Chris’ Birthday

19 Sunday Sep 2010

Posted by Bob and Robin in Birthdays, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Things To Do, What's For Dinner?

This has been a Party Week! Tuesday – the Buzz Tasting; Wednesday – Boise City Club Luncheon; Friday – Robin’s Birthday Dinner and today Chris’ Birthday Brunch. It’s time to diet!! Better yet, let’s get back on the bike and ride, ride, ride! Here are some photos from Chris’ Day at Berryhill and Co. A great meal! Great and beautiful people. Enjoy these photos. (Left-Click to enlarge)

The Brunch Plate

Bronco Cocktail
Orange Juice Floated on Hypnotic or Blue Curacao
Robin came up with this. Not bad!

Robin, Marnie, Mac, Madison and Chris

Marnie, Mac, Madison and Chris

Tessa – Left (Madison’s sister) and Deana – Right (Madison’s Mother)

Madison and Chris

Sophia

Madison, Chris and Tessa

It’s All In The Eyes #1

It’s All In The Eyes #2

I know one thing …. We have some beautiful people in our circle and sitting at our tables. Hugs to you all! Shane, Madison’s brother, did not want his photo taken.

Robin’s Birthday Dinner

18 Saturday Sep 2010

Posted by Bob and Robin in Birthdays, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Things To Do, Thought For The Day

≈ Leave a comment

As I explained to Madison, the rules of birthdays here in Boise are:

1. You can choose where ever you want to go to dinner
2. You can get anything on the menu
3. You can invite whomever you wish
4. You must have a good time

So, on 17 September, it was Robin’s turn to pick dinner. She chose the Cottonwood Grille. Good choice!

Here is The Group! Me, Robin, Sophie and Madison standing in back, Marnie and Mac. Oh no! There’s someone missing. Christopher!! He had to work. (I remember those days.) Maybe we will make it up to him on Sunday. Sunday? 19 September? That’s his Birthday! Looks like it will be Berryhill and Co. for brunch. Another great choice. But for now, here is what we had for dinner at the Cottonwood Grille. Enjoy!

From our cellar:
Left – 1992 Ridge Vineyard Zinfandel/Carignon
and
Right – 1993 Rose Creek Riesling

1993 Rose Creek Riesling (Idaho)

1992 Ridge Vineyard Zinfandel/Carignon (California)

Crab and Salmon Cakes

Caesar Salad

Famous Tomahawk Chop
Bone-In Double R Ranch Rib Eye
Cabernet Sauce and Sauteed Mushrooms

Roasted Elk Chop
Local Black Canyon Ranch raised elk
Green Peppercorn Sauce

Robin enjoys the elk!

Lemon Crusted Chicken
Garlic Potatoes and Minnesota Rice Pilaf

Chicken Gorganzola

Grilled Rack of Lamb Chops

Pork Chop
Fresh Peas and Red Potatoes

Berry Cobler
Raspberries, Blueberries, Strawberries and Vanilla Ice Cream
This was Robin’s Birthday Treat from the Cottonwood Grille

Chocolate Cup
White Chocolate Cup Filled with more Chocolate

Food and Wine. What a Delightful Way To Spend an Evening!

15 Wednesday Sep 2010

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

≈ 1 Comment

Another great night at the Buzz in Boise. 14 September 2010 was Wine Club Night where we had an awesome dinner to accompany a great selection of Chenin Blanc and Shiraz/Syrah. Chenin Blanc is a white wine that is very versatile and can be aged for decades. Other names for Chenin Blanc are Steen – South Africa, Vouvray – France, Pineau de la Loire – France and Cremant de Loire among others. Syrah/Shiraz, both the very same grape is a deep, rich red wine. Historically, Shiraz is so called south of the equator and Syrah north of the equator. The Shiraz grape was once thought to originate in Persia, but through recent, 1999, DNA studies, it actually originated in France from two obscure grapes Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche. Syrah/Shiraz is not the same as Petite Sirah and should not be confused with it. Usually the flavors and aroma include blackberry, plums and pepper but can vary greatly from region to region. It is heavily affected by climate: Warmer climates more plums and chocolate. Cooler climates more pepper. (From the Buzz tasting notes) So here is what we had for dinner and the wines that accompanied each course. My point scores are in [20], 20 points being the highest. And all this for $15.00 per person. You can’t beat it! Check with the Buzz for the date and time of the next tasting dinner. Cheers!

Tea Smoked Chicken
2006 Remy Pannier Vouvray
[11.0% alcohol; $18; [13] I didn’t get a whole lot out of this wine.)

Star Puffs
2008 Dry Creek Chenin Blanc
[12.5% alcohol; $12; [18] Full of pears and vanilla.]

Cornmeal Bilini Bites
2009 Simonsig Chenin Blanc (South Africa)
[11% alcohol; $14; [18]; Minerally taste. Went very well with the Bilini]

Gina’s Fiesta Salad
2007 Renwood Syrah
[13.5% alcohol; $11; [19]; Hints of cinnamon and wood.]

Roasted Spicy Mayonnaise Chicken
Herbed Quinoa
Grilled Eggplant and Pepper Salad
Herbed Creamed Bisquits
2008 Morse Code Shiraz
[14% alcohol; $11; [19]; Tar, cloves, spice, pepper. Great selection with the entree!]

Cousin Jonnies Red Velvet Whoopie Pie
2007 Red Syrah/Shiraz Blend (Australia)
[14.5% alcohol; $14; [20]; Chocolate, spicy, pepper. Smooth. A real treat of a blended Syrah with Shiraz. This wine went great with the Whoopie Pie]
The plates are empty. Our stomachs are full. Our thirst for good wine is achieved. So until next time …. Cheers!

Brunch At Bella Aquila In Eagle, ID

12 Sunday Sep 2010

Posted by Bob and Robin in Party Time, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Restaurant Reviews, Restaurants, Things To Do

≈ Leave a comment

On 12 September, a beautiful fallish day here in Boise, Marnie, Mac, Chris, Robin, Carmel Crock and I all went to Bella Aquila in Eagle for brunch. Ken Harris was there playing piano. Marnie is looking for someone to play and sing at her wedding reception on September 10, 2011 – that’s 09/10/11! The waterfall to the left is one of two that are on the patio. Enjoy the view of the Boise River, the sound of the waterfalls and good company and good music.
We had a wonderful brunch and I would recommend it if you are in the area and want a good brunch. The Bella Aquila is definitely a 4-Star restaurant. Prices range from $11.00 to $15.00. You can eat inside or, as we did on this beautiful day, eat on the patio. Below are the entrees we had. All of them very good.

Ken Harris on Piano

I had Alaskan Eggs. Scrambled Eggs with Salmon, Homefries and Apple Chicken Sausage

Chris had Eggs Benedict with Crab and Fresh Fruit.

Robin had Eggs Bellisima with Garlic Cream Sauce

Mac had Stuffed Shells with Crab and Fresh Salad.

Marnie had Stuffed French Toast.

Carmel had Eggs with Sweet Potatoes.

And of course, we all shared our dishes. It was great. Cheers!

Seafood Almondine

12 Sunday Sep 2010

Posted by Bob and Robin in Beans, Cod, Party Time, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Seafood, What's For Dinner?

≈ Leave a comment

This Seafood Almondine actually was quite good. And besides, my Doctor would be pleased that I am eating so well – I did loose 21 pounds since my last appointment with him this past Spring – while he is eating his Rib-Eye and French Fries. It’s not that we eat less – we eat smarter! Heres what we had.

Le Menu

Seafood Almondine
Cod and Shrimp

Spicy African Beans in Onion, Tomato and Pomegranate Molasses

2009 Horton Vineyards (VA) The Tower Series, Viognier

The wine was really extremely good with this dinner. Almost as good as an Estencia Pinot Grigio. It went quite well with the spiciness of the beans but did not cover the light cod and almonds. I would have this again. Except this time, I would remove the bean from the pods, although the pods were good. Full of fiber. Cheers and Goot Essen!

Exciting Events at "The Buzz"

11 Saturday Sep 2010

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

≈ Leave a comment

You say you need a night out? You say you want a different wine dinner experience? I say, check out these events at The Buzz this month! Good food! Good wine! Good company! Great price! I don’t know where in Boise you can beat this night out. See you there! Look for their logo in the sidbar and a hot link. You must be 21 to attend these functions!

September Wine Club

It may seem a little late this month due to the first being a Wednesday, but we are all ready for our feature wines this month of Chenin Blanc and Shiraz (Syrah). So join us on September 14th or 15th at 6:30 for our Wine Club Dinner. Reservations required. The cost is $15.00 per person with 10% off all featured wines after the dinner.

Quarterly Dinner

Our next Quarterly Dinner is September 26th at either 5 or 7:30. If you have not had the opportunity to join us for this event, please try to attend. This is a fun filled evening, you will be served a five course dinner (this quarter’s theme is Classics with a Twist), with each course you will be served two different wines. After each course we vote on which wine was paired better with the food. The cost for the dinner and wine tasting is $30 per person with featured wines being 10% off after dinner. This is a fun event to bring a group to and discuss wine. Reservations are required and seating is limited.

Reservations for any of our events may be made online at Buzz Wine or at (208) 344-4321. Also follow us on Facebook and watch for information on Twittertasting…coming soon.

Cristy and Tom

Buzz Coffee and Wine
2999 N Lakeharbor Lane
Boise ID 83703

Baked Cod with Squash Tapenade

09 Thursday Sep 2010

Posted by Bob and Robin in Cod, Main Dish, Photos By: Bob Young, Seafood, Tapenade, What's For Dinner?

≈ Leave a comment

Just another good dinner. We’ve got all these tomatoes and squash to use. The Elbow Noodles with Browned Butter, are just that. Easy to do. The Baked Cod is rubbed in olive oil and seas salt then baked at 350 degrees F. Again, easy to do and pretty straight forward. The Squash Tapenade is a little more complicated, bu not much. Caramelized Onion, diced Summer Squash, chopped Fresh Roma Tomato, Capers and Dry Roasted Pine Nuts.
Here’s what to do. Dry roast the pine nuts and set aside. Caramelize the onion slowly over medium heat. Add the squash and cook over medium heat. Add the tomatoes and cook until broken down to a heavy sauce.
While the tomatoes are cooking, bake the cod at 350 degrees F until slightly flaky.
Back to the tomatoes. Add the capers and pine nuts. Stir to mix and serve as pictured above. Enjoy!

Alley Tomatoes

08 Wednesday Sep 2010

Posted by Bob and Robin in Alley Gardens, Party Time, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Thought For The Day, Tomatoes

≈ 4 Comments

There is an old song called Home Grown Tomatoes by Guy Clark. These tomatoes are some of our Alley Tomatoes and they are soooo good! But even more than that, there is a line – the chorus – in the song that says,

“Home grown tomatoes, home grown tomatoes,
What’d life be without home grown Tomatoes,
There’s only two things that money can’t buy:
True love and home grown tomatoes.”

And just for kicks, here are the rest of the lyrics.

“1. There’s nothin’ in the world that I like better than
Bacon, lettuce and home grown tomatoes
Up in the morning and out in the garden
Pick you a ripe one, don’t get a hard ‘un.
Plant ’em in the springtime eat ’em in the summer,
All winter without ’em’s a culinary bummer.
I forget all about the sweatin and the diggin
Every time I go out and pick me a big’un.

CHORUS

2.
You can go out and eat’em that’s for sure,
But there’s nothin a home grown tomato won’t cure
You can put em in a salad, put em in a stew
You can make your own, your very own tomato juice
You can eat em with eggs, you can eat em with gravy
You can eat em with beans, pinto or navy
Put em on the side, put em on the middle
Home grown tomatoes on a hot cake griddle

CHORUS

3.
If I could change this life I lead,
You could call me Johnny Tomato Seed
I know what this country needs,
It’s home grown tomatoes in every yard you see
When I die don’t bury me
In a box in a cold dark cemetery
Out in the garden would be much better
Where I could be pushin up those home grown tomatoes.

CHORUS
Home grown tomatoes, home grown tomatoes,
What’d life be without home grown Tomatoes,
There’s only two things that money can’t buy:
True love and home grown tomatoes.“

And I feel so very lucky! I’ve got both!!! And if you look hard, you can probably find a copy of the song. Neat song and so appropriate! Cheers.

BSU vs VT Dinner

06 Monday Sep 2010

Posted by Bob and Robin in BSU, Celebrations, Party Time, Photo By: MJ Shaner, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Things To Do, Thought For The Day, What's For Dinner?

≈ 2 Comments

OK. So here is the BSU Game Dinner. Go Broncos!

Bob and Robin

Robin and Margaret

Marnie and Mac

Virginia Wine on the left and Idaho Wine on the right

Margaret’s BSU Potato Salad

BSU Mesquite Smoked Corn

The Dinner plated.

Pulled Pork

BSU Corn

BSU Potato Salad

Baked Beans

BSU MJ’s Cake

It was a great dinner. We are still watching the Pre-Game hype! Cheers and Good Luck!

Labor Day Festivities #1

06 Monday Sep 2010

Posted by Bob and Robin in Celebrations, MJ's Cakes, Party Time, Photo By: MJ Shaner

≈ Leave a comment

I guess a picture is worth a 1000 words. MJ’s contribution to the big party this afternoon – BSU Victory Cake! Thanks MJ … I know it will be good! 3:00pm Dinner is Served!