Category Archives: Wine and Food

Christmas Dinner with Robin and Bob

19 Saturday Dec 2009

Posted by in Lamb, Local Farmers Markets, Party Time, Things To Do, Thought For The Day, Wine and Food

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Season’s Greetings To All!

So, I guess, whenever the Holiday Season rolls around, there must also be a special dinner. At our house, we do have a good time with these special affairs. All the way from the planning to the preparation, the serving and eating and, of course, the clean-up! So here is our menu. Do enjoy it! We will!

Robin and Bob Young’s
Christmas Dinner Menu
December 25, 2009
3:00 PM

Fresh Spinach Salad

Wine Marinated Stuffed Leg of Lamb

Puréed Root Vegetables

Dried Corn

Fresh Baked Challah
This is really a great Jewish bread. A little sweet, a lot good!

Flan with Raspberry and Grand Marnier

Complete Wine Selection To Accompany the Menu

So there you have it or, at least, the menu for the dinner. Cheers!

Andrae Bopp’s "La Porte Brune"

19 Saturday Dec 2009

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

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la porte brune

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!

la porte brune

12 Saturday Dec 2009

Posted by in Classics, Interesting Information, Things To Do, Wine and Food, Wine Dinners

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Guess what? Andrae is back in business!! No, not in Boise, but in Walla Walla. Look at this –

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 an“ 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, with us suggesting the wine pairing and you bringing your favorite bottle. 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 in cash when you arrive is required with a cash tip left on the table for the staff. 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. thanks!

Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 6:30pm at a soon to be disclosed location La Porte Brune’s 1st underground dinner will happen. It will be a 5 course dinner all paired with wines of the world. 20 seats available for the first dinner and they will be first come first served. The menu will be posted in the next few weeks with the wine pairings. After payment is confirmed you will be notified the day before as to the location in Walla Walla. Tell your friends and be one of the first to come through the door of culinary enlightenment!

The prices are (hold on!):
1 person – $85.00
2 people – $170.00
3 people – $255.00
4 people – $340.00
5 people – $425.00
6 people – $510.00
Knowing Chef Andrae Bopp, this will be an unforgettable meal!! Worth every succulent dollar! or bite! And just think … You bring your own bottle of wine to share with everyone! What fun! Great for a 70th birthday. Yea – Right! Cheers!!

"The Buzz" – Italian Wines, Part II

09 Wednesday Dec 2009

Posted by in Food, Things To Do, Wine and Food, Wine Dinners, Wine Tasting

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All I can say, if you have never been to one of these Wine Dinners, you are missing a huge part of the wine experience in Idaho!! The wines we tried, from lowest ranked to highest (0-20), were:

Zonin Insolia (13)
Fratelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzio (16)
Sella and Mosca Vermentino (18)
Il Trullo Primitivo (18)
Moscato d’Asti (18)
Zonin Iperion (19)
Taurino Salice Salentino (20)

The dinner selections, and Debbie did another outstanding job with finding, preparing and then matching the courses, were:

This was an exciting evening and I really do hope that you plan to attend the next dinners. At $15.00 per person – yes the prices are going up in January – you can’t beat this Night Out! Contact “The Buzz” for more information. Look in the Sidebar for their logo and click for more information. Cheers!

The "Seasons Bistro" in Eagle December Events

04 Friday Dec 2009

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

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Seasons Bistro

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

The "Orchard House" December Events

02 Wednesday Dec 2009

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

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The Orchard House

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!

A Boise Thanksgiving!

27 Friday Nov 2009

Posted by in Celebrations, Food Prep, Holiday Menu, Photos By: Bob Young, Wine and Food

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Yes, it was a wonderful day starting at 10:00am when Chris – our Grandson – arrived to start making bread. He made the “Dilly Bread”; Sophia made the “Green Bean Casserole”, Jerri, of “Jerri’s Old Fashioned Pie Shop and Bakery” made the awesomely , sinful “Chocolate Truffle Pie”; Le Cafe de Paris surprised us yesterday with an “Apple Torte”; Robin and Marnie had the table all set and the dining room beautiful and Mac was here for moral support. Not much for me to do but sit back and enjoy the day …… and I did. We hope that everyone who reads this had a great day and I will think about you at “Black Friday”. I will be checking my eyelids for holes! Cheers and Happy Holidays!

The Seasons – Eagle, ID

20 Friday Nov 2009

Posted by in Food, Thought For The Day, Wine and Food

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The SeasonsOK. So I don’t normally do this, but I am looking at The Seasons in Eagle, ID. before I have even been there. It looks intriguing. I received this email from Rachel Hurn, “Bob I met you at Idaho Wine Merchant’s warehouse tasting. You really enjoyed our Corn Dip. We would love to have you come down to the bistro whenever you get a chance. Hope to see you soon.” Ah yes, I do remember that Corn Dip. It was awesome. I will have to make it a point to go to the Deli (939-6680 Seasons Deli and Catering, 1117 E. Winding Creek Ste. 150, Eagle, ID 83616) and try one of the sandwiches, which include:

………………………………..
Roast Beef
………………………………..

Cajun 2 Step
Roast beef, smoked turkey, swiss and pepperjack cheeses and a layer of ‘Creole’ mustard, toasted to perfection on a New Orleans French bread
$9.50

Cow in the Garden
Roast beef, boursin cheese, spinach, tomato and a creamy horseradish sauce on a whole wheat
$9.50

Godfather
Grilled roast beef, melted mozzarella, fried onions and aioli on a toasted garlic hero bun
$9.99

………………………………..

Turkey & Chicken
………………………………..

Barb’s SpecialSmoked turkey, cranberry sauce, mayo and lettuce on rye bread
$9.50

GobblerTurkey, avocado, sprouts, lettuce, tomato, and swiss cheese with dijonaise dressing on whole wheat
$9.50

Muffuletta
A New Orleans tradition, oven roasted turkey, with provolone cheese smothered in a classic Italian olive mix on a sesame topped sourdough muffuletta bun
6.50 Quarter / $11.50 Half / $18.00 Whole

Slim Chick
Seasoned marinated chicken, topped with ranch dressing, roma tomatoes, lettuce and pepperjack cheese on a grilled whole wheat bun
$9.50

The White HenSeasons signature homemade chicken salad on a your choice of bread
$9.50
………………………………..
Ham
………………………………..

The Classic BLT
Three layers of apple smoked bacon, lettuce and tomatoes, all the usual stuff with a special Seasons Deli twist
$8.50

………………………………..
Vegetarian
………………………………..

Market BasketSwiss cheese, sprouts, avocado, tomato and lettuce, with dijonaise on wheat bread
$8.25

Petey’s SpecialFresh water mozzarella, sliced roma tomato, fresh pesto on a grilled ciabatta roll
$8.25

………………………………..
Combo’s
………………………………..

Seasons Club-triple deckerHoney ham, bacon, oven roasted turkey, lettuce, tomato, your choice of two cheeses and mayonnaise on an toasted wheat bread – bring your appetite!
$9.50

ReubenLayers of corned beef, pastrami or turkey topped with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and our secret Russian dressing on rye bread, one of our most popular!
$9.99
………………………………..

This is not the complete sandwich menu, but a start. It just looks interesting to me, especially after having the Corn Dip and some sandwich samples at the Idaho Wine Merchant open house this past summer. Just some thoughts and a place to explore. Cheers!

Le Beaujolais Nouveau 2009

20 Friday Nov 2009

Posted by in Celebrations, Classic Sauces, Food, Photos By: Bob Young, Restaurants, Wine and Food

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(Left-Click on any of the single graphics to see full screen. Be sure to go full screen on the slide show) There comes a time in every year that is so very important to the worldwide wine industry. In the US, that is usually the Thursday before Thanksgiving. The arrival of the Beaujolais Nouveau – the arrival of the wine from Beaujolais and is supposed to reflect what the wines of France will be like in the release year. This year we were lucky enough to reserve a seating at the Le Cafe de Paris. What an awesome release party this was. The wines were a Georges Debouet Beaujolais Nouveau ’09. Young, fruity, flirty, dry, no wood and fun. The other was a 2009 Pierre Ferraud Beaujolais Villages. Light, fruit forward with strawberry and raspberry on the palate. Easy to drink. Good personality and character. A touch of oak. (Our favorite). We bought a bottle of the 2007 Pierre Ferraud Cote-de-Brouilly that went extremely well with the main course of the evening, a Beef Bourguignon with Chantrelle Mushrooms and Cippolini Onions.

All in all, this was a fantastic evening! I will have to upgrade the Cafe de Paris rating. I had Andrae’s rated at a 5-Star, but they moved to Walla Walla, WA. So far, until tonight, I have not found a replacement at that level of quality. Now I have!!! This was a superb meal – delicate, tasteful, delicious.

The Fois Gras Torchon with Warm Gingerbread and Port Poached Pears was superb – rich, creamy and delicious! Even the Escargot with Parsnip Puree, Puff Pastry and Beurre Rouge were not overly garliced nor “rubbery”. The Truffled White Bean Soup was creamy and smooth, not whole beans. Little trails of truffle oil and shaved white truffles on the top. The Beef Bourguignon was superb. And the Apricot Glazed Baba with Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream and White Chocolate Sauce was unforgetable! (All of these dishes are in the slide show) Definitely a 5-Star rating – they earned it! Chef/Owner Mathieu Choux is to be commended along with his staff! Congratulations!

36th Street Bistro (Boise)

18 Wednesday Nov 2009

Posted by in Food, Interesting Information, Main Dish, Restaurants, Things To Do, Wine and Food

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The last time Robin and I were here, it was a pretty good meal. We really need to go back. But if you are interested, Left-Click the coupons below and print them out. Take them with you and use them for coffee and/or a bottle of their house wine or a dessert for two! Can’t beat that!

Left-Click any of these graphics and print them out. Cheers and have a good meal! See their web site at 36th Street Garden Center and Bistro and check out their Fall Menu (PDF format).