Weekend Pairing

What goes with bubbly? The answer is the rich mouth-feel of a triple cream cheese.

This week we have two. Fist we have the Mt. Tam from Cowgirl Creamery in California. This organic, slightly sweet, milky, buttery, mushroomy cheese is a staff and customer favorite. This cheese also won 2nd place in it's category at the ACS competition in 2008.

The second cheese is also a triple cream cheese from Cowgirl Creamery. Fresh off of it's 2nd place all around win at the ACS competition in Austin last week, we are proud to present Red Hawk. This is also an organic milk cheese with a buttery texture and flavor. By washing the rind with a brine solution you get a russet colored cheese with beefy and fruity flavors.

The wine that Jan picked for us this week is the Tabenero from Peru. Yes, Peru. Peru is a developing wine region to watch! Why is sparkling wine and champagne so good with rich, buttery creamy cheeses? In Jan's words,

"The acid makes your mouth water, mimicking the sensation of hunger, encouraging you to
take another bite, another sip. The acid "cleans" your mouth after each bite of rich,
creamy cheese, giving you a clean slate, and encouraging you to have one more bite."

The Tabenero is made from chenin blanc grapes and is dry, not sweet. It delivers a crisp, clean mouthwatering tartness that make it a perfect accompaniment for cheese, or just about anything else you're eating. Sparkling wine isn't just for the extraordinary occasion, it's for any occasion!

-Agela

Newsletter Update

CELEBRATE PASTORAL'S 5-YEAR ANNIVERSARY THIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 16: Free Mini-Baguettes at Broadway to the First 100 Customers! Stop in For a Nibble

Follow Us On Twitter For a Chance to Win Our Grand Prize: Sign Up Now-Don't Miss Out!

We can't believe it's been five years since we opened the doors of our cozy 382 sq ft storefront on East Lakeview's pedestrian hub of Broadway, but time flies when you are having fun! Ken and I fled Corporate America to follow our culinary dream and you lent us your loyal support. Words cannot express our gratitude!

Please stop by our original location at 2945 N Broadway anytime during business hours this Sunday (11 am til 6 pm) and have a sip and a nibble on us and also give us a chance to thank you in person for your patronage. The first 100 customers also receive one of our delicious Mini-Baguettes, generously provided by our partner, Bennison's Bakery! (While supplies last, limit one per household please)

Join Our 5th Anniv Scavenger Hunt For a DEE-LISH Grand Prize! Follow On Twitter

Sign Up Now To Follow Us On Twitter & Get The Chance to Win A Cheese & Wine Pairing Each Month For 6 Months!

At Pastoral, we don't take life too seriously and if there is anything we all love, it's a good game. So, in honor of our 5 year anniversary in Lakeview, we decided that we had to up the ante on fun! So, lace up your running shoes and get ready to play our first-ever Lakeview Scavenger Hunt this weekend, with clues provided only on Twitter to help you find the bounty!!!

Sign up and follow us on Twitter before Friday morning, when the clues start to flow and the fur starts to fly! You can become a Pastoral follower on Twitter by clicking below, signing up (if you're not already on it) and finding us at PastoralArtisan (seems to be case sensitive). Follow the clues to find our grand prize and once you find it, bring it along to 2945 N Broadway, yell "Wine & Cheese Please!" and present us with the designated evidence per the last clue. Last clue is Sunday!

NOTE: Pastoral Employees, their families are significant others are ineligible to participate. Six months of pairings must be in consecutive months commencing before year end and ending no later than May 31, 2010.

Follow Us On Twitter For Insider Info: screen name PastoralArtisan

Chicago Air & Water Show This Weekend!

Get Your Party Tray & Picnic Orders In Now!

The weather is supposed to be perfect for one of Chicago's premier summer happenings--the nation's largest free air and water show right outside our front door on beautiful Lake Michigan. Whether you're on a rooftop, a boat, or a grassy knoll, Pastoral trays, picnics and other delicious fare can make it easy, delicious and memorable. Call in advance to reserve your trays or picnics, or stop in the day of to pick up a nosh to take along! We're open regular hours all weekend (11 am til 6pm in the Loop and 11am-7pm Sat & 11am-6pm Sun)

Click to See Pastoral's Catering Options

Don't forget that our Fall class schedule will be out by the end of next week for advanced registration--- classes start in September and run until just before Thanksgiving, when we break for the holidays. Also, check out Pastoral in the September issue of Town & Country Magazine, featuring two of our favorite Midwest cheeses--Oakvale Farmstead Gouda and Pleasant Ridge Reserve! We're also in this month's Saveur Magazine, featuring our Rogue Creamery Crater Lake Blue. PS- Our Culinary Road Trip is SOLD OUT with a waiting list forming now!

We hope to see you this weekend! TWEET!!!

We're All A-Twitter!

A lot is going on with Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine in the upcoming weeks. First, we have our 5th anniversary of the Broadway location coming on Sunday, August 16. Five years! As a thank you to you our loyal customers and members of our community we would like to to invite you to come celebrate with us*. We will have a few trays out filled with tasty morsels from our shelves and cheese case, and will be tasting out some wines as well. The first 100 customers in the door will be given a mini baguette. There is also secret prize!

In conjunction with our new twitter account we will be giving away a wonderful, truly extraordinary prize. Clues on how to collect this bounty will only be given on our twitter account, so if you want to participate in the hunt you've got to follow us on twitter. You can click here to join. Trust me when I say you're going to want to be a part of this.

Ken and Greg are going to be doing a big announcement coming this week. I can't tell you what it is now, I don't want to ruin the surprise. Be on the lookout!

In media news, If you haven't picked it up yet, go out and get the September issue of Town & Country magazine. There's a great article featuring Pastoral Artisan . Our wholesale program was mentioned this week in an article this week. Our wholesale team is Lisa Futterman (your primary cheesy contact), Adam her assistant, delivery drivers Kevin and Clifford and of course the head cheese buyer for Pastoral Artisan, Cesar Olivares. Congratulations to our wholesale team!

*Our celebration will only be held at the location of 2945 N. Broadway. We will be pouring samples, and have trays for noshing only while supplies last. The clues for the scavenger hunt will only be given on twitter.

-Agela