"All American Cheese Fest" Saturday 7/3/10 at Little Italy Mercato

To celebrate America's birthday, we decided to break out some American craft cheese. No, not that stringy stuff, nor that orange plastic stuff or that stuff in the green can. Nope, our craft cheeses are made by artisans, many of them dairy farmers, from around the country. In our first-ever "All American Cheese Fest", we are so excited to offer a mix of some of our favorites, with some cheeses that are brand-spanking new to us. We hope you'll plan to come to the Mercato Saturday to discover some real American cheese! Happy Birthday America!

 

This Week's All American Mercato Selection

FEATURED PRODUCER:  ROGUE CREAMERY(CENTRAL POINT, OR)
Rogue Creamery is one of our very favorite domestic producers and the reigning American Cheese Society Champ (the seasonal Rogue River Blue won Best in Show in ’09). The dairy produces consistently great blues and cheddars, primarily using raw milk from their own herd. This week we introduce their newest blue - and it’s indeed a macho one. We tried it up at the Fancy Food Show this past January and we’re excited to finally have it in. We’re also featuring a couple of Rogues tasty cheddars. We introduced the Lavender Cheddar last week and this week it’s joined by one of our longtime faves, the Chocolate Stout Cheddar, infused with beer brewed at nearby (but unaffiliated) Rogue Brewery. Come discover one of America’s best!

• ROGUE CAVEMAN BLUE Assertive, biting blue aged 6-12 months. Great with reds, ports & Barleywines
• ROGUE CHOCOLATE STOUT CHEDDAR Block cheddar made from raw cow’s milk and chocolate stout beer. Pairs with (duh) big stouts. 
  
• ROGUE LAVENDER CHEDDAR Creamy raw cow’s milk cheddar with dried lavender sprigs.


• ROGUE OREGONZOLA Fruity, gorgonzola-style blue, cave-aged120+ days.

BOCCONCINI Mini balls of uber-fresh mozzarella, from Gioia our fave burrata producer (El Monte, CA)

BLACK BUTTE RESERVE Seasonal cheese from Pedroza Dairy in the Sierra foothills. (Orland, CA)

BURRATA FRESH (2 days!) balls of Gioia Burrata - only market available at this market!! (El Monte, CA)

CABOT CLOTHBOUND CHEDDAR One of our all-time favorite cheddars. Won ACS Best in Show in 2008! (Waterbury Center, VT) 

CARMODY Bellwether Farms makes an excellent line of cheeses. This is our favorite! (Petaluma, CA)

COLOROUGE From MouCou Cheese Co., creamy washed-rind rounds (Ft Collins, CO)

DANTE Firm seasonal ewe’s milk cheese from award-winning Wisconsin Sheep Co-op. (River Falls, WI)

ETUDE Firm goat cheese, aged 6+mos from Soyoung Scanlon of Andante Dairy (Petaluma, CA)

HOOLIGAN Incredible washed rind cheese made from raw milk. (Cato Corner, CT)

HUMBOLDT FOG MINI’S The same great cheese you know, but in 1lb rounds sold whole or halved (Arcata, CA)

PLEASANT RIDGE RESERVE Award-winning Alpine style cheese (Dodgeville, WI)

PURPLE HAZE Soft chevre blended with lavender & fennel pollen (Arcata, CA)

RED DARLA New (to us!) one from cult producer Estrella Creamery! My distributor (whose opinion is usually cheese gospel to me) says this washed-rind, raw, cow’s milk cheese is “perfect”. Read about Estrella Creamery here.

TILSTON POINT BLUE Washed-rind blue with a grainy texture and nutty flavor (Mineral Pt, WI)

WINCHESTER JALAPEÑO GOUDA Sharp and spicy raw milk Gouda from Winchester Cheese Co (Winchester, CA - near Temecula)

 

Thursday 7/1/10 at the North Park Farmer's Market

It's time for the long holiday weekend and this is the best market in town to stock up early for entertaining. We'll have a few of the tasty new American cheeses in advance of our All-American Cheese Fest. So, if you can't join us Saturday, be sure to get to North Park tomorrow afternoon for some tasty American (and other) cheese!

BOSCHETTO AL TARTUFO Mixed milk (sheep/cow) cheese with white truffles
BLUE d’AUVERGNE Salty, creamy and mildly piquant French blue
CABECOU FEUILLE Leaf-wrapped rounds of chevre with plum brandy & peppercorns
CABOT CLOTHBOUND CHEDDAR One of our all-time favorite cheddars. Won ACS Best in Show in 2008! (Waterbury Center, VT)
CASHEL BLUE Fruity and mildly salty Irish blue from County Tipperary
CHAORCE Soft-ripened rounds of cow’s milk cheese. Chalky when young and oozy with age
DANTE Firm seasonal ewe’s milk cheese from award-winning Wisconsin Sheep Co-op. (River Falls, WI)
FROMAGER d’AFFINOIS The brie-like bloomy rind encases a rich, oozy double creme
HUMBOLDT FOG MINI’S The same great cheese you know, but in 1lb rounds sold whole or halved (Arcata, CA)
MORBIER LAIT CRU Classic French cheese traditionally made from raw morning and evening milk
NOORD HOLLANDER Rich, crystalline Dutch gouda aged 5+ years
PIAVE VECCHIO Hard, tangy cow’s milk cheese from Italy’s Veneto region
PURPLE HAZE Soft chevre blended with lavender & fennel pollen (Arcata, CA)
TOMME d’SAVOIE Full-flavored cheese from the Savoie Mountains; made from raw skim milk.
WINCHESTER JALAPEÑO GOUDA Sharp and spicy raw Gouda from Winchester Cheese (Winchester, CA - near Temecula)

See you in North Park!

Adams Avenue Farmer's Market Selection 6/30/10

This week at the Adams Avenue Market we'll be in our new location next to the info booth. We'll be bringing some tasty cheeses including last week's runaway all-star Noord Hollander. Come out and support this growing weekly market!
BUCHERON Tangy French goat encased in a soft, bloomy rind.



CABECOU FEUILLE Leaf-wrapped rounds of chevre with plum brandy & peppercorns


CASHEL BLUE Fruity and mildly salty Irish blue from County Tipperary


CHAORCE Soft-ripened rounds of cow’s milk cheese. Chalky when young and oozy with age


FISCALINI 18MO CHEDDAR Bandage-wrapped and cave aged for incredible flavor (Modesto, CA)


FROMAGER d’AFFINOIS The brie-like bloomy rind encases a rich, oozy double creme


IDIAZABAL Raw sheep cheese from the Spanish Basque. Chimney aging gives a slightly smoky finish.


MIMOLETTE Resembles a cantaloupe, tastes mild and nutty with a rich finish


MORBIER LAIT CRU Classic French cheese traditionally made from raw morning and evening milk


NOORD HOLLANDER Rich, crystalline Dutch gouda aged 5+ years


PECORINO CROTONESE Aged sheep’s milk cheese from Sardinia, Italy


TILSTON POINT BLUE A washed-rind blue with a grainy texture and a nutty flavor.

See you at the market!

North Park FM Selection - Thur June 3rd

It seems more folks are discovering (or rediscovering) this much-improved weekly market. From the redesigned layout to the growing mix of vendors, this Thursday market has developed into the ideal pre-weekend shopping experience. We hope you'll come out and support the many excellent farmers and vendors bringing great food to North Park each week!

North Park Farmer's Market
Every Thursday, 3-7pm
Located in rear part of the CVS parking lot
@ North Park Way/32nd St

This week's NPFM Selection

GRATTE PAILLE Rich, decadent triple crème from French producer Rouzaire

BUCHERON Soft-ripened French goat - excellent with a drizzle of honey

PURPLE HAZE Soft chevre blended with lavender & fennel pollen (Arcata, CA)

TAUPINIERE w/HERBS Tangy chevre assortment with herbs, pepper & ash coating

ARDRAHAN Nutty and pungent washed-rind cheese from the Emerald Isle

GARROXTA Excellent Spanish goat with a suede-like natural rind

MAHON Semi-firm cheese aged 4mos from the Spanish island of Menorca

FLOR de ESGUEVA One of the world's finest Manchegos, made from raw sheep's milk

JUNI Tasty Italian cheese made from cow's milk and juniper berries

PARMIGIANO REGGIANO Real DOP Parm, just split this week. This is as fresh as it gets!

BEEMSTER XO Aged Dutch Gouda with great crystals & butterscotch flavors

FOURME d'AMBERT Fruity and mild French blue. Another customer fave!

VALDEÓN Intense Spanish blue made from raw cow and goat milk, wrapped in sycamore leaves.

Little Italy Mercato Selection - Saturday June 5th

This week stop by and sample a special selection of cheeses from our featured producer, Petaluma's Andante Dairy. In addition, BeemsterXO (everyone's favorite aged Gouda) is back in stock as well as a freshly split wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano.

Little Italy Mercato
Date Street-India to Columbia -North Side
Little Italy/Downtown San Diego
**2 HOURS FREE PARKING!** @ Washington Elementary (enter at Date/Union)

This Week's Mercato Selection

FRESH GIOIA BURRATA While they last...these sell out early! (El Monte, CA)
ANDANTE TRIO A triple crème w/crème fraiche, cow's milk & goat's milk (Petaluma, CA)
ANDANTE TOMME DOLCE Firm goat washed w/plum brandy (Petaluma, CA)
ANDANTE CAVATINA Soft-ripened goat encased in ash (Petaluma, CA)
PURPLE HAZE Soft chevre with lavender & fennel pollen (Arcata, CA)
COLOROUGE From MouCou Cheese Co., creamy washed-rind rounds (Ft Collins, CO)
BREBICET French rounds of soft-ripened sheep's milk
BAVARIAN LIMBURGER The artisan version of this classic is pungent and full of nutty flavor FLOR de ESGUEVA One of the world's finest Manchegos, made from raw sheep's milk
MAHON Semi-firm cheese aged 4mos from the Spanish island of Menorca
PARMIGIANO REGGIANO Real DOP Parm, just split this week. This is as fresh as it gets!
BEEMSTER XO Aged Dutch Gouda with great crystals & butterscotch flavors
QUEBEC 4YR VINTAGE CHEDDAR Extra-sharp Canadian cheddar with a dense, creamy texture.
PT REYES BLUE Raw milk blue from the San Francisco Bay Area (Pt Reyes Station, CA)
SHROPSHIRE BLUE Classic English Stilton with annatto added for color, from Long Clawson Dairy
SHREDDED BLEND Our tasty shredded blend of 20+ cheeses. Great for sandwiches, eggs & more!

This week at Adams Avenue Farmer's Market

This market is getting better every week and it's still less than a month old. The fun, energetic vibe makes this a wonderful weekly event for vendors and patrons alike!

This Week's AAFM Selection

BUCHERON Soft-ripened French goat - try this tangy treat paired with Meyer Lemon Marmalade from Jackie's Jams!

PURPLE HAZE Soft chevre blended with lavender & fennel pollen (Arcata, CA)

TAUPINIERE w/HERBS Tangy chevre assortment with fresh herb, pepper & ash coating. Beautiful & tasty!

ARDRAHAN Nutty and pungent washed-rind cheese from the Emerald Isle. Guinness anyone?

GARROXTA Excellent Spanish goat with a suede-like natural rind. The mild goat flavors give way to a rich, creamy finish.

CARMODY Tangy and rich, semi-firm cow's milk cheese from Bellwether Farms (Petaluma, CA)

LAGREIN Customers call this Italian wine & garlic soaked treat "Salami Cheese". We just call it delicious.

FLOR de ESGUEVA One of the world's finest Manchegos, made from raw sheep's milk. Perfect for a summer picnic!

JUNI Tasty Italian cheese w/ crushed juniper berries. Perfect treat with a cool gin & tonic on a hot summer day!

PILOTA Luscious mixed-milk (sheep/cow) cheese from the French Pyrennees

QUEBEC 4YR VINTAGE CHEDDAR Extra-sharp Canadian cheddar with a dense, creamy texture.

UBRIACONE This wine-soaked & injected Italian cheese's name translates to "Great Big Drunk"

FOURME d'AMBERT Mild French blue with fruity flavors and a rich, salty finish. A cheese even non-blue lovers enjoy!

VALDEÓN Intense Spanish blue made from raw cow and goat milk, wrapped in sycamore leaves.

Adams Avenue Farmers Market

Every Wednesday 3-7pm

On 35th just south of Adams Ave (@Adams Elementary School)

Little Italy Mercato Selection - 5/22/10

Little Italy is where it's happening, every Saturday morning. We continue to be blown away by the crowds and the enthusiastic response we've had since launching last month. We love being out in the streets and look forward to seeing more of you each week. Check out all the great cheeses lined up for this week's Mercato including one of our all-time favorite American cheeses, Pleasant Ridge Reserve...

FRESH GIOIA BURRATA While they last…these sell out early! (El Monte, CA)
PIERRE ROBERT French triple crème from producer Rouzaire
HUMBOLDT FOG Artisan goat cheese from Cypress Grove (Arcata, CA)
PURPLE HAZE Soft chevre blended with lavender & fennel pollen (Arcata, CA)
CROTTIN d’CHAMPCOL Small rounds of goat cheese from France’s Loire Valley
CHAORCE Soft-ripened rounds made from pasteurized cow’s milk. Chalky & rich!
CAMEMBERT Perfectly ripe & stinky rounds from France’s Le Pommier
IDIAZABAL Smoky Spanish Basque cheese made from raw ewe’s milk
SALLY JACKSON RENATA Another incredible cheese from SJ! (Oroville, WA)
JP GRANDE REBLECHON A twist on the classic - firmer texture, terrific flavor
MIMOLETTE Resembles a cantaloupe, tastes mild and nutty with a rich finish
PLEASANT RIDGE RESERVE Award-winning Alpine style cheese (Dodgeville, WI)
EWEPHORIA Sheep’s milk Gouda, back by (very) popular demand!
BARELY BUZZED Rich cheddar hand-rubbed with coffee & lavender (Uintah, UT)
ROARING 40s BLUE Tangy Aussie blue, another customer fave.
OREGONZOLA From Rogue Creamery, lush blue with a nice bite (Salem, OR)
SHREDDED BLEND A shredded mix of 20+ different cheeses.
PEPPADEW South African sweet peppers. Try stuffing with Purple Haze!

See you at the Mercato!

Mary & George