Archive for the ‘Shop’ Category

Leavenworthy Leavenworth

Saturday, January 21st, 2012

Flags flying in Leavenworth

We love Leavenworth! Sorry if you think we’re beating a dead horse over here, but them’s the facts, ma’am. We’ve had loads of people ask us, “Why do you love Leavenworth so much?” That question can be answered in so many ways. Here are just a few:

We love the mountains. We live on the edge of the mountainous region of Eastern Washington. We love our home in the Spokane area, but when we travel west we feel truly at home as we pass through the sage land of the Columbia Basin and then up Highway 2 to the Eastern Slope of the Cascade Mountains. Leavenworth is nestled in those mountains. We breathe easier and relax the longer we’re there.

December sunset in the Cascade Mountains

Leavenworth is familiar to us. Having visited many times over three decades we know it, and we’re homebodies at heart. And yet, for all its familiarity, we never cease to discover new places and experiences that often become new favorites. This past Christmas season we “discovered” the Living Nativity program at Leavenworth Church of the Nazarene. It was an impressive program and the church folks hosting it were warm and friendly. We’ll make sure we go again. You can read all about it in a previous post.

We enjoy the people of Leavenworth. There are many people we have made the acquaintance of, and enjoy visiting with. The fine folk at the Chamber of Commerce are always friendly and a wealth of information about what’s happening in Leavenworth. They man the visitor center seven days a week. Stop in for a cup of coffee and find out what’s happening and what’s new in town. And for more of what’s really happening in Leavenworth, we stop at the Black Swan T-shirt and novelty shop. We talk with Karen Folden if she’s in (and she usually is.) She’s such a trove of information that her business cards bill her as “Miss Information.” And we always stop at the Fudge Hut for fudge.

We like shopping in Leavenworth, supporting their local economy. There are shops we would never dream of missing in Leavenworth. The Cheesemongers Shop is one. The Cheesemongers Shop moved in 2008 to a much bigger shop and now offers many more cheeses and meats that ever before. But what brings us back to the shop is the friendly and knowledgable service. The shop is always staffed with bright and enthusiastic young people who never fail to greet each and every customer and offer samples right off the bat. We have favorite cheeses we buy every visit, like Vintage Gouda, smoked Gouda, horseradish cheddar and fruit studded Stiltons. We enjoy trying new cheeses and perusing the shop filled with cheese related products, imported and local wine and beer, and picnic accoutrements. A new place we love stopping at is the Oil & Vinegar Cellar in The Cheesemonger’s old digs. This year we shipped some of Taelor’s flavor infused oils and vinegars for Christmas gifts. They’re delicious.

With all these things to love about Leavenworth how do we pick who or what deserves our designation of Leavenworthy? To see what we’ve named Leavenworthy in the past click here. We look for businesses, individuals, organizations or events that are extra cool, provide outstanding and friendly customer service or go above and beyond in representing the best of Leavenworth. This time around, we’re naming The Cheesemonger’s Shop “Leavenworthy. We’ve been shopping there for many years and wouldn’t dream of traveling to or through Leavenworth without stopping. If we’re having a a picnic we stop for sliced meats and cheeses and refreshing drinks. But most of all they’re Leavenworthy because they’re a locally owned business, providing world-class gourmet product, with fantastic small-town service. Shop at The Cheesemonger’s Shop for imported and domestic cheese, cured meat and Bavarian products like stollen, sauerkraut, cookies and mustard.

The Cheesemonger's Shop on Front Street

What do you love about Leavenworth? Got any recommendations for a future designation of “Leavenworthy”? We’re always looking for input from our readers and fans of Leavenworth.

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You know you’re in Leavenworth when…

Tuesday, October 4th, 2011

< The sights, sounds and tastes of Leavenworth keep us coming back[/caption] We know we're in Leavenworth when...

  • we smell the sauerkraut. (“I love the smell of sauerkraut in the morning!”)
  • we seriously consider sauerkraut as a pizza topping.
  • we seek out a sausage platter for 2nd breakfast.
  • the questions isn’t IF we’ll have German beer with lunch, but WHICH German beer.
  • we consider it restraint when we only get 1 1/2 lbs of fudge at the Fudge Hut.
  • we set our alarm to get up early for breakfast to make sure we have room for lunch, 2 snacks, dinner and dessert. (“I don’t think he’s heard of second breakfast, or elevensies.”)
  • there’s always room for just one more chocolate truffle.
  • 10 year old cheese is a VERY good thing.
  • the pizza place has a mustard bar.
  • you see Woody Goomsba getting a good sanding.
  • seeing Dr. Seuss hats on people is a normal occurrence.
  • people take pictures of empty streets, in the middle of the night, in the snow, of Christmas-lighted buildings.
  • it’s July and you are buying Christmas ornaments.
  • when you wear an Australian hat and duster, and speak with an endearing drawl.

 

How do you know you’re in Leavenworth?

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New taste place

Thursday, April 21st, 2011
A new shop in Leavenworth where you can try and buy flavor infused balsamic vinegar and olive oil

The Oil & Vinegar Cellar, Leavenworth

On a recent visit to Leavenworth we had the pleasure of visiting The Oil & Vinegar Cellar for the first time and meeting the lovely and gracious owner, Taelor Feinberg. The shop is located in the space that was home to the Cheesemongers Shop for many years. The exposed rock and beam interior is perfect for a shop selling old-world gourmet food like the 18 year-old flavor infused balsamic vinegars and virgin olive oils.

Taelor provides a wide variety of flavor infused balsamic vinegars

Flavor infused balsamic vinegars to try and buy

Following Taelor’s suggestions we spent some time dipping bread into the various vinegars and oils and various combinations. There were so many infusions we couldn’t try them all. In The Oil & Vinegar Cellar you’ll find organic extra virgin olive oil and 18 year-old balsamic vinegar. Then there are the flavor infusions. Flavors you’d expect like Truffle, Black Pepper and Garlic infused olive oil, and Blackberry, Fig or Pear infused vinegar. There are also unexpected flavors like habañero olive oil and vanilla balsamic vinegar. But the real magic comes when you begin mixing the oils and vinegars in unlimited ways. When you go, try some combinations like Peach, Mango and Passion balsamic vinegar with Chili olive oil. Taelor also provides suggestions for ways to use her products in dressings and marinades.

The slogan for The Oil & Vinegar Cellar

Try and buy

We brought home bottles of Bordeaux Cherry and Vanilla Balsamic Vinegar and Orange infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Since our trip we’ve used them to dip crusty bread. The cherry vinegar was delicious in the cherry sauce I made for our pork tenderloin. I also drizzled it over my sliced mango and greek yogurt. Yummy!

Prices are reasonable at $18 per bottle for most flavors. The truffle oils are priced at $26. The in-store special while we were there was 3 bottles for $48.

Taelor is the owner of The Olive & Vinegar Cellar

Taelor Feinberg, owner of The Oil & Vinegar Cellar

You can shop on-line at Taelor’s website, but visit the shop to try the oil and vinegar. It’s a lot of fun. Be sure you tell Taelor that Scotte and Renae, the Accidental Bavarians, say “Guten Tag!”

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