I know my travels won't be taking me to Spain any time soon. So I hope they at least take me to Skaneateles. I've eaten the last delicious morsel of Valdeon blue cheese, imported from Spain, that I picked up last month at Blue Danube Gourmet to Go.
Erica Derrick, who owns and operates the cheese shop/gourmet food store with her partner, Lorand Ernyey, introduced me to Valdeon (vahl-day-own) when I asked her to recommend a blue cheese.
Now I'm addicted and suffering withdrawal. It's sharp, but not overly strong, with beautiful blue veins, more like pockmarks, running through it. I love it in salads, but you could slice it thin and eat it on its own. It's that good.
Erica and Lorand opened Blue Danube in the fall. She lived and worked in New York City for many years and missed her neighborhood cheese shop. He was born in Hungary, which might explain the big bags of paprika the shop carries.
Blue Danube is on Jordan Street, in the heart of the village. It's a sweet little store full of great stuff: a refrigerator case stocked with big wheels of cheeses from around the world, like manchego from Spain and aged gouda from Holland; salami and other meats; breads baked at Mirbeau Inn and Spa, a couple miles down the road; baked goods and baking mixes from Organically Hip; spices; coffee, tea and related products; honey, jams, chutneys, spreads and sauces; authentic (and beautiful) Bolga baskets from Ghana, purchased directly from the artists and sold by Bluetree Studios of Syracuse.
Bolga baskets, for your marketing -- and picnic -- needs.
They have dynamite New York cheesecake (or so I'm told!) and make their own cream cheese spreads to enhance your enjoyment of bagels. Their cheeses are served on a cheese plate appetizer at the nearby Sherwood Inn. And they plan to hold more events at the shop in the future, like cheese tastings and wine pairings.
Drunken Goat, on the right, from Spain, is a cheese soaked in red wine, hence its name.
Just add coffee.
Meanwhile, imagine the possibilities when it's summer in Central New York:
You and your "other.'' A picnic basket. A bottle of wine. A stop at Blue Danube. Provisions! A stroll to the lake. A blanket on the lawn. A lazy summer afternoon.
It's 20-something degrees and a heap of heavy, wet snow is falling. A girl can dream, right? Blue Danube is at 33 Jordan St., in Skaneateles. Call 315-685-3774.
Thank you for reading my blog, Kim, and come back often!
Posted by: Margaret McCormick | 03/31/2010 at 08:53 AM
I'm hoping they get a blog themselves:) maybe if they see bloggers writing about them, they will make up one for Blue Danube! Great profile on them and now of course, I must go through your blogs:) I'm addicted:)
Posted by: kim | 03/30/2010 at 11:33 PM
Thank you so very much for your wonderful and kind posting about our little shop! I am so happy you love the Valdeon!!
Please do stop by again soon and we will try some new arrivals!
Very best,
Erica
Posted by: Erica Derrick | 03/10/2010 at 05:53 PM
Let me know when you're resupplying - I'm coming, too!
Posted by: barbara | 03/02/2010 at 08:19 PM