Rogue started with Morimoto’s Soba Ale and with the popularity and demand they created an amazing cheddar with it. The soba ale is to die for. It is so light and creamy with an intriguing flavor of roasted soba that keeps you drinking. Pairing the ale with the cheddar is an obvious match. The cheedar helps the ale pop and the ale calms the down the cheese.

At first Rogue beers were hard to come across, now the 22oz bottles are in every liquor store around. What makes Rogue Ales different from the rest of the Northwest craft brewers is their wine-like approach with their recommended food pairings, tasting notes and homegrown ingredients. Crazy flavor combinations like the Chipotle and Juniper Berry Ales put Rogue on a whole other level.

If you are in Central Point, Oregon, definitely stop in at the creamery to try as many cheeses as you can and have an unlimited selection of their infamous ales.

Rogue Creamery                                             Rogue Public House & Brewery

311 North Front Street                                    673 Union Street
Central Point, OR 97502                                San Francisco, CA 94133
(541) 665-1155                                                  (415) 362-7880

When eating cheese or putting together a mixed plate I usually have quince paste or honey comb. Sometimes the cheese is so special that you need a little something extra. Truffle honey goes great with almost all salty meats and cheeses. I happen to prefer semi-hard to hard cheeses, but it did complement Crater Lake’s Blue, spread on a toasted baguette. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe it works with everything!

Fiore Sardo: sheep's milk. Sardinia, Italy

Traditional Coop’s, Fiore Sardo was the winner. This semi-hard cheese is so rich in flavor and grainy but the finish is so smooth. Barely Buzzed is a cow’s milk, cheddar like cheese. The rind is made up of ground coffee and espresso, and a touch of lavender. This intense rind seeps into the cheese creating an earthy flavor and drives your palate crazy. Aika seemed to think that it was fine on its own, but in my opinion, the honey is a must to cut the bitter grinds and match it’s earthiness.

Barely Buzzed: cow's milk, Utah

This honey is truly delicious and can add endless opportunities to a cheese plate. I buy my honey at Far West Fungi and my cheese at Cowgirl Creamery, both in the Ferry Building.

]]> http://adatewithflavor.com/truffle-honey/feed/ 1 http://adatewithflavor.com/dogs-have-taste-buds-too/ http://adatewithflavor.com/dogs-have-taste-buds-too/#comments Sun, 26 Apr 2009 09:16:56 +0000 Ali http://adatewithflavor.com/?p=535 My little Chorizo prefers a buffalo entree with a side of sweet potatoes topped off with acai berries for dessert, rather than  ”chicken flavored food”, and I don’t blame her.  Before Grain (BG), is all about great flavors and healthy ingredients, which makes it very appealing to the loving parent.  Buffalo isn’t the only entree, they also make salmon and chicken in hard food with the addition of beef, tripe and turkey in wet food.  The first ingredient is REAL buffalo, and good quality too.  There is also chicken meal, alfalfa grass and salmon oil in each little bite.  

Churri, short for Chimichurri, licks her bowl clean every single day.  BG also has a line for cats with entrees of chicken, tuna and salmon.  Before Grain may be a few dollars more than your typical processed, probably recalled pet food, however, when ordering from Merrick’s, coupons, complimentary treats and fast delivery make it worth every penny.  Don’t worry if you have a picky pup, they conveniently offer a variety pack so they can decide on their preferred dinner of choice.  Our pets love good flavor, just like us!

Every time I walk through Andronico’s, I stop at the beer aisle and stare.  Brown Sugar Ale?  It always caught my eye, and finally my date said “let’s just give it a try”.  I wasn’t going to argue. We barbecued some vegetables and buffalo and topped them both with Bone Suckin’ Sauce (make sure you buy the HOT). The hidden caramel notes of the barbeque sauce and the Lagunitas Brown Shugga’ Ale paired perfectly.  If you have an Andronico’s near by, go get some fresh produce, buffalo, bbq sauce, and Lagunitas, you won’t be disappointed.  

Info:

• 9.90% ABV
• Smaller head, spotted lace
• Medium Amber in color
• Smells like: Brown sugar (obviously), cinnamon, just all around sweetness
• Tastes like: Extremely flavorful, a bit of citrus came and went with hoppy and burnt caramel with the aftertaste of molasses
• Full bodied
• Velvety and thick finish almost syrupy
• Limited Release
• Lagunitas Brewing Company, Petaluma, California
• www.lagunitas.com

• Grade: A-

     

It is clear that Lettus Organic Cafe , now called The Plant, in San Francisco’s Marina district is known for their infamous and mysterious Garden Burgers.  Although I thought the best veggie burger in the world was from Houston’s, my friend assured me I was wrong, and I am so thankful she was right!  The garden burgers come four different ways, I prefer the Wasabi because the sweetness and acid from the sauerkraut and the vegan raspberry wasabi aioli compliment the burger to perfection. My friends rave about the California and I don’t blame them because cheese and avocado added to anything is fine with me.  I think as a meat eater who orders her burgers on the rare side, I appreciated the bright red color (from the beets) more than ever! The country sour dough is the perfect choice for this burger as it is perfectly toasted.  Mmmm, the grilled onions add even more flavor to each of the burgers.  On the plate, are homemade pickled cucumbers and lightly dressed mixed greens with a champagne vinaigrette.

My date got the Tempeh Reuben sandwich.  Although it was my choice, as a meat eater, he sure didn’t miss the corned beef.  The tempeh was sliced thin so the grainy texture and the flavor didn’t take over.  The thousand island was homemade, and the flavor made that pretty damn obvious.

The menu is huge, but not overwhelming.  So many vegan and vegetarian options, I think the only meat on the menu is chicken.  There are so many tempting choices, it’s just frustrating that you can’t order everything.  I wasn’t a fan of the tiny beer menu, but they did have Torrontes and Malbecs from Argentina by the glass and/or bottle (at reasonable prices) which made me happy.  There is a lot of seating, but the best seats are out front.

Mon – Fri 11:00am – 10:00pm
Sat – Sun 10:00am – 10:00pm

3352 Steiner @ Chestnut        San Francisco, CA