Andrae Bopp’s "La Porte Brune"

19 Saturday Dec 2009

Posted by Bob and Robin in La Porte Brune, Restaurants, Wine and Food, Wine Dinners

If you are traveling to Walla Walla, WA over the Holiday Season, you may want to contact Andrae Bopp about la porte brune. You can probably contact him through Dusted Valley Winery. In the mean time, here is some more information for you to ponder.

our ethos
La Porte Brune, has come forth from passion, not from obsession. In a day when the culinary unenlightened are herding to troughs of food at chains and uninspired local restaurants in a fervor for quantity over quality, La Porte Brune wants to reset the “American Way” by bringing the art of dining back to the culinary enlightened.

In a world of frozen, pre-cooked, pre-portioned and and “I don’t care where my meal comes from as long as it is big and cheap”, we intend to slow it down a little. Food truly “farm to table”, simple in approach, refined in flavor and with every plate prepared with a passion for the ingredient rather then the almighty dollar.

If this is describes your perfect meal well then, you have stepped through the right door.

These meals will be presented in a tasting format and family style. They will move from location to location, never stopping at the same place twice. You will sit at communal tables and share your experiences with friends and strangers alike, all coming together over the perfect union of food and wine.

Those brave souls on the list will receive an e-mail detailing the night’s events. You will be given the address a few nights prior to the event, not before. Prepayment is required. No bill will be presented.

So, what do you think? Tell us your thoughts, suggestions, concerns. Whatever you would like to share about the ethos of la porte brune, we want to hear. Leave your comments below (on our web site at La Porte Brune Website). Thanks!

And if you have the inkling, here is an email I received from Andrae.

You have been chosen to receive this email as it has been determined that you are a FOODIE!

So with that out of the way, you are personally invited to La Porte Brune’s 1st Underground Dinner, for those that need help, reading between the lines, Andrae(Yes that Andrae from Andrae’s) is cooking and there are not a lot of seats. This dinner will happen on January 23rd, 2010 at a yet to be disclosed location in Walla Walla, Washington. There are only 20 seats available for the first dinner, though if the demand is high or exceeds our limit we could add a second night on Sunday the 24th, but don’t count on it. Sign up on the menu page and purchase your dinner passes ahead of time on the La Porte Brune website. No numbers to call, no favors to cash in, just the first 20 peeps that sign up (at La Porte Brune Website). The dinner will be 5 courses paired with wines of the world. The menu will be posted in the next few weeks!

See you soon in the Deuce!

If you can make it, it will be well worth the time. Cheers!

Idaho Statesman Restaurant Review

11 Friday Dec 2009

Posted by Bob and Robin in Food, Restaurant Reviews, Restaurants

≈ 3 Comments

I recently read Greg Hahn’s restaurant review, Sweetwater’s Tropic Zone eclipses tropical tiki fare in the Idaho Statesman, and like some other commentors, I really must take exception to the article. I totally agree with Michael Boss, Behind The Menu, where he states

I’ve been to Sweetwater’s a number of times now, and I do have to take exception with Greg’s observation that the menu prices are on the high side for lunch. Let’s be clear: this is not a local burger joint. Having done some interviews with Sue and Joe for Behind the Menu, I have to agree that they’re raising the bar on product sourcing…and let’s face it, you gets what you pays for.

Interesting. That’s the second time this week that I have heard people being told that if you want fast food, go to McDonalds or Burger King. (Don’t get me wrong, both of those establishments have their place.)

And from DDTDaughter, another commentor on the article:

Sweetwater’s quality, taste and portions more than make up for the comment “relatively expensive for Boise”. Plus the fact that they are using local, humanely grown and sustainable ingredients from meat to eggs and they have the freshest American caught seafood and offer exceptional vegetarian dishes on their menu, goes to show they care. Not a fast food chain, where you pay a lot more for unhealthy menu items.

I have a difficult time rationalizing why a reviewer would pan a restaurant for charging high prices when the critic, Greg Hahn this time, makes statements like,

The “tropical” restaurant – heavy on Caribbean with some south Asian flair and a few detours around the equator – replaced Milky Way Downtown and arrived with a pedigree: owners Sue and Joe Zimmerman ran the Sweetwater Jam House in Portland for almost nine years. And you can tell – the food and the feel of the place already is sophisticated and cohesive.

Sorry, but I just don’t agree with Mr Hahn on his criticism where he states, “… And as you maybe have figured out from the prices I’ve listed, Sweetwater’s is a relatively expensive restaurant for Boise, and that’s even more pronounced at lunch.” We have eaten at Sweetwater’s Tropic Zone three times now and we will return. The quality, style and flavors are what I go to a restaurant for and Sweetwater’s Tropic Zone definitely comes through and shines. I don’t mind paying a little more for quality and it’s the quality that counts. Did you ever eat at Andrae’s here in Boise before it left after many years and spend $500.00 for a dinner for 5? I think that Mr Hahn misleads the reader and the public in his article. Please do read it as linked above. That’s my “Two Cents”. Cheers!

"Rachel K’s Bistro", Eagle, ID

04 Friday Dec 2009

Posted by Bob and Robin in Main Dish, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Restaurant Reviews, Restaurants, Things To Do

≈ 3 Comments

Here is one awesome pasta bistro right here in our “backyard”! While you are in Eagle, do try Rachel K’s Bistro on State Street.

Left Click on the image on the right to enlarge. (Print it out if you want) Make your own pasta dinner! Select one (1) type of pasta and then go wild!! Pick as many ingredients as you want. As you can tell from he pasta selection sheet, the combinations are incredible. For instance, I had Fettucine with Prima Vera, Mushroom, Broccoli, Roasted Red Peppers, Artichoke Hearts and Shrimp. Then Chicken and Shrimp with a Parmesan Cheese topping. It was awesome!!
Then Robin had Penne Pasta with Alfredo. Then she added Onion, Mushroom, Fresh Tomato, Black Olive, Artichoke Hearts, Fresh Spinach and Fresh Garlic. She then had it topped with Feta Cheese. Look at the slides. You will see. This is easily a 4-Star restaurant!

But here are the photos. Do enjoy!! We did!

Click to play this Smilebox slideshow: Rachel K's Bistro I

Make a Smilebox slideshow

See, I told you, that you would like it!

The "Seasons Bistro" in Eagle December Events

04 Friday Dec 2009

Posted by Bob and Robin in Restaurants, Seasons Bistro, Side Dishes, Things To Do, Wine and Food

≈ Leave a comment

Here is the latest from Rachel Hurn from The Seasons in Eagle, Idaho. This is their December schedule of events and some of them look really interesting. For instance, The Greek Dinner!

SEASONS DECEMBER CALENDAR

Friday, December 4th – 6pm-9pm Live Music with MICHAEL LAKY
Specials include:
-Clam Chowder & Chili
-Jalapeno Pulled Pork Sandwich with Slaw & Stone Ground Mustard

Monday, December 7th – 6:00pm – 9:00pm Women & Wine
Wine & Cheese Pairing
$15.00 per person

Tuesday, December 8th– -6:00PM-9:00PM LIVE MUSIC and WINE TASTING
Come and taste all new dinner menu selections!

Friday, December 11th – 6:00PM-9:00PM LIVE MUSIC with BLAZE & KELLY

Sunday, December 13th -1:00PM-5:00PM OPEN HOUSE
SEASONS welcomes local retailers for all of your holiday shopping needs. Arbonne, Scentscy, Pampered Chef, Discount Designer Bags, Uppercase Living, Rags & Patches, Bee Wise Bags, Send Out Cards and Silpada just to name quite a few. come and shop and try some new wines from the local winery that is making quite a notch on the grapevine-Wood River Cellars. Light appetizer will be served.

Tuesday, December 15th – 6:00pm – 9:00pm LIVE MUSIC & WINE TASTING

Thursday, December 17th – 6:00pm-9:00pm – GREEK DINNER @ SEASONS with EAGLE INFORMER COOKING
So, ever wonder what Robert & Mary did before running the local magazine? Come and experience a culinary event like no other. Mary swears by the menu we have created:

-Spanakopita
-Hummus with Pita Triangles
-Greek Salad
-Greek Lemon Rice Soup
-Gyros
-Baklava

Seating is limited…make sure to reserve your seat!
Saturday, December 19th – 6:00pm-9:00pm LIVE MUSIC with Bill McKeeth & THE SINGLE CAR GARAGE BAND This trio will have you kazooing, dancing and laughing from appetizer to dessert.

Seasons will be closed for private parties on the nights of Dec. 2nd, 9th,12th

Seasons will be closing early on Christmas Eve at 5:00PM.

Seasons will be Closed 25th, 26th, & 27th for the holidays

Sincerely,

Rachel Hurn
Seasons Bistro
939-6680

"Pottery Gourmet Kitchen" Cooking Classes

03 Thursday Dec 2009

Posted by Bob and Robin in Classes, Restaurants, Things To Do

≈ Leave a comment

From the Pottery Gourmet Kitchen, 811 W Bannock Street in beautiful downtown Boise, I received this cooking class information. If you are attending, you might want to call for class reservations.

Cooking Classes

Dec. 8, 6:30 p.m. – Gourmet Pizza by Chef Doug Winter
Dec. 12, 11:00 a.m. – Holiday Breads by Pastry Chef Hugues Maitre
Dec. 14, 6:30 p.m. – Party Hor D’Oeuvres for the Holidays by Chef Ryan Lancaster
Dec. 15, 6:30 p.m. – Holiday Wines by Tastevin’s Bob Tait
Dec. 17, 6:30 p.m. – A Christmas Dinner by Chef Randy King
Dec. 19, 11:00 a.m. – Christmas Breakfast by Betti & Craig Newburn

All Classes Held At:
Pottery Gourmet Kitchen
811 W. Bannock Street
Boise, Idaho 83702
208-368-0649

THE CULINARIANS –
Chef Doug Winter is back for another fun and deliciousgourmet pizza class! Doug was born into the restaurant business and grew up with chefs from both sides of the family. His grandmothers are his biggest influences, cooking from scratch and using local produce when possible. Doug is the general manager at Flatbread Community Oven in Meridian. His pizza consists of butternut squash puree w/bacon, smoked munster cheese, carmelized onions and spinach, topped lightly with asiago cheese. He’ll prepare a butternut squash salad, a yummy pea soup, and a creamy apple dessert. Wine servings. $50.

Pastry Chef Hugues Maitre can be seen every Friday evening now on TVTV so be sure to tune in for more of Hugues’ classes. Meanwhile come and see our celebrity chef in person, making festive breads for the holidays. We’ll enjoy a White Chocolate Bread, a Bacon Bread, and Olive-Parmesan Cheese Bread, and a Decorative Braided Bread. Coffee will be served. $50.

Chef Ryan Lancaster has been in the food industry for over 15 years. He was head chef at The Dish and The Square, and in the last 8 years he’s been with Thomas Cuisine Management. He recently opened his own catering business, Flavors. He will show us how to prepare the following Party Hor D’Oeuvres:

Thai Chicken in Lettuce
Leaves w/Sweet Spicy Soy;
Buckwheat Blinis w/
Smoked Salmon & Lemon
Crème Fraiche; Bloody
Mary Steak Bites w/
Gorgonzola; Baked Brie
Bites w/Cranberry Compote.
$50.

Bob Tait has been involved in the wine and food service industry for seventeen years: selling, serving, tasting, and shaping wine lists. Currently, he sells wine for Tastevin, a wine distributor that specializes in small production boutique wines. Bob especially loves the pairing of fine wines with a variety of flavorful cuisines that bring out the best of each, while uncovering the hidden nuances discovered in the pairings. Bob has selected some great holiday wines from Proseccos to Pinot Noirs, from $14.50 to $30 a bottle. Hor D’Oeuvres will be served. $50.

We welcome Chef Randy King back again for another entertaining and enjoyable evening. Randy’s passion is food, but his joy is in playing with the ingredients to make dishes that taste good and look fabulous. His culinary adventures have taken him to kitchens throughout the Northwest. An Idaho native, Randy has served as Executive Chef for Milford’s Fish House and Oyster Bar, Richard’s Restaurant in Hyde Park and its sister restaurant, TASTE, the Doubletree Riverside and most recently, Head Chef for Sysco Foods. Randy will show us how to make a dinner that is quick and easy but has a “wow” to it. His holiday menu:

Oyster Stuffing; Bacon Wrapped Dates;
Roast Beast; Roasted Garlic Mashed
Potatoes; Sweet Pea Saute; Honey Ginger
Carrots; and Lemon Pound Cake
for dessert. Wine Servings with every
course. $50.

Betti and Craig Newburn have been pleasing guests w/gourmet breakfasts at the Idaho Heritage Inn Bed and Breakfast for the past 7 years. Their Christmas Breakfast can be made the night before Christmas so all you’ll have to do on Christmas morning is pop it in the oven. Their menu:

Norwegian Fruit Soup
Blintz Casserole w/ Blueberry Sauce
Maple Sausage
Refrigerator bran Muffins. $50.

Chef Tiziana Lancedelli’s
“Uccellini Scappati”
Chicken Rolled and Stuffed with Prosciutto and Sage
Great for Hor D’Oeuvres or Dinner

1 lb. Chicken Breasts Thinly Sliced
1/4 lb. Prosciutto or Pancetta Thinly Sliced
Fresh Sage
2 Tbsp. Vegetable Oil
4 Tbsp. Butter
Salt
Toothpicks

Note: This dish is traditionally made
with veal, but chicken can be substituted.
Pound chicken fairly thin and place a slice
of prosciutto and 1/2 leaf of sage on top of
pounded chicken.

Directions:
Roll each piece and secure it with a toothpick. In a sauté pan, heat up the oil and melt butter. Place rolled chicken into pan and cook for several minutes until meat is
browned.

Lower flame, sprinkle salt to taste, add a little water and simmer covered for about
20 minutes.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

FROM: Pottery Gourmet Kitchen
TO: Our Customers
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Bring in this Coupon to Receive 20% OFF
Expires: 12/31/09
Our Gift To You!

___________________________________________________________________________________________

The "Orchard House" December Events

02 Wednesday Dec 2009

Posted by Bob and Robin in Party Time, Restaurants, Things To Do, Wine and Food, Wine Dinners

≈ 2 Comments

Christmas at Sunnyslope

Wednesday & Sunday nights
5pm to 8pm
11/29 to 12/23
14949 Sunnyslope Road
(11 miles west of Nampa)

The Orchard House is blanketed in holiday cheer. Even the scroogiest of scrooges will be in the holiday spirit as they stroll through the dazzling light display.

Free pictures with Santa ~ Clyde the Camel ~ Roaring Bonfire

Admission is free. Non perishable food items for the Idaho Food Bank are gratefully accepted.

Food and drink available for purchase inside the restaurant.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Buy one get one FREE

Print this coupon and present for buy-one-get-one-free
LATTE, MOCHA, HOT COCOA, or CIDER during Christmas at Sunnyslope.
One coupon per person, per group, 12 oz. size. Good Wednesday or Sunday nights only.
Offer Expires: 12/23/09
____________________________________________________________________________________

Gift Giving Ideas
Idaho made and produced specialty food and gift items are available in the foyer of the restaurant. Choose from a large selection of Snake River AVA wines, chocolates, jellies, spices, tin signs, aprons, and more. Ward Hooper prints are now available featuring local events and points of interest. Gift cards are also available.

——————————

Wine Dinner
Sunday, January 17, 6:00pm

This dinner brings together a five course menu prepared by Tony and Tara McElhose-Eiguren of The Basque Market in Boise with wine made by Gina Davis of Davis Creek Cellars. January is a perfect time to warm up with fine wine, food and friends. Space is limited. Tickets make a perfect gift for those hard to buy people on your Christmas list.

All inclusive cost is $65 per person. Call 459-8200 for more information.
Regular Business Hours:
Mon – Sat, 7am to 8pm – Sunday, 7am – 4pm
Serving Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner 7-days-a-week

Holiday Closure:
The Orchard House will be closed for 10 days beginning Christmas Day. We will reopen on Friday, January 8th, 2010.

The Orchard House Restaurant 14949 Sunnyslope Rd. Hwy 55 Caldwell ID 83607

——————————

So there you have some thing else to do this Holiday Season. Cheers!

Seasons Specials

01 Tuesday Dec 2009

Posted by Bob and Robin in Restaurants, Seasons Bistro, Things To Do

≈ Leave a comment

Oops! I almost missed this one.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1st
at
SEASONS BISTRO

Wilson Roberts LIVE at SEASONS 6:30 PM with Holiday Dinner specials including:

The Awesome Menu

*Moroccan Chicken

*Seared Trout Salad with Caramelized Onions, Roasted Tomatoes, and Charred Mixed Greens

*Scallop Pasta Buerre Blanc

*Turkey Pot Pie Soup

Rachel Hurn
Seasons Bistro 939-6680 for reservations

Be sure to visit the Seasons Bistro on the web and sign up for their newsletter! Cheers!

Rachel K’s Bistro, Eagle

30 Monday Nov 2009

Posted by Bob and Robin in Main Dish, Restaurants, Things To Do

≈ 2 Comments

This just in from Rachel K’s Bistro in Eagle.

GET IT WHILE IT”S HOT!

Rachel K’s in downtown Eagle is now serving fabulous custom pastas on Thursday nights. Pick from all types of pastas, sauces and ingredients for a mouth-watering melody of YUM! See you Thursday night for some pasta and wine! Custom pasta bar Thursday – Saturday, 5-8 pm $9.95

After The BIG Game – Goldy’s!

28 Saturday Nov 2009

Posted by Bob and Robin in Celebrations, Food, Main Dish, Photos By: Bob Young, Restaurants

≈ Leave a comment

Question is, what do we do for breakfast after BSU wipes out Nevada, 44-33, for the WAC Championship. It was a late night! Let’s go to Goldy’s Breakfast Bistro for breakfast, a real traditional treat here in Boise. An awesome breakfast, and, we might even meet some BSU players!! Go Broncos! Look for Goldy’s on Facebook and their support of the Broncos!

An awesome breakfast. Top Row – Left to Right: Standard Breakfast, Scrambled Eggs, Red Hash browns and Toast; Eggs Benedict with Black Beans.

Bottom Row – Left to Right: Breakfast Burrito with Pico de Gallo and Croissant French Toast. (Left Click any of these photos to see in Full Screen.)

So there you have our After Thanksgiving and After BSU Triumph Breakfast!! If you get to Boise, you must try Goldy’s Breakfast Bistro!! See their Web Site. Cheers!

Le Cafe de Paris Shellfish Dinner

21 Saturday Nov 2009

Posted by Bob and Robin in Classic Sauces, Food, Main Dish, Restaurants, Things To Do

≈ 1 Comment

When it rains, it pours! Oh how2 I love this “job”!

Le Fruits de Mer
Fresh Shellfish Dinner

Hope all is well with you and yours. Our much awaited Shellfish Dinner is days away. To reserve a spot, reservations need to be made by Monday, November 23rd to ensure the freshest seafood order. Dinner is $39/person and includes a fresh salad, five seafood entrees, and a fabulous dessert surprise! Live Music by the Frim Fram Fellas and some great wines to pair with these fabulous dishes.

For those who have been to our previous shellfish dinners, there are a few changes to the menu, which I am sure you will enjoy! We hope to see you all here for this delicious event. Bon Appetit!

A Bientot!
Mathieu

Le Menu

La Salade

Stone Crab Claw Fritters field greens, rémoulade sauce

Fruits de Mer

Fanny Bay Oysters cucumber mignonette
•
King Crab Legs buerre blanc
•
Clams Casino bacon, white wine, herbs, butter
•
Pernod Steamed Mussels
•
Creole Poached Prawns chorizo, baby potatoes