June at the Buzz

06 Friday Jun 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Bistro, Comfort Food, Dinner With Friends, Party Time, Special Dinners, Special Events, Things To Do, What's For Dinner?, Wine Dinners

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the Buzz, The Buzz Coffee and Wine, Wine, Wine Dinners

This month at the Buzz really sounds interesting.This is probably the best and most affordable complete 5 course dinner and 5 or 6 wines that you will find in Boise. Just a mere $20 per person! But do make reservations – (208) 344-4321. Here is the latest from Cristi.

Just a quick reminder of some of the fun at the Buzz this June. We continue with live music and wine tasting on Friday Nights. This month featured artists will be:

6/6 Pat Foulkner
6/13 Carter Freeman
6/20 Wayne White
6/27 Johnny Shoes

Starting 6/13 we will have some wines to go along with the world cup events.
Our wine club this month is 6/10 and 6/11. We will be talking about cooking outside. Make your reservations, buzzwine@cableone.net or (208) 344-4321. It will be a fun event. The cost is only $20 a person including food and wine.

Keep on the lookout for updates about some new things coming to the Buzz. Hope to see everyone soon.

Sincerely,
Cristi and Tom Takeda
Buzz Coffee and Wine

Really ….. I do think you will enjoy this. Bring your friends and have a relaxing, fun and educational evening. Learn about wine. Learn about the paring of wine and food. And this month, learn about what wine to serve over the hot summer months. Cheers and hope to see you there. Here is a little information about the Buzz from their website.

Buzz Coffee and Cafe has been owned and operated by Cristi and Tom Takeda since 2007 and is one the finest coffee houses and wine bars in the Treasure Valley. Buzz prides itself on presenting a “family friendly” atmosphere for all it’s patrons and is always happy to adjust to the needs of whoever walks thru the door. Our menu features great breakfast items to start your day along with the finest coffee and beverage choices. Lunch or dinner is always available, or a quick snack after visiting the Idaho Athletic Club right next door. Almost all our food is made to order when you order it, so changes are not a problem. Great sandwiches and wraps as well as very tasty healthy salads are all on the menu, and if you don’t see something just ask and we can try and make something to your liking.

Buzz uses Full Circle Exchange coffee roasted locally in Eagle.

In the mood for a glass of fine wine or a beer after work or workout? Cristi holds her level I Sommelier certification and is always on the lookout for new and exciting wines to stock the shelves with. She has personally selected all the wines on our shelves and is always ready and willing to answer any questions one may have about wines. Need to find a great wine to go with your dinner or just to drink? Cristi can help you pair a great wine to whatever you may be fixing for dinner, or help you find the perfect wine to just relax and enjoy with friends. Her schedule can be a bit varied and you may not always catch her here at Buzz, but Tom can always help out as well. Be assured that no matter who is here to help you, Cristi has tasted all of the wines we stock and as she likes to say, “All the wines we carry are wines I would share with friends.”

Here at Buzz we want everyone to feel as comfortable and relaxed as they would in their own living room. Music is always kept to a comfortable level so you almost don’t even notice that its playing. Our big screen TV is most often set to a 24 hour news channel, but for special events such as BSU football game we always try to watch our Broncos as they march up and down the gridiron. If asked, we will always turn the TV off to make your stay more enjoyable.

Memorial Day/Graduation Celebration

27 Tuesday May 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Beef, Beer and Food, Blueberries, Bradley Smoker, Cakes, Captain's Shack, Celebrations, Comfort Food, Cookies, Corn, Dessert, Dinner At Marnies, Dinner With Family, Fruit, Grillin' and Chillin', Holiday Gatherings, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Pork, Recipe by: Robin and Bob Young, Recipes, Slow Cooking, Smoking and Grilling, Special Dinners, Special Events, What's For Dinner?

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Bradley smoker, grilling, recipes, smoker

Such a great party to celebrate Memorial Day and Sophia graduating from Boise High School. Congratulations Sophia!!And absolutely great food from everyone – Mac for the hamburgers, Marnie for the strawberry cake, Chris and Madison brought the cookie pictured here and Robin’s awesome Tuscan Orange Cake and Blueberry Pie. Super great eats, everyone. And it was good that Mac’s Mom and Dad, Linda and Jim, drove all the way from Virginia to be at the party. Enjoy these photos! Cheers.

Sophia graduates! Congratulations and hugs Sophia.

Cricket is thinking, “Which way do I go?”

Eat dessert first, life is too short!!

Chris and Madison look at that awesome cookie!

Robin made this Tuscan Orange Cake and made these decorations. Great job, Honey!

Robin made this Tuscan Orange Cake and the decorations, too. Great job, Honey! Here is the recipe for the Tuscan Orange Cake (Schiacciata Alla Florentina).

Robin also made this Blueberry Pie. I do like blueberries!

Marnie made the Strawberry Cake. This was really good.

Now that dessert is over, we can eat the main meal. Yummers!

Robin and I made these Baked Beans totally from scratch. The Lyle’s Black Treacle is a Scottish addition.

Great corn, Marnie, for this early in the season. Did not need and salt, pepper or butter.

And the ribs just coming out of the smoker. Top Two Shelves - Memphis Rub. Middle Shelf - Casey's Hot Sop and the bottom shelf, Regular rub or garlic, onion and salt and pepper.

And the pork ribs just coming out of the smoker. Top Two Shelves – Memphis Rub. Middle Shelf – Casey’s Hot Sop and the Bottom Two Shelves, Regular rub – garlic, onion and salt and pepper.

May Events at The Buzz

07 Wednesday May 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Appetizers, Herbs, Herbs and Spices, Miner's Lettuce, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Special Dinners, Special Events, Spices, Things To Do, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wine Dinners, Wine Tasting

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Buzz Coffee, Buzz Coffee & Wine Events, The Buzz Coffee and Wine, wine dinner, Wine Dinner Buzz Bistro

I just received this from Cristi and Tommy at The Buzz here in Boise. We will be at the monthly dinners – they are fantastic and loads of fun! – and I hope we see you there, too! Remember, to participate in some of these events (Monthly dinner and Quarterly Dinners), you will need to make reservations!
(208) 344-4321

Buzz Coffee & Wine Events

Hello. Hope everyone is enjoying the rollercoaster weather that we call Spring here in Boise. We have some fun events coming up and would love to see you at any or all of them.

Thanks to everyone’s support during our families loss last month. We appreciate the prayers and well wishes, and are terriby sorry for having to cancel the wine dinner with such short notice. Again thanks for understanding.

Cristi and Tom Takeda
Buzz Coffee and Wine

Wine Club Dinner: We will be discussing Herbs and Spices.
Join us at 6:30 on May 13 or 14 for a Five Course Dinner, Wine – pared with the food and included in the dinner price -, and a discussion of herbs and spices. Only $20 a person. Reservations required buzzwine@cableone.net or 344-4321.

Music in May

May 9th Carter Freeman
May 16th Jean Cardena
May 23rd Blaze and Kelly
May 30th Pat Foulkner

Music from 7-9 with free wine tasting, dinner and dessert specials. Come join us. No reservations needed

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The Boise Farmers Market Is Open!

05 Saturday Apr 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Acme Bake Shop, Arugula, Boise Adventures, Boise Artisan Bakery's, Boise Farmers Market, Bread, Breakfast, Buy Idaho, Captain's Shack, Celebrations, Eggs, Ham, Ham and Cheese, Healthy Eating, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Local Markets, Photos By: Bob Young, Sourdough Bread, Special Events, Things To Do, What's For Dinner?

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Acme Bake Shop, Boise Farmers Market, Gaston Bakery, Meadowlark Farms, Purple Sage Farms, Think Local - Buy Local

Seems like it has been months since we could shop for local products at the farmers market. It has! It’s been since last December when they closed for the winter. But now it’s Spring and the market is Open! Yea! It was great to see the vendors there from last year and their fantastic Idaho products. Acme Bake Shop (fresh Rye and Sourdough), Gaston Bakery (Croissants), Meadowlark Farms (fresh Eggs), Purple Sage Farms (awesome greens), Idaho Honey, Homestead Farms (bone-in Rib-Eye steaks), Rollingstone Chevre and a host of others that I know I am missing. Here are some photos from this morning. I have been asked by many people when Acme Bake Shop will open a store front. I got the answer this morning, “It’s not in the business plan at this time.” Beside the Boise COOP, I will check next week to see where in Boise you can purchase their bread. Cheers and hope to see YOU there next Saturday! And please, Think Local – Buy Local. Support your local farmer.

Idaho Honey

Write their number down and give them a call. They will ship. Even to Florida. I asked!

Market overview before it opened this morning. It is open every Saturday now from 9:00am – 1:00pm.

Purple Sage Farms. Awesome veggies.

Gaston Bakery

After the market, one must have breakfast. Check this one out that I made for us!

Gaston Bakery Croissant
Purple Sage Farms Fresh Lettuce
Meadowlark Farms Fresh Egg
Boars Head Ham and Swiss Cheese
(Not from the market!)

Thank-You Chris For Dinner

31 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Bread, Comfort Food, Dinner At Marnies, Dinner By Chris, Dinner With Family, Main Dish, Party Time, Pasta, Photos By: Bob Young, Salad, Special Dinners, Special Events, Traditional Food, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wines - Italian

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Cricket, dump cake

Before Chris made dinner for Marnie, Mac, Robin and myself, he was seen out in the yard playing ball with Ray, the Golden Retriever and Cricket, a German Short Hair. Both dogs like to play with each other, although Cricket is the oldest at about 12. Two delightful animals. With loving care like this, Cricket will do fine. But now for dinner. I knew Chris had a kitchen talent. He made the main course of Chicken Pasta and it was very good. I am sorry the Maddy and Sophia missed it. But Chris did make plate for Maddy. Enjoy these photos and Left-Click any of them to see enlarged. Cheers!

Chicken Pasta with Herbs Fresh Green Salad Fresh Homemade Rolls and a good Italian wine.

Chicken Pasta with Herbs
Fresh Green Salad
Fresh Homemade Rolls
and a good
2005 Barbaresco Red Italian wine

Robin made this

Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake

Dump it all together and bake it. Delicious!

Cricket wants more!

Thyank-You everyone for a delightful Birthday dinner. Until next year ……………….

Yvonne Does a Food Truck Round-Up

29 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Brown Shuga, Buy Idaho, Comfort Food, Cooking Styles, Friends, Idaho Chefs, Local Markets, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Soul Food, Special Events, What's For Dinner?

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Ethnic Foods, food truck, food truck rally

What a great start to a great season – Food Truck Round-Up! Thanks Yvonne for sponsoring this event. It looks like it might be monthly and maybe the last Friday of the Month? And this from Yvonne at Brown Shuga,

Thanks to all the customers who came out and supported us yesterday at our First Food Truck Roundup! Even with Spring break vacations,and not the nicest weather you still pressed your way out. For that I truly Thank you. To Burgerlicious, Slanted Rock Brewing, Scottys Dogs and the Gyro Shack, I couldn’t do it without you. Love you all.

Here are some photos I took of the event. I got there early – 5:30pm. I did not get a photo, but Slanted Rock Brewery was there serving their beer along with Scottys Dogs.

Yvonnes Brown Shuga Soul Food Food Truck

Gyro Food Truck

Burgerlicious Food Truck

Wine and Cheese – An Oenophiles Dream!

12 Wednesday Mar 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Cheese, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Sliders, Special Dinners, Special Events, What's For Dinner?

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blintzes, cheese, oenophile

The Buzz had another great and different venue for this monthly tasting. Paring cheese with wine. Really a great way to present not only the wines, but the different cheeses and how to prepare the cheese in different entrees. Cristi has been doing some real “soul searching” to come up with some different venues. I like it. Even Tommy, Cristi’s husband, and Peggy Hands-Behrens are enjoying preparing the plates. Look at those smiles! Enjoy these photos. Cheers! Left-Click any of these photos to see enlarged.

Assorted Cheeses for an Appetizer.

Black and Blue Slider and Parmesan Crisp 2011 Tomero Malbec 14% alc. not a bad rating, but not good either. [16]

Black and Blue Slider
Parmesan Crisp
2011 Tomero Malbec
14% alc. not a bad rating, but not good either. [16]

Spi8nach, Pear and Feta Salad2012 Vistalba C 14% alc. Best wine of the night. pared extremely well with the salad. [20]

Spinach, Pear and Feta Salad
2012 Vistalba C
14% alc. Best wine of the night. pared extremely well with the salad. [20]

Cheese Soup
2010 Renwood Clarion
15% alc. pared extremely well with the cheese soup [19]

Chicken Cordon Blue
Asparagus
2012 Wente Chardonnay
13.4% alc. good match for the “non-matchable” asparagus. [17]

Berry Blintzes
NV Baja Tanga Sparkling Wine
12.4% alc. I just don’t think it went well with the blintzes. [14]

Celebrate National Blueberry Pop-Over Day ……..

10 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Blueberries, Captain's Shack, Food Prep, Fruit, National Pop-Over Day, Photos By: Bob Young, Recipe By: Robin Young, Recipes, Special Events, What's For Dinner?

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blueberries, Blueberry, fruit, National Pop Over Day, recipes

We did!! These were awesome. Robin made these this morning and I do like blueberries. I did not know it was National Blueberry Pop-Over Day. What a surprise when Robin made these. I have the recipe that she used below. It is not hard, but it is precise. Enjoy these photos and the recipe. Cheers! But first, here is some interesting information about National Blueberry Pop-Over Day:

March 10 is National Blueberry Popover Day
Five things you should know about Blueberry Popovers
1) Native Americans once called blueberries “star berries,” because the five points of blueberry blossoms make a star shape.
2) They held blueberries in high esteem, believing that the “Great Spirit” created the berries to feed their hungry children during famine.
3) Blueberry juice had medicinal value for Native Americans as well and was used to treat persistent coughs and other illnesses.
4) American poet, Robert Frost, loved blueberries so he wrote a poem about them.
5) Blueberries are one of the only natural foods that are truly blue in color. [foodimentary.com]

Blueberry Pop-Overs

These are the ones that Robin made this morning.

Here they are with confectioners’ sugar on them.

The Recipe:

Blueberry Pop-Overs

Ingredients:
1¼ c All-Purpose Flour
¼ t Salt
3 eggs, room temperature
1¼ c Milk
1 T Butter, melted
2 T Butter, cut into pieces
1 c fresh or frozen Blueberry (if using frozen do not thaw)
Confectioners’ Sugar for garnish

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F.
Grease a popover pan and heat in the oven for 2 minutes. While pan is heating combine flour, salt, eggs, milk and melted butter in a blender – mix for 1-2 minutes, or until mixture is the consistency of heavy cream.**
Remove pan from oven and place a piece of butter in each cup – return to oven until butter is melted and bubbling, about 2 minutes. Fill each cup with batter and sprinkle with blueberries.
Bake for 20 minutes. Reduce temperature to 300 degrees and bake for an additional 20 minutes.
Remove from oven, dust with confectioner’s sugar and serve immediately.

People are intimidated by popovers – they are sort of like the soufflé of the bread world. You want a nice, tall “rise” and a hollow, yet cooked-through, interior. The truth is, popovers couldn’t be easier to make, as long as you follow a few simple rules:
Buy a popover pan. Popover pans are different from muffin tins. The cups are taller, for one, and they are separated from one another to allow for even heat circulation. This is critical for achieving a light, airy result. Can you use a muffin tin? Sure. But you won’t get popovers. You’ll get muffins.
Pre-heat the pan. Even if your recipe doesn’t call for it, do it anyway – for about 2 minutes. A hot pan is essential for that quick rise when the batter goes into the oven.
Your recipe should instruct you to melt a little butter in each cup just before adding the batter. Do NOT skip this step. As the butter heats up it pushes steam through the batter, creating the height that is the hallmark of a perfect popover.
You can make the batter the night before and keep it in the fridge. Just be sure to bring it to room temperature prior to baking.
Serve these babies immediately! Nothing is sadder than a “deflated” popover. Time it to serve them fresh out of the oven. Trust me, it’s worth it.

Guess Who’s Coming To Our Neighborhood?

09 Sunday Mar 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Carl's Jr, Classics, Comfort Food, Cooking Styles, Food Photos, Grilling, Hamburger, Local Markets, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Sandwiches, Sliders, Special Events, What's For Dinner?

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Albertson, Burger King, burgers, burgers and such, carl's jr

Yup! You guessed it! Carl’s Jr at 17th and State where Burger King used to be. Ample parking and access in the Albertson’s parking lot. To open soon. Real soon, I hope! Stay tuned. Welcome to our neighborhood!

Trader Joe’s Boise Finally Open

28 Friday Feb 2014

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

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Trader Joe's, Whole Foods

Yes! Finally the store is open! Not as big a crowd as I expected though. Weather was good … slightly cool but no rain. I am sorry that my request to attend the Media Day was rejected, Whole Foods was more than happy to have us and even went out of their way when they first opened here in Boise. But at least I got to attend the Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting. It was good. Here are some photos of the event, Trader Joe’s Opens.

Would you believe we started out as a small chain of convenience stores? It’s true. Way back in 1958. We were called Pronto Markets. In ’67, our founder, the original Trader Joe, changed our name (yes, to Trader Joe’s) and the way we do business.
1967 – The first Trader Joe’s opened its doors in Pasadena, California. Still there today – same spot, same parking lot.
If you were into wine – especially California wines – Trader Joe’s was the place to go. Still is. But back in the late 1960s, we sold every California wine there was.

Do enjoy the photos and Left-Click to see them enlarged. Cheers! The above quote is from the Trader Joe’s website.

The 6:30am group. Not yet a crowd but still very congenial.

As the morning awakened, the group became a small crowd.

“Trader Joer’s”

The rising sun brings activity to the store.

Boise’s Mayor Dave Bieter opens the store. Thank-You Mr Mayor for taking time from your busy schedule and attending.

Inside the store. Just one of many products. I like Lemon Curd. So does Robin.

I checked many of the produce items and most were 3000, 4000 and 9000 PLU series. That’s good …. No 8000 series that I saw.

And of course, there is always a good wine selection.

This is just one of the worldwide wine types available. All of the wines have a good price on them.

So that’s it for the Opening Ceremony. Short. Sweet. And Boise was ready for this to happen. A different type of grocery store from Whole Foods or Albertsons. I wish them great success.