One of my readers, and FCI classmate, constantly complains that there isn't enough Brooklyn content on this site. Well... she's right. So I made her a proposition - since she lives and works in Brooklyn, I told her that if she wanted to see more content about her borough, she could make it herself - and she accepted. So here's introducing a new (and hopefully regular) contributor to the site (a la eat drink one woman's You Are What You Eat):
Name:
Danielle Jakubowski
Location:
Bklyn!
Occupation:
Currently a Cheese Affineur in the making at Stinky Bklyn
Stinky Bklyn is in Carroll Gardens right?
Yes, 261 Smith Street, between Douglas and Degraw... you'll smell the cheese as soon as you get off the F train.
What do you think of Carroll Gardens' role in the NYC dining scene? It's been getting quite a lot of exposure lately...
I think it's great. It's a nice escape from the city and it's important for people to realize that you don't have to go into Manhattan to get good food, cheese, and wine. Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill has come a long way and is really making a name for itself. Before, it was really only known for the michelin-starred saul, but people in the neighborhood have really worked hard to bring a bit of Manhattan closer to home. Of course, there's Stinky Bklyn and Smith & Vine, which have become staples in the community. Po will be opening in the coming months. Lunetta, a great seasonal Italian restaurant, is packed every night. Jolie is an awesome French bistro on Atlantic Ave with a great cheese plate and many affordable daily specials. Chestnut, one of my favorites, will really take off as the neighborhood becomes more popular. And of course there's porchetta, which is a pork lover's paradise. There are so many great chefs in the neighborhood all within a 10 block radius. The neighborhood needs more exposure. There are a lot of great places that so many people don't even know exist.
Speaking of porchetta and Jason Neroni....
porchetta is awesome. Jason Neroni is awesome. He, along with a lot of the chefs in the neighborhood, often stop by Stinky for their cheese runs, so I've talked to him a number of times. He works very hard and I personally believe it shows through his food. I was very disappointed with Bruni's review. I've been to porchetta numerous times and the food has always been stellar. I think it's important to remember that 5 months ago, no one had even heard of porchetta - or ate there for that matter. He has turned the place around. It's definitely worth checking out, especially if you're a carnivore.
Tell us about working at Stinky Bklyn...
It's the best job ever, I can't complain. I eat and talk to people about cheese all day long. I've learned so much working there. Patrick and Michelle, the owners, live just a couple blocks away and know so many people in the neighborhood. They're always in search for the best products and keep really good relationships with the community. They also both worked at Blue Hill and Lupa, so they know a ton about wine and pairing it with cheese. Dan, our buyer, knows all there is to know about cheese. Gabe and Chris both worked in kitchens and know a lot about food.
And your customers?
Our customers are great. Cobble Hill has a lot of families and it's cool when parents come in with their 5 year olds and the kid wants the stinkiest cheese we have. The palates these children will have will be incredible. When I was their age I was eating bologna roll-ups. The best is when a customer comes in and says "The cheese you recommended to me last time I was here was amazing!"
So what are some of those recommendations? What are your favorite cheeses?
I really like Rolf Beeler cheeses. He's a famous affineur in Switzerland. Some of my favorites of his are Raclette and Flixer.
Other stinky cheeses I love are:
- Pecorinu (a sheep milk cheese from France)
- Wyendale (cow's milk from Belgium)
- Brescianella Stagionatta (raw cow milk from Italy)
- Red Hawk (cow milk Triple Cream from California)
- Ardrahan (cow's milk from Ireland)
As for the more mild, I love:
- Pleasant Ridge Reserve (cow milk from Wisconsin)
- Abbaye de Belloc (sheep's milk from France)
- Lamb Chopper (sheep's milk from Holland)
- Midnight Moon (goat milk gouda from Holland)
- Robiola tre late (cow, sheep and goat's milks from Italy)
- Robiolina Osela (cow's milk from Italy)
- St. Agur (cow's milk bleu cheese from France)
- Comte (cow's milk from France)
- Panteleo (goat's milk Pecorino from Italy)
- Piave (cow's milk from Italy)
- Lincolnshire Poacher (cow's milk from Neal's Yard dairy in London)
That's a lot of cheeses!
But you must understand how much I love cheese!
Help the readers get to know Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill a little better by constructing the perfect meal from your favorite restaurants.
- First: Assiette de fromages du marché (French cheese plate from Stinky Brooklyn) from Jolie Restaurant
- Second: Arugula, beet and speck salad from lunetta Restaurant
- Third: Orecchiette with cheese pumpkin, gorgonzola and soppressata from porchetta
- Fourth: Caramelized Maine diver scallops, hearts of romaine, Prosciutto de Parma and roasted almonds from saul
- Fifth: Chocolate budino and caramel from chestnut
Chestnut
271 Smith St
Jolie
320 Atlantic St
Lunetta
116 Smith St
porchetta
241 Smith St
Saul
140 Smith St
Smith and Vine
268 Smith St
Stinky Bklyn
261 Smith St
