I would think twice about a cheese plate, but wouldn’t hesitate over cookies. This is called the Bake Sale effect. Cookies could be made in somebody’s bathroom on a radiator, and I would still eat them. And yes, that is one fine looking cheese platter.
You make a good point about the bake sale effect. I’ve never given baked goods from a stranger’s home a second thought. Now I’m questioning everything. Thank you for the great comment, Bev!
Another fun story. It is impressive to entertain by talking about cheese. Love the movie references throughout. Google is really losing its edge if those are the famous people of the world...yikes. The plate itself was a letdown. There was a lot of everythinig but cheese. Reminds me of when people bring a charcuterie plate. If they are loyal to the meaning they should be slaughterhouse and smokehouse experts. Your plate is beautiful. Lots of flowers and sage even. It seems when people want a cheese plate or a charcuterie plate, they really want a plate with an assortment of cold stuff. I was glad when you went around to the guesthouse that Kato Kaelin was not around.
Mark, I can assure your of two things. First, the plate was great. A big hit with everyone. Second, if I had seen Kato Kaelin back there this would've been a story about him, not cheese.
Love cheese, even reading about it. Love your Monterey Jack and were blessed in Britain with many varieties, my favorites being; Cheshire (from Cheshire), Lancashire (from Lancashire), Garstang Blue (from ... well you get the idea), Caerphilly, Dunlop (not recycled tires) and Stinking Bishop (from ... your guess is as good as mine). ..Oliver B Sudden
I bought underground candles during COVID. I once had a black market cronut delivered to me in Washington Square Park ($25). Have also purchased black market beef stew. So underground cheese why not.
Jul 23, 2022·edited Jul 23, 2022Liked by Michael Estrin
This whole cheese / charcuterie / cookies /cronut / candle black market is hilarious. Many years ago I was guided to a family run off-books restaurant in New Orleans. It was excellent. I am definitely gonna write a post about these food plates. Gotta believe your colorful Mayor, Anne, wants to crackdown on uncollected sales tax. Also fascinated by "people living in back". I would guess these could be glorified sheds being rented out. Also how the heck do people who live in NY make all this stuff in a galley kitchen? Of course the idea of 'black-market' beef stew takes the cake.
Depending on the neighborhood, it’s increasingly common for people to live in a smaller dwelling behind a house. Usually, it’s a garage that’s converted to a studio or 1 bedroom unit. They’re called ADUs or granny pads. These units used to be legal, then zoning laws banned them for decades (but existing ones were grandfathered in), then the law changed again two years ago and made them legal. The hope is that ADUs will ease our housing shortage. But they still take time and money to build, they’re not a silver bullet. Hope that answers some of your questions about the people living in back, Mark.
There is an EXCELLENT follow on Twitter and now Substack @Noahpinion. He writes about all sorts of stuff but a lot about housing policy. I learn alot reading him and perhaps you already do. https://noahpinion.substack.com/ -- besides a clever name
That is cool and a great explanation! Years ago I read a book called Autonomy. It explored all of the secondary benefits that will emerge when cars are largely driverless and mostly rideshare. One of the biggest benefits will be the repurposing of garages into living spaces. It can radically change the useful square footage of a living space. I always revert to Kato in the guesthouse.
Funny thing is we still have the cars, so one knock of ADUs, at least in the short run, is that as people convert their garages for housing, street parking becomes scarce.
Very interesting insight Michael. The book I mentioned is a fun read, but definitely optimistic. The long-term trend will overwhelm the car culture. At one point we had four or five cars in our driveway & garage.
Ah, interesting! The pandemic has killed so many great restaurants here. There are a lot of rent-a-kitchen ops where businesses pivoted to online delivery with builk prep. So you and Michael could prepare cheese plates and charcuterie at a commissary if the business was good?
No, seriously, I mean it. I myself could never have created this goofy cheese caper. Not in a million years. And certainly not with all the film references. You made me spill my coffee down the front of my pajamas. I loved it.
I’m not a big cheese guy, but once I picked up a multi-tiered cake for my nephew’s birthday party from a baker on IG. Looked WAY more expensive than it was and tasted great. It’s so impressive what folks are making out of their homes!
I came here because of your milestone post from Feb. 19., started reading the cheese story with caution, developed a taste for it 'in the presence of a Cheesus, Lord of Lactose', and you finally got me braying with uncontrollable laughter with your line: '...who was the first American president to become more popular than feta'. The choice of the verb that describes my laughter is not accidental, as I'm in the middle of writing a story about donkeys for Monday.
I recently drove to an unfamiliar area to procure illegal cat medication. Apparently the treatment for FIP (which is fatal and caused by a coronavirus) is being pursued as a human COVID treatment so the only way to procure the cat version is through underground Facebook networks of fellow cat ladies. My cat started having seizures and I panicked, and ultimately ended up on the road to finding these meds. I found myself on a dark cul-de-sac in Seal Beach buying the first of what would be 90 days of treatment from some people who may have been sick with human COVID at the time of the transaction.
I eventually snapped out of my initial panic state, and took the kitty to a neurologist who advised that we wait to see if his disease progressed. If not, then he has epilepsy (super rare in cats), and if the seizures got worse then start the illegal meds (which she said do work). It has been 6 months and he's stable. The full treatment would have been 10 grand (!!!!) but I would sell a kidney for my pets.
I do, however, have about $2000 in illegal cat meds if you know anyone who is interested?
Wow, that’s quite a story, Emily! But I’m with you, we’d do anything for our dog, Mortimer. Here’s hoping your cat continues to be just fine and that the illegal meds you have find their way to a cat in need.
Oh so many thoughts here. First, that’s a charcuterie tray, not a cheese plate. There’s more meat and other stuff on there than cheese.
Second, I once bought ice cream under a similar circumstance. The sky is running an ice cream business from his house. It was similarly weird driving into a neighborhood and pulling up into the driveway. Very awkward. If there had been any friction in that transaction, much like the Katie, cookie situation, I would’ve bailed.
Third, did you ever figure out what the whole cookies thing was all about? Do they actually make cookies as well?
I assume she also makes cookies. Needless to say I’m willing to investigate and make another order😁
As for the cheese / charcuterie thing, I guess one of two things are possible. One, I just don’t know what I’m talking about and I’m calling something a cheese plate that clearly isn’t. Alternatively, I got a charcuterie plate meant for someone else. I’m clearly going to have to do some more research here.
Coming in knowing who Dan Avidan was made me question how much of my screen time I've spent spectating flamewars. I'm not going to change my behavior, but at least it got me thinking. Great update!
I would think twice about a cheese plate, but wouldn’t hesitate over cookies. This is called the Bake Sale effect. Cookies could be made in somebody’s bathroom on a radiator, and I would still eat them. And yes, that is one fine looking cheese platter.
You make a good point about the bake sale effect. I’ve never given baked goods from a stranger’s home a second thought. Now I’m questioning everything. Thank you for the great comment, Bev!
Another fun story. It is impressive to entertain by talking about cheese. Love the movie references throughout. Google is really losing its edge if those are the famous people of the world...yikes. The plate itself was a letdown. There was a lot of everythinig but cheese. Reminds me of when people bring a charcuterie plate. If they are loyal to the meaning they should be slaughterhouse and smokehouse experts. Your plate is beautiful. Lots of flowers and sage even. It seems when people want a cheese plate or a charcuterie plate, they really want a plate with an assortment of cold stuff. I was glad when you went around to the guesthouse that Kato Kaelin was not around.
Mark, I can assure your of two things. First, the plate was great. A big hit with everyone. Second, if I had seen Kato Kaelin back there this would've been a story about him, not cheese.
I am surprised you feel that way. I bet Kato Kaelin is not more famous than cheese as you described.
He’s absolutely not more famous than cheese. But fame isn’t everything. if I ever met Kato I would write about it! How could I not?
I forgot about Kato Kaelin! And you’re right Mark it’s a more a charcuterie plate not a cheese plate.
HOW DID YOU NOT ADD SOME COOKIES TO YOUR ORDER?!?!
I messed up. Please forgive me.
Love cheese, even reading about it. Love your Monterey Jack and were blessed in Britain with many varieties, my favorites being; Cheshire (from Cheshire), Lancashire (from Lancashire), Garstang Blue (from ... well you get the idea), Caerphilly, Dunlop (not recycled tires) and Stinking Bishop (from ... your guess is as good as mine). ..Oliver B Sudden
I bought underground candles during COVID. I once had a black market cronut delivered to me in Washington Square Park ($25). Have also purchased black market beef stew. So underground cheese why not.
This whole cheese / charcuterie / cookies /cronut / candle black market is hilarious. Many years ago I was guided to a family run off-books restaurant in New Orleans. It was excellent. I am definitely gonna write a post about these food plates. Gotta believe your colorful Mayor, Anne, wants to crackdown on uncollected sales tax. Also fascinated by "people living in back". I would guess these could be glorified sheds being rented out. Also how the heck do people who live in NY make all this stuff in a galley kitchen? Of course the idea of 'black-market' beef stew takes the cake.
Depending on the neighborhood, it’s increasingly common for people to live in a smaller dwelling behind a house. Usually, it’s a garage that’s converted to a studio or 1 bedroom unit. They’re called ADUs or granny pads. These units used to be legal, then zoning laws banned them for decades (but existing ones were grandfathered in), then the law changed again two years ago and made them legal. The hope is that ADUs will ease our housing shortage. But they still take time and money to build, they’re not a silver bullet. Hope that answers some of your questions about the people living in back, Mark.
There is an EXCELLENT follow on Twitter and now Substack @Noahpinion. He writes about all sorts of stuff but a lot about housing policy. I learn alot reading him and perhaps you already do. https://noahpinion.substack.com/ -- besides a clever name
That is cool and a great explanation! Years ago I read a book called Autonomy. It explored all of the secondary benefits that will emerge when cars are largely driverless and mostly rideshare. One of the biggest benefits will be the repurposing of garages into living spaces. It can radically change the useful square footage of a living space. I always revert to Kato in the guesthouse.
Funny thing is we still have the cars, so one knock of ADUs, at least in the short run, is that as people convert their garages for housing, street parking becomes scarce.
Very interesting insight Michael. The book I mentioned is a fun read, but definitely optimistic. The long-term trend will overwhelm the car culture. At one point we had four or five cars in our driveway & garage.
Mark there are a lot of rent-a-kitchen commissaries all over NYC but then the question is how do these home chef types afford it?
Ah, interesting! The pandemic has killed so many great restaurants here. There are a lot of rent-a-kitchen ops where businesses pivoted to online delivery with builk prep. So you and Michael could prepare cheese plates and charcuterie at a commissary if the business was good?
Sounds like you’re pretty familiar with the underground. How was the cronut?
I met him (Kato) a few years ago . He's connected with a local radio host. Normal guy who got caught in a shitstorm
"... fear of a cheese deal gone wrong." You are certifiably nuts. And I mean that in a good way. Sharron at LEAVES
Thank you, Sharron! I took your comment in the best possible way 😁
No, seriously, I mean it. I myself could never have created this goofy cheese caper. Not in a million years. And certainly not with all the film references. You made me spill my coffee down the front of my pajamas. I loved it.
Haha! I'm glad you got some good laughs. Sorry about the pajamas, though. Hope the hot coffee didn't come out of your nose because that can be rough.
I’m not a big cheese guy, but once I picked up a multi-tiered cake for my nephew’s birthday party from a baker on IG. Looked WAY more expensive than it was and tasted great. It’s so impressive what folks are making out of their homes!
It really is! There's a lot of talent out there.
I came here because of your milestone post from Feb. 19., started reading the cheese story with caution, developed a taste for it 'in the presence of a Cheesus, Lord of Lactose', and you finally got me braying with uncontrollable laughter with your line: '...who was the first American president to become more popular than feta'. The choice of the verb that describes my laughter is not accidental, as I'm in the middle of writing a story about donkeys for Monday.
"Donkeys for Monday"? ... What's on for Tuesday? Tootsie Rolls? Birdies for Thursday? Fish fry Friday?
I leave Wednesday and Saturday to the experts; Fun Day is self-explanatory.
Cheese me up! That’s a. Cheeselock….. in fact, you getting to be a big cheese now, Mr E!
The weirdest thing I bought off of social media:
I recently drove to an unfamiliar area to procure illegal cat medication. Apparently the treatment for FIP (which is fatal and caused by a coronavirus) is being pursued as a human COVID treatment so the only way to procure the cat version is through underground Facebook networks of fellow cat ladies. My cat started having seizures and I panicked, and ultimately ended up on the road to finding these meds. I found myself on a dark cul-de-sac in Seal Beach buying the first of what would be 90 days of treatment from some people who may have been sick with human COVID at the time of the transaction.
I eventually snapped out of my initial panic state, and took the kitty to a neurologist who advised that we wait to see if his disease progressed. If not, then he has epilepsy (super rare in cats), and if the seizures got worse then start the illegal meds (which she said do work). It has been 6 months and he's stable. The full treatment would have been 10 grand (!!!!) but I would sell a kidney for my pets.
I do, however, have about $2000 in illegal cat meds if you know anyone who is interested?
Wow, that’s quite a story, Emily! But I’m with you, we’d do anything for our dog, Mortimer. Here’s hoping your cat continues to be just fine and that the illegal meds you have find their way to a cat in need.
That cheese plate looks hela gourgous!
Hela delicious too!
How much did you pay for the plate?
It was $80.
Oh so many thoughts here. First, that’s a charcuterie tray, not a cheese plate. There’s more meat and other stuff on there than cheese.
Second, I once bought ice cream under a similar circumstance. The sky is running an ice cream business from his house. It was similarly weird driving into a neighborhood and pulling up into the driveway. Very awkward. If there had been any friction in that transaction, much like the Katie, cookie situation, I would’ve bailed.
Third, did you ever figure out what the whole cookies thing was all about? Do they actually make cookies as well?
I assume she also makes cookies. Needless to say I’m willing to investigate and make another order😁
As for the cheese / charcuterie thing, I guess one of two things are possible. One, I just don’t know what I’m talking about and I’m calling something a cheese plate that clearly isn’t. Alternatively, I got a charcuterie plate meant for someone else. I’m clearly going to have to do some more research here.
Coming in knowing who Dan Avidan was made me question how much of my screen time I've spent spectating flamewars. I'm not going to change my behavior, but at least it got me thinking. Great update!
Haha! Don’t ever change!
As a fan of cheese and wordplay (cheeseplay?), I think you would enjoy my friend Rich’s Instagram feed.
https://instagram.com/come_to_cheesus
Nice! Thanks for the rec!