Cheese Monger Memoirs - The Beginning

I'm going to be creating a new line of posts called "Cheese Monger Memoirs" which pretty much will detail how The Cheese Shop on Park came to be in an anecdotal manner.  First up is the very first day the idea of The Cheese Shop was born.

It was the day after Thanksgiving 2006 and my wife and I were waking up in my brother's old bedroom in my mother's house.  The bed is one of those trundle beds that is a single bed that has another single bed underneath so two people can sleep on it, albeit uncomfortably.  My brother, who turns 50 next year, used this bed when he was a child and I'm pretty sure it was an antique then and to the best of my knowledge, neither mattress has ever been replaced.  Needless to say, my back was killing me.

My mother lives in northern New Jersey, Paramus to be precise.  Having lived in central Florida for the past 13 years at that point means the 40 degree temperature was rather cool.  Now as my wife can tell you, nobody likes a "cool" bedroom like I do, but for whatever reason, my mother sets the heat at something like 62 so along with the worn out mattress and skimpy comforter (also dating back to my brother's youth I'm sure) the day was off to a frosty and aching start.

The bedroom furniture is not the only part of my mother's house that could use some updating.  Still, to this day, there is no coffee maker (nor microwave) in the kitchen.  Unless you count this age old percolator that takes roughly half an hour to make coffee that is.  And since my mother drinks instant coffee (yuk!...I'm a coffee snob just like a wine snob and a cheese snob...well you get the idea) who knows how old the Maxwell House Coffee in her on the counter container is.  I'm thinking the 1990s at least.

My wife and I get dressed and head out in search of your neighborhood Starbuck's.  Not knowing where the closest one is, we head one town over to Ridgewood, where their Main Street area (Ridgewood Ave) was our best bet other than trying Route 17.  (Route 17 for those not familiar with Paramus's highways is a nightmare to drive on any day let alone Black Friday).  We do find Starbuck's, get our coffees, and just start tooling around downtown Ridgewood.  There, amongst the boutiques, restaurants and such, is The Cheese Shop of Ridgewood.

Since we have always liked cheese, we ventured inside.  The shop was quite small with specialty grocery items along the back wall and refrigerated cases against the wall behind the counter.  A giant of a man was working (and when I say giant I mean huge) and he was not the nicest sort.  To illustrate his demeanor, while working with us a young girl who was probably about 12 walked in.  She was patiently waiting on line behind us when after about 10 minutes he barked out to her, "What do you want?"  She meekly asked if they have bagels to which he gruffly responded "NO!" and out she went.

The cheeses were amazing and after sampling 3, we selected 2 for purchase.  I asked for quarter pound cuts and when he said that he couldn't cut it that small I said we would take whatever he cut.  He then up sold us on some plum jelly (which he let us sample alongside our cheese) and a baguette as well.

As we happily left with our unexpected purchase, we both looked around and thought together how well a cheese shop would work on Park Ave.  Thus the dream began.

SUNDAY SAMPLES WINE TASTING TODAY

Sample 4 wines for $5.00 and if you purchase one of the featured wines you get your $5.00 back!

One of the featured wines today is a sparkling from the Appellation Banquette de Limoux from the Languedoc region of southern France.  Quite different on the palate than Champagne, Blanquette de Limoux is considered to be the first sparkling white wine in France - noted at least 150 years before Champagne, appearing in papers by Benedictine Monks in 1531.

Come in and try before you buy!

And of course the Cheese Mongers will recommend (and let you taste) the perfect cheese pairing to go with your wine purchase!

SUNDAY SAMPLES WINE TASTING $5.00

 Join us today anytime between 1 and 4pm and sample four of our featured wines.  Your $5.00 tasting fee will be applied to the purchase of any of the featured wines so you can take home one (or all) of your favourites!

And of course the Cheese Mongers will gladly recommend (and let you taste) the perfect cheese pairing to go with your wine purchase.

Yummy Recipe

We've got the Taleggio cheese in stock - check out this delicious recipe that's easy and mmmmmmmmm good for summer entertaining!

http://cltampa.com/tampa/baked-cherries-and-tallegio-easy-summer-appetizer/Content?oid=2334261#.TjGgGVvQOSo

Sunday Samples Wine Tasting 1-4pm July 24th

Stop by on Sunday afternoon anytime between 1 and 4pm and sample four of our featured wines.  Your $5.00 tasting fee will be applied to the purchase of any of the featured wines so you can take home one (or all) of your favourites!

And of course the Cheese Mongers will gladly recommend the perfect cheese pairing to go with your wine purchase.

FRENCH WINE TASTING TODAY

Stop by on Sunday afternoon anytime between 1 and 4pm and sample four of our fabulous wines from France's Languedoc region.  Your $5.00 tasting fee will be applied to the purchase of any of the featured wines so you can take home one (or all) of your favourites!

And of course the Cheese Mongers will gladly recommend the perfect cheese pairing to go with your wine purchase.

Sunday Samples Wine Tasting TODAY

Wine Tasting TODAY bewtween 1 & 4pm

Sunday Samples Wine Tasting -
only $5.00 tasting fee!
The tasting fee will be applied to your purchase of any of our featured wines.

June 26th Featured Wines:

Swallow Gewürztraminer $14.00
Cave Junction Oregon

Leese-Fitch Chardonnay $14.00
California

Rock Point Pinot Noir $22.00
Gold Hill Oregon

Alcanta Tempranillo $14.00
Alicante, Spain

Wine Tasting TODAY bewtween 1 & 4pm

Sunday Samples Wine Tasting -
only $5.00 tasting fee!
The tasting fee will be applied to your purchase of any of our featured wines.

Sunday June 12th Featured Wines: PERFECT SUMMER WINES

Ferrari-Carano Bella Luce  $12.00
Sonoma County, California
Lovely white blend of Chardonnay, Muscat, Semillon & Gewurztraminer
Off dry, honey suckle, peach & apricot and delicious summer wine

Bremerton Verdelho  $13.00
Langhorne Creek, Australia
Verdelho is native to Portugal but is grown in Australia for over 150 years.
Bremerton is family owner and operated since 1985
Unoaked - and only free-run juice is used to ensure a crisp, light finish

Angeline Pinot Noir  $16.00
Coastal California
By Martin Ray Winery
a classic Pinot Noir with soft fruit flavours of
raspberry laced with a touch of minerals and spice

Riello Delle Balze Chianti  $18.00
Colli Senesi
From the famous Montepulciano vineyard the Colli Senesi Chiant
is a touch lower in alcohol than its Classico counterpart making
this Chianti perfect for the summer

NEW Sunday Samples Wine Tasting

Informal Wine Tasting Sunday June 12th - $5.00 tasting fee
Stop by on Sunday afternoon, June 12th, anytime between 1 and 4pm and sample four of our featured wines. Your $5.00 tasting fee will be applied to the purchase of any of the featured wines so you can take home one (or all) of your favourites!


And of course the Cheese Mongers will gladly recommend the perfect cheese pairing to go with your wine purchase.

Lunch Envy

Organic greens, fresh strawberries, turkey and Les Freres (pronounced lay frair) washed rind cheese - which is the closest thing you can get to Reblochon in this country - drizzled with homemade balsamic dressing.  The strawberries are perfectly ripe and sweet and a delicious contrast to the soft, creamy, sour-in-a-good-way Les Freres Cheese. Do you have lunch envy yet?

The salad is NOT for sale by the way... but you can pick up some delicious Les Freres cheese for only $9.00 for a half pound.

Get A "Secret Weapon" for your Memorial Day Burgers

What's the secret to having the BEST Memorial Day Weekend Burger in your neighbourhood?

MAPLE SMOKED CHEDDAR from Grafton Cheese Co in Grafton Vermont!

Featured Cheese

This weekend enjoy 20% off Appenzeller Swiss - half pound minimum

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Fabulous Brie Bakers $24.00 - Five designer colours to choose from. These darling ceramic Brie Bakers come in a faux wood Brie box paired with a bamboo spreader. Mom will love how this takes the guess work out of baking brie - no messy pastry dough needed! Cheese not included but of course The Cheese Shop on Park has the perfect little wheel of Brie to fit inside your new Brie Baker!

Add a "Brie Brule" topping kit for an instant gourmet addition to your Mom's new Brie Baker!

20% off this weekend's Featured Cheese

This weekend's featured cheese is:
Chällerhocker  - $11.80 for a half pound (includes discount)  

Made by only one cheesemaker - Walter Rass - at a small creamery in Toggenburg, Switzerland, northeast of Zurich. The name Challerhocker means sitting in the cellar, which is what this cheese does for 10 months. Earthy, and full flavoured reflecting Walter’s recipe and the flora of his cellar.

Enjoy 20% off a half pound minimum cut of Chällerhocker this weekend.

Midnight Moon "Goat Gouda"

Cypress Grove Chevre knows their goat cheese and this one is no exception. Buttery, nutty with hints of caramel – it is firm and dense and by far the BEST aged Gouda made with goat’s milk on the market today. Midnight Moon is made in Holland exclusively for Cypress Grove Chevre.

The Loaded Lamb

From Sardinia this aged sheep’s milk cheese is bathed in the most famed and loved Italian red wine -Amarone. The lush dark full flavoured wine influences the Loaded Lamb immensely and the taste is evident throughout the strong, dry cheese.

Delight of Burgundy

Triple Creme Delice de Bourgogne
Literally translates as Delight of Burgundy - and what a way to delight your guests this Easter. A tribute to small scale French cheese-making made in Burgundy by Fromagerie Lincet. Fresh cow milk is married with fresh cream, producing an unapologetically rich, whipped delight. Super luscious just add strawberries and champagne!

FEATURED CHEESE

Barely Buzzed

Tasting Notes:  From the Beehive Cheese Co. in Utah – Medium-bodied with a nutty flavour and smooth texture. Hand rubbed w/ a Turkish grind of artisan espresso and French lavender. The rub imparts notes of butterscotch, caramel and floral that are prevalent at the rind but tasted throughout the entire cheese.

Easter Activities in Winter Park

57th annual Easter Egg Hunt
When: TOMORROW Saturday, April 23, 2011 @ 9:30 AM

Where: Central Park in downtown Winter Park, Florida
Cost: FREE
Contact: 407-599-3203

Presented by the City of Winter Park, this fun-filled event will provide as much excitement and laughs for adults as it will for youngsters. Children up to 10 years of age can begin lining up at 9:30 a.m. The hunt will begin promptly at 10 a.m. when the Easter Bunny gives the official starting signal. Children with special needs are also encouraged to join in the fun. Over 10,000 eggs will be placed throughout Central Park. As always, children who come up empty handed will still be able to enjoy special treats at the designated candy area.

LOCATED JUST ONE BLOCK SOUTH of THE CHEESE SHOP ON PARK

FREE Valentine's Concert In The Park

FREE Valentine Concert in Central Park on Sunday February 13th from 4-6pm

featuring:

Michael Andrew & Swingerhead

Bring your sweetheart, a blanket or chairs & stop by
The Cheese Shop on Park
for some wine and cheese to bring to this amazing free concert!