Cheese Is the New Black

I have this new obsession with cheese... in particular, grilled cheese and mac and cheese... making Monday night just about perfect. I met up with the girls at Beecher's Handmade Cheese, where we each got a sampler of 3 different mac and cheeses (balsamic, curried cauliflower curry, and the "World's Best"), accompanied by a minimum of 4 glasses of wine, all for $35 (thanks for the awesome deal UrbanDaddy)!

2-of-3 Mac and Cheese Samplers. From left to right: Balsamic mac and cheese, curried cauliflower mac and cheese)

While the original Beecher's originates in Seattle's famous Pike Place Market, a store/cafe and cellar just opened up in NYC in the Flatiron District. When you walk through the doors, you find yourself in the middle of a a mini-market where you can do a little bit of shopping, or grab an espresso and a quick bite in the cafe. However, "The Cellar" located in the basement, holds a different vibe. Cute and rustic, with its exposed brick walls, they offer delicious wines (I had the house red and it was pretty friggin' tasty if you ask me...) as well as a selection of side salads, decadent mac and cheeses. They also offer real food, but that is for another post (also, I didn't get any entrees this time around)!

I would definitely recommend this place if you are having a mac and cheese craving, or if you're just looking a place to get together with your girlfriends (if you plan to go with a group, it might benefit to make a reservation). Either way, I will definitely be back!

The only thing I don't recommend is the grilled cheese martini... no matter how much your waiter tells you it's worth trying... it was kind of gross. It's like an alcoholic gazpacho infused cheese liquid, with a prosciutto glazed rim. I'd say stick to the wines, but if you want to try it, don't say I didn't warn you....

Grilled Cheese Martini Verdict Gets 5 Thumbs Down. (photo via @hels)

To finish off the post, and the week, I made some dinner for me and my roommate tonight! Yay cooking!

I'm sort of in love with Buitoni's pasta packages since it makes a great quick dinner, especially since my work schedule has been crazy lately. I picked up some cheese tortellini and tossed it in a quick garlic olive oil infusion. I also made a caprese salad and topped both the salad and pasta off with fresh basil.

Feeling inspired from a dinner I had at a friend's apartment last week, I even made dessert! We finished off dinner with some grilled peaches, spiced with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a splash of orange juice, topped with oatmeal crumble.

Paired with 2 bottles of wine, I'd say it was a pretty successful culinary week for me!