Great Birthday Sunday at Parma Ridge and Elsewhere

16 Monday Sep 2019

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Acme Bake Shop, Acme Bake Shop Breads, Acme Bake Shop Red Wheat Bread, AirFryer, Avacado, Bistro - Parma Ridge Winery, Boise Food Adventures, Boise Foodie Guild, Breakfast At The Captains Shack, Brunch at Parma Ridge Winery, Captain's Shack, Chef Storm Hodge, Comfort Food, Cooking Styles, Dessert, Dinner At Parma Ridge Restaurant, Dinner at Parma Ridge Winery and Bistro, Dinner For Robin, Dinner With Family, Dinner With Friends, Eggs, Eggs Omelets, Food Photos, Galaxy Note 9 Photos, Idaho Chefs, Mushrooms, Parma Ridge Specials, Parma Ridge Winery, Parma Ridge Winery Bistro, Parma Ridge Winery Restaurant, Party Time, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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Captain's Shack, Parma Ridge

Happy Birthdays –

Myra

Chris

Robin

And to Robin – we have some feeders attracting the hummingbirds – Happy Birthday!

And here are some things that Stephanie and Chef Storm Hodge made for us. Delicious! Thank-You!

The Bomb. 2016 Big Red

Coconut Shrimp

Romaine Caesar Salad

Mushroom Omelet

Wine Lovers Chocolate Cake

And earlier this week, I made Robin –

AirFryer Shredded Wheat with Caramelized Sugar and Fruit

Avocado Sandwich on Toasted Acme Bakeshop Whole Wheat, Garlic, Avocado and Heirloom Tomato Slice

And this, too!

Chicken Potpie

Chicken Potpie. And all from Scratch!

3 Horse Ranch Winery and Bacquet’s Restaurant Dinner

10 Monday Dec 2018

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Bacquet's Restaurant, Boise Area Food Adventures, Cooking Styles, Dinner at Bacquet's Restaurant, Dinner With Family, Eagle Hills AVA, Eagle Hills AVA, Ethnic Foods, Food Photos, French - Bacquet's Restaurant, Green Salad, Honey, Idaho Chefs, Idaho Greens, Idaho Lamb, Idaho Vegetables, Idaho Wine, IPhone Photos, Lamb, Merlot, Mushroom - Truffle, Mushrooms, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?, Wines - Idaho

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Bacquet's Restaurant, French Food, gelette, quail

This photo is at The Pond in Marsing, ID

Wow! What a delightful and exciting wine dinner in Eagle, ID at Bacquet’s Restaurant. Yummy French cuisine! And the wines that paired so well with dinner from 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards. Just look at this menu, the wines and the photos of the food. Great to have a truly French restaurant in the area! (Left-Click any of these photos to see them enlarged. Enjoy!

Entrance to Bacquet’s Restaurant in Eagle, ID

Main dining room

Wine dinner area

Daughter Marnie and Robin

2017 Select Eagle Foothills AVA Viognier/Roussanne

2014 Eagle Foothills AVA Merlot

Truffle Asparagus Cream Soup
2017 Select Eagle Hills AVA Viognier/Roussanne

Fresh Mussels
fresh mussels cooked in a Chardonnay cream sauce with a touch of lavender and honey
2017 Select Eagle Foothills Chardonnay

Lamb Rack with Sauce Diable
roasted young vegetables and Chef’s famous potatoes au gratin
2013 Heritage Syrah/Mourvedre

[Sauce Diable is one of many sauces that can be made from a basic and versatile recipe for Quick Brown Sauce. James Beard famously served it with his Deviled Beef Bones, but it is equally delicious with broiled flank steak or broiled chicken. For an even tangier preparation, add small capers and finely chopped sour pickles…A basic brown sauce with the addition of wine, vinegar, shallots and red or black pepper. It’s usually served with broiled meat or poultry.]

Quail Parisienne aux Poivre Rose (Pink Peppercorns)
pink peppercorns give pepper flavor without the bite. Served with mushroom risotto and a vegetable galette
2014 Eagle Foothills AVA Merlot

[A savory galette is the easier and more streamlined cousin of a classic Quiche.]

Tarte Fromage
from the north of France, Chef Franck’s home, this tarte is filled with Gruyere and five cheeses
2014 Eagle Foothills AVA Cabernet Sauvignon

Awesome Visit to Parma Ridge Winery and Bistro

31 Saturday Mar 2018

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Beef, Bistro - Parma Ridge Winery, Chef Storm Hodge, Cream of Mushroom Soup, Dinner At Parma Ridge Restaurant, Dinner at Parma Ridge Winery and Bistro, Dinner With Family, Food Photos, Idaho Chefs, Northwest Clam Chowder, Pacific Salmon, Parma Ridge Specials, Parma Ridge Winery, Parma Ridge Winery Bistro, Party Time, Photo By: MJ Shaner, Photos By: Bob Young, Pork, Potatoes, Restaurant Reviews, Restaurants To Try, Seafood, Snake River AVA Sojourn, Sous Chef Magan, Syrah, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wine Dinner at Parma Ridge, Wines - Idaho

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Cream of Mushroom Soup, Northwest Clam Chowder, Pacific Salmon

It’s been a while since we were here last. But just to let you know, this is still a superb, 5-Star bistro. Superb food. Superb wines. Superb staff. Our many thanks to Chef Storm and Sous Chef Megan and their staff for a great dinner. Stephanie and her servers were awesome and service and friendliness was super. Chef Storm made a post on FaceBook that shows you how dedicated Storm and Stephanie are. “It’s always exciting when you get a surprise visit from the health inspector. It’s even more exciting when you get 100% and they say they’re going to come back and have dinner with their spouse!!!”
And if you are planning to go to the Parma Ridge Winery and Bistro tomorrow for Easter, and you do not have reservations, I was told yesterday that they are sold out! But if you are going to visit them – and I sincerely hope you will – here is some information that you will need: “We are open Friday,12-9 p.m., Saturday 12-5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. with wine tasting and our regular menu all weekend long. You can now text us at 208-946-5187 to make a reservation.” And if you still need information, here is their blog post (it changes weekly) on the Snake River AVA Happenings Blog: AVA Happenings at Parma Ridge.
OK. Here is what we had. Enjoy! We did! (Left-Click any of these photos to see them enlarged.)

Robin’s brother Brian came to visit.

Pork Sliders with Rosemary Fries

Storm’s Salmon

Rib-Eye Steak (To die for!)

An awesome Mushroom Soup

Superb “Northwest Clam Chowder”

A beautiful location. “Storm Clouds”.

Boise Farmers Market – Dee’s Rum Kãx

16 Saturday Sep 2017

Posted by Bob and Robin in Asian Food, Boise Adventures, Boise Area Food Adventures, Boise Farmers Market, Cakes, Chef Jake Sandberg, Chicken, Dee's Rum Kãx, Greens, heirloom vegetables, Idaho Chefs, Idaho Greens, Idaho Vegetables, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Local Markets, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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Dee's Rum Kãx

And such a great morning it was. 50 degrees F and light winds. Snow in the mountains; None in the valley!

Six weeks and the market moves indoors to the Fulton Street building. But for now – Rum Cake from Dee’s Rum Kãx! And delicious it is! And some really great fruit – Israeli Melon from Rice Family Farms and some fresh Salad Greens from Ohana No-Till Farm. From Chef Jake Sandberg and Crispeats, an awesome Asian Salad. Here is some information about Dee’s Rum Kãx.

Business card. I did not find an email or web address.

Rice Krispie Bars and Rum Cake

The Rum Cake I bought. Delicious and moist!

Left-Click any of these photos to see them enlarged.

Great Visit at Juniper in Boise

19 Sunday Mar 2017

Posted by Bob and Robin in 4-Stars, Boise Food Adventures, Boise Restaurants, Breakfast, Breakfast With Robin, Brunch, Brunch at Juniper, Eggs, Eggs Benedict, Ethnic Foods, Food Photos, Hollandaise Sauce, Idaho Bacon, Idaho Chefs, Idaho Eggs, Idaho Greens, Idaho Vegetables, Local Markets, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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This was our first visit to Juniper Restaurant in Boise at 211 N 8th St, (208) 342-1142. Really very good food. It can get very noisy so go prepared. It was also great to have Kelsey join us there for brunch. It was great seeing her and talking to her. She has had some fantastic journeys. Come back soon, Kelsey.
The food is prepared fresh and from reading the menu, mostly from local or Idaho products. Everything was hot and had very good presentation. Look at their lunch and dinner Menu or their Brunch and Lunch Menus. Here is what we had. Enjoy! We did.

Restaurant Front on 8th Street

The interior. It can get noisy.

Great to have Kelsey with us and to see her again.

Bob, Robin and Kelsey at Juniper Restaurant.

Let’s have a drink! It is a Juni and the Jets. We each had one.

And we all shared this Cinnamon Roll!

Kelsey had this Mexican Breakfast!

Robin had the Eggs Benedict!

And I had the Pork Belly Benedict.

Richard’s Re-Opens in Boise!

11 Saturday Feb 2017

Posted by Bob and Robin in Boise Farmers Market, Boise Food Adventures, Boise Restaurants, Buy Idaho, Celebrations, Chef Richard Langston, Classic Cuisines, Comfort Food, Cooking Styles, Dinner At Richard's, Food Photos, Idaho Chefs, Idaho Greens, Idaho Trout, Idaho Vegetables, Idaho Wine, Inn At 500 Capitol, Local Markets, Party Time, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Richard's, What's For Dinner?

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Chef Richard Langston, Inn At 500 Capitol, Richard's

Yes! Chef Richard Langston has re-opened his restaurant at the Inn At 500 Capitol, Richard’s Restaurant. We were lucky enough to attend the grand opening and it was fantastic. The Inn At 500 Capitol is a superb hotel, and you can get information about it by following this link Inn At 500 Capitol. It is located at 500 South Capitol Boulevard, Boise, Idaho, 83702 USA. (208) 227-0500. (Left Click any of these photos to see them enlarged.

Wines that were offered

Conference room. Notice the lighting. Made in Boise. Art Glass.

Tables and flowers.

Table centerpiece and wines!

The balcony looking at Boise.

Richard’s bar.

An open kitchen in the dinning area is always interesting.

Appetizers – Squash Bruschetta

Ham and Cheese on Rosemary Focaccia.

Trout on Endive Leaves.

Caprese

Greatly Improved Sausage Gravy

24 Sunday Jul 2016

Posted by Bob and Robin in Acme Bake Shop Sourdough, Bistro - Parma Ridge Winery, Breakfast, Breakfast At The Captains Shack, Breakfast With Robin, Buy Idaho, Captain's Shack, Classic Sauces, Comfort Food, Cream Sauces, Desert Mountain Farms, Eggs, Eggs Over Easy, Eggs Sunnyside Up, Food Prep, Greens, Housemade Gravy, Housemade Sauces, Idaho Chefs, Idaho Eggs, Meadowlark Farms, Parma Ridge Winery Bistro, Photos By: Bob Young, Recipe By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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sausage gravy

A couple of weeks ago I was talking to Chef Storm Hodge of Parma Ridge Winery Restaurant about sausage gravy. He makes an awesome biscuits and gravy that are rightly called Best Ever Biscuits and Gravy with a Fried Egg served Sundays for brunch at the winery. And they are that good. I spent many years in south central Tennessee where biscuits and sausage gravy are a mainstay – especially with fresh poke greens. But Chef Storm’s sausage gravy is far superior! Yes it is! Thank you Chef for your suggestion.

Acme Bake Shop Toasted Sourdough
with
Improved Sausage Gravy
Over Easy Eggs

Up to now, I always made my sausage gravy, or any gravy for the matter, using a roux of butter and flour. That probably has come to an end. Here is the recipe for the above pictured Toasted Sourdough and Sausage Gravy. (I didn’t have any biscuits – I could have made some – so I used the sourdough. Thanks Acme Bake Shop!)

Sausage Gravy
Ingredients:
1/4 lbs Country Sausage
2 c whole Milk
1/2 c Heavy Cream
1 t fresh grated Nutmeg
Sea Salt and fresh ground Tellicherry Pepper to taste
Thickening Slurry – 1 T Cornstarch + 2 T Water. Mix to make a slurry

Directions:
Crumble the sausage and brown over med-high heat. Set aside reserving 1 T liquid.

Make the thickening slurry.

Place the milk, cream, nutmeg, salt and pepper in a sauce pan. Heat to a simmering boil. Do not scorch! Add browned sausage and 1 T of sausage liquid. Stir to combine. Stiring, add the thickening slurry. Stir gently, but constantly, until thickened to your liking.

Taste for seasoning and adjust as necessary. Remove from heat, but keep warm.

Serve with biscuits and an egg.

Happy Hour at Parma Ridge Winery and Restaurant

23 Saturday Jul 2016

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Beef, Bistro - Parma Ridge Winery, Boise Adventures, Boise Area Food Adventures, Buy Idaho, Chardonnay, Chef Storm Hodge, Chicken, Comfort Food, Dinner At Parma Ridge Restaurant, Dinner With Friends, Dinner With Robin, Dinner With The Winemaker, Green Salad, Idaho Chefs, Idaho Chicken, Idaho Greens, Idaho Wine, Locavore, Parma Ridge Specials, Parma Ridge Winery Bistro, Photos By: Bob Young, Restaurants, Restaurants To Try, Rib-Eye, Salmon, Snake River AVA, Special Dinners, Special Information, What's For Dinner?

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Parma Ridge Restaurant, Parma Ridge Winery

We’ve not been out to Parma Ridge Winery and Restaurant for their Friday Happy Hour until last night. Glad we went. They are very busy, so if you have a crowd of more than four, it’s best to call ahead. The patio is open and a large part of it is covered.The menu may also be somewhat different than the Saturday or Sunday Brunch menus. Check the link above for the available menus or look at This Weekend at Parma Ridge to see the menu varieties for at least one of the weekends. Whenever you go, and I highly suggest this 5-Star winery and restaurant, you will be treated to some awesome wines and definitely some awesome food as prepared by Chef Storm and Sous Chef Megan. The Staff in the restaurant has grown! They have added Sous Chef Megan and service Staff. Our server Tammy was excellent. Thank-You! Here is some of the Happy Hour food that was at our table. We did not eat all of this as Fred and Dottie Christensen joined us. Good to see friends there. Enjoy! We did.

Chicken Pesto Sandwich – $9.95
Grilled Chicken and Homemade Pesto with Prosciutto and melted Swiss Cheese on a Toasted Ciabatta Bun with Fresh Cut Truffle Fries

Fred had this.

Parma Ridge Pear Salad – $8.95, with Grilled Chicken $11.95
Mixed greens with apple cider vinaigrette, Bleu Cheese and Poached Pear with Grilled Bread

Dottie had this. The salad is huge!

One-Inch Cut Char-Grilled Ribeye Steak – $16.95
Topped with Bleu Cheese Butter and accompanied by Rosemary Truffle Mashed Potatoes with Cabernet Beef Demi-Glace, Grilled Asparagus and Storm’s Homemade Grilled Bread

Robin had this and took half of it home! It is a large portion.

Storm’s Famous Salmon – $16.95
Brined, Lightly Smoked and Pan Fried with Rosemary Truffle Butter and Rosemary Truffle Mashed Potatoes accompanied by Grilled Asparagus Storm’s Homemade Grilled Bread

This is what I had. Delicious and moist!

We did have wine. A wonderful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that paired wonderfully with asparagus. (Robin tried the newest rage of vanilla ice cream in red wine. She tried it with this blend. Wasn’t bad! If you like Guinness and Ice Cream you will probably like this.) And then we had some –

2015 Chardonnay, $16.50
Fargo Farms – Snake River Valley
Everything you would expect from the terroir of the area, this dry Chardonnay is made with Chardonnay grapes from Fargo Farms and a touch of Gewürztraminer from Parma Ridge Vineyards. This wine has been created to preserve the intense flavors and aromas without any manipulation. Hints of grapefruit and rosemary compliment the tart finish to be enjoyed any time of the year.

2015 Dry Riesling, $16.50
Fargo Farms – Snake River Valley
Made with 100% Riesling, this dry wine features melon with citrus notes and touches of honey crisp apple. This smooth wine is a perfect complement creamy pasta and sharp cheeses. This also pared very well with asparagus. Hard to find a wine that pares well with asparagus or artichoke and maybe avocado.

Such a great evening at the winery and restaurant. Definitely 5-Stars!!!

33 Anniversary at Capitol Cellars in Boise

15 Friday Jul 2016

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Anniversary, Arugula, Capitol Cellars, Dinner at Capitol Cellars, Duck, French Foods, Herbs, Idaho Beef, Idaho Chefs, Idaho Eggs, Idaho Greens, Idaho Vegetables, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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You bet. Our 33rd wedding anniversary and Bastille Day celebration at Capitol Cellars with awesome French foods and wines. Visit theem at the preceeding link or at 110 S 5th St., Boise. (208) 344-9463. A great time and thank-you Marnie for joining us and thank-you to Dr and Mrs Jutzy – she was celebrating her birthday! It was a celebration dinner! The loud dude who sat at the end of our table should have stayed home! At any rate, it was a superb evening! Definitely 5-Star dining. They source their food products from local farmers. Just look at what we had.

The menu for the evening

Logan Symser, General Manager, sabers a bottle of champagne.

Logan Symser, General Manager, sabors a bottle of champagne.

Table decorations

When we arrived, each one of us received a glass of 2015 Nicolas Pinot Noir Rosè. Then dinner started.

Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras
brioche toast, broiled apricots, raspberry-balsamic glaze and micro greens
2006 Maison Nicolas Sauternes

Nicoise Salad arugula, sunflower sprouts, herbs de Provence, seared tuna, haricots verts, egg, Kalamata olives dressing, tomato 2013 Selection Laurence Feraud Cotes du Rhone

Niçoise Salad
arugula, sunflower sprouts, herbs de Provence, seared tuna, haricots verts, egg, Kalamata olives dressing, tomato
2013 Selection Laurence Feraud Côte du Rhone

Seared Duck Breast summer vegetable ratatouille, port reduction sauce, beech mushroom, tomato, truffle oil, local stewed cherries 2010 hateau Patache d'Aux Cru Bourgeois, Medoc

Seared Duck Breast
summer vegetable ratatouille, port reduction sauce, beech mushroom, tomato, truffle oil, local stewed cherries
2010 Chateau Patache d’Aux Cru Bourgeois, Medoc

Berry Tart creme patissiere, fresh berries, blueberry coulis, Chantilly cream NV Jean Laurent Champagne Blanc de Noirs

Berry Tart
Crème patissiere, fresh berries, blueberry coulis, Chantilly cream
NV Jean Laurent Champagne Blanc de Noirs

Clearwater Canyon Cellars Wine Dinner at Richard’s Vicino’s

10 Friday Jun 2016

Posted by Bob and Robin in Boise Farmers Market, Boise Food Adventures, Boise Restaurants, Brocolli, Cafe Vicino, Caviar, Chef Richard Langston, Clearwater Canyon Cellars, Dinner at Richards Cafe Vicino, Dinner With Friends, Dinner With Robin, Idaho Chefs, Idaho Greens, Idaho Lamb, Idaho Polenta Floriani, Idaho Pork, Idaho Sturgeon, Idaho Vegetables, Idaho Wine, Local Farmers Markets, Local Markets, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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A really great wine dinner at Richard’s Vicino’s with Winemaker Coco Umiker from Clearwater Canyon Cellars. Superb wines and an awesome dinner that was perfectly paired with the wines. These dinners always create a fantastic dinner atmosphere and we got to meet new friends, too! Below are some photos of the evening and also the menu that Chef Richard Langston created for our enjoyment. And as a note: Chef Richard uses local produce and products whenever possible. Tonight’s dinner is an example of that philosophy.

The Menu for the evening and the wines that were paired with dinner.

Chef Richard Langston

Coco Umiker, Winemaker at Clearwater Canyon Cellars

Smoked Idaho Sturgeon
lemon gastrique, Idaho caviar cream

2015 “Lochsa”, Umiker Vineyard, Lewis-Clark Valley

Local Greens
La Quercia coppa
Local Cherries
with
Goat Cheese Dressing

2014 Merlot, Lewis-Clark Valley

Coriander Spiced Lamb Meatballs
Local Heirloom Polenta
Salsa Verde

2014 Carmenere, Phinny Hill Vineyaqrd, Horse Heaven Hills

Soy and Brown Sugar-Glazed Pork Belly Roasted Sesame Brocolli 2014 Petit Sirahm Columbia Valley

Soy and Brown Sugar-Glazed Pork Belly
Roasted Sesame Broccoli
Broccoli-Carrot Slaw

2014 Columbia Valley Petit Syrah

Prosecco Zabaglione
Fresh Berries

2014 Verhey Vineyard, Rattlessnake Hills Merlot

The wines tonight were all made in Idaho by Clearwater Canyon Cellars, even though some of the grapes are from the state of Washington. For that reason, I am including an AVA map of Washington. You will be able to locate these different grape producing areas. Because the wine was produced in Idaho and in the Lewis-Clark AVA (Idaho’s newest AVA), the wines are considered Idaho wine.