For those who enjoy great cheese, this one is a necessity. This cheese is made by Artisanal Premium Cheeses which if you look at their cheese lineup, looks as if it was pulled from The Cheese Shop skit made popular by Monty Python, of course they actually have the cheese in stock!
This cheese which is made by Benedictine Monks at the abbey Notre-Dame De Belloc (between this cheese and the beer they produce, these hooded bald dudes sure know their stuff), is not cheap as it costs about $22.00-$25.00 a pound. Abbaye De Belloc, made with sheep's milk (the red-nosed Manech ewes) , has a very mild flavor, and a slightly grainy texture, and in my opinion is one of the most flavorful cheeses out there. It would go well with Zinfindels, and its nutty characteristics would go great with some of the top Belgian beers (i.e. St. Bernardus Abt 8, or Trappiste Rochefort).
If you live in the New York City area, you can get it from FreshDirect, or you can buy it from their website if you live outside the area (if your local gourmet grocery doesn't carry their wares).
As the winter in New York winds down - it got me thinking about one of my favorite locales, St. Barthelemy (St Barths) in the French West Indies. This was one of the most relaxing places to be (in the off season), and as a foodie it was out of this world!
From the moment we arrived to the moment we left, all we did was enjoy the food, the drink, and the people in our little paradise. Considering that this island is thought to be pretentious and one of the most ritzy islands in the caribbean, I have to admit that it was very friendly and down to earth during the middle of their slow season.
Although we enjoyed restaurants of all levels from the small little "hole in the walls" to the top restaurants on the island, the one that truly stood out was Pipiri Palace, a little quaint restaurant located in the middle in Gustavia. The food was outstanding, as I had a seared Tuna Steak, and my wife enjoyed a Filet Mignon with a crust of apples and gorgonzola cheese. On top of the food, the service was excellent! On top of the complimentary small bottle of Vanilla Rhum, that almost every restaurants offers at the end of the meal, we were given several other bottles during the hour after our meal that we sat talking with another couple that was in the restaurant.
On top of this restaurant, there were a slew of other great places that had either great food, to have a drink, or both. From Le Select, Bacardi Cafe, Andy's Hideaway, (to name a few) the choices were amazing. To compliment the restaurants, one can visit the local supermarket Match Supermarche across from the airstrip. Since the island gets the bulk of their food and goods from a daily delivery from France, walking into the supermarket gives you the sense that you are in Paris, with great cheeses, wines, meats, and much more. There is no doubt, no matter what you are in the mood to eat or drink, one can truly satisfy their culinary needs on this wonderful island.
For those of you that love great beer, I have found one for you! Innis & Gunn, an oak aged beer from Edinburgh, Scotland, is an award winning beer that should not be missed. (Especially if you also like Scotch!)
I found this gem by accident at the Riverside Market on Pearl Street in Downtown NYC and have only found it at a few stores in the city (Its $4.50 a bottle price tag wasn't a deterrant, but you can find them at other places in the city for $2.50). This beer is actually aged in oak barrels that one would normally use to age whiskey. Because of this, the finish has hints of oak and has a similarity to a fine scotch. This honey colored brew has a very pronounced vanilla edge, with hints of citrus and the lingering oaky finish, which is somewhat sweet. Because of this complex taste, it makes a great compliment to steak, sausages, pork loin, curries, and desserts, like Creme Brulee.
This beer goes through a 77 day process, in which it resides in the oak barrels for 30 days. The flavor is unmistakeable and is one of the best, unique beers on the market. For those of you that scoff at Bud Light, Coors, or Miller, this beer should be on your must drink lists. Unfortunately, its distributor, Phoenix Beverages Inc, from Long Island City, NY only stocks in the NYC area.
All in all, if you know someone in the NYC area, or are visiting, make it a point to locate a bottle (or 2) of Innis and Gunn and you will surely enjoy!
Obviously being a foodie in New York City has its benefits (to say the least), but sometimes trying to find a great cup of coffee (not a good quick morning cup, but a GOOD cup of coffee) is tough to do. Whether it is the natural ending of a great meal, to warm you up on a cold winter day, or a pick me up in the morning after a long night, a great cup of coffee is almost heavenly. In the world of the trendy cup of bitter Starbucks brew, when you find that place to get a good cup you savor it (no pun intended).
Nestled between 5 Starbucks in Lower Manhattan, Financier Patisserie is THE place to find that great cup of coffee. They start by brewing one of the best Italian brands around, Illy, which creates a wonderfully strong (but NOT bitter) cup of Joe. This little quaint storefront located on the cobblestoned Stone Street is a great place to grab a cup of coffee, but its also known for its pastries. Daily made madeleines, brioches, filled macaroons, cakes, torts, and Italian & French Pastries that are just out of this world.
So if you live in New York City, or are visiting on business or pleasure, come and taste for yourself. With two locations in Lower Manhattan, one on Stone Street, just off of Beaver Street, and one on William Street, between Cedar and Liberty Sts (across from the Chase Building), they are close to the sites and convenient to get to. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
For those who enjoy great cheese, this one is a necessity. This cheese is made by Artisanal Premium Cheeses which if you look at their cheese lineup, looks as if it was pulled from The Cheese Shop skit made popular by Monty Python, of course they actually have the cheese in stock!
