TOQUE January 2018

By Carol & Joe Davis
Dining Detectives

Viva Iron Chef Morimoto Las Vegas

	Got Sushi

We certainly love dining in Las Vegas and find it exciting when Celebrity Chefs open signature restaurants. It feels like every great Chef just has to be in Vegas! We were pleased to see that Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, who we had met a few years earlier at the Flavor Napa Valley tasting event at the C.I.A, had just opened his newest restaurant in the MGM Grand. On this evening when we arrived we chatted with our waiter, ordered Sapporo Beer and Saki and asked for recommendations. It is always a fun option to dine at the Sushi Bar in a Japanese restaurant, as we love the show that the Sushi Chefs provide as they prepare their delicacies. We were told that whenever Chef Morimoto ventures to other Japanese restaurants, he always tries their Saba Mackerel as a “test” to see if it is worth dining there. We took note and did the same and found it to be amazing! We also had the Uni Sea Urchin and Maguro Tuna and found both to be truly superior in taste and freshness.

	Chef Masaharu Morimoto	Morimoto Sushi

The Grand Opening Party a few nights later was quite an affair, including a nattily dressed MGM Lion and Dragon Dancers in the lobby of the MGM Grand. Celebrities and Press happily dined on Morimoto’s cuisine following the Opening ceremonies. All were there to bring luck and best wishes to the Iron Chef! We must return soon to try his signature dish…The Angry Chicken.

 

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Riverside Grill and The Sapphire Room

 

Vegas Strip Kings Band	Idaho Trout	Desserts

Delicious Dinner and Fun Music Venue at the Riverside Hotel

Boise has a wide variety of restaurants and bars and we are always looking for something new that we haven’t tried yet. We have enjoyed lunch several times outdoors at the Sandbar Patio Bar & Grill at The Riverside Hotel and have also attended events where the food was very good. We knew about their restaurant the Riverside Grill but had not tried it and when we saw online that The Vegas Strip Kings were playing at the Sapphire Room, this was the perfect opportunity to dine and listen to music!

We started out by ordering Signature Cocktails.  Bartender Pat Carden, who we have known for many years, makes a fabulous award winning 10 Minute Martini. The story on this Martini goes back 25 years. Driving home from work customers would call the bar and tell Pat to put one on ice thus changing the molecules and creating the smoothest Martini you will ever have. This Vesper Re-Imagined ( James Bond’s favorite Martini) made with Hendricks Gin, Blue Ice Potato Vodka, Lillet Blonde, Sparkling Wine and a twist of lemon and a classic Cosmopolitan (Just like the one’s the Sex in The City girls loved) put us in a great mood.

Cocktails-10 minutes Martini and Cosmo

The dining room was quite busy, as there were many people like us dining before the show. The atmosphere was very inviting with a semi exhibition kitchen, lovely comfortable booths or table seating and a fabulous midnight blue ceiling that was quite stunning. We appreciated the dark blue table cloths that also added to the décor.

We ordered their small seasonal plate as an appetizer. The Fingerling potatoes topped with bacon and crème fraiche was a perfect starter. We then enjoyed very reasonably priced and right sized Entrees made with fresh, local and seasonal ingredients. Both the Idaho Trout with brown butter, lemon zest, capers, vegetable and rice pilaf and the Smoked Pork Chop which was wood smoked and grilled accompanied by apple chutney, apple crisp and garlic mashed potatoes were so tasty… that we actually finished them! We liked that the pork was sliced and that all of our food arrived piping hot. We appreciated that they served local beer and wine and one of our favorites, Coiled Dry Riesling, which was dry and lively paired perfectly with our entrees.

As the show was about to start, we headed next door to our reserved table at The Sapphire Room where there is entertainment on weekends and some week nights as well. We were excited to see The Vegas Strip Kings who play honky tonk rock ‘n roll, blue grass, Zydeco and Americana music. We really enjoyed their energy and renditions of classics like The Weight (Take a Load off Fanny), Louie Louie and Sloop John B. The Sapphire Room is considered to be Boise’s Premier Listening Room as it seats only 170 at tables which all face the stage, has bar seating and state of the art sound and lighting. The full table service for cocktails and small plates made this nightclub very civilized. Musicians Billy Truitt, Rob Edwards, Al Elk, Daylon Wear, Justin Truitt and Steve Eaton played for two hours and made us smile as we enjoyed cocktails and dessert. There are also two sunken dance floors on each side of the stage so no need to be shy…just get up and dance!

We had a fabulous dinner at The Riverside Grill and a great time listening to the Vegas Strip Kings and dancing in the Sapphire Room. You also have options, if we had we not dined at the Riverside Grill we could have enjoyed small plates in the Sapphire Room with choices like Blackened Salmon Street Tacos, Hot Wings, Zucchini Fries, Shrimp Po’boy Sliders, Salads, and Desserts. We look forward to returning soon to The Riverside and even spend the night. We had friends who stayed at the hotel for a “Date Night” who told us that they were able to enjoy dinner, a show, the overnight stay and the Signature Weekend Brunch Buffet which includes Bottomless Mimosas and live music for a very reasonable price. Whether you are visiting from out of town or are local you will find The Riverside has a lot to offer! We’ll be back.

Riverside Grill and The Sapphire Room
Riverside Hotel
2900 Chinden Blvd
Boise, ID 83714
208-343-1871
www.RiverSideBoise.com
www.SapphireBoise.com

 

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Savor Idaho 2017
Idaho’s Premier Wine Event

	Kanak Attack Korean Beef Tacos	Playhouse Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre

We were happy to attend the Ninth Annual Savor Idaho which was once again Sold Out at the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise. It was a cloudy and cool June day which made it perfect for this outdoor tasting event. There was some tasty local cuisine, select Idaho Wines as well as coffee, ciders and Craft Beer.

We made the rounds and did taste and enjoy a variety of Idaho Wines. Our favorite this year was the Snake River Wines 2014 Arena Valley Orange Muscat which was a perfect afternoon wine. A close second was the refreshing Scoria Snake River Valley Chardonnay followed by the Syringa 2016 Albarino We also enjoyed the Fujishin Family Cellars 2016 Viognier and the 3 Horse Ranch 2016 Pinot Gris. There were alternative beverages as well including Grand Teton Brewery IPA Beer for those who wanted something other than wine.

Syringa 2016 Albarino	Farr's Famous Wild Huckleberry Ice Cream	Botanical Garden

 

The cuisine was very tasty this year. Our favorite was the Kanak Attack Korean Beef Tacos.  Desserts were fabulous as Farr’s Famous Wild Huckleberry Ice Cream, Chocolate Bacon Potato Chips and Amaru Confections Bite sized and gluten free desserts were plentiful.

Savor Idaho continues to evolve and get better! Paint n Sip was again a welcome addition which gave attendees a creative outlet while they were at this event. We chatted with the folks from the Playhouse Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre www.PlayhouseBoise.com and look forward to attending soon. We appreciated that the Boise Co-op was there so you could buy and take home the wines that you tasted and enjoyed. We had a terrific time with our friends and other wine lovers and look forward to tasting new vintages of Idaho Wines next year! Also remember to enjoy wine tasting and events which are close by along the Sunnyslope Wine Trail, as well as other tasting rooms around Idaho. Also check out Savor Idaho North on August 10, 2017 in Coeur D’Alene http://savoridaho.org/savor-idaho-north/

www.Idahowines.org
www.SavorIdaho.org

 

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Las Vegas Tequila Patrol visits Hecho En Vegas

Hecho En Vegas	Las Vegas Tequile Patrol & Friends	Bartender Cesar Ramirez	Siete Leguas Tequila

The Las Vegas Tequila Patrol is on a never ending quest to find the best Bars and Restaurants in Las Vegas to learn about and of course drink Tequila. We recently joined a trek to Hecho EnVegas where we found over 100 Tequilas available including 7 Siete Leguas, Don Julio, Jimador, Partida, Patron, Casa Noble, Ocho, Calle 23, Herradura and Jose Cuervo.

We met Las Vegas friends Senor Rick and Senorita Candy and sat at the bar to learn more about Tequila while we dined. True Tequila aficionados prefer to taste Tequila straight up in Sampler Flights to enjoy the nuances of 100% Blue Agave, Mixto , Anejo and Reposado but there is nothing wrong with experiencing Margaritas as well. Here they were made by talented Bar Manager Cesar Ramirez.

Guacamole	Carne Asada Burrito	Day of the Dead Mexican Art

While chatting about Tequila we enjoyed their classic Cantina Style Mexican Cuisine. We loved our Guacamole which was made tableside (actually bar side). We always enjoy the “show” and attention to detail. When we are asked how spicy we like it we always say Hot! The Fish tacos served with Salsa Verde and tropical fruit Pico Salsa paired perfectly with our Margaritas. We added hot sauce but not enough to mask the savory fish. Another great choice is the Carne Asada Burrito Bandera Style served with rice, beans, Pico de Gallo and crema. This was quite a hearty and tasty entrée. If you are still hungry or just want to linger longer try their Made in Vegas Waffle Tacos for dessert.

We definitely can highly recommend Hecho En Vegas’s authentic Mexican Cuisine and our tasty thirst quenching Scratch Margaritas made with 7 Siete Leguas Tequila. We look forward to our next trip to Las Vegas and another outing with The Las Vegas Tequila Patrol.

Hecho En Vegas Mexican Grill & Cantina in the MGM Grand Hotel:
https://www.mgmgrand.com/en/restaurants/hecho-en-vegas.html

Follow the Las Vegas Tequila Patrol’s Webinars on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1711083452488884/

Learn more about Tequila:
http://www.tequila.net/faqs/tequila/types-of-tequila-classifications.html
Until we eat & drink Tequila again…..

 

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Carnegie Deli

Alive and Well in Las Vegas

	Pastrami & Corned Beef Sandwich	Cherry Cheese Cake

It was a sad day when the Carnegie Deli closed in Manhattan but we are pleased to report it is alive and well in Las Vegas at The Mirage Hotel. We had dined at the venerable New York Jewish Deli many times and on every occasion had too much LOVE… Food that is! Who could resist the Matzo Ball Soup, Corned Beef, Pastrami, Latkes, Blintzes, Kasha Knishes, Potato Knishes, Sour Pickles and of course hungry or not the New York Cheesecake.

The waiters always had a way of making your New York experience so authentic. In fact on one occasion, as we were struggling to eat so much, the waiter proceeded to ask us “Is Anything Alright”? Pretty funny! Also many people who love Deli think that the classic movie line from When Harry Met Sally “I’ll have what she’s having” was filmed at the Carnegie Deli but that is not the case. It was actually Katz’s Delicatessen in New York.

Matzo Ball Soup & Half Sandwich	Celebrity Photos

The Las Vegas Carnegie Deli location is much smaller yet still exudes the feeling of New York including the classic food décor hanging Salamis. There are pictures of celebrities at the entrance, fantastic Deli in full view as you order and both comfortable retro booths and simple tables and chairs. It’s great to experience the look on the faces of unknowing tourists as their “Mile High” Sandwiches arrived. We actually didn’t order or eat too much and can report that the Matzo Ball Soup was tasty as ever with perfect fluffy matzo balls. Sour Pickles were crunchy and the Corned Beef and Pastrami were not too lean which is really the only way to enjoy it. We look forward to tasting the delicious food at the Carnegie Deli again on our next trip to Las Vegas but for those who need Deli Now…. the Carnegie Deli now ships nationwide! Whoopee!

https://www.mirage.com/en/restaurants/carnegie-delicatessen.html?icid=GMB_Restaurants_CarnegieDeli
@DiningDetective

 

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Sippin’ In The City 2017

Sippin in the City	Wine Art	Parma Ridge Winemaker

Sippin’ In The Cityonce again was a pleasant focused Wine and Food Event. It is the type of event that we really like as you can mingle with just the right amount of like-minded wine appreciating people while tasting a limited number of wines. This year it was held on the 17th Floor of The Zion Bank Building where the nighttime views were terrific. The event was more interesting and intimate as the majority of the people pouring wine were the winery owners and winemakers. You could easily tell that they were quite proud of the wines they had created.

Some of the wines that we particularly enjoyed were Feathered Wind’s Wines 2015 Syrah poured by Bernard and Marguerite Janes, Coiled Wines 2016 Rizza Sparkling Riesling, Parma Ridge’s 2016 Syrah which was fruit forward, Cinder Wines 2015 Tempranillo and Williamson Orchard & Vineyards 2013 Harvest Moon Red.

Cupcakes	Zeppole Baking	Williamson Wine Markers

While chatting with the Winemakers we learned that the Williamson Family were Homesteaders who came from Virginia’s Tobacco country to the Sunny Slope over 100 years ago. We were reminded that Coiled recently opened a Wine Bar on W. Bannock in downtown Boise, learned that Parma Ridge is expanding their dining into their Barrel Room and that Snake River Winery is about ready to move into their new location. Another interesting fact is that Tempranillo grows well in Idaho because the volcanic soil and moderate four season climate are similar to the Basque region of Spain.

There were bites to go along with the wines. We really enjoyed Zeppole Baking Company’s freshly baked Artisan Breads, Idaho Beef Council’s tasty Skirt Steak Satay on skewers, Artichoke and Feta Parmesan Dip with crisp crostini, Fruit, Cheese and tasty Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Glaze and olive oil. The prettiest hit overall were the stunning Cupcakes provided by local catering company Leslie Charles Events.

Sippin’ In The City 2017 was a truly fun time!  We tasted some new wines and were even able to purchase them on site as well. Idaho Wines just keep getting better and better!

@DiningDetective

Until we eat again…..

 

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