Category Archives: Special Events

The “Buzz” December Events

06 Thursday Dec 2012

Posted by in Christmas, Food, Main Dish, Party Time, Restaurants, Special Dinners, Special Events, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food

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The Buzz - Sideways and Bottle Shock TourAh yes! It is time again for the Buzz information for December, and it looks like a busy and full month for them. Let me remind you that no where in Boise, or any other place I suspect, will you find “… such a deal” when it comes to a great wine dinner for $15.00 per plate. A full five course plated meal and 6 or so wines. But, you do need reservations! The events sell out quickly. Stop by and see them for a reservation at 2999 N Lake Harbor Ln in Boise or call them at (208) 344-4321. Here is the information from Cristi! See you there!

We hope that the holiday season is finding everyone in top shape. We have a lot of fun things on the agenda for the month. December 11 and 12 will be our monthly wine dinners, they begin at 6:30 and cost $15 a person, reservations are required, we will be focusing on traditional Christmas foods from around the world and will be discussing the health benefits of food and wine. Great night out with friends during this busy season so make reservations and join us, (208) 344-4321 or email them at BuzzWine@cableone.net.

Music continues with wine tasting on the weekends, music schedule is Dec 7 Thunder Mountain , Dec 8 Todd Palmer, Dec 14 John Cazan, Dec 15 Johnny Shoes, Dec 21 Pat Foulkner, Dec 22 Wayne White, and Dec 28 Gayle Chapman. Music begins at 7 each night, no reservations needed so feel free to stop on by and enjoy some fantastically gifted musicians and fun wines, remember there is always a dinner special on the menu for music nights with dessert specials as well.

December 15 from 3-7 we will be hosting another sit, sip, and shop outing. Great gift ideas, special riedel wine glass sale this afternoon as well. No reservations needed just come on in and pick your last minute gifts. Buzz is also delivering Christmas baskets on Christmas Eve come by and see them displayed and place your orders for Christmas Eve delivery in Ada and Canyon County.

December 21 we will be celebrating the end of the Mayan calendar with fun wines and fun apocalyptic foods. Should be a fun night out again no reservations required.

December 24 from 7-9 we will be hosting our annual Christmas Eve treat party, show up with a tray of goodies and mix and match and take a tray of Christmas treats home with you. We hope to have some live Christmas music for you and your family to enjoy and will be serving gleuwine for the adults and hot chocolate for the kids. Games will be out and visiting will be encouraged.

Don’t forget if you need any special holiday wines we can order and or suggest anything for your gift needs.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good end of the year.,
Sincerely,

Cristi and Tom Takeda
Buzz Coffee and Wine

Entertaining at The Buzz In Boise

14 Wednesday Nov 2012

Posted by in Bistro, Party Time, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Restaurants, Special Events, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food

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Such a great dinner at The Buzz for the November Wine Club Dinner. Cristi did an awesome job in presenting wines that went along with the theme of The Art of Entertaining. Here are some photos from last night and the wines that we had. Really a super dinner and wine selection. Be sure to look at the photos full screen and grab a fork. Enjoy! We did. See you at the next event. Use the link above and call The Buzz for reservations. The best $15.00 you’ll ever spend!

BLT Slaw
Simple Stromboli
2010 Franco Serra
13.0% alc. superfine wine with these dishes, went best with the slaw [19]
This was a great opening dish and wine. Great choices!

Beef and Barley Stew
2011 Les Trois Couronnes Cotes du Rhone
14.0% alc another good pairing of wine and food. [19]

Chicken Wellington
Cranberry Cabbage (delicious!)
Broccoli (Yum-O!)
2010 Meadowcroft Chardonnay
14.5% alc. In my opinion – the best wine of the evening. It went so very well with everything on the plate. [19]

Chocolate Walnut Bread Pudding
Honeybun Cake
NV Renwood Port
I did not particularly like this port as well as some otheres I have had [17]
NV Almond Sparkling Wine of Veuve du Vernay
awesome with tyhese desserts. Loved it! [19]

One of the wines we had tonight.

Another wine we had.

Boise Food Truck Rally and Dolly’s Bar Grand Opening

09 Friday Nov 2012

Posted by in Boise, Boise Adventures, Party Time, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Special Events, What's For Dinner?, Whole Foods

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An exciting time tonight with, at least for me, two special events going on. First was the November Boise Food Truck Rally held in the parking lot of the brand new Whole Foods Store, that is actually not open until next Wednesday, November 14. Here is some of the crowd that fought the cold winds and light snow. Yes, it did snow lightly! Enjoy these photos! It was good to see my friend, Yvonne, at the Brown Shuga Soul Food truck.

The Whole Foods booth. Glad to have you in Boise!

Great to see Tammy and Mike McClure of Indian Creek Winery. Their spiced wine was great. Glad to hear that harvest went well for you Mike.

 

Then there was the Grand Opening of Dolly’s Bar at 1108 Front Street in Boise. Small, but cozy! Thanks Karyn for inviting me to attend your opening. I do hope the business goes well and grows. Here is the sign that was out front along Front Street. Rather difficult to see at night. It should stand out during the day.

This is the patio at Dolly’s Bar.

Stu Smith, Smith-Madrone Winery, Visits Boise

07 Wednesday Nov 2012

Posted by in Cottonwood Grille, Main Dish, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Restaurants, Special Dinners, Special Events, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wine Dinners

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On November 6, Stu Smith from Smith-Madrone Winery and Vineyards, visited Boise and we were honored to go to dinner with him at the Cottonwood Grille. From the Smith-Madrone website, there is a link Here, we read that “Brothers Stuart and Charles Smith are the vineyard managers and winemakers of Smith-Madrone Winery. Their family lineage includes the Fetherolf family, German farmers from the Palatinate region, who came to America on the Good Ship Thistle in 1730 … He is an active member of the G.O.N.A.D.S. (the Gastronomical Order for Nonsensical and Dissipatory Society), founded in the early 1980s by a group of Napa vintners who meet for lively monthly lunches, chronicled in James Conaway’s books Napa: An American Eden and Napa: The Far Side of Eden … He enjoys barbecuing for guests at the winery; favorites are the (Smith-Madrone) Cabernet-marinated butterflied barbecued lamb and (Smith-Madrone) Cabernet Risotto (made on a camp stove as people gather around).” Here are some photos from the evening. Enjoy! We did. Be sure to Left-Click the photos to see enlarged. The photo here is the hearth at the Cottonwood Grille. Cheers!

Stu Smith and Robin

Cristi Takeda from The Buzz in Boise, joined us for dinner and a lively discussion. Thank-You, Cristi for being there.

Also joining us for the special event, were Peggy and Eric Behrens. Peggy helps out at The Buzz at their Monthly Wine Dinners. Glad you and Eric could make it, Peggy.

Stu was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the 2006 Fraser Vineyards (ID) Cabernet Sauvignon. We pulled these three from our cellar to have a comparison tasting with the Smith-Madrone 2010 Cab. All of these wines were awesome.

Stu brought with him the 2011 Smith-Madrone Riesling and the 2012 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon. These were two excellent wines. Thank-You for sharing, Stu.

For appetizers, we each selected an appetizer we wanted and then shared it with the wines. Here is a cheese plate, CG Cheese Plate. An assortment of cheeses served with crostini, fruit, candied walnuts and crackers

And Crab Cakes, Fresh Pacific crab mixed with shallots and Pernod, cooked
crisp and served with lemon beurre blanc. We also had Croquetas, Traditional Basque fritters made with creamed béchamel and served with rumescu sauce

One of us had this Tomahawk Chop. Yum!

We also had North American Elk, Premium elk loin, sautéed, sliced and served with a green peppercorn sauce; Northwest Premium Buffalo, Fresh buffalo sirloin sautéed, sliced, and served with a rich Cabernet Sauce. It was over cooked. Lemon Roasted Chicken, All natural chicken roasted with rosemary and lemon pepper, served with a lemon scallion cream sauce. Different soups were also on out table. Overall, a good dinner, with few exceptions, and some terrific wines. Oh, almost forgot to mention. We opened the evening with a 2010 Pend d’Oreille Chardonnay from the Vickers Vineyard at Sunny Slope.

Boise Food Truck Rally – Oct 26

26 Friday Oct 2012

Posted by in Boise Adventures, Brown Shuga, Local Markets, Photos By: Guy, Special Events, What's For Dinner?

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Another good Food Truck Rally in Boise. The location keeps moving around and this one was held in the lot at 15th and Bannock Streets. I think a good location. The trucks all were in really good positions and the patrons had ample parking. Maybe this could be a more “permanent” location. But I have heard rumors of an apartment building being constructed here. But we have heard that before for this location. Several times. We’ll just have to wait and see. But for now, enjoy these photos of some of the area. Left-Click any of the photos to see Full Screen. Cheers!

The food Trucks are lined up. This is looking East. The photo above is looking West.

This is just one of the 12 trucks that were there.

One of the BBQ trucks.

From Brown Shuga Soul Foods, Fresh Made Gumbo and Smoked Turkey Legs. Yvonne, owner of Brown Shuga, is especially known for the way she prepares the turkey legs. They are awesome. If you want one at this affair, you must go early. She usually sells out.

This is a Boise Cheese Steak from Saint Lawrence Gridiron, the red food truck in the opening photo. Different. Not a Philly cheese steak by any stretch of the imagination. “Where’s the beef?”, to coin a phrase. And I have no clue as to what that sauce was. The beer is a Payette Brewery IPA. Very good.

So there you have the Boise Food Truck Rally for October. These rallies are usually held on the 4th Friday of each month at rotating locations. They open at 5:00pm and usually run through 9:00pm. If you want to buy beer – there are other beverages available – make sure you have ID. They do card you! Everyone must show some ID. Everyone! Hopefully, I’ll see you at the next one. They really are fun and there is a good variety of food available. Follow the Food Truck Rally on FB. I will try to get the information for the next affair in a timely manner. Those in charge, should advertise somewhat better and use the available advertising media, ie. – blogs, etc. Cheers!

Wine Dinner At The Buzz

12 Wednesday Sep 2012

Posted by in Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Salads, Special Events, What's For Dinner?

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“The Hand”

It is not often that one gets treated to such a variation on a wine dinner. But Cristi and Crew did an awesome job this time. Her challenge – Wine to go with her weekly garden basket. In other words, I think, the theme was Salad and Wine. What wines go with a salad and can you make a five course dinner by using salad “fixins”. You sure can. Just look at what Cristi and The Buzz came up with. A super meal! And yes, we still had our 7 wines to go with the meal. For starters, we had Cristi’s Choice. (1) 2010 Reinares Tempranillo. 13% alc. A bold red that deserves the 18 points that I gave it. Finishes well with long lasting flavors. (2) 2011 La Yunta Torrontes. A very good wine from Argentina with clean, yet sharp, flavors. Easily rated at 17. Remember – the Top Score would be [20]. Here is the rest of the meal and wines. Left-Click any of these photos for a larger view. Enjoy and Cheers!

Fried Corn and Black Bean Salad
(Super salad!)

Greek Yogurt Potato Salad
(Another super salad!)

Roasted Broccoli and Feta Salad

2010 Starlane Sauvignon Blanc
14.3% alc. Yuk! eucalyptus and gooseberry. some celery on the nose. definitely not my favorite wine. much better with the food. [9] $17.00

Asparagus Caprese Salad

2008 Durigutti Bonarda
13.9% alc. really great with the basil and balsamic in the salad. deep and and rich body and taste. [18] $16.00

Roasted Eggplant Salad with Pita Chips
(A good salad. Like the eggplant.)

2008 Black Smith Merlot
14.2%. really went well with the eggplant.big, rich, clean and smooth. stands up to the sweet pepper. [10] $17.00

Black and Bleu Salad

2010 Ca de Calle Merlot
14.0% alc. blended with 2% Petit Verdot. a very good wine and woth the bottle price. [18] $20.00

Fruit Salad in a Cake Custard Cup
(a delightful dessert.)

2010 Six Hats Chenin Blanc
13% alc. really delightful and refreshing with the fruit. [17] $12.00

A great evening with a diversified menu and wine selection. I really think that Cristi and The Crew out did themselves tonight with everything they prepared. If you missed this, there will be others. The second Tuesday and Wednesday of each month. The same menu and wine selection is presented each night. Next month I understand that Soup will be the theme. Hope to see you there. Cheers!

Friday Nite Buzz And 1st Saturday Market

21 Saturday Apr 2012

Posted by in Appetizers, Local Farmers Markets, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Red Feather/Bittercreek, Special Events

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The first day of the Boise Saturday Market!!! Yea. It looks like there was going to be a good sized crowd today. This photo was taken at about 10:00am, thirty minutes after opening, and it looks full. The market has grown this year, too. It’s bigger and Better! Enjoy these photos of the activities this weekend, at least some of the activities. The Buzz and the Boise Saturday Market are a great way to start this weekend. Plus great weather – clear skies, gentle breeze and 76 degrees!

Malbecs were featured on the Friday Night Tasting at the Buzz. Good selection! We just might make this a regular. Good wines. Good food and Good friends.

This was a super, awesome appetizer that Cristi came up with – Shrimpcargot Shrimp in a crimini mushroom cap with green onion, cheese and a garlic butter sauce.

Gnocchi, Baked Sweet Potato Fries and Green Salad. Great bistro food.

Great crisp with coffee ice cream

Our friends Geno and Debra who are back in Boise for a while after being in Arizona and Alabama. Welcome back!

Eggs Benedict from the Red Feather Lounge at the Saturday Market. The food was good … can’t really say that about the service. Maybe because it was very busy at the market. We’ll give them another chance.

Some of the people at the market. It was getting crowded.

And just to prove that it is Spring in the Treasure Valley, here are Gennieve’s flowers. Wisteria, and red and yellow tulips.

Roast Chicken and Green Beans

08 Sunday Apr 2012

Posted by in Beans, Celebrations, Ethnic Foods, Holiday Menu, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Special Dinners, Special Events, What's For Dinner?

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This has really been an ethnically diverse weekend menu. Especially since Passover and Easter happened to be on the same weekend. It all started Friday with the Gefilte Fish meal. Although I don’t think gefilte fish with Bearnaise is Kosher. (See Good Friday Meal earlier on this blog.) But it has been fun. And it is particular rewarding and pleasing when one of our very special Jewish friends here in Boise reads this blog and then calls to get the recipe for the gefilte fish. It will be fun to see how he made out with the dinner and the recipe. In the meantime, here is what we had for dinner tonight. The above photo is an Asparagus Mousse that Robin is making for dinner tomorrow. We had a sample tonight and it is so awesome. Rich and smooth and the succulent flavor of asparagus. 

Gremolata Popovers

Roasted Chicken
roasted root vegetables, rosemary, lemon

Plated dinner
Oven Roasted Chicken
Haroset Salad
apple, roasted walnuts, brown sugar, cinnamon, Manischewitz wine
Green Beans
Gremolata Popover

Oh what fun. Not only preparing these delights, but eating them and trying to understand what all this means. I may have to talk to Joe to get the significance of all of this. Cheers and tomorrow is the big meal. That will be fun, too!

Awesome Birthday Wine Dinner At the Buzz

02 Monday Apr 2012

Posted by in Celebrations, Party Time, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Special Events, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food

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This was a great birthday for me. Michelle Larson also had a birthday and Cristie and Tommy, owners of the Buzz, did a superb job creating a party atmosphere! Both Michelle and I thank them sincerely for allowing this party to happen. Look at the menu we had. See anything “strange”? The dinner was served backwards – that is, dessert first! Cristie is so creative. I want to thank our friends and family who joined us and the many cards and gifts they gave: Ed and Mary, Jan (Maize), Margaret, Robin, Bob and Gail, Marnie and Mac, Sophia, Madison and Chris and Barbara and Patrick. Thank you all so very much for making this a fantastic day.

Brunch at Berryhill and Co. Hard to see the cake with the candle.

Some of the gifts received at the Buzz.

70 Beers!!!

Ed and Mary, Jan, Margaret and Robin.

Bob and Gail, Marnie and Mac, Madison and Chris. Sophia was not in the photo.

An awesome TBA that Robin and I offered to all of our friends who were there. It’s a sweet wine so there were some who did not like it. But not many. We are happy that we could share this fantastic wine with everyone. Auction value? $425.00

One beer for every year – 70 different beers!

Dessert
Donauweller Cake
NV Zonin Lambrusco
8.5% alc, not my favorite, light on bouquet and balance [12] $10.00
NV Fonseca Porto
20% alc, it was a good port, good balance and bouquet [16] $20.00 (750 ml)

Chicken Rollatini
Baked Tomatoes
2010 Poggio Sangiovese
13.5% alc, weak on body but overall a good wine. [17] $17.00
2010 Bolla Bardolino
12.0% alc, week on body and finish. [14] $10.00

Salad
Asparagus and Edamame
(Interesting and good salad)
2010 D’Aguino Pinot Grigio
12.0% alc, really a good wine. [17] $10.00
2010 Tabali Sauvignon Blanc
13.5% alc, weak on color and balance. [14] $13.00

Soup
Sopa Poblano
Awesome soup!
2010 Arenal Carmenere
14.0% alc, a little weak on the bouquet but went well with this soup. [17] $13.00
2010 Montes Malbec
14.0% alc, a good strong malbec. did not over power the soup [ 18] $13.00

Appetizer
Salmon Bites
Worstenbroodjes
Chiles en Nogada
2009 Luna Merlot
14.9% alc, a big and bold merlot. [19] $22.00 
2008 Yellowtail Reserve Merlot
14.0% alc, another big merlot [18] $11.00

Again, I thank everyone for making this a great Birthday Party! Cheers.

Backyard Chicken Farmers Event!

20 Tuesday Mar 2012

Posted by in Backyard Garden, Chicken, Special Events, Special Information

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I received this information from Gretchen Anderson (thebycf@gmail.com) and thought I would pass it on. For you Backyard Chickeners, this might be an ideal event. You grow the chickens … we will buy the eggs. Left-Click the graphic to see a larger view. Contact Gretchen directly via email for more information. It should be a fun time!