I have finally found a place in Idaho that serves my favorite southern sandwich, the Muffeletta. Seasons Wine Bar and Deli is located in the newly constructed area of Eagle on the north side of Old State Street. If you haven’t been there yet I would classify it as a must visit type of place. Nice selection of wines, beer and gourmet* dips, dressings and goodies all for individual sale as well as a sit down restaurant. Good size section of out door seating as well.
There menu is just large enough to provide the options needed for a nice lunch or dinner. Mostly made up of salads and sandwiches, they also have a couple of deserts and display case of Moonstruck chocolates to choose from.
On this day I am meeting a good friend of mine for lunch and neither of us is disappointed with our choice. He has the club that is packed with meat and served on what appears to be a homemade wheat bread. I of course get the Muffeletta, actually half of a Ham Muffeletta. Although this is not the traditional New Orleans fare it’s close enough to give that authentic taste of the south. Seasons serves two versions, ham and turkey, leaving out the fatty Italian meats of the original jazz city delight. A full sandwich is $18 and large enough for 4 people to eat along with a side dish a piece. The half of sandwich costs $9.50 and was large enough to eat for lunch for two days. I could be giving this place to much credit but when your buddy buys you lunch it might all just look and tastes better. Thanks for lunch Harold!!!!
* Gourmet – I hate to use this word. I think it’s over used in today’s society but struggle to find another word to describe the syrups, dressings, dips and marinades on the shelves in there homemade jars and bottles. Check them out for yourselves. http://seasonsdelicatering.com/
Friday, June 27, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
Alaska Trip
I have been trying to write for a couple of weeks and just haven’t found the time until now. As of late I have been to Idaho Falls, Montrose CO and just got back yesterday from Alaska. So let’s star there since it’s still fresh in my mind.
Fairbanks, AK
This is one confusing place. Look at all of the simple things you do in a normal day and over complicate them by 50%. This is life in Fairbanks. Nothing comes easy and what you do get is “EXPENSIVE”. Actually, now that I think about it, it’s just like most every part of California I’ve been to.
Big Al’s Pizza is a good place for pizza in Fairbanks. The Big Al’s special is a loaded combo that was actually very good. I was a little confused that the bar was separate from the rest but yet still attached and…………….well, like I said, confusing. Great choice of local beer though. We had the Pick Axe Porter from Silver Gulch Brewing in Fairbanks. Not near as heavy as a regular porter and very refreshing when served icy cold.
Pikes Peak is one of the most famous places in Fairbanks. Ask anyone in town were to get a great meal and you will most likely be directed here. I would like to sample everything on the menu. From fish to crab to steak to burgers this place has it all and it all looks and smells great. Not overly impressed with the selections of beer but found an Alaskan Oatmeal Stout that surprisingly paired nicely with the grilled halibut. They also have a full bar that includes a nice selection of whiskey and scotch.
Anchorage, AK
I had a very short trip to Anchorage this time around but found myself at the usual hang out. The Peanut Farm has been a happening local establishment for many years. By Alaska standards they have a huge beer selection and the menu is comparable to every large sports bar you’ve ever been to. Nothing on the menu really jumps out as being the best in its class but if you find yourself here, try the Halibut fingers on the appetizer menu. You wont’ be disappointed and still have room for beer. Also, the location is great if you’re in Alaska to fish with your buddies and want to experience the world renowned “Great Alaska Bush Co.” It’s within staggering distance but make sure to catch a cab back to the hotel and keep one hand on your wallet.
If your looking for a nice place to eat and unwind after your fishing trip (or the Bush Co.), make sure to visit Sullivan’s Steakhouse in downtown Anchorage. Expensive but worth every penny. Great wine list and nice selection of cigars to boot.
Fairbanks, AK
This is one confusing place. Look at all of the simple things you do in a normal day and over complicate them by 50%. This is life in Fairbanks. Nothing comes easy and what you do get is “EXPENSIVE”. Actually, now that I think about it, it’s just like most every part of California I’ve been to.
Big Al’s Pizza is a good place for pizza in Fairbanks. The Big Al’s special is a loaded combo that was actually very good. I was a little confused that the bar was separate from the rest but yet still attached and…………….well, like I said, confusing. Great choice of local beer though. We had the Pick Axe Porter from Silver Gulch Brewing in Fairbanks. Not near as heavy as a regular porter and very refreshing when served icy cold.
Pikes Peak is one of the most famous places in Fairbanks. Ask anyone in town were to get a great meal and you will most likely be directed here. I would like to sample everything on the menu. From fish to crab to steak to burgers this place has it all and it all looks and smells great. Not overly impressed with the selections of beer but found an Alaskan Oatmeal Stout that surprisingly paired nicely with the grilled halibut. They also have a full bar that includes a nice selection of whiskey and scotch.
Anchorage, AK
I had a very short trip to Anchorage this time around but found myself at the usual hang out. The Peanut Farm has been a happening local establishment for many years. By Alaska standards they have a huge beer selection and the menu is comparable to every large sports bar you’ve ever been to. Nothing on the menu really jumps out as being the best in its class but if you find yourself here, try the Halibut fingers on the appetizer menu. You wont’ be disappointed and still have room for beer. Also, the location is great if you’re in Alaska to fish with your buddies and want to experience the world renowned “Great Alaska Bush Co.” It’s within staggering distance but make sure to catch a cab back to the hotel and keep one hand on your wallet.
If your looking for a nice place to eat and unwind after your fishing trip (or the Bush Co.), make sure to visit Sullivan’s Steakhouse in downtown Anchorage. Expensive but worth every penny. Great wine list and nice selection of cigars to boot.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Flatbread Community Oven
Flatbread is located in the Bown Crossing community and a little out of the way if you’re not already on the East side of Boise. With gas prices the way they are I wouldn’t recommend that you should spend the extra $$$ or fuel to get there. The one thing this place does have the not many do is the nod from the Verace Pizza Napoletana Americas (VPN). What does this mean? I’m not a 100% sure but I do know you can taste the freshness of the food when you dine.(check out the web sites). I have eaten at another certified establishment in Vegas and was equally impressed with the fresh taste. The pizza sauce in particular.
On this day the company I’m with (my lovely wife and two beautiful daughters) means more than the food itself but it also gives me the opportunity to try multiple things in one visit.
Flatbread has a nice array of items on the menu from Pizza to Salad to Pasta, etc. We tried a bunch of them but all in all I thought it was a little over priced for a lunch. Most items will run around $9. I was impressed with the lunch option that allows you to mix two of most anything (half size) on the menu for $8.50. You have to stay away from anything but water to drink to keep it under $10 but they do give you more than a portion size of each item. I was also impressed that the kids menu includes the option for them to assemble their own pizza prior to cooking. This was a nice touch scoring high marks with the little ones.
My wife had the lasagna that was good…just…..kind of……, lacking flavor. Again, the sauce has a great fresh flavor but I would add more fresh herbs, cheeses and some spice to the sausage. My lunch was also good (sauce less pizza and Italian salad) but would order differently if dinning here again.
Now…..for the highlight of the afternoon…(drum roll)…………..the pepperoni that my wife and I picked from the pizza of the defenseless children. You can tell from the miss shaped pieces this is cut from a log of gastronomical delight. Extremely full of flavor but not to spicy and not to fatty. When cooked on the pizza it crisps and curls toward the sky at the edges secreting its delightful oils through out the rest of the pie. Obviously this is the type of thing that warms my heart. No, not the depriving my children of their meal. I now know that I need to order nothing fancy from this establishment. I’ll take a pepperoni pizza with more pepperoni and extra pepperoni!!! I wonder if I can get that with a side of Tums, a gas mask and a gym membership.
http://www.flatbreadpizza.com/
http://www.verapizzanapoletana.org/vpn/vpn_frames-index.htm
On this day the company I’m with (my lovely wife and two beautiful daughters) means more than the food itself but it also gives me the opportunity to try multiple things in one visit.
Flatbread has a nice array of items on the menu from Pizza to Salad to Pasta, etc. We tried a bunch of them but all in all I thought it was a little over priced for a lunch. Most items will run around $9. I was impressed with the lunch option that allows you to mix two of most anything (half size) on the menu for $8.50. You have to stay away from anything but water to drink to keep it under $10 but they do give you more than a portion size of each item. I was also impressed that the kids menu includes the option for them to assemble their own pizza prior to cooking. This was a nice touch scoring high marks with the little ones.
My wife had the lasagna that was good…just…..kind of……, lacking flavor. Again, the sauce has a great fresh flavor but I would add more fresh herbs, cheeses and some spice to the sausage. My lunch was also good (sauce less pizza and Italian salad) but would order differently if dinning here again.
Now…..for the highlight of the afternoon…(drum roll)…………..the pepperoni that my wife and I picked from the pizza of the defenseless children. You can tell from the miss shaped pieces this is cut from a log of gastronomical delight. Extremely full of flavor but not to spicy and not to fatty. When cooked on the pizza it crisps and curls toward the sky at the edges secreting its delightful oils through out the rest of the pie. Obviously this is the type of thing that warms my heart. No, not the depriving my children of their meal. I now know that I need to order nothing fancy from this establishment. I’ll take a pepperoni pizza with more pepperoni and extra pepperoni!!! I wonder if I can get that with a side of Tums, a gas mask and a gym membership.
http://www.flatbreadpizza.com/
http://www.verapizzanapoletana.org/vpn/vpn_frames-index.htm
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