Category Archives: Restaurants

Le Beaujolais Nouveau 2009

20 Friday Nov 2009

Posted by in Celebrations, Classic Sauces, Food, Photos By: Bob Young, Restaurants, Wine and Food

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(Left-Click on any of the single graphics to see full screen. Be sure to go full screen on the slide show) There comes a time in every year that is so very important to the worldwide wine industry. In the US, that is usually the Thursday before Thanksgiving. The arrival of the Beaujolais Nouveau – the arrival of the wine from Beaujolais and is supposed to reflect what the wines of France will be like in the release year. This year we were lucky enough to reserve a seating at the Le Cafe de Paris. What an awesome release party this was. The wines were a Georges Debouet Beaujolais Nouveau ’09. Young, fruity, flirty, dry, no wood and fun. The other was a 2009 Pierre Ferraud Beaujolais Villages. Light, fruit forward with strawberry and raspberry on the palate. Easy to drink. Good personality and character. A touch of oak. (Our favorite). We bought a bottle of the 2007 Pierre Ferraud Cote-de-Brouilly that went extremely well with the main course of the evening, a Beef Bourguignon with Chantrelle Mushrooms and Cippolini Onions.

All in all, this was a fantastic evening! I will have to upgrade the Cafe de Paris rating. I had Andrae’s rated at a 5-Star, but they moved to Walla Walla, WA. So far, until tonight, I have not found a replacement at that level of quality. Now I have!!! This was a superb meal – delicate, tasteful, delicious.

The Fois Gras Torchon with Warm Gingerbread and Port Poached Pears was superb – rich, creamy and delicious! Even the Escargot with Parsnip Puree, Puff Pastry and Beurre Rouge were not overly garliced nor “rubbery”. The Truffled White Bean Soup was creamy and smooth, not whole beans. Little trails of truffle oil and shaved white truffles on the top. The Beef Bourguignon was superb. And the Apricot Glazed Baba with Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream and White Chocolate Sauce was unforgetable! (All of these dishes are in the slide show) Definitely a 5-Star rating – they earned it! Chef/Owner Mathieu Choux is to be commended along with his staff! Congratulations!

Rachael K’s Bistro, Eagle

19 Thursday Nov 2009

Posted by in Food, Restaurants, Things To Do

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Nope! Sorry to say we have not been here. It’s that new! But, it looks like it could be exciting. I asked about a web page, and here is the reply I received:

“Working on Web site. Located in the heart of downtown Eagle across from the old Orville Jackson’s. 83 E state St. Friday night is a great night to come down as we have our custom pasta bar and live music.”

Hmmm. A pasta bar. I remember a great one in Lake Tahoe several years ago. Now this is going to be a “must try” some Friday evening. Since they do not yet have a web page, maybe this Facebook Link will help you with information. It has some more information for you. Oh well. Just some thoughts. Cheers! Let us know if you are going, we’ll join you. It needs to be reviewed. Wonder if they have wine with the meals – Idaho wines.

36th Street Bistro (Boise)

18 Wednesday Nov 2009

Posted by in Food, Interesting Information, Main Dish, Restaurants, Things To Do, Wine and Food

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The last time Robin and I were here, it was a pretty good meal. We really need to go back. But if you are interested, Left-Click the coupons below and print them out. Take them with you and use them for coffee and/or a bottle of their house wine or a dessert for two! Can’t beat that!

Left-Click any of these graphics and print them out. Cheers and have a good meal! See their web site at 36th Street Garden Center and Bistro and check out their Fall Menu (PDF format).

Promises! Promises!

14 Saturday Nov 2009

Posted by in Appetizers, Condiments, Food, Main Dish, Photos By: Bob Young, Restaurants, Things To Do

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I said that the next time we went to Sweetwater’s Tropic Zone, that I would get the Curry Goat. As the Walrus said, “The time has come”. We returned tonight and the meal was superb!!! Here is what we had. You might want to read below, but the slides are labeled. Remember to go to full screen to view the photos.

Our dinner consisted of: Pineapple Curry Muscles that were superb. The sauce is awesome. House Salad, Trinidadian Curry Goat (there’s the goat), Cuban-Style Bistec de Palomilla (Cuban steak that is pan seared) and a Chocolate Torte. The main thing is, would I have the Goat again? The answer is simple: Absolutely! It was that good! Actually, everything we had was that good. When we go back, and we will, it will be hard not to choose the same things again. We will probably go through the entire menu eventually. You really need to visit the Sweetwater’s Tropic Zone. It’s that good and giving the old Andrae’s a race for taste and quality! Cheers!

What’s Behind the Menu?

07 Saturday Nov 2009

Posted by in Restaurant Reviews, Restaurants, Thought For The Day

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In the blog blip on 4 November 2009 titled, Sweetwater’s Tropic Zone, there was a comment left by Michael Boss of Behind The Menu. He stated that he has done an interview with Sue Zimmerman, Owner, along with her husband Joe and Exec Chef of Sweetwater’s Tropic Zone. According to the introduction on his web site, Mr Boss states that,

Pull up a chair, and let’s talk about food. More specifically, let’s talk about the culinary scene of the Treasure Valley. And while we’re at it, let’s hear from the people who create that scene. We believe that locally owned culinary businesses are an essential part of the soul of a place. They offer more than food — they serve up big heaping helpings of regional identity. This site is dedicated to telling their stories. Through blogs, podcasts and social media, you’ll learn about the folks “behind the menu”. We hope you’ll enjoy hearing these stories…and that you’ll become a part of the conversation about our local culinary scene as well.

The interview with Chef Zimmerman is an excellent example of getting the “behind the menu” perspective and you should really listen to the interview and then go to the restaurant. For example, Chef Zimmerman was asked that if someone arrives at Sweetwater’s Tropic Zone for dinner, what would be her suggestion for dinner. Here are her suggestions:

Appetizer
Conch Fritters
Conch Salad

Main Course
(One of 3)
Curry Goat
Grilled Jerk Chicken
Curry Avocado Salad

Dessert
(One of 3)
Key Lime Pie
Chocolate Torte (Flourless)
Flan

Really, there are two things you as a reader of this blog should do: (1) Go to the Behind The Menu web site and explore it, and (2) Visit Sweetwater’s Tropic Zone more than once! Now, we will have to start to pair some wines with these dishes. And by the way, I spent a year in India when I was a teen and we had goat probably 4 or 5 times a week. Then I lived in Giles County Tennessee in the 1960’s where goat was a staple in a little place called Aspen Hill. I was not impressed at either location with the goat. Point is, at Sweetwater’s Tropic Zone, the goat is Kid, not mutton. In India and Tennessee, the goat was not kid. It was mutton. Think of it as a matter of time. Young goat – kid – may be similar to young lamb – lamb – and not mutton!!! Here is my promise: I will try the Curry Goat and I will try to eliminate the epicurean baggage I carry about goat! I promise. And I will place my experience here on this blog. Cheers! That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it!

The Bacon Nation

23 Thursday Jul 2009

Posted by in Food, Food Prep, Local Markets, Main Dish, Restaurants

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Join us on Saturday, August 1, 2009 in Nampa, Idaho for the next stop on the Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour presented by Vande Rose Farms! Click Here To Purchase Tickets.

Time: August 1, 2009 from 11am to 3pm
Location: Brick 29
Street: 320 11th Ave S
City/Town: Nampa, ID 83651
Website or Map: Brick 29
Phone: (208) 468-0029
Event Type: Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival
Organized By: Heather Lauer

Presented by:
Vande Rose Farms

Event hosted by:
Brick 29

Sponsored by:
Bacon Salt
Bakon Vodka

Hope to see you there. Looks like it might be different and fun. Besides, Brick 29 is a super place to eat! See the sidebar for direct links. Cheers!

Brick 29 Bacon Feast

15 Wednesday Jul 2009

Posted by in Celebrations, Food, Interesting Information, Party Time, Restaurants, Things To Do

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I received this from the Brick 29 in Nampa this morning. If you have never been to this restaurant, you really should go. Well worth it.

Hi Bob and Robin,

I wanted to let you know about the Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour that is coming to I’m Treasure Valley on August 1 at Brick 29 Restaurant. The event is making a stop in Nampa to celebrate local blogger Bacon Unwrapped and author of Bacon: A Love Story, Heather Lauer.

There will be lots of bacon themed food and drinks featuring bacon prepared by celebrated local chef Dustan Bristol. The event will also feature a bacon eating contest.

Representatives from Bacon Salt and Bakon Vodka will also be in attendance and serving samples of their products.

There will be lots of fun, eating and drinking. We would love to have you at the event and if you could mention the event on your blog linking to Bacon Nation.

Please let me know if you have any questions, would like to speak to Heather or need more information.

Thank you!

Sincerely,
Nina Simmons

So there you have it. I guess it really is a “pork fat thing!” Cheers.

New Zealand Food and Wine at "The Buzz"

13 Wednesday May 2009

Posted by in Food, Party Time, Photos, Restaurants, Wine and Food, Wine Dinners, Wine Tasting

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On 12 May, Robin and I and Geno And Debra (we missed you Angie!), had another great tasting at The Buzz in Boise. New Zealand wines were on “tap” tonight and they were pretty good. The Dinner was also excellent – Lamb (if you wanted it) of course! If Lamb was not to your liking, Pork was also offered. Both were delicious. We had Lamb at our table. The wines were also very good. But because of the growing conditions in New Zealand, we started with the Reds and migrated to the Whites.

Geno is studying the tasting sheet to see what will be served.

Debra is checking The Buzz out. I think she is dreaming of a Sunday breakfast here. Hmmmm. Sounds good. Speaking of food, check the New Zealand Dinner out.


We started the Dinner with Tomato, White Bean and Olive Salad along with either a Lamb or Pork Kabob. Both of these went very well with a Kim Crawford Pinot Noir $21.00 (17) and an Oyster Bay Merlot $15.50 (17)

Then we had a Lamb Burger with a Sweet Potato and Pineapple Salad that went very well with the Merlot, but also went well with the Tasman Bay Pinot Gris, $19.00 (20), of which we bought 3 bottles. An awesome Pinot Gris that will go well with just about anything.

And now … Kiwi Cheesecake! I am not a particular fan of cheesecake, but this one, along with the Brancott Sauvignon Blanc $14.00 (19) and a Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc, was very, very good! When you think of New Zealand wine, think Sauvignon Blanc and the vintage.
A good selection of foods and a wonderful selection of wines. If you notice the number in parenthesis – (20) – you will know my scoring. 20 being top. The next tasting will be on June 9 and California wines – I hope not all of them – will be featured. Then on June 21, there will be an awesome Special Father’s Day dinner. Most of these tastings are $10.00 per person, but the Father’s Day dinner will be $25.00 per person. This event will be an exceptional evening. Make your reservations early!

Westside Drive-In and the Foodnetwork

11 Monday May 2009

Posted by in Celebrations, Food, Restaurants, Thought For The Day

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Now I know most of you have heard of the Foodnetwork! I am proud to say that one of Lil’ Ole’ Boise Idaho’s Most Famous and Popular eatery, will be showcased on the Foodnetwork tonight at 8:00pm MDT! (Check out that blue sky!)


This episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives was fun to take part in. Be sure to watch it – you might see someone you recognize! And you might even see this mural again. Cheers and happy viewing!

Thhe Buzz

13 Monday Apr 2009

Posted by in Classes, Food, Restaurants, Wine and Food, Wine Dinners

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Last month, Robin and I just “happened” upon another good tasting – The Buzz Coffee and Cafe. It is located in the North corner of the Idaho Athletic Club on State Street at Lake Harbor. If you go to their web site, The Buzz Beans, you can follow their tasting schedule, read specific program posts, add your name to their E-Mail Newsletter or look at their blog – which needs help. Tasting listings are as follows:

April 14th: Buzz’s regional wine tasting dinner focuses on Spain and Portugal this month. Join us for an informal presentation on the culture, food and people of Spain and Portugal. Cristi and Deb will once again amaze your taste buds with wonderful treats native to both regions. And of course there will be FANTASTIC wines from these regions.

Reservations are required for our regional wine dinners and seating is limited so call or email now to reserve your spot at this event.

The Buzz Coffee and Cafe is a nice place to go for light snacks, coffee, wine, heavy snacks and meeting other people. Their tastings are extremely limited, so I would suggest that you sign-up early. Theri tasting/parings are very good – they know how to pare a wine with food, or pare food with wine. At any rate, try the business out. I think you will like it. Cheers!