"Empty Bowls" – A Program of the Idaho Foodbank

27 Saturday Nov 2010

Posted by Bob and Robin in Boise Adventures, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Pottery Dishware, Special Dinners, Special Events, Things To Do, What's For Dinner?

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On the Friday after Thanksgiving, The Idaho Foodbank holds it annual affair, Empty Bowls. You purchase a pottery bowl for $10.00 and receive a bowl of soup and, of course, the bowl you purchased. Here is some information from their website, Empty Bowls, about the event.

“On the Friday after Thanksgiving, The Idaho Foodbank hosts its annual Empty Bowls event in downtown Boise on the Grove Plaza.

Throughout the year, we collect handcrafted and handpainted bowls from professional and amateur artisans, students, and studios. The event gives you the opportunity to select a unique bowl from these thousands of options, and then enjoy a hot bowl of soup, generously donated by several of our finest local restaurants. While guests enjoy their meal, we encourage them to remember that not all of our Idaho neighbors are able to meet this basic need and their financial support at the event helps us to provide free, emergency food to those in need.”

13th Street Pub/Vegetarian option
Arid Club/Southwest sweet potato & chorizo
Asiago’s/Salmon Chowder
Boise Centre/Lobster Bisque
Bonefish Grill/Seafood Chowder
Brick Oven Bistro/TBD
Cottonwood Grille/Banana Squash
Cucina di Paulo/Cream of Roasted Butternut Squash
Doubletree Riverside/Chicken Noodle
Dry Creek Merc/Chicken Tortilla

Emilio’s/Chicken and Wild Rice
Goldy’s/TBD
Highlands Hollow/Roasted Red Pepper Bisque
Locavore/Pumpkin Sage
Parilla Grill/Vegetarian option
Shaka Shak/TBD
Sizzler/TBD
The Basque Market/Turkey noodle
The Flicks/Minestrone
Westside Drive In/Baked Potato
Zee Catering/Butternut Squash

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As you can see, it takes a lot of hard work and soup to make this event happen. It was a cold, breezy day and sometimes breathing into a Kleenex helps one to keep warm. Enjoy the photos of the event, and if you are in Boise next year the day after Thanksgiving between 11:00am and 2:00pm, plan to attend the event. Cheers!

Some of the people getting their pottery bowls.

Some people we met in line.

The Pottery Bowls all decorated by local artists.

One of the two bowls we purchased and some soup and bread.

Contemplating the Empty Bowls situation.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling at "the Buzz"

10 Wednesday Nov 2010

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

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Another great Wine Club Dinner at the Buzz last night, 09 November. Really good food and some exceptional wine to go along with the dinner. And Cristi had her helper with her, as shown here. (I’m not allowed to say who this is. Can you guess?) If you missed this one, here are some more to look forward to. Mark these on your calendar! (1) On 18 November is the Beaujolais Nouveau from 6:30. No scheduled dinner, but Bistro type foods will be available. (2) 05 December the Quarterly Wine Dinner. This is a special dinner with surprise wines picked to accompany the dinner. There is a very nominal charge for the Wine Dinner. (3) 14 and 15 December the monthly Wine Club Dinner and Tasting of Carmenere and Gewurztraminer. $15.00 per person for a 5 to 6 course full dinner and 6 to 8 wines. Reservations are strongly suggested!! Look in the sidebar for a link to the Buzz. Here are some photos from last nights dinner. Enjoy the photos; We enjoyed the dinner! Thank-You Debbie, Chisti and Tom for a great evening and dinner. My point ratings are in (20). 20 is the highest rating.

I must apologize: I missed a photo of the Spaghetti Squash that Debbie made. And it was good!! I was too busy eating it and talking!

Empty

Apple-Rosemary Blue Cheese Bites
2009 Chateau St. Michelle Riesling 12% alc. (20) $10.00

Chicken Florentine
(I though this was awesome. Just a hint of curry made this a real treat and a surprise ingredient to this Florentine.)
2006 Grafign Cabernet (Argentina) 14% alc (18) $12.00

The Original Caesar
2007 Blue River Riesling 9.5% alc (18) $12.00

Beef Bourguignon
2008 Louis Martini Cabernet 13.9% alc (18) $17.00

Banana Split Brownie Pizza
2006 Kestrel Cabernet 13.9% alc (19) $21.00

The 2008 Winter Scene Riesling 10% alc (18) $14.00 went with the Spaghetti Squash.

Hope you enjoyed the photos as much as we enjoyed the Wine Dinner. See you there next time? Hope so. Just make reservations. Cheers!

First Annaul Harvest Under The Stars

25 Monday Oct 2010

Posted by Bob and Robin in Buy Idaho, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Special Events, Special Information, Things To Do, Wine and Food

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It is just great when a community comes together to support a local, but far reaching, organization. A New Beginning Adoption Agency in Boise is one such organization. On October 23, Boise came together, under the direction of Wes Malvini,to support this organization with the First Annual Harvest Under The Stars. As Wes said it,

“With our delicious array of harvest foods and hot beverages (Hot apple cider, butternut squash soup, cocoa, coffee, beer, wine, beef stew, plus lamb chicken and vegan sliders), a rockin’ concert by Finn Riggins, Quartertons Boise, comedian Heath Harmison, and magician Weseley Hanna– October 23rd at 6:00 p.m will be the only place to be (rain or shine)!

Bring a jacket and enjoy our GIGANTIC covered tent and heaters!

A New Beginning Adoption Agency (and meet who you’re supporting):
208-939-3865
9703 W Ustick Rd, Ste 101
Boise, Idaho
A New Beginning“

If you would like to know more about A New Beginning, their phone number, web site and mailing address are listed. They would be more than happy to talk to you about their services. Everyone was told to wear a costume if they wished to. Some of us did. Others came as themselves. Here are some photos from the event. Hope to see you there next year. This is a family oriented event and during the day there are some “Kid Approved” events and activities.

With “A Wink and a Smile” Wes Malvini leads the evening as MC

Robin in costume.

Cristi and Debbie from the Buzz Bistro in Boise.

Here are some of the food items supplied by the Buzz Bistro

Lamb Patties
Oat Patties
Butternut Squash Soup
Chicken Skewers with Fresh Vegetables

The food dishes prepared and distributed by the Buzz Bistro were made from all Idaho products.

Idaho’s Bounty vegetable display

One of the several bands and acts that performed.

Some other participants in the evening were Davis Creek Cellars, Woodriver Cellars, the Boise Coop and Ballard Cheeses. All of their help and products were greatly appreciated. Thank-You.