Hi everyone, Bandit Monkey Brown here. I’ve officially been living with Todd and Monica for about a month now, and from what I understand I had some very big paws to fill. A lot of you knew and loved Otis, and I hear he was a pretty legendary guy. I’m doing my best. So far […]
Second Saturdays in Ridgefield Oregon Wines This Week This Saturday March 14th, we’re heading out to the beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon for our Second Saturdays tasting with Sarah and Bernard from à table. We’ll be pouring two wonderful organically farmed wines that are perfect companions for cheese and charcuterie. First up is the 2022 Illahe Pinot Gris. […]
We really do love cheese and wine — not just as products on our shelves, but as a way of living. They’ve shaped our days, our table, and the life we’ve built together. We cook side by side, share meals as a family, and hold deep respect for the winemakers, cheesemakers, and charcuterie artisans whose […]
In case you were wondering…. The first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere in 2026 is Friday, March 20. This date marks the astronomical vernal equinox, which occurs at 10:46 a.m. EDT (9:46 a.m. CT), when the sun is directly above the equator. Yay! Front porch and al fresco dining days are intermittent right […]
A recent EatingWell article explored what the “healthiest” cheese for everyday eating might be, and the takeaway was refreshingly simple — cheese absolutely can be part of a balanced lifestyle when enjoyed thoughtfully. Dietitians highlighted that cheeses like feta stand out not because they’re perfect nutritionally, but because their bold flavor, satisfying texture, and versatility […]
Wabash Cannonball is a small but mighty American original with lots of character. Hand-crafted in Indiana by Capriole, it’s a goat’s milk cheese shaped into a little sphere and coated with a thin layer of vegetable ash much like its French relative, Delice de Poitou. The paste is soft, creamy, and luscious when young, with […]
It’s another Nor’Eater! The weather folks say we’re going to get, and I quote, “walloped” Sunday night into Monday morning — which sounds like the perfect excuse to stock up and stay cozy. Come by and grab the most perfect provisions for a proper snow day — beautiful cheeses, comforting soups, gourmet goodies, appetizers, and […]
This week marks the start of Lent, and while many people are giving something up, we truly hope it wasn’t cheese, wine, and gourmet foods. That said, Lent is also a nice reminder to slow things down a bit, cook a little more thoughtfully, and enjoy simple, good food around the table. Whether that means […]
Rispens Artisan Sheep’s Milk Cheese is crafted by the Rispens family and hand-selected for Essex Cheese by l’Amuse. Made from the milk of their own well-tended sheep, this beautiful farmstead cheese has a warm, nutty character that’s incredibly easy to fall for. It brings a little European farmhouse romance right to your table
The Chidaine Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2024 is bright, crisp, and alive with citrus and beautiful minerality — perfect with fresh goat cheese or oysters. The Bouvet Rosé Brut brings those celebratory bubbles, offering delicate red-berry notes and a dry, elegant finish that absolutely loves triple creams and a little (or a lot of) caviar. And […]
