If you are subscribed to the M&D newsletter, you received our November edition this morning and learned that this month’s featured cocktail is the Old Fashioned. If you are not subscribed to the newsletter and are interested 
in staying on top of what’s going on in the bakery and restaurant, you can subscribe here. Anyway, our very talented restaurant manager and professional mixologist, Andrew Sarubbi, came up with a really unique twist on the Old Fashioned and it features Akvavit. When he was first explaining the drink recipe to me, I was lost. “WTF is Akvavit?” I figured I can’t be the only one in the dark on this one so today I want to share what I’ve learned.Continue Reading
Holiday Shopping in Pawling
I know that some of you are going to run in the opposite direction when I bring this up but … it’s almost time to start holiday shopping. Seriously, this Sunday is November first! Thanksgiving will be here before we know it and we all 
know how quickly the December holidays are upon us after that. Over the past few years I have noticed a shift in my holiday shopping style. I cannot stand going to the mall. It’s crowded, loud, and stressful. Yuck. But I also hate doing all of my shopping online because I feel like I miss out on so much of the holiday spirit. I have fallen in love with some of the boutique stores in Saint Pete and I was recently reminded that one can have that same experience right in our beloved village. Have you been in our gift shop lately? Good Tidings is the perfect place to find your season’s greetings.Continue Reading
Revisiting Reputations in the Restaurant Industry
Okay so this post is one that I wrote and shared at the beginning of the year but this past weekend I was reminded of why it’s so important. I was out to dinner with some friends when I heard the table next to us talking about how 
badly they felt for their server because he “didn’t seem like he had any real career goals and would probably be a waiter for the rest of his life.” Ugghhh … Continue Reading
How to Make Mozzarella Cheese in 10 Easy Steps
Yesterday was a really great day. Actually, this whole weekend was really great. On Saturday, Matt and I explored downtown Tampa and Oktoberfest and then 
yesterday, with football games on the TV in the background, we attempted to recreate his mom’s famous meatballs and sauce so we could enjoy meatball subs for dinner. While the kitchen smelled out of this world amazing all day long, I am sad (but not surprised) to say that our attempt to match Mama B’s recipe fell short. The meatballs were still tasty and the sauce was still delicious, but it just wasn’t the same. Hers are just too good to match! However, we also made our first ever batch of homemade mozzarella cheese and THAT was a big win. I immediately knew I had to share the process with you all and I can officially say that if you have the time (about an hour) and the resources, that you should definitely try this one at home. So, the question of the hour is, “How do you make mozzarella cheese?”Continue Reading