Marie Fromage

What Have I Been Up To?

What have I been up to? Well for starters, check out these recent stories I've written for Montclair, NJ area news outlet Montclair Local (f/k/a/ Baristanet):

2024

* There’s A New Taco In Town: Make Way for Playa Taqueria

2023

* This Montclair Restaurant Takes Fast Casual to a Whole New Level (Boschetto) 

* Authentic Aperitivo at Bar Franco

* Serving Up Sunshine and Sea at Montclair’s Eleven South Restaurant

* A Tasty Trip to the Middle East Just Up the Parkway

* Chef Confidential: Under The Radar Pop-Ups, Tastings and Supper Clubs in Montclair

* Dutch’s Sandwich Shop: Serving Up a Side of Community

* Cheers (Drink To That) at Pharmacie Bar Where You Can BYOF

* Choose Your Own Adventure at Bloomfield’s Popolari

* The Chew On Harvey’s Handrolled Bagels

* Giddy Up For A Night at the Races: Meadowlands Racetrack

2022

* Worth the Trip NYC: The Tin Building, South Street Seaport & The Financial District

* Build A Better Butter Board (Say That Three Times Fast!)

* Experience Bites of Heaven at Umai Sushi & Steak House 

* Can You Picnic? A Quick Guide for Dining Al Fresco

* Cheers to Bitol, Clifton's Crafty Cantina

* Dinner at Sam's Table: Home Grown with a Garden View

 

Interviewed by Lost in Jersey Podcast!

It was an honor to be interviewed by the dynamic women of the "Lost In Jersey" podcast! 

Please give it a listen here: LINK

 

 

Interviewed by Podclair! 11-3-2019

 

LISTEN: 

I was recently interviewed by Podclair, a podcast series that covers life and entrepreneurship in Montclair, NJ. I am deeply humbled and grateful for the opportunity to share my tales of cheese and music! To give it a listen, please click on the link below OR look up Podclair on the podcast app on your iPhone OR click this link!

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

 

2020

NYC: French Cheese 101 Classes 

Celebrating over Three Years Teaching
@ French Cheese Board

PLEASE NOTE:

Classes for 2020 are postponed for now. Please follow me on Instagram @MarieFromage to get
the latest updates on when classes will resume.
Until then, please stay safe & healthy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy National Cheese Lovers Day! A Gift From France - The French Cheese Board

Quick, what is your favorite French cheese? Brie! What else, maybe Brie’s sassy little cousin Camembert? Yes! But those cheeses are only the tip of le grande fromage. It is said that France is home to more than 350 types of cheese, which is mind boggling. Fortunately we have the French Cheese Board to educate and entertain our taste buds.

Comté (Gruyère’s French sister), Emmental (holey), Epoisse (stinky!), Mimolette (looks like a cantaloupe), Raclette (melty) are just a sampling of the many cheeses on rotation at this unique space.

 

I wrapped this baby in puff pastry and baked it.

The French Cheese Board is the showcase for Cheeses of Europe, a trade association that promotes French dairy farms and cheese makers to consumers, distributors and retailers within the United States. It is a pop-up cheese shop, an event space, art gallery and culinary laboratory – all of it to celebrate the glories of French cheese. There are cheese pairing classes, holiday-themed events, edible art installations (many are free) and shopping! The pop-up store portion of the space offers a selection of cheeses and butters that change monthly. And some products are 50% off regular retail prices, which is a win for the cheese lover.

A cocktail made with Mimolette infused Calvados, Lemon, Fig & Egg White.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next French Cheese Board pop-up is planned to open in lower Manhattan in mid-March. In the meantime look for your French fromage favorites at Murray’s, Stinky Bklyn, Dean & Deluca, Citarella, Whole Foods and other fine food retailers. 'C'est magnifique!

Montclair Food & Wine Festival Takes Town By Storm

The third annual Montclair Food & Wine Festival revved up the local restaurant scene last week with four events featuring chef’s tastings, delicious wines, craft beers, artisanal cocktails, live music and crowds of happy eaters. And good vibes – some of the proceeds for these events went to benefit some very worthy causes.*

GALA!

The week began with the elegant Gala Dinner and auction at The Manor that featured wine-paired plates from FIN Raw Bar & Kitchen, renown chefs Arian Duarte (Ariane Kitchen & Bar), Ryan DePersio (Fascino), Mitchell Altholz (Highlawn Pavilion), Michael Carrino (Pig & Prince), Francesco Palmieri (Orange Squirrel), Zod Arifai (Blu and Next Door), Kevin Sippel (Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen), Meny Vaknin (Mish Mish) and Thomas Ciszak (Chakra and Blue Morel). The wines were curated by Amanti Vino.

BOOK PARTY & BITES

Next up was ‘The Kitchen’ Book Party & Bites, a delightful evening that took place at Watchung Booksellers and featured Geoffrey Zakarian, Katie Lee and Sunny Anderson, stars from the Food Network show “The Kitchen” who were on-hand to greet fans and sign copies of their cookbooks.
Tasty treats from the cookbooks were prepared by Tiny Elephant for fans to enjoy while waiting to meet their Food Network favorites.

 

 

 

BOURBON & BIERGARTEN

Friday evening brought the party outside with the casual “Bourbon & Biergarten” event which took place on the stately grounds of the Montclair Art Museum. 

 

Small batch bourbons, cocktails and craft beers were featured(Hudson Pale Ale was a favorite), along with the food that loves them – think burgers (BURG; Anderson's 1949), grilled sausages (Pig & Prince), tacos with a twist (Kimchi Smoke), grilled corn (Villalobos), cheese (La Panzanella Artisanal Foods Co.) and pretzels sticks(and even pretzel-shaped donuts, courtesy of Montclair Bread Company) and many others. Sweet cravings were satisfied by The Pie Store, Gelotti, Jaret's Stuffed Cupcakes and more. New Orleans-inspired live music was provided by the Street Beat Brass Band and added a jaunty note to the balmy night. Here are some highlights:

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GRAND TASTING

The Saturday night “Grand Tasting” bash rounded out the week with even more chef tastings both savory & sweet, wines & cocktails curated by Amanti Vino and live jazz performed by The Jack Ferguson Trio. Leir Hall at the Montclair Art Museum set the stage for this sophisticated event. 

 
The Grand Tasting event is so popular that some folks come every year. “I like the people that come and you get to try different things from different restaurants,” said attendee Regina Schenker. “It’s an easy way to try a restaurant. I like that”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can’t wait for next year to see what organizer Melody Kettle and her team come up with. Until then, visions of curry chicken sliders and elderflower rum punch will be dancing in my head.   

*Portions of the proceeds from the Montclair Food & Wine Festival events went to support the following organizations:

St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital 

Intensive Therapeutics

MACHE - Montclair Academy for Culinary Hospitality Education

 

 

Copyright ©Marie Fromage All Rights Reserved; Photos by Marie Fromage except where noted.

 

 

 

The Kitchen Book Party & Bites Heats Up Montclair

Montclair folks love their food. Montclair folks also love the celebrities that live and work there. Case in point, the enthusiastic turn-out for the “The Kitchen Book Party & Bites” that took place last night at Watchung Booksellers & Tiny Elephant.

This lively and fun event was part of the Montclair Food & Wine Festival taking place this week.  

Food Network show “The Kitchen”, produced by BSTV Entertainment, is filmed in Montclair and several of the show’s hosts, Geoffrey Zakarian, Katie Lee and Sunny Anderson were on-site to greet fans and sign copies of their cookbooks.

 

 

 

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 Tiny Elephant prepared and served samples of recipes from the chef’s cookbooks, including a chocolate bread pudding, a cold beet soup, lamb meatballs and a cocktail made with elderflower, Busted-Barrel rum and Blue J Syrups

It was a steamy night outside, but Montclair food fans took the heat and went straight to The Kitchen!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TONIGHT – Montclair Food Festival event #3 - “Bourbon & Biergarten”, outside on the grounds of the Montclair Art Museum. This casual event will feature live music, fine bourbons, craft beers and food samples from over 25 local purveyors. Sounds like a good time to me! Get your tickets HERE.

Copyright ©Marie Fromage All Rights Reserved; Photos by Marie Fromage except where noted.

 

Countdown to the Montclair Food & Wine Festival!

The Montclair Food & Wine Festival will begin again in a matter of days!  The festival, a benefit* now in its third year, will run from June 8 – June 13 and will feature live music, signature dishes and drinks prepared by notable Montclair-area chefs and Food Network stars. There are four exciting events to choose from - and one is free!

=> Monday, June 8 @ 6pm: Wine-Paired Gala Dinner at The Manor

This very special festival kick-off event will highlight the talents of chefs from Ariane Kitchen & Bar, Fascino, FIN Raw Bar & Kitchen, Orange Squirrel, Blue and Next Door, Mish Mish, Chakra and Blue Morel, Highlawn Pavilion, Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen and Pig & Prince. Cocktails will be provided by Busted Barrel Rum and wines by Amanti Vino.
Address: The Manor - 11 Prospect Avenue, West Orange, NJ.
FOR TICKETS: http://montclairfoodandwinefestival.org/gala-dinner/

 

=> Thursday, June 11 @7pm: FREE EVENT - “The Kitchen” Book Party & Bites at Tiny Elephant & Watchung Book Sellers

Did you know that The Food Network tapes its show “The Kitchen” right here in Montclair?  Stop by and meet stars Geoffrey Zakarian, Katie Lee and Sunny Anderson! They will be on-hand to sign copies of their new cookbooks and Tiny Elephant will be preparing and serving sample snacks from the featured cookbooks. Did I mention this was free?   It certainly is, but you must register to attend. Please send an email to [email protected]
Address: Tiny Elephant & Watchung Book Sellers: 54 Fairfield Street, Montclair

=> Friday, June 12 @ 7pm: Bourbon & Biergarten at  The Montclair Art Museum

Take "a shot & a beer” to a whole new level. This casual event will take place outdoors on the beautiful grounds of The Montclair Art Museum and will feature live music, bourbon & wine sourced by Amanti Vino and dishes provided by over 25 local food purveyors including Anderson’s 1949, FIN Raw Bar & Kitchen/Salute, Fitzgerald’s 1928, Montclair Bread Co., Pig & Prince, The Pie Store and more!
Address: Montclair Art Museum – 3 South Mountain Avenue, Montclair
FOR TICKETS: http://montclairfoodandwinefestival.org/bourbonandbiergarten/

 

=> Saturday, June 13 @ 7pm: Grand Tasting at The Montclair Art Museum

A Saturday night to remember! This final event of the festival will feature live music and a wide-variety of dishes prepared by area restaurants, with wine and spirits supplied by Amanti Vino. Sample foods from Brick Lane Curry House, Fricassee French Bistro, Java Love Coffee Roasters, Montclair Bread Company, Nicolosi Fine Foods, Olive That!, Sputino Wine Bar, Strip House, Tiny Elephant, Vital Restaurant & Juice Bar and many more.
Address: Montclair Art Museum – 3 South Mountain Avenue, Montclair
FOR TICKETS: http://montclairfoodandwinefestival.org/grand-tasting-2015/

*The Montclair Food & Wine Festival will benefit the following organizations:

St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital  - https://www.stjosephshealth.org/sjch

Intensive Therapeutics - http://intensivetherapeutics.org

MACHE - http://montclairfoodandwinefestival.org/mache-montclair-academy-for-culinary-hospitality-education/

 

Restaurant Raclette Opens in the East Village

Sweet Jesus, a restaurant dedicated to and called "Raclette" just opened in the East Village.

Raclette is a type of cow's milk cheese made in Switzerland. It is also a cousin to Fondue, but instead of dipping things into bubbling melted cheese, the bubbling melted cheese is POURED over things (like cornichon, bread, dried meats & potatoes). The best method is when a large wheel of raclette is cut in half and the cut end is exposed to fire or a special melting machine until it blisters. The melted cheese is then scraped off the wheel and onto all of the goodies waiting on the plate.

The best wine for this? Grüner Veltliner - a crisp, bright white wine from Austria that nicely cuts through the richness of the cheese.

Check out a recent article about the restaurant in The New York Times: http://nyti.ms/1JtPeXY

 

VERY Easy Baked Brie for A Crowd

This is more of a composition than a true recipe, a shopping list as opposed to a list of ingredients. However that said, I think you will appreciate the delicious ease of this cheesy treat for a crowd.

 Yield: about 10-12 people

Ingredients:

14oz Round of Brie

¼ - ½ Cup of Apricot Preserves (room temperature)

1 Package Puff Pastry, defrosted (recommended brand: Dufour)

1 Egg

1 Tbs. Water

1 Tbs. Flour (to be used for dusting surfaces) 

Equipment:

One Cookie Sheet

Parchment Paper (cut to fit the size of the cookie sheet)

Small Bowl

Fork or Small Whisk

Pastry Brush

How-To:

Pre-heat oven to 350°. Cut the parchment paper to size and place onto the cookie sheet. If the brie has been in the refrigerator, take it out and let it warm up a bit while the oven is pre-heating.

 

 I picked up this one at French Cheese Board, located on W. 39th St. near Bryant Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take the puff pastry out of the refrigerator. Lightly dust the work surface with flour and unwrap the puff pastry.

Place the round of brie right in the middle. 

 

 

 

 

Spoon the apricot preserves onto the top of the brie. 

 

 

 

Wrap the brie with the puff pastry. Bring the corners together and form a twist at the top. Bring the edges in to the sides of the brie round and press the sides in to seal. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                         

 

Place brie-pastry package onto the cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Beat the egg with the water in a bowl to make the egg wash. Lightly brush the egg wash all over the brie-pastry package. This will give it a nice bown burnish and will help to seal it up as it bakes.

Bake for about 30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes. Place on a decorative plate and serve it warm. Crackers and bread optional. This is very rich - it will pair nicely with a crisp white wine, prosecco or champagne. Enjoy!

 

 

Copyright ©Marie Fromage All Rights Reserved; Photos by Marie Fromage except where noted.

In The NY Times: A Brie Binge East of Paris

An article by Alexander Lobrano in this week's NY Times makes me want to drop eveything and go get some of my favorite bloomy rind right at the source.

Click here!

Marie Fromage's NYC Cheese Events Calendar

NYC is a cheesy town: check out my cheese events calendar where you can find out what cheese friends Martin Johnson, Wendy Crispell Wine, Murray's, Bedford Cheese shop, Saxelby Cheesemongers and others are up to!

This month is packed w/fromage fun, see what's happening today (click HERE)!