Zabar's Blog

and new cookies....

These will make our boating picnic this weekend really wonderful!  Bring along some 4th of July Cookies to your party.

Get Ready for the 4th of July - Welcome to Summer Cheese Plate 15

We're getting the word out early this week about our "Welcome to Summer" Cheese Plate - so you have time to order it for your 4th of July celebration! This collection has crowd pleasers (Fromage d’Affinois), hearty good travelers (Old Amsterdam) and cheeses with wonderful complex flavors (Smokey Blue). 

Add this collection to your 4th of July celebration and be the hit at your party!

Shop for "Welcome to Summer"

Watch the Video:

And join us this Thursday at our Cheese Counter at 3 & 5 PM for a tasting from this platter.

What's happening this weekend

Here’s a short list of some events happening this weekend in Zabar’s neighborhood: (@ Symphony Space, JCC Manhattan & Museum of Natural History)

Day 5 of our catalog shoot!

More progress on the catalog front... Baskets & Boxes Galore!!

Stop by for a sample of our Fresh Baked Breads

Here's a fun new sampling available in our store: Fresh Baked Breads

We bake these breads fresh and hot every hour:
Zabar's Sourdough Rye Bread, Zabar's Rosemary Puglise Bread, Zabar's Olive Ciabatta Bread, Zabar's Potato Onion Bread

Stop by and sample some!

Cheese Plate of the Week Video 14 - The Kosher Gourmet Selection

Kosher Cheeses are an interesting and popular, yet challenging category of cheeses.  Here at Zabar’s, we carry a large selection of kosher cheeses from all over the world.  However, to maintain the kosher status, these cheeses are kept pre-cut and wrapped which makes it difficult for many customers to try something new.  So we thought we would make it a bit easier and select a few of our favorite kosher cheeses for our cheese plate this week.

In order for cheese to be made kosher, cheese must be made with ingredients and equipment that are kosher.  But perhaps the most challenging part of making cheeses that meet the kosher standards is the ingredient called rennet.  This enzyme is essential to cheesemaking as it coagulates the milk, causing it to separate into solids (curds) and liquid (whey). Many Kosher cheeses are produced with vegetarian or microbial rennet which are a great option for vegetarians who are looking for cheeses without additional animal products.  These products are of the highest quality and enjoyed by people of many beliefs.

Today's Cheese Tasting

Visit us at 3 PM & 5 PM today for a tasting of this week's Cheese Plate of the Week: The Kosher Gourmet Selection

at Zabar's
2245 Broadway, NY NY

Zabar's named one of the 25 Best Independent Stores in America

Zabar's finds itself in great company in "Retail Superstars: Inside the 25 Best Independent Stores in America" by George Whalin.  Whalin writes:

"Retail superstars bear little resemblance to the mom-and-pops of yesteryear.  They are destination stores, run by savvy merchants who are constantly innovating, experimenting, and redefining what's possible.  They win loyal fans (and profits) by offering remarkable experiences that the chains simply can't copy."

We think Whalin really summed up a store experience with this story:

"Don’t expect an elegantly designed, beautifully merchandised, attractively lit store when visiting Zabar’s.  It’s not that kind of place.  But if you are looking for a massive selection of incredible foods to satisfy every taste, people who really know their stuff, and an only-in-New York shopping experience, Zabar’s won’t disappoint.  On one of my visits, I watched an elderly customer having an animated conversation with an employee standing behind the meat counter.  She raised her voice and shook her fist at the man, and he yelled back at her.  After a few minutes of back and forth, they came to some kind of agreement.  She got her package and in a soft, sweet voice turned to him and said, 'I’ll see you tomorrow.'"

Catalog shoot day 2

We're well on our way into day 2 of this year's catalog shoot!  The baskets and boxes on set have been absolutely amazing.  New baskets are being created all year but this week we get to see what's really rolling out in the next few months.  Did I mention YUM!

Cheese Plate of the Week Video 13 - I Love You Dad!

With Father’s Day coming up it is time to reflect on the great things Dad has done for us and how much we love him! You can always buy him a tie or a golf club to say thanks but why not give him something you can all enjoy? Cheese! It is the perfect gift!  And the best part is that instead of sitting in the closet collecting dust, this gift is one to be shared.  You can enjoy it with him and create yet another great memory.  So to help you choose the perfect cheese for Dad, we have picked some of our favorites that Dad is sure to love.  Get some crusty bread, your favorite beverage and sit down to a tasty meal with Dad to say thanks for being so great!

Cotswold, a flavorful cheese from Gloucester, England.  If there is one cheese that screams for a beer this is it! Often referred to as “pub cheese,” this cheese is Double Gloucester filled with onions and chives to spice it up! Add some salami and you have the perfect sandwich for Dad.  A great Smokey Cheese from Spain called Idiazabal that is steeped deep in tradition! Made only from certain herds of sheep and smoked only over specific woods so that it tastes just like it did when the Shepherds smoked the cheese in their chimneys.  Midnight Moon, a hearty yet subtle Goat’s Milk Gouda that will surprise even the more skeptical Dad! Its flakey texture yet creamy, slightly goat-y flavor is perfect with a crisp apple and melts beautifully for a memorable grilled cheese.  Stilton is the Father of cheeses.  It dates back to the eighteenth century where it was served to coach passengers who stopped at the Bell Inn. Throughout time, Stilton has remained constantly great just like Dad!  Now, it is one of the most recognizable cheeses in the world and it is sure to please everyone, even Dad. 

So say thanks to Dad in a special way this year….with cheese from Zabar’s!