Sunday, August 24, 2008

2008 BEST GOURMET GROCERY IN CENTRAL FLORIDA


The results are in!


Thanks to all our dedicated customers, and everyone who voted The Cheese Shop on Park is the Best Gourmet Grocery on WESH 2's "A" List 2008! We sincerely appreciate all the support and encouragement we have received from the community and our customers these first 7 months and we are looking forward to many many more.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

NEW Cheese of the Month Club

The Cheese Shop on Park
Cheese of the Month Club

Three, Six or Twelve months Membership Programs - Pick up or local delivery

Give the gift of Gourmet Cheese to someone special or enjoy this exclusive club yourself. Delicious!

Call to order (407) 644-7296

The perfect way to explore new and exciting cheeses from around the world. Each month the Cheese Mongers will select three gourmet cheeses that can be delivered locally as a gift delivered locally to your home or office or reserved for you to pick up at The Cheese Shop on Park. Enjoy additional Cheese of the Month Club Member benefits such as Reserve List Cheese selections and in store discounts.

For full details visit our web page
http://www.thecheeseshoponpark.com/cheese_of_the_month_club

Saturday, August 16, 2008

The Traveling Cheese Monger

Have Cheese Board Will Travel.

The Cheese Shop on Park will have a Cheese Monger out-and-about this week at the following events - with delicious cheese samples and other gourmet fare in tow of course!

Winter Park Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours
Thursday, August 21, 5:30 – 7:30 pm

Help celebrate the 1-year anniversary of the Winter Park Welcome Center!

Join us at the Winter Park Welcome Center for a special Business After Hours.
Enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and beverages provided by Brio Tuscan Grille, GrinCorp Catering, The Cheese Shop on Park, and Orlando Brewing.

Cost is $5.00 for Chamber members, $15 for non-members.
Bring business cards for networking and for a chance to win a door prize. Drawing will be held at 6:30 pm.

151 W. Lyman Avenue in Winter Park (parking available at the Winter Park Farmers’ Market and City Hall.)

AND

Dog Days of Summer Wine Tasting at Bullfish!
Friday, August 22nd 5:00-8:00PM

Bullfish 102 North Park Avenue (on the corner of Morse & Park)

Tickets: $15 in advance$20 day of the event. To purchase tickets or for more information call Bullfish at 407 644 2969 - Tell 'em The Cheese Shop on Park sent you!

Join us for Wine Tastings, Gourmet Cheeses, and Hors D’oeuvres and desserts at the 2'nd Annual Dog Days of Summer Wine Tasting.

A benefit for the Sebastian Haul Foundation. We have assisted more than 36 greyhounds to date. Our goal is to assist more than 100 dogs by the end of the year. Our goal for 2009 is to assist more than 200 dogs. To purchase tickets or for more information call Bullfish at 407 644 2969 - let them know The Cheese Shop on Park sent you!

Both events will be delicious and lots of fun - hope to see you there!

Friday, August 1, 2008

Congratulations Coach Farm Goat Cheese! & New Arrivals

Coach Farm's Triple Cream Wheel wins the Gold at the 2008 Summer Fancy Food Show


Coach Farm has been recognized once again for its fine line of goat cheeses. A national panel of specialty food experts named Coach Farm's Triple Cream Wheel "Outstanding Cheese or Dairy product" at the 2008 sofi awards, part of the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) Summer Fancy Food Show.


Since being first introduced more than twenty years ago, Coach Farm cheeses have consistently won awards and honors at competitions across the country.

We just received a wheel of their delicious Triple Cream Goat Cheese ! $39.50 / LB

OTHER NEW ARRIVALS

Coach Farm Fresh Goat Buttons $4.50 / Each
Coach Farm Aged Goat Sticks $14.00 / Each or $7.50 for half

Saint Marcellin is back - from France $7.50 / Each - A supple cow's milk cheese from Southern France. Soft creamy texture, mushroom aroma and an earthy, buttery flavour. Pairs with Syrah and Champagne.

Esrom - Denmark - $15.00 / LB - This was a customer request, and rather difficult to find, but it is well worth the research! The flavour is quite rich and "aromatic" with a lingering, bitter-in-a-good-way finish. Invented in the 1930's and was for a time named "Danish Port Salut." In fact Esrom is a much more interesting cheese than Port Salut - Come in and taste the difference!

The WESH 2 Polls for "Best Gourmet Grocery" close on Friday
PLEASE VOTE FOR THE CHEESE SHOP ON PARK

We invite you to please take a moment and vote for The Cheese Shop On Park in WESH 2 / CW18 A-List 2008 for Best Gourmet Grocery.
Please click the following link to cast your vote!
http://wesh.cityvoter.com/the-cheese-shop-on-park/biz/87151


Thank you for all of your support!

Thursday, July 24, 2008

CHEESE AND WINE TASTING - AUGUST 14, 2008

The Cheese Shop on Park Presents:

The Magnificent Mediterranean
Cheese and Wine Tasting Social

Thursday August 14, 2008 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
329 Park Avenue North, Suite 102
$20.00 in advance
$30.00 the day of event
Stop in The Cheese Shop On Park to purchase tickets or call (407) 644-7296
Deadline for advance ticket sales is 7PM Wednesday August 13, 2008

Experience the Mediterranean’s enticing and often mysterious cheeses. Your tour begins in Italy, meanders through the Greek Isles then journeys west for a taste of Spain. Expertly paired with the appropriate wine or beverage and gourmet accoutrements – an evening of affordable luxury!

No pretense or boring seminar, but active tasting and open forum discussion that truly helps you to discover new cheeses
Participants enjoy a 10% discount on all cheese and wine sampled during the event
This is a walk through tasting event, there is no seating
Space is limited so get your tickets early!

Sunday, July 13, 2008

NEW WINE and BEER NOTABLES

New Wines


VillaGolf 'Hole In One' - Maule Valley, Chile $14.00 - We just received the Merlot and the Chardonnay of this Chilean wine maker.

My tasting notes for the Merlot are dry, plums, berries, tobacco, vanilla, and oak. If you think of Merlot as the sweet, restaurant "house wine" this wine will change your mind.

The Chardonnay is very fresh on the palate, tropical fruit, pineapple with hints of peach - a great summer Chard.

Ca' Donini Merlot, Italy $12.00 This is a great - ready to drink Merlot. Aromas of berries, mouthfilling palate of cherry and dried plum and at just $12.00 a bottle you really can't go wrong.

Tango Real Syrah, Argentina $14.00 Argentinians created the Tango, a dance that is sexy, mysterious, something to be shared and savored. This 100% Syrah is as seductive as its namesake dance, dry fruits on the nose that lead to a harmony of soft tannins, exotic truffles and black cherries on the palate.

New Brew

I don't talk about our beers as often as I do wine - but not for lack of love I must say!

Ayinger Celebrator Dopplebock, Germany $12.50 / 4-pack This dark reddish-brown dopplebock looks like cola in a clear glass. At 7.5% ABV the taste is deep barley, bitter (in a good way) and very complex malts. The character of southern German doppelbocks is derived from hard water that is low in salts; blends of dark malt from Bavarian barley varieties noted for giving a strong, malty flavor; and aroma hops from the local Hallertau district.

Just News

We will be closed this coming Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - reopening normal time on Wednesday at 10AM.

Best Gourmet Grocery

For our trusty cheese lovers who have already cast a vote for the Best Gourmet Grocery in WESH 2's A-List 2008 - Thank you! We are in the lead!!

The polls are open until August 8th so if you have not yet voted:

We invite you to please take a moment and vote for The Cheese Shop On Park in WESH 2 / CW18 A-List 2008 for Best Gourmet Grocery.

Please click the following link to cast your vote!http://wesh.cityvoter.com/the-cheese-shop-on-park/biz/87151

Thank you for all of your support. See you soon!

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

6 MONTHS AND COUNTING!!

July 8th marks our 6-month anniversary!! I know, as Alan would say, it is not an anniversary until you are counting years but 6 months is still a milestone.


A warm and sincere thank you to all of our supporters and loyal regulars. We've had several customers thank us for giving them an "affordable luxury" during these tough economic times. We appreciate the community that has embraced The Cheese Shop On Park and look forward to many new wheels of delicious handmade cheese.



CHEESE AND WINE TASTING EVENT


Counting Sheep Thursday July 17, 2008 6:30PM - 8PM Tickets are $20.00 in advance $30.00 the day of the event. Advance ticket sales end 7PM Wednesday July 16th.


Sample and compare sheep’s milk cheeses, fresh and aged from all over the world, expertly paired with the appropriate wine or beverage and gourmet accoutrements.


No pretense or boring seminar, but active tasting and open forum discussion that truly helps you to discover new cheeses. Participants enjoy a 10% discount on all cheese and wine sampled during the Counting Sheep event. This is a walk through tasting event, there is no seating. Space is limited get your tickets early!



NEW ARRIVALS

Reduced Fat Goat Cheese Spreads - $7.50 From Coach Farms in New York. The cheese maker uses their Grade "A" goat's milk and skims part of the fat off to make these delicious, fresh and fluffy spreads (fluffy is a technical term). Featuring Tomato Garlic, and Herbs de Provence.

2-
Year Pecorino Romano Locatelli
- $18.50 / LB, Italy. Sheep's milk cheese aged for at least 2 years in Tuscany, the Locatelli Pecorino Romano is considered one of the best in the world. Not as salty as other Pecorinos it is great in cooking because when it melts it does not become stringy.

Pyrénées Vache - $19.00 / LB, France. Semi-soft aged cow’s milk cheese from Montsegur. The soft melt-in your-mouth paste starts out mild and finishes with a lingering earthy tang.

Drunken Goat - $21.50 / LB, Spain. Semi-soft aged goat cheese, bathed in red wine to perfection. Mild goat flavour that lingers on the palate with a distinctive vino finish.

NEW NOT-CHEESE

Fig & Marcona Almond Cake - $12.00 / Each, Spain. Made with the most select figs, world famous Marcona Almonds, honey and wild growing spices of Extremadura. Traditional energy bar of Spain, characteristic of the Mediterranean diet. Handcraft made without additives or preservatives following a 200 years old family recipe.

Trail Mix Martha’s Vineyard Blend - $6.50 / HALF LB, Need a quick pick-me-up?Almonds, Pistacios, Dried Cherries, Raisins and Dried Cranberries are reminiscent of long, sea-sprayed afternoons exploring Martha’s Vineyard; Alley’s trail mix in tow! All natural – made in the USA lightly sea salted.

Lipton Tea - Diet Green Tea & Citrus OR White Tea with Raspberry - $2.00 / Each

SandwichWraps! Salmon Pâté & Chevre· Gorgonzola Waldorf· Goat Cheese & Red Pepper· Italian Provolone & Chicken

PLEASE VOTE FOR THE CHEESE SHOP ON PARK

We invite you to please take a moment and vote for The Cheese Shop On Park in WESH 2 / CW18 A-List 2008 for Best Gourmet Grocery.
Please click the following link to cast your vote!http://wesh.cityvoter.com/the-cheese-shop-on-park/biz/87151

NEW: Free Wine Tasting Wednesdays 5PM - 7PM - Sample wine while you shop and enjoy a 10% discount on featured wines!


Thursday, June 26, 2008

LUNCH WRAPS AT THE CHEESE SHOP

You asked, we listened

Beginning Tuesday July 1st The Cheese Shop on Park

Is Doing

Lunch Wraps!

· Salmon Pâté & Chevre
· Gorgonzola Waldorf
· Goat Cheese & Red Pepper
· Italian Provolone & Chicken

Comes with chips

Begins July 1st

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

PLEASE VOTE FOR THE CHEESE SHOP ON PARK

The Cheese Shop On Park is competing in Orlando's WESH 2 "A" List for Best Gourmet Grocery. Please click here to register and vote - it only takes a moment. http://wesh.cityvoter.com/the-cheese-shop-on-park/biz/87151

Thank you to everyone who has voted for us so far - we are currently in the lead!! We owe it to our loyal customers who have been so supportive over the past 5 months. The contest goes until August, we'll be sure to post the results.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

WE'RE CLOSED THIS TUESDAY JUNE 24th FOR "M.H." DAY

We will be closed this Tuesday, June 24th, 2008. (we're always closed on Mondays) so we'll see you on Wednesday!

Sunday, June 8, 2008

FATHER'S DAY IS JUNE 15TH

Give Dad something really unique for Father's Day this year - Gourmet Cheese

The Cheese Mongers can help you put together a deliciously special cheese selection. Try a regional selection from France, Italy, Spain, or even the USA. Does Dad love blue cheese ? We have a dozen to choose from - even one from Australia ! (The Roaring 40's Blue).


Custom made Gourmet Gift Baskets are available to complete your selection with everything from select wines and specialty beers to Spanish or Greek olives, raw organic honey (delicious on Goat Cheese), exotic pepper jellies, gourmet crackers and of course our imported meats and pates.



Gift certificates are also available, or give Dad tickets to one of our upcoming Cheese and Wine Tasting Events. The next one is Get Your Goat on Thursday June 19th from 6:30PM - 8:00PM and July's event is Thursday July 17, 2008. Tickets are available at The Cheese Shop On Park or over the phone (407) 644-7296.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

GET YOUR GOAT CHEESE AND WINE TASTING

GET YOUR GOAT
When: Thursday, June 19, 2008 6:30pm - 8:00PM
Where: The Cheese Shop On Park 329 Park Avenue North
How Much: Tickets are $20.00 in advance and $30.00 the day of the event. Tickets are available for purchase in The Cheese Shop On Park or by phone with a credit card (407) 644-7296 - please DO NOT leave your credit card info on our voicemail - if you leave a message we will call you back.

GET YOUR GOAT - What to expect
Sample and compare goat cheeses, fresh and aged from all over the world paired with the appropriate wine and gourmet accoutrements
No pretense or boring seminar, but active tasting and open forum discussion that truly helps you to discover new cheeses
Participants enjoy a 15% discount on all cheese and wine sampled during Get Your Goat and 10% off everything else in the shop
This is a walk through tasting event, there is no seating
Space is limited so get your tickets early! Our previous event sold out.
Advance ticket sales end at 7PM the day before the event - Wednesday June 18, 2008 See our website for our cancellation policy w
ww.thecheeseshoponpark.com/events

Sunday, May 25, 2008

WE WILL BE CLOSED THIS TUESDAY MAY 27, 2008

The Cheese Shop On Park will be closed Tuesday May 27, 2008 for the Memorial Day Holiday (we're always closed on Mondays) so your resident Cheese Mongers can enjoy a long weekend.

Have a happy and safe Memorial Day Weekend!

We'll see you on Wednesday

NEW ARRIVALS

NEW CHEESE

Cambozola Blue Brie - Germany $20.00 / LB - We've had many customers request this cheese and we finally got our hands on a lovely wheel. The cheese maker describes it as a cross between Camembert and Gorgonzola (hence the name) but it is indeed a triple creme brie that is infused with blue mold. It has a white bloomy rind, like a brie, and is smooth, buttery and VERY creamy - rather mild in the blue department, but the flavour is tangy enough to satisfy any blue lover.

Coach Farms Fresh Chevre - Pine Plains, New York $4.50 / Each - We debuted this little fresh goat cheese Wednesday night at our Anthology of American Artisan Cheese tasting event (huge success - see below for more on the event) Coach Farm is located in a small Hudson Valley village, just two hours outside of New York City. They have over 900 French Alpine dairy goats, born and raised on their farm. The small, white-tiled creamery where they make their cheeses connects directly to the milking parlor.

Green Peppercorn Aged Chevre - Pine Plains, New York $31.50 / LB - Our second Anthology debut, From the folks at Coach Farms again, this is their aged goat cheese that they laced with… green peppercorns. Aged goat cheese is stronger than fresh chevre, and the spicy little tidbits throughout the cheese give it a very unique, delicious surprise in each bite.

Wine Pairing: Both Coach Farm cheeses were paired at the event with New Gewurz, Gewurztraminer $13.50 - From Alexander Valley Vineyards, the New Gewurz is dry, with fresh floral flavours and note of spice, pear and citrus - light enough to not over power a fresh chevre.

Pleasant Ridge ReserveDodgeville, Wisconsin $35.00 / LB (yes Wisconsin has Artisan cheese makers too) Our third cheese launched at Wednesday night's tasting event. Pleasant Ridge Reserve is made by Uplands Cheese Company with unpasteurized cow’s milk using old world practices. The result is a distinctive "mountain style" flavour rarely experienced from a cheese made in the USA.

Smoked Gouda - Winchendon, Massachusetts $14.00 / LB Smith’s Farmstead Gouda Cheese, rivals any Dutch Gouda on the market today. Old fashioned traditions and hard work make this smoky farmstead gouda delicious and memorable.

Wine Pairing: Temptation Zin, Zinfandel $16.50 - From the same folks who make the New Gewurz at Alexander Valley Vineyards comes this seriously smokey, long finish Red Zin that bursts with plum, cocoa and big bing cherry.

Greek Feta - Greece $18.00 / LB - NOW CUT TO ORDER - We've carried the Mount Vikos Feta from the beginning, but always in the retail packs which were, as many of you mentioned, too large (they were usually 1 - 1.25 pounds). SO... We listened to you and got it in bulk. This Feta is a blend of Sheep's and Goat's milk and not like any Feta you have ever tasted from other stores or restaurants. We've been sampling the Feta all weekend (another benefit of buying cut to order) and the funny thing is when anyone tastes how fabulous this cheese is - they take home a pound! If you have not tried the Mount Vikos Feta come on in and taste the difference!

NEW NOT-CHEESE

Truffle Honey - $25.00 - Truffles Truffles Truffles - we can't get enough of them - and if you share the same obsession then this honey was made for you! Imported from Italy this 8.8 oz jar of pure Italian Acacia Honey is laced with 1.5% White Truffles... you can see the large truffle pieces hanging out in the top of the jar (who knew - truffles float, but I for one am not surprised as they are brought to us mere mortals by little culinary angels... ahem).


Wine and Cheese Event

Thanks to all who participated in our first event An Anthology of American Artisan Cheese. We tasted a lot of wonderful cheese from artisanal cheese makers in the USA, paired with American wines - also from small wine makers.

Our next Cheese and Wine Tasting Event is:

GET YOUR GOAT
When: Thursday, June 19, 2008 6:30pm - 8:00PM
Where: The Cheese Shop On Park 329 Park Avenue North
How Much: Tickets are $20.00 in advance and $30.00 the day of the event. Tickets are available for purchase in The Cheese Shop On Park or by phone with a credit card (407) 644-7296 - please DO NOT leave your credit card info on our voicemail - if you leave a message we will call you back.

GET YOUR GOAT
  • Sample and compare goat cheeses, fresh and aged from all over the world paired with the appropriate wine and gourmet accoutrements
  • No pretense or boring seminar, but active tasting and open forum discussion that truly helps you to discover new cheeses
  • Participants enjoy a 15% discount on all cheese and wine sampled during Get Your Goat and 10% off everything else in the shop
  • This is a walk through tasting event, there is no seating
  • Space is limited so get your tickets early! Our previous event sold out.
  • Advance ticket sales end at 7PM the day before the event - Wednesday June 18, 2008
  • See our website for our cancellation policy www.thecheeseshoponpark.com/events
Some discussions from Wednesday night...

What is American Artisan Cheese?
We are seeing a renaissance in artisan and farmstead cheese making in the United States driven by changing consumer tastes, culinary tourism and agricultural activism. Cheese making in the US can be traced back to the Civil War. In the past 25 years, artisan and fine cheese making has become a significant food-culture movement in the US.

What is the difference between Artisan and Farmstead?
In a nutshell, the key difference between these two approaches to cheese making is in how the milk is sourced. Farmstead cheeses are made by a farm operation using the milk produced by their own animals. Artisan cheeses are also made by hand, however, artisan cheese makers typically purchase their milk from one or more local dairy farmers. In both cases, the production facilities are relatively small, and the owner typically operates the facility.

What makes a Cheese Maker an artisan? What defines an artisan cheese maker is his or her ability to make great cheese largely by hand in a relatively small scale creamery using locally produced, pure milk. The cheese maker is recognized for their ability to design a cheese to reflect their local environment or terroir. They know how to liberate the taste of a place within the cheese via the artful introduction of microflora into fresh milk. The unique taste profile created in the end is ultimately the artisan cheese maker’s signature.
The above information is credited to Petra Cooper of Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Company & Fifth Town Productions








Wednesday, May 7, 2008

NEW ARRIVALS

NEW CHEESES

Gjetost - Norway - $8.50 Each - We got this cheese in via customer request. It is an interesting little cheese, 80% cow's milk, 10% goats's milk. Caramel-esque and deliciously sweet.

Asiago Pressato - Italy - $16.50 / LB - Pressato is the D.O.P name for this young Asiago produced in the Po Valley near Treviso, in the Veneto region of Northern Italy. The texture is firm and supple followed by a lingering sweetness.

Widmers's 6-Year Old Cheddar - Wisconsin - $23.00 / LB We actually had this one in earlier this year, but we finally got it again. Aged 6 years this cheddar is SHARP SHARP SHARP, complex, nutty, crumbly and did I mention sharp?

NEW NOT-CHEESE

Dried Mango - $8.00 / HALF LB - We're now selling dried Mango out of the deli case - we'll be adding additional dried fruits very soon! If you love goat cheese, you will be in HEAVEN when you try it "schmeered" on a hunk of dried mango. I have it priced at the HALF pound - mainly because a pound is a heck of a lot of mango!

LIBATIONS

Leyris Maziere LiAiguier, Sauvignon Blanc Blend from the Languedoc region, France - $23.00 This is the white ORGANIC cousin to that big, bold, organic red you big, bold red lovers (me included) are dreaming about. Well rounded as you come to expect from a Languedoc wine, it's fruity, dry, diverse and oh - so lovable.

Trivento, Torrontes from Mendoza Argentina $12.00 - I am drinking this wine as I am writing this blog (this is my job - I love my job!) My first reaction when I took my first sip was - WHOA! It reminds me of my beloved Vigonier. Floral on the nose, bright, fruity with a dry and rather pleasantly tart finish. This wine is very pale - but don't let the flaxen, waif like exterior fool you, it packs a ton of flavour, trust me and try it. For 12 bucks - you'll be back for more!

Wine 101:
Torrontes is the grape. The Torrontes grape is cultivated in the Argentine provinces of Catamarca, La Rioja, Mendoza, Salta, San Juan and Rio Negro. The Torrontes wine made from this white grape is considered the best of its kind in the entire world. Torrontes is the most distinctive of all Argentine wines, including both white and red, because Argentina is the only country to produce it. It is considered a wholly Argentine variety.

Te Hira, Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough New Zealand $22.00 - I ask you, from where else would a tiny cheese shop get their Sauvignon Blanc if not New Zealand? (OK France see the Leyris above) Zing, zip, gooseberry and steel this is your above average, boutique NZ SB with a lively palate and a lingering finale.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

WE'RE CLOSED THIS TUESDAY APRIL 29, 2008

We will be closed this Tuesday, April 29, 2008 for "Inventory"

psssst - It's really Alan's birthday so we're taking a 2 day weekend!

We'll see you again on Wednesday!

Thursday, April 24, 2008

CHEESE AND WINE TASTING EVENT

The Cheese Shop on Park Presents:
An Anthology of American Artisanal Cheese
Cheese & Wine Tasting Social Event on Wednesday May 21, 2008 at 6:30PM
  • $15.00 in advance $20.00 at the door
  • Wednesday May 21, 2008
  • 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
  • 329 Park Avenue North (407) 644-7296
  • Sample American artisan cheeses new to The Cheese Shop On Park, expertly paired with the appropriate wine or beverage.
  • No pretense or boring seminars, but active tasting and open forum discussion in a way to truly help you discover new cheeses.
  • Receive a 15% discount off the purchase of any cheese and wine featured in the anthology and 10% off all other products purchased during the event.
  • Space is limited so get your tickets early.
  • This is a walk-through tasting event.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Italian Parm commercial BACK STAGE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-jnZlzUyvA&feature=related OK - I guess it's official, I'm obsessed... the link here is to BACK STAGE at the italian parm commercial. For you newbies who have not seen the actuall commercial, scroll down to March 24 to see the commercial... oh what the hey... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmZ28NIQPbM&feature=related here's that link too!! Enjoy!

And you know - just to plug some cheese - we love Piave just as much, if not more than, Parmigiano Reggiano so come on in and TASTE THE DIFFERENCE.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

NEW ARRIVALS

NEW CHEESES

Gouda Truffle - Holland $39.50/LB (whoa!! but worth every penny you have to try this one, you will become seriously addicted) Black Italian truffles throughout this amazing cheese lend wonderful taste and aroma to this high-quality, farm-made gouda. Made on a small farm in Noord, Holland. We paired this cheese with our Foris Dry Gewurztraminer - yummmmmm

Bleu D’Auvergne - France $14.00/LB A name-protected cheese from the Auvergne region in south-central France, Bleu d'Auvergne is made in the traditional manner from raw cow's milk and features blue veining throughout. Its moist, sticky rind conceals a soft paste possessing a grassy, herbaceous, and (with age) spicy, pungent taste. Our French organic Alsatian Riesling pairs perfectly.

Lemon White Stilton - England $26.50 / LB This unusual dessert cheese came in from a customer request. It is made with vegetarian rennant and is dotted with candied lemon peel. It has no blue veining, is mild in flavour with a tangy, sweet lemon taste. Very tasty and will be quite the conversation piece on a cheese tray!

Kasseri - Greece $24.00 / LB Made from the fresh milk of free-ranging sheep and goats. Mt. Vikos Kasseri is made during months when grasses are green for a sweet flavor. No antibiotics are given the animals (Americans call this organic, the good folks at Mt Vikos call it normal) Mt. Vikos contains no preservatives, additives, or calcium chloride. It is the "melting cheese" of Greece. The curds are hand-kneaded. The cheese rounds are placed in special aging rooms for six months. Though kasseri has been made for centuries, Americans are just discovering this super cheese that tastes like a cross bewteen feta and cheddar - with the texture being more like a cheddar.

Rouge et Noir Triple Crème Brie - California, USA $13.00/Each This classic award winning California Brie is creamy from the natural ripening process, with an even yellow color throughout. 100% Jersey milk used; it is at the same time delicate in its buttery first-flavor, with a pleasant robust aftertaste.

Rouge et Noir La Petite Crème - California, USA $8.00/Each A delicate “dessert” cheese that is rich yet mild, with a soft and creamy texture that melts in your mouth. This romantic cheese when young with a firm pate, is perfect for brunch or as an after dinner treat.

NEW NOT-CHEESE

Lamb & Beef Sausage Saucisse Merguez D’Agneau et Boeuf - San Francisco, California, USA $12.50 / Each Spicy North African lamb and beef sausage made in the classic French style from Marcel et Henri. Must be cooked thoroughly.

Honey Combs - $18.00 / Each Back by popular demand. These beautiful honeycombs are entirely edible and look stunning on a cheese tray. If you haven't tried honeycombs with goat cheese you don't know what you are missing!

Friday, April 11, 2008

SAVE YOUR PAPER BAGS

HELP SAVE THE EARTH -
it's the only planet with wine & cheese !

As a contribution to Earth Day beginning on Earth Day April 22, 2008 through May 22, 2008 a 10% discount will be given on customers' next purchases to anyone bringing back, and reusing, a paper bag from The Cheese Shop On Park
Bags must have the preprinted logo from The Cheese Shop On Park and be in usable condition. One discount of 10% per purchase will be given regardless of how many bags are brought back. Can not be combined with any other offer. Offer begins on April 22, 2008 and expires on May 22, 2008 - blah blah blah, yadda yadda yadda.

In addition, we've decided to start using low sodium pretzel sticks instead of toothpicks for most of our cheese samples (mmm hmmm I know, sounds good, I know). We realized we are throwing away HUNDREDS of wooden toothpicks every week. Soooo the pretzels are (a) MUCH better for the environment, and (2) a tasty little between sample palete cleanser.