Blue Cheese, How About a Buffalo Milk Version

Cheese, queso, fromage or formaggio, no matter what you call it, I love it! Mrs. SNarolina Foodie and I like to buy different cheeses to snack on in the evening. Sometimes by itself, sometimes with a bottle of wine. We get most of our cheese from Whole Foods, which has the largest selection in Greenville.

What I like about Whole Foods is that they have a very knowledgable staff that will let you try just about any cheese there, to ensure that you like what you are buying. During our most recent venture for some cheese, to celebrate our anniversary, we were suggested with "Blu di Bufala Mitica", aka Blue Cheese made of Buffalo's milk.

We like Blue Cheese and this by far was some of the smoothest blue cheese that we've ever had. This wasn't your packaged crumbled blue cheese, this was excellent and with maybe a slight sweet taste to it.

If you have a Whole Foods or a local fromagerie, request for it. Chances are, they will have it. I would even suggest asking for a sample, to make sure you enjoy it, before buying it. By the way, if a place doesn't allow you to taste the cheese before buying it, leave. Thats an excellent indication if someone knows what they are talking about. As we try other cheeses, if some are amazing and really stand out, then I will post them.

Finally, I will put a plug in for the Champagne that went well with this cheese, Franck Bonville Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru, which can be found in many wine shops for around $40. Makes a great after dinner pairing with most cheeses.

Table 301 Offering 3 Wine Dinners in Greenville, January 12, 2012

Winemaker Dinners - Thursday, January 12, 2012
Three talented winemakers, three great restaurants, one amazing night of wine & foodWe’re excited to host three dinners with winemakers in town for the American Red Cross Affair with Flair Wine Auction (with a percentage of the proceeds benefiting the event).
NOSE DIVE with Tom Rinaldi of Provenance Winery.
Provenance Wine Dinner - Thursday, January 12, 2012The event is $65 per person and seating is limited. A portion of the proceeds benefit the American Red Cross Western Carolinas Region. For reservations, please call 864-241-3030.Provenance Wine Dinner Menu:StartFamily Style CharcuterieChefs Selection of House Made Hams, Pates, Rillettes & PicklesProvenance Vineyards Rutherford Sauvignon Blanc 2010FishMarinated Tuna CrudoHerb Smoked Blackberries, Grilled PortabellaProvenance Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot 2006MeatPork ShankRoasted Root Vegetables, Apple, Smoked BrothProvenance Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
SweetCandy BarFirm Milk Chocolate, Coffee Crust, Raisins, Bourbon, Peanut Anglaise


Devereaux’s with Joe Davis of Arcadian Winery. For reservations, call 864-241-3030. 



The event is $85 per person and seating is limited. A portion of the proceeds benefit the American Red Cross Western Carolinas Region. For reservations, please call 864-232-7007.Perception Wine Dinner Menu:First Course:

Arugula SaladCider Vinaigrette, Feta Cheese, Toasted Pumpkin SeedsPerception Russian River ChardonnaySecond Course:

Creamy Blue Crab SoupPerception Sangiacomo Vineyard ChardonnayThird Course:

Pan Seared ScallopsAsparagus Risotto, Butter SaucePerception Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay and Russian River Pinot NoirFourth Course:

Braised Beef Short RibsCreamy Anson Mills Polenta, Broccolini, Truffle DemiPerception Bacigalupi ZinfandelFifth Course:

Brown Butter CakeLocal Pecans, Caramel Ice CreamThe event is $75 per person and seating is limited. A portion of the proceeds benefit the American Red Cross Western Carolinas Region. For reservations, please call 864-241-3030.Arcadian Wine Dinner Menu:First CourseCrab CannolliPiña, Radish, Apple, Chive, LemonChardonnay, “Sleepy Hollow Vineyard”, Santa Lucia Highlands, California, 2006Second CourseRoasted GrouperWhite Corn Polenta, Maitake, Lemon, Herbed JusPinot Noir, “Sleepy Hollow Vineyards”, Santa Lucia Highlands, California, 2005Third CourseBeef ShortribConfit Potatoes, Caramelized Onion, Haricot Vert, BraisageSyrah, “Garys’ Vineyard”, Monterey, California, 2001Fourth CourseHot Chocolate & BiscuitFlourless Chocolate Cake, Stuffed Brioche, Malt ParfaitThe Loft at Soby’s with Mark Ray of Perception Wines. For reservations, call 864-232-7007. Perception Wine Dinner - Thursday, January 12, 2012

CreamThe event is $75 per person and seating is limited. A portion of the proceeds benefit the American Red Cross Western Carolinas Region. For reservations, please call 864-241-3030.

Arcadian Wine Dinner Menu:
First Course  Crab CannolliPiña, Radish, Apple, Chive, LemonChardonnay, “Sleepy Hollow Vineyard”, Santa Lucia Highlands, California, 2006

Second Course  Roasted GrouperWhite Corn Polenta, Maitake, Lemon, Herbed JusPinot Noir, “Sleepy Hollow Vineyards”, Santa Lucia Highlands, California, 2005

Third Course Beef ShortribConfit Potatoes, Caramelized Onion, Haricot Vert, BraisageSyrah, “Garys’ Vineyard”, Monterey, California, 2001

Fourth Course Hot Chocolate & BiscuitFlourless Chocolate Cake, Stuffed Brioche, Malt Parfait

MED BISTRO (new) vs MED DELI (old) - Charleston

It's been over a week since SNarolina Foodie has posted. Fortunately I haven't been without some good food. Growing up, my family would vacation in Charleston. One of my memories while in Charleston is having lunch at Med Deli over on Folly Road. In the years since we started eating there, the name and other things have changed, but much of it is still the same. A cool bistro setting with an excellent choice of wines and beers.

I was working in Charleston this week and decided to skip my usual lunch at Fast and French and go to Med Bistro (formerly known as Med Deli). I hadn't eaten there in years and wanted to see if it was good as I remembered. My memories from the past was the awesome macaroni salad and the Med Pocket, which consist of turkey, swiss cheese, alfalfa sprouts and garlic aoili. This week, I ordered the Black Bean Burger which consisted of roasted red peppers, avacado slices and goat cheese and of course I got the macaroni salad.

Unfortunately my hopes were rather dashed. The macaroni salad that I so craved had a different flavor from what I remembered. I guess with the change in name, came a change in recipe. The blackbean burger, something I wouldn't normally order, became a mess. I needed a fork and knife to enjoy. I should've stuck with the Med Pocket, but that could've been a disappointment as well.

Yes, today's post isn't positive news for Med Bistro. I may not venture back for lunch, but it's been a West Ashley mainstay for over 50 years, so apparently they are doing something right with such a loyal following.

AT COMMUNITY TAP, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BEER (AND WINE)

Five years ago, I wasn't a beer person. In fact, my beer of choice was, heaven forbid, Bud Lite. I finally came to my senses and started exploring the world of beers. There is certainly a world of beers to be learned. Fast forward to today and I can tell you, though I am no connosseur, that my favorite style of beers are Trappist Beer from Belgium and beers of Bavaria, Germany. Lately, there has been a proliferation of shops that focus on Microbrews from the US and around the world. In addition to selling bottles of our favorite small batch hops, they're also selling beer on tap with growlers to get your fill. Greenville, SC, is fortunate to have the Community Tap, which opened in July 2010.

If you are new to drinking beer or are wanting to branch out, visit these guys. Their knowledge will aid in your exploration of beer. With a couple of choices locally, why do I like the Community Tap? I like about the Community Tap because beer (and wine) is the focus. On a recent visit with my growler to Community Tap, Ed one of the co-owners was very helpful in my selection as always. What I noticed is this, Community Tap will allow for you to bring in an outside growler to use. Yes, I own two Community Tap growlers (32oz and 64oz), however a customer that was in front of me, brought her own growler. What's the big deal? I've heard that some places won't accept growlers unless it's their own. Pretty rediculous, if you tell me. It should be about the beer, not the jug you fill and with that, the Community Tap will have my loyal support.

I mention wine with the Community Tap, because recently, they started pouring wine for growlers. I can't addequately talk about the wine, since I haven't tried it yet. However, I can let the NY Times Diner's Journal tell you about it (see link below). Pretty impressive that our local tap has already been written about from one of the NY Times' writers. Just being mentioned is nice, but having an article, now that should speak for itself! Chefs across the country spend careers trying to get mentioned in the Times. Their doing something right.

http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/30/growlers-for-grapes/


The Community Tap
205 Wade Hampton Boulevard
Greenville, SC 29609

Phone:864.631.2525

HIPSTERS AND HIGH SOCIETY - FAST & FRENCH

I'm in Charleston at least once every two to three weeks. As mentioned recently by a national publication, Charleston has become the Paris of America with regards to it's culinary options. Speaking of Paris, I really enjoy French food and Charleston has a couple of options. My current favorite lunch spot is Gaulart et Maliclet Cafe or more commonly known as "Fast & French". It sits on Broad Street, just a few steps from King Street and caters to everyone, from Hipsters to the High Society of Charleston's SOB's.


Upon arriving into Fast and French, you are seated at one of several community tables. I particulary like this arrangement because many times you will be seated at a table with some interesting people. Once seated, one of the staff will show you the Daily Special ($8.95), which is always recommended. Usually the Daily Special consist of a soup, sandwich or stew and is usually accompanied with sliced melons, sausage or cheese, and always includes a glass of wine. I like the Daily Special because it allows me to choose something that I usually wouldn't order.

This week I enjoyed the Ratatouille over rice with a side of sausage. I usually wouldn't order this on the menu, however I went with my instincts to go with the Daily Special. Also, I ordered the Cheese Du Jour which consisted a tasting of four different cheeses (goat, blue, soft and semi hard). Another aspect of Fast & French is they have both vegetarian and vegan options. The prices here are amazingly low, for the quality and flavor of food that is served. Their menu is varied and too much for me to post. If your interested, below is a link to Fast & French's menu:

http://fastandfrench.org/G&M/menu.html

I wouldn't suggest Fast & French for large parties, say 4 or more, because seating is very limited and this place is cozy enough to enjoy alone with your new friends (read tablemates) or with a friend.

Fast & French
98 Broad Street
Charleston, SC
843-577-9797

If you are looking for French food but in a group setting in Charleston, then I would recommend 39 Rue de Jean. Rue de Jean provides a completely different atmosphere and menu than Fast & French, but good nonetheless.

39 John Street
Charleston, SC
843-722-8881

Any French restaurants within the Carolina's that I need to try, please share. Unfortunately Greenville, SC had two within the past 7 years, however both are long gone.