Marie Fromage

Bites: Christmas in NYC; The Best Coffee in the World; Singer-Songwriter Leslie Mendelson

Happy Holidays to one and all!

See my latest article on Sheckys.com!  Home for the Holidays:  Christmas in NYC

“Hark! No matter what your religion, Christmas can be a time for Chinese food and a movie—or more traditional wassailing fare—at these festive places open on Christmas Eve and even Christmas Day.”

Cheese of the Week: Califon Tomme – from New Joisey!

A semi-firm, tangy mixed raw cow and sheep’s milk cheese from Valley Shepherd Creamery in Morris County, New Jersey.  A perfect melting cheese, enjoy it broiled over thick slices of juicy beefsteak tomatoes on crusty peasant bread.  I picked-up a wedge at the Union Square Market in NYC - look for yours at a fine food market near you.

Marie’s Little Luxuries:  Bluestone Coffee

 COFFEE!  I love the way it smells, I love the way it tastes, I love the little spring it gives to my step when I down a double-espresso.  Yes, I heart my coffee and my current bean obsession is with Bluestone Coffee found in Montclair, NJ (a.k.a. “The Upper West Side of New Jersey” located just 12 miles from Midtown).  Bluestone is a homey little café located in the Watchung Plaza section of town, a favorite hang for the locals and conveniently located near the bus stop for me!  The food there is pretty darn good.  But what really makes the place special is the coffee, roasted right there in the middle of the room.  It is strong, smooth, toasty and roasty, needing very little cream or sugar to make it zing!  Whenever I pass through town I make an effort to get a couple of bags of beans for the road – they just don’t make it that good on the Manhattan side of the river. 

BlueStone:  123 Watchung Ave 
Montclair, NJ 
(973)783-3523

Music:  Leslie Mendelson

 If you are a fan the groovy, mellow, catchy folk-soul of the 70s (think Carol King, Carly Simon) you will adore this up-and-coming New York City-based artist that I discovered quite by accident a few weeks ago playing live at The Canal Room.  I had a terrible cold, I was there to see another performer and low & behold, an opening act that turned out to be delightful surprise!  Keep an eye on this one, she’s just getting started.

www.myspace.com/lesliemendelson

Hello, It's me...with Potluck Entertaining on Sheckys.com

“After all, what experience of food can compare with eating something good made by someone you can hug?” – Marcella Hazan

Well, hello there. Yes hello, it’s been a while.  Life and its mysterious ways turned my attention towards other things over these past few months.  Now I’m back and so much has changed since we last spoke.  Whoosh!  We have a new president!  And the economy has decided to take a breather.  Which got me to thinking about what would be of interest to you in light of all these changes.  I’ve polled a few readers and here’s the way the wind seems to be blowing:

* Cheese is still an obsession: this will continue here at “Marie Fromage”.  How can it not?

* You want to know how to cook something nutritious & delicious:  and also easy breezy - this will also continue here.  I have gotten into the habit of making my own breakfast and lunch as a way to get healthy in the belly and the wallet.  But I will never, NEVER give up my daily double espresso from my favorite café!! I mean, let’s be reasonable.  Which brings me to…

 * “Marie’s Little Luxuries”: small but meaningful ways you can have adventure, decadence and deliciousness in your life and feed your senses without breaking the bank.  

* Support your local favorite restaurant:  Are you considered a regular at a food establishment near you?  Don’t stop going – restaurants need you right now!  If you can swing it, make room in your weekly budget and keep it in your life, it’s always nice to have someone else do the cooking once in a while.  And guess what?  You get two meals in one!  Restaurant portions are always too big to finish in one sitting, so bring home the rest to enjoy again later.  Yes, let’s bring sexy back to the doggie bag.  Um, well, it never WAS sexy or classy, but still...

* Support your local musicians (and their friends):  some of the best music around is right in your own backyard.  Did last Saturday night find you at home watching “Dancing with the Stars”? No!  You are cooler than that!  Get out of the house and go see that random band that “friended” you on MySpace.   

You might be pleasantly surprised.  Also check out CD Baby and Pandora Internet Radio for other handy ways to find out about & support indie artists. 

* Get away:  you have got to break the monotony and refresh your mind with little trips out of town.  Grand, sweeping European jaunts are nice and encouraged, but day trips count too!   I will continue to keep you abreast of my excursions.

 In Other News…

 

I got some ink!  Check out the piece I recently did for Sheckys.com:

 “Bring It! Throw a Potluck Party”

 

Photo Credit: Rika's Cheese and Mouse Clock by the students of The American School in Japan; Lemon Meringue Cupcake  by Mary Connolly; The Respect Sextet by Paul Miller