Dinner in Burgundy

20 Friday Jan 2012

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

Another fantastic Wine Dinner at Le Cafe de Paris. Here is how Mathieu described the dinner. It was awesome!

“French Region Night this month will feature the region of Burgundy, where I was born and raised! We have recently acquired several new wine labels from the area and a fabulous four course menu of classic cuisine from the area with be featured! The dinner itself is $39/person and as always we will have our resident sommelier, Christian Lamotte, there to pair our fabulous wines.”

Here is the wine we had with dinner. A 2007 Pernand-Vergelesses. It went very well with our dinner.

Some folks who were at the same table as ours. Mr Quinlin (right) and friends. Great conversation and thanks for sharing the wine!

Escargot Bogon et Gougeres
(Burgundy Snails)
burgundy butter with pastis

Salade Paysanne
(Burgundy Country Salad)
field greens, croutons, bacon lardons, ozark poached egg

I tried to get a photo of the egg prep. It did not come out. They break the egg in cheese cloth and then tie it up so it keeps it shape. They cook it in the cheese cloth.

Sandre en Papillote
walleye filet with aromatics baked in parchment, rice pilaf, braised brussel sprouts

Note: We had never had Walleye before. It was delicious! Mild and slightly sweet. Not a strong “fishy” taste. I’d have it again.

Coq au Vin
(Red Wine Chicken)
housemade taggliatelle, braised brussel sprouts

Île Flottante
(Floating Island)
poached meringue, crème anglaise, almonds

the Buzz Wine Club Dinner – Wine and the Media

11 Wednesday Jan 2012

Posted by Bob and Robin in Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Things To Do, Wine and Food

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Another good Wine Club Dinner at the Buzz in Boise! The theme was Wine In The Media or Media in the Wine. In her opening comments, Cristi stated that, “In this age of information we are exposed to a variety of sources for our information. We must determine who and what to relate to or we will go into information overload … Over the next twelve months we will discuss different media formats for wine reviews and suggestions. You will hopefully find avenues of information that are helpful and those [avenues] to take with a grain of salt.” Tonight, Cristi choose to explore the reviewing of Natalie McClain, wine critic, writer, TV personality and critic from Canada. You can see her web site at Nat Decants. This site is well worth a look/see. Interesting information that may help you in your next wine selection. Once again, the ratings of the wines that we had are based on a top score of [20]. Cheers!

Appetizer
Cece Fritos and Vegetable Masala Fritters

2009 La Sefreta
13.0% alc, good color depth with a clean and fresh nose. [16]

Chop Chop Salad

2010 Essence Riesling Mosel
10% alc, bright color and a great clean and fruity nose. good sweetness [17]

Four Grain Tomato Soup

2010 KMV Pinotage (South Africa)
14% alc, great color, great balance of tannin and acid. great paring with the soup [18]

Italian Meatloaf
Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Peas and Leeks
Roasted Green Beans

2007 Molines Cabernet Sauvignon (France)
14% alc, good color but light on the general appeal. good tannin/acid balance, though. [16]

Hot/Hot Chocolate Cake Floating Islands

2010 Morse Code Shiraz (Australia)
14.5% alc, another great paring with the dessert. good sweetness and body.[18]

So there you have our dinner and wine parings. Where else can you get a plated dinner like this, seven wines (Cristi had two to share before the party started), and such great company for $15.00 per person!!! And my favorites for the evening? The 2010 Morse Code Shiraz (Australia) with the Hot/Hot Chocolate Cake Floating Islands and the 2010 KMV Pinotage (South Africa) with the Four Grain Tomato Soup. Cheers!

Pairing Wine with Red Meat

30 Wednesday Nov 2011

Posted by Bob and Robin in Things To Do, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wine Dinners

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Among my several blogs I read, here is an article from Snooth – Find Better Wines about the right wine(s) to serve with red meat. This can, at times, be very controversial. Here is but one discussion on the subject,

“The holidays are a time for sharing and celebrations, so it’s just natural that we want to create something special for the table. Large roasts and premium cuts of meat are often the centerpiece of holiday meals, and rightly so. They’re relatively easy to prepare and serve to hordes of hungry friends and family.

Just as we think carefully about the cut of meat and method of preparation that would best suit our event, we also need to consider what wine might work best. Ultimately, there is no one singular wine that is definitively the best with any one recipe, but there are certain styles of wine and attributes of grape varieties that make for more pairings that work.

Check out these great, festive recipes and see if you agree with the wines I’ve chosen for each. Hopefully, I can inspire you to make this holiday meal one of your best ever!”

To read the full article, Click Here. Enjoy and have a great Holiday Season full of great wines and great food and superb friends! Cheers!

Wine Club Special at the Buzz

26 Saturday Nov 2011

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

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I received this information from Tommy and Cristi at the Buzz. Such a deal!! (That’s their scan code to the left. Use your smart phone and go directly to their web site.)

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY SALE

Small Business Saturday Offering. Get your wine club coupons for next year. For only $75.00 for 6 wine club dinners, That’s buy 5 and get one dinner free. The coupons are to be used throughout the whole year so give them as a gift or buy some for yourself. They are transferable but nonrefundable. The coupons are dated and each one is good for two months. Come by and have lunch at your favorite local small restaurant and pick up your Wine club dinner coupons.

Also, with the purchase of any bottle of wine on Saturday you can purchase a silk gift bag for only $2.00 that is 75%off our retail price.

We hope that everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving and hope to see you on small business Saturday.

Sincerely,
Cristi and Tom Takeda
Buzz Coffee and Wine

Our Thanksgiving Dinner

25 Friday Nov 2011

Posted by Bob and Robin in Celebrations, Main Dish, Party Time, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Thanksgiving, Things To Do, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food

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What a great Thanksgiving Day and Dinner we had! Robin made this chocolate turkey and it turned out great. Thanks to everyone who joined us for this celebration: Robin, Chris, Madison, Sophia, Mac, Marnie, Margaret and Buddy. Our blessings are many!

Thanksgiving Prayer

– Iroquois Prayer, adapted

We return thanks to our mother, the earth, which sustains us.

We return thanks to the rivers and streams, which supply us with water.

We return thanks to all herbs, which furnish medicines for the cure of our diseases.

We return thanks to the moon and stars, which have given to us their light when the sun was gone.

We return thanks to the sun, that has looked upon the earth with a beneficent eye.

Lastly, we return thanks to the Great Spirit, in Whom is embodied all goodness, and Who directs all things for the good of Her children.

Here are some photos from our Celebration.

Robin and Chris making the fresh Cranberry.

Robin and Chris setting up the wines.

The dinner wines:
1990 Bollinger Grande Annee Champagne (not pictured), Backyard Bubbly (not pictured), 1989 Swan Zinfandel, 1976 Ravenswood Zinfandel Polsen Vineyards, 1976 Ravenswood Zinfandel Vogensen Vineyards, Rex-Goliath Pinot Noir, 2006 Kestrel Late Harvest Chardonnay (not pictured) and 2010 Ravenswood Zinfandel Suite. Great selections! The two 1976 Ravenswood wines were the first releases of Ravenswood wines that Robin and Joel Peterson made. (Robin helped to start Ravenswood Winery)

Mac, Marnie (holding the chocolate turkey) and our friend Margaret.

Robin, Chris, Madison and Sophia.

So there you have our day and what a great day it was. We do hope yours was as good. Cheers! The full menu is posted on the previous blog post.

A Thanksgiving Feast at Our House

23 Wednesday Nov 2011

Posted by Bob and Robin in Party Time, Special Events, Thanksgiving, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food

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Here is the menu as it is right now. Probably will not change much. Cheers and have a great day! This is just sooooooo much fun!

For the Birds Menu for Thanksgiving Dinner 2011

1990 Bollinger Champagne

2009 Backyard Bubbly
2011 Criterion Apple Cider for Sophia
Martinelli’s Sparkling Apple Juice for Sophia

Appetizers – Spinach Artichoke Dip – Marnie
Carrot and Celery Sticks
Mixed Olives and Nuts – Robin

1976 Ravenswood Zinfandel Polsen Vineyard
1976 Ravenswood Zinfandel Vogensen Vineyard
1989 Swan Sonoma County Zinfandel

Roast Turkey – Bob
with Wild rice Apple, sage stuffing
Giblet Gravy – Bob
Mashed Potatoes – Mac
Dried Corn – Bob
Green Bean Casserole – Margaret
Cranberry Orange Relish – Robin / Chris
Wilted Lettuce Salad – Robin
Mom’s Rolls – Marnie and Mac
Pear butter – Robin
NV Rex Goliath free range Giant 47 pound Rooster
Vin De Pays De L’herault Pinot Noir
Mincemeat pasties – Robin and Bob

2006 Kestrel Late Harvest Chardonnay from Prosser, WA
2010 Ravenswood Suite – a port-like Zin

Dessert by Madison and Chris
Big Gobbler chocolate – Robin
See’s Turkey Truffle Chocolates – Bob

Oregon Pinot Noirs with Pork in a Montmorency Sauce

10 Thursday Nov 2011

Posted by Bob and Robin in Montmorency Sauce, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Special Dinners, Wine and Food

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The Treasure Valley Wine Society in Boise, held a great Oregon Pinot Noir Tasting on November 9. The tasting was accompanied by a delicious buffet line prepared by Chef James Grimes featuring a Pork with Montmorency Sauce (a recipe below). Jerry and Pamla Reimer selected 7 wines. Here they are:

2010 Carlton Cellars Agate Beach Pinot Noir Rosé ($18.00)
2008 Wilamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir ($28.00)
2009 Carlton Cellars Cape Lookout Pinot Noir ($20.00)
2008 Tualatin Estate Pinot Noir ($45.00) 90 points and #24 Oregon Best Wines
2008 Dundee Hills Thistle Wines Pinot Noir ($30.00) #8 and 93 points Oregon Best Wines Competition
2009 Andrew Rich Winery Pinot Noir ($22.00)
2009 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

That’s the list. Now here is the buffet and a recipe. Cheers!

Cheese Plate

Buttered Noodles
Red Cabbage

Pork with Montmorency Cherry Sauce

I don’t know if Chef James used this recipe or not, but here is but one of several Montmorency Sauce recipes:

Montmorency Sauce

“The sweetness makes it suitable for sautéed chicken breasts or roast duckling, as well as more robustly flavored meats such as pork chops.” (Yankee Magazine)

“Montmorency cherries get their name from the Montmorency Valley of France, where they originated.” (Product Oasis)

1 (17-oz.) can Bing cherries
1 cup tawny port
4 large cubes sugar
1 large orange
2 tbsp. cornstarch

Drain 1 (17-oz.) can Bing cherries and place cherries in a medium bowl.
Add 1 cup tawny port, cover and let stand at room temperature 3 to 4 hours (preferably overnight).

Rub 4 large sugar cubes firmly over 1 orange to remove zest and aromatic oils from skin.
Squeeze orange and measure 1/4 cup juice.

Add juice to 2 tablespoons cornstarch and stir until smooth.

In a saucepan, combine cherries and port with cornstarch mixture.
Cook, stirring constantly, until liquid is thick and clear.
Add sugar cubes and stir to dissolve.

Dinner plated

The buffet line.

Some of the 38 people who attended this affair.

Mont Gras Winery (Chile) At The Buzz

12 Wednesday Oct 2011

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

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A wonderful evening at the Buzz exploring the wines of the Colchagua Valley of Chile and the Mont Gras Winery. Overall, a high scoring wine dinner and wines. There are not many times I give a wine a score of [20] out of [20], but the wine pictured to the left is one of those. A rich, deep purple cab and wonderful bouquet of spice, pepper and huge cherry. Long lasting without the “barbs” of some cabs. This was an awesome wine. Enjoy the photos and our dinner. Especially look at the Tommy’s Meatloaf below and my comments.

Runza Pockets
(Originally an old German dish that was adopted by the settlers in the Mid-West, Nebraska. It is a meat and cabbage filled yeast roll.)

2007 Mont Gras Quatro
14.5% alc, [18], $18.00
A good wine that went very well with the cabbage of the Runza Pocket.

Ice Berg Salad
ice berg lettuce, cucumber, grape tomato, carrots, ranch dressing

2010 Mont Gras Reserva Sauvignon Blanc
13.5% alc, [15] [19], $14.00
Interesting thing about this wine. Look at the double score! In my opinion, don’t even think of drinking this without food, the [15] score. This wine went superbly with the Ranch Dressing of the salad and the raw onion, the [19] score. Just goes to show you: Drink wine with food!!!

Wild Rice Soup

2009 Mont Gras Reserva Carmenere
14.5% alc, [17], $14.00
Sorry but a carmenere is not one of my favorite wines. But still a good score.

Tommy’s Meatloaf
Scalloped Potatoes
Green Beans
Herb Biscuit
(This meatloaf, Tommy’s Meatloaf, is awesome. Joe Swan, Swan Vineyards, Forrestville, CA., once made the comment that you can not get a good meatloaf at any restaurant. I am sorry he did not get this one. Usually one compares the meatloaf that Mom made with one made in a restaurant. Tommy’s Meatloaf is very close and I suggested that they put it on the menu along with the Scalloped Potatoes. An awesome plate and it went extremely well with the wine!!!)

2009 Mont Gras Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon
14.5% alc, [20], $14.00
This wine is superb! See the description above. Think about having it with a meatloaf, beef or lamb, or a Rib-Eye or standing rib roast. Wow!

Apple Pie Ala Mode

2009 Mont Gras Bicentennial 200
14.5% alc, [19], $18.00
Another superb job of pairing a wine with the food. Cristi has done an excellent job and we look forward to the next Wine Dinner at the Buzz! You should also! See you at the next Buzz Wine Club Dinner.

Fall Happenings At The Buzz

30 Friday Sep 2011

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

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I just received this from Cristie and Tom at the Buzz. It is their Fall happening schedule at the Buzz. If you are going to the Wine Club Dinners ($15.00/person), remember to reserve your spot. These events fill up quickly.

Welcome Fall!

The days are getting shorter and finally the air is getting a little crisp, the bountiful harvests are coming in and we at Buzz are getting ready for our favorite time of year. We look forward to seeing everyone over the next few days as fall begins around us.

October At The Buzz

Wine Club
October Wine Club will feature South American Wine; along with some traditional favorite foods. This is the best deal in Boise at $15.00 per person for dinner and wine. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED so call (208) 344-4321 or email us at buzzwine@cableone.net. The wine club for October is on Tuesday October 11th or Wednesday October 12th at 6:30PM. (Same menus and wine selections both nights.)

Music at the Buzz
We will be continuing with live music on Friday Nights in October. Musical Fridays begins at 6 with free wine tastings and music starts at 7. September 30 will feature Larry Clark, October 7 is John Cazaan and October 14 Gayle Chapman is joining us. Come by for Wine, food, music and intriguing company.

Halloween Wines
Each Weekend we will feature a different Halloween wine along with our regular wine tastings. we will start on September 30 with Spanish Devil. These wines will be available each week until they are sold out. Be sure to join us and join in the festivities of Halloween and pick out your favorites for the parties of the season.

New Menus
Beginning in October we will be unveiling our new menus. These will focus on healthy tasty options to add to our current menus. We will begin with our breakfast menu and then progress to our evening appetizer and wine menus. Stop by and check out the enticing new meals that we will have to offer.

We, at the Buzz, are very excited by the events coming up. Please include us in your plans throughout the holiday season and feel free to let us know of any needs you have, wine, catering or assisting you with your events through the holiday. Looking forward to helping out in any way the we can.

See you soon. Thanks for Everything,

Cristi and Tom Takeda
Buzz Coffee and Wine | 2999 N Lakeharbor Lane | Boise | ID | 83703
EMail

Shellfish Dinner at Le Café de Paris in Boise

23 Friday Sep 2011

Posted by Bob and Robin in Celebrations, Restaurants, Things To Do, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food

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I just received this from Le Café de Paris in Boise and it looks like another winner! If you have never been to one of these special dinners and you miss fruits de mer or mollusque du sae, then this is the dinner for you and that special someone! Cheers and hope to see you there!!

Fresh Shellfish Dinner

Bonjour Mes Amis,

Our wonderful Fresh Shellfish Dinner is coming up this Thursday, September 29th. This event features an array of fresh shellfish delivered the day of the event, and made into some fanciful creations that are sure to please! Our resident wine expert Christian Lamotte will be pouring tastes of some phenomonal French wines (tres bien!), newly imported and handpicked by M. Lamotte. The menu itself is $39/person, and includes five courses; reservations are required for this dinner, and can be made by calling (208) 336-0889. Bon Appetit!
A Bientot,
Mathieu

Le Salade
Calamari Caesar Salad
parmesan dusted and fried calamari, heart of romaine, roasted red pepper Caesar dressing, shaved white truffle cheddar

Fruits de Mer
Lobster Pizza
manchego cream, lobster tail, caramelized cippolini onions, shaved truffle, salmon roe
•
Amaretto Scallops
pan-seared scallops, amaretto cream, rice pilaf, lemon asparagus
•
Cioppino
Classic Italian stew, herbed tomato broth, mussels, clams, ocean fish, crab

Dessert