Anniversary Dinner

Last night Bruce and I went out for our anniversary dinner and had a delicious 4 course wine-pairing dinner at a lovely spot at the 36th Street Bistro in Boise.

I often go shopping here because they have a great gift shop, garden center, espresso bar and a delicious cafe where I've been for lunch.

The grounds are lovely and the whole atmosphere is light and airy and just delightful.

We started our dinner with a 1st course of seared halloumi cheese with pineapple salsa, balsamic reduction and cilantro.

The wine pairing was Domaine LaFage Cote, 2010

We had a very knowledgable wine steward from France (Tuscany region) who came around for each course to pour our wine and describe each wine to us.

It was great fun.

Our second course was chilled nectarine soup with creme friache and chives.

The wine was cotes du Provence Rose, 2011

This was almost a dessert it was so delicious. Chilled fruit soup is always different but I don't think I've ever had one I didn't like.

My entree, 3rd course, was braised lamb shank with cabernet reduction, compote of creamed leeks and carrot-parmesan orzo paired with Chateau L'Hositalet Rouge La Clape, 2007.

This dish is not that attractive, a big glob of mush but it was delicious! The creamed leeks were very different but tasty! Everything was so flavorful.

Bruce's entree was little more impressive-looking, Hagerman trout ( a true Idaho dish) with cherry glaze, spicy-shrimp polenta cakes and shaved radishes.

I thought the radishes on top were so cute.

This dish was paired with Plume Bleue, 2009

Why is dessert always the best? But again…dessert - Superub! For example, lemon zest tartlets with raspberry-blackberry coulis and vanilla sweet cream pair with Chateau de Penna.

Wow! As with so many lemon desserts, this went down real easy. The next bite couldn't come fast enough.

And the second choice - pound cake with warm candied pear sauce and cinnamon-honey icing

I choose this dessert, must have cake on an anniversary and I loved the candied pear sauce! Yummy. But this dessert was so sweet and rich! I had to give most of it Bruce and I finished off the lemon tart! This dessert was paired with Chateau de Penna, a very tantalizing sparkling wine.

Happy Anniversary!

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