh fettuccine in Asiago-garlic cream, finished with tomato-pesto sauce.

Then we were off to Powells in east Boise for some Gilato. Here Robin is enjoying some.

Then we were off to Powell’s Sweet Shoppe in east Boise for some Gelato. Here Robin is enjoying some.

Gelato – Italian Ice Cream

Valentines Wine Dinner at the Buzz

12 Wednesday Feb 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Chocolate, Chocolate and Food, Dinner With Friends, Healthy Eating, Idaho Chefs, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Special Dinners, Special Events, Things To Do, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wine Dinners

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petite sirah, The Buzz Coffee and Wine, Two Angels Petite Sirah, Valentines Day, wine dinner

Another superb wine dinner at the Buzz in Boise! So far this year, the dinners have been great. Tommy’s Asian Dinner last month and now this dinner for Valentines Day. And then too, it is Cristi’s birthday at the end of the month. Oh yes. I forgot. She was born on February 29th. But I bet she will have something. As for the dinner tonight, most of the wines were pretty good. Out of 7 wines, 3 were scored [19], 2 were [17], 1 at [16] and one at [15]. Thanks to Michelle and Cristi for this great dinner. Here are some photos from the dinner. The wine above, 2008 Two Angels Petite Sirah, was probably my favorite of the night with a score of [19]. Enjoy and see you at the next dinner! Cheers!

Assorted Chocolates

Caponata Crostini reall a good appetizer. Too bad the wine was not up to the spiciness. 2012 Heritage Cote du Rhone 14% alc. definitely not the best wine of the evening. not enough body and finish to go with the appetizer [15] $14.00

Caponata Crostini
really a good appetizer. Too bad the wine was not up to the spiciness.
2012 Heritage Cote du Rhone
14% alc. definitely not the best wine of the evening. not enough body and finish to go with the appetizer [15] $14.00

Tomato and Chocolate Soup such a good soup! 2012 Heritage Cote du Rhone 14% alc. not my favorite. [15] $14.00

Tomato and Chocolate Soup
such a good soup!
2011 Tomero Cabernet Sauvignon
15% alc. went very well with the soup. good body and finish. [17] $16.00

Pear and Spinach Salad
truly a great salad that went extremely well with the wine.
2011 Jack Cabernet Sauvignon 13.8% alc. This wine went superbly with the salad! great body and finish. [19] $18.00

Pasta Marinara and Beef Kabob
I really enjoyed this entree. Great sauce on the kabobs made with beer.
2008 Two Angels Petite Sirah
14.1% alc a superb wine with this plate. great taste, body and a good finish. [19] $21.00

Brownie Tiramisu Such a delight to end the dinner with this. Great ending! 2011 Renwood Zinfandel 14.5% alc. just OK with the dessert. Almost to big for the chocolate. [17] $15.00

Brownie Tiramisu
Such a delight to end the dinner with this. Great choice!
2011 Renwood Zinfandel
14.5% alc. just OK with the dessert. Almost to big for the chocolate. [17] $15.00

And as a side note and information that Cristi presented last night, the Thursday before Labor Day is known as Cabernet Day and Cristi said she might think of a wine dinner that goes along with this event. And another, Zinfandel is a great partner with curry and hard cheeses. And as for a Petite Sirah, which is not by any means a small grape or wine, “… goes well with any food with which you would normally pair a big red wine: grilled meats, roast duck, lamb, pot roast, rabbit in mustard sauce (ed note: I have a great recipe for this), mushrooms and chocolate. Petite Sirah can age for years. Even decades.” (Cristi Takeda, the Buzz) Hope you make the next wine dinner. They are really fun and informative. Cheers!

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.