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

Happy Fish Sushi and Martini Bar

25 Monday Nov 2013

Posted by Bob and Robin in Asian - Happy Fish Sushi, Asian - Shige, Asian - Sushi Joy, Asian Food, Brunch, Cooking Styles, Photos By: Bob Young, Seafood, Special Events, Sushi, What's For Dinner?, Whats For Lunch?

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asian food, Happy Fish Sushi and Martini Bar, saki, seafood, sushi, Sushi Joy

The Idaho Foodie Meet-Up group met at the Happy Fish Sushi and Martini Bar in downtown Boise today for lunch. Not bad, but my benchmarks are still Sushi Joy and Shige. That’s not to say that we would not return here. No way. Probably rated at 4 1/4 – Stars out of 5. It’s just not “as good” as our benchmarks. But that’s very subjective and I realize that. Here is what we had. Robin, myself and Bernadette were the only ones there. The ladies each had a bowl of Miso. It smelled good. You missed a good adventure. Enjoy!

Poki Combination
Cubed cuts of fresh salmon and ahi served in our own spicy sesame soy sauce

Escolar (Hirame)
Some call this fish white tuna, but it is actually snake mackerel. A buttery white fish that melts in your mouth!

Eel (Unagi)

Jackie B
Spicy Tuna and Yellowtail wrapped in Avocado and seared Ahi, topped with Sriracha

Sakitini

Two Great Meals!

24 Sunday Nov 2013

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5 Hour Duck, Bronco Nation, Captain's Shack, Chilies Rellenos, Comfort Food, Dinner With Friends, Duck, Ethnic Foods, Main Dish, Mexican Food, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Recipes, Special Events, Things To Do, What's For Dinner?

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5 hour roasted duck, Acme Bake Shop ciabatta, Chile Rellenos Casserole

On Saturday night, we went to a BSU game party. BSU lost 34-31 to San Diego State. Yuk! But to save the day, Robin’s brother Brian sent us a recipe for Chile Rellenos Casserole. We used it as a dip and the people loved it!! It really was good and Thank-You Brian!! We just altered the recipe slightly.

Chile Rellenos Casserole

Chile Rellenos Casserole

Serves 8

Ingredients:
2 pound lean ground beef, 95% or Kobe
2 t Cumin
1 T Oregano
1/2 onion chopped, lightly caramelized
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 10 oz can diced fire roasted green chilies
1 lg Jalapeno pepper, seeds and ribs removed and diced
1 15oz can Black Beans, rinsed
1 15oz can whole kernal corn
1 10oz can Ro-Tel
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese or Mexican blend of cheeses
3/4 cup milk
1/8 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
dash pepper
2 eggs

Preparation:
In a heavy skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef, diced jalapeno and onion; drain off excess fat. Place in a bowl and sprinkle beef with the first 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, cumin and oregano. Stir with a spoon to mix all the herbs.

Rinse the black beans and drain the liquid from the corn. Mix the beans, corn and Ro-Tel. Spread the mixture evenly in the bottom of a casserole dish.

Spread the meat mixture evenly on top of the bean mixture.

Combine milk, flour, salt, pepper and eggs. Whisk until smooth. Pour over meat and chili mixture. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Bake at 350° for 45 to 50 minutes, or until bubbly and the cheese is melted. Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with corn chips or with the chip of your choice. Enjoy!

Then we had our neighbors, Kelley and Scott and their daughter, over for a Five Hour Roasted Duck dinner. There is a recipe for this roasted duck in the recipe section of this blog.

Five Hour Roasted Duck

Orange Infused Wild Rice

Green Salad

Acme Bake Shop Ciabatta Pull-Apart Rolls

Gravy

Peach Melba with Housemade Oatmeal Cookie

A variety of wine and sherry. It was a good foodie weekend with good friends. Thank-You everyone. Cheers!

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 ……………….

Lox and Cream Cheese

14 Thursday Nov 2013

Posted by Bob and Robin in Acme Bake Shop, Acme Bake Shop Breads, Boise Farmers Market, Bread, Breakfast, Buy Idaho, Capers, Captain's Shack, Eggs, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Local Markets, Lox, Main Dish, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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Acme Bakeshop Rye, Cream Cheese Capers

We had some lox in the refrigerator. Along with some capers, onion and Acme Bakeshop Rye and Sourdough. Sorry … No bagels. But look what we came up with. Just needs a little more cream cheese and some sliced tomato. Enjoy!

Lox Cream Cheese Capers Onion Rings Acme Bakeshop Toasted Rye Scrambled Eggs

Lox
Cream Cheese
Capers
Sliced Onion Rings
Acme Bake Shop Toasted Rye
Scrambled Eggs

Lox Cream Cheese Capers Onion Rings Acme Bakeshop Toasted Sourdough Scrambled Eggs

Lox
Cream Cheese
Capers
Sliced Onion Rings
Acme Bake Shop Toasted Sourdough
Scrambled Eggs

Celebration Theme At “The Buzz”

13 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by Bob and Robin in Appetizers, Apple, Basque Foods, Cabbage, Celebrations, Dinner With Friends, Ethnic Foods, Food Photos, Italian Food, Main Dish, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Salad, Spanish Wines, Special Dinners, Special Events, Things To Do, Vegetables, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food

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the Buzz

Just in time for the holiday season quickly approaching. Celebrations of the World was the theme of the November Wine Club Dinner at the Buzz. We had dishes with a Spanish, German, Basque, African, Italian and the Netherlands influence. It was an exciting evening, full of information and tradition. Great job, Cristi! My only criticism of the dinner is the Swedish Meatballs could have had a little more of the sauce on it. The meat was a little dry, although the flavor was still there. A little more sauce – An easy fix. Here are some photos from the evening. The wine rating is [20] maximum points. Cheers! and see you at the next event. Thank you Paul Colwell for the wines, Peggy and Austin for being our Servers and Tommy for your support “behind the scenes”. An 800 calorie meal.

Spanish Fritatta

I enjoyed this appetizer. Great flavors.
2010 Faustino Crianza Tempranello
13% alc. a light wine and went well with the appetizer. lowest score of the night. [17] $14

Pumpkin and Black Bean Soup

If I don’t like pumpkin and I liked this soup, you will also!! It was good.
2010 Durigutti Malbec Reserva
14% alc. a wonderful wine with this soup. well balanced and fruitty. best score of the night [20] $22

Holiday Salad

2011 Anselmi
12.7% alc. a good white wine that went well with the acidity of the salad. good paring. try the wine before you eat the apple in the salad – things will change. [18] $15

Swedish Meatballs Cabbage Steaks Noodles Just a little dry as I noted above, but the flavors were still there. 2011 Luna Cabernet Sauvignon 14.1% alc. good, full bodied wine that paired well with the entree. [18] $18

Swedish Meatballs
Cabbage Steaks
Green Peas
Noodles

Just a little dry as I noted above, but the flavors were still there.
2011 Luna Cabernet Sauvignon
14.1% alc. good, full bodied wine that paired well with the entree. [18] $18

Gingerbread

A good ending to this meal. It really tasted good.
2010 Renwood Old Vine Zinfandel
14.5% alc. so good with the gingerbread. [19] $22

Cristi always opens the evening with usually two wines that she labels “Cristi’s Choice”. These were two really good wines.
2012 Zolo Torrentes from Mendoza, Argentina. A really nice white wine and well worth the $15 price. [18]
2011 Arenal Vina Paralillo Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile. Again, well worth the $14 price. [18]

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.

24 Hour Food Excursion

09 Saturday Nov 2013

Posted by Bob and Robin in 10 Barrel Brewing, Acme Bake Shop, Acme Bake Shop Breads, Boise Farmers Market, Burger and Brew, Comfort Food, Eggs, Food, Kobe Beef, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Local Markets, Locavore, Main Dish, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Pickles, Special Beers, What's For Dinner?

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10 Barrel Brew Pub Boise, Apocalypse IPA, Boise Farmers Market, Chicken Pot Pie

We might as well start at 10 Barrel Brew Pub here in Boise for some awesome brew – Apocalypse IPA pictured here – and some great food! We went there for a beer group meet-up, but it was jammed full of people and tables were at a premium, especially at 7:00 at night on a Friday. Great to see that they are doing well, but it was still full. The food, as always, was super and in MNSHO (My Not So Humble Opinion) serves some of the best pub food in Boise. Their Pub Burger is superb as is their Chicken Pot Pie. The Fish and Chips here are also great. Great to have them use as much local products as possible. (There are some brew pubs here in Boise that need to try some real pub food!) Here are some photos of our food. You be the judge and then we will meet you there to join you for dinner. Enjoy and Cheers! Left-Click any of these photos to see enlarged.

Suede – Imperial Porter and Apocalypse IPA

The Suede on the left is probably one of their boldest brews and comes in at 9.6% ABV. And to read from their beer list, “The cross country melding of brewers minds finds them creating an Imperial Porter with avocado honey, plus jasmine and calendula flowers from stone farms. The result? Suede is described by their creators as ‘soft and seductive’ and an ‘all season wonder’.” I am not generally a Stout or Porter fan, but I will have this one again. It is good!
The Apocalypse IPA is a West Coast style beer and is their flagship beer. My first introduction to this brew was in Bend, OR – the home of 10 Barrel – in a blind tasting with Deschutes Inversion. The Apocalypse IPA was a clear winner. This brew comes in at 6.8% ABV.

Housemade Chicken Pot Pie and Green Salad with Shallot and Lemon Vinaigrette

Housemade Chicken Pot Pie
Green Salad
with
shallot and lemon vinaigrette

The Chicken Pot Pie is well worth returning for a second helping. And the salad with that dressing was awesome. Delicious!

Pub Hamburger and Sweet Potato Fries

This plate is a “stand-by” for me when I can not make up my mind what to have to eat. Both of the two plates pictured – the burger and the pot pie – went equally well with both brews pictured above, but in my opinion, the Suede Imperial Porter went best with both dinners!

Chocolate Sundae

This was huge and needed more than 2 spoons and probably 4. Yes, it is that big!

So moving on in our quest for food – as though we have not found enough yet – Saturday morning found us at the Boise Farmers Market in the winter location through December 21, at 8th Street and Fulton. So great to be able to get the fresh, local produce into December. Yum!

The sign to the market.

“Still Life” at one of the entrances to the market.

Main entrance to the market.

Robin talking to Janie Burns of Meadow Lark Farms.

Some of the products offered.

Karen Evans of Rollingstone Chevre.

DineOut DownTownBoise

06 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by Bob and Robin in Acme Bake Shop Breads, Acme Bakery, Bread, Buy Idaho, Chicken, Fish and Chips, Local Markets, Photos By: Bob Young, Salad, Seafood, Soup, Special Dinners, Special Events, What's For Dinner?

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Acme Bakeshop Breads, Angell's Bar and Grill-Renato, lunch menu

Such a great idea!! Plus, as hungry consumers, we get to try some different restaurants in Boise for a cut-rate cost. There are about nineteen different restaurants that are participating in the program this year. My only request is, if a specific restaurant has “special hours” for their menus, please let the public know. For instance, if you advertise a lunch menu, and if there is a time limit on the lunch menu, then please state that the lunch menu is only good until 2:00pm.
If you would like more information about this program, please click this link, Downtown Boise and follow their information links.
We went to Angell’s Bar and Grill-Renato this afternoon and had a wonderful late lunch. Out of 5-Stars, we rated our visit a good, solid 4-Stars. We had a very pleasant conversation with the owners Russ and Marika Dawe and Chef Will. Thank you for taking time from your busy schedules to chat with us. Great to see that they serve Idaho wines, Cold Springs Winery which we had, and Boise bakery, Acme Bakeshop Breads. Superb job, Chef Will! Here are some photos from our visit.