And remember to pack the knives. 

The summer season in the Northeast brings with it beautiful afternoons and outdoor festivals. There are a wide array of free music events around the towns, theater in the park, and poetry readings every night of the week. Saratoga race track season starts soon, and summer visitors pack the capital district in seasonal rentals. So keep your eyes open for the many fun things to do this summer. 

When you’re out and about for the day, think about packing a picnic basket of fancy foods. This will keep your food costs down without skimping on the quality and also extend your pocket money for other impulse buys like putting a bit more toward your favorite horse! 

The essentials for a well-stocked picnic basket include:

• A selection of quality charcuterie such as country pate, salami, prosciutto, and/or country ham
• A selection of heat-resistant cheeses such as pecorino, manchego, English cheddar, and Comte 
• A cherry jam or honey to pair with cheese
• Cornichons (those adorable little pickles) or olives to cut the fat and ease digestion 
• Marcona Spanish almonds and/or figs
• Fresh baguette or crackers (gluten-free too)
• A caramel, brittle or other non-melting sweet 
• A craft beer or cider 

When putting together your basket, remember to pack utensils, cups, napkins, a bottle opener and a cutting board!

The Cheese Traveler offers a wide variety of picnic basket items in store. If you’re pressed for time, call in an order for pickup. Name your price, and our expert cheesemongers will put together a picnic basket of goodies for you. You can pay over the phone or in store 518.443.0440. 

Yes, indeed. The Cheese Traveler specializes in creating uniquely designed cheese wedding cakes for bride and/or grooms cakes. Check out our Pinterest page for ideas of what our cheesemongers can do for you. 

Cheese-cake for a summer wedding at a Beer House

Here we have featured a four-tiered cheese-cake selected for style and textures that, when taken apart, becomes a four-cheese dessert course. Adorning the cake are white roses and spray roses to match the wedding decor and a cascade of candy-sweet muscat grapes. 

Cheese-cakes can be purchased on their own, or for an additional fee, you can have a cheesemonger at your event to break down and serve the cheese to guests. 

Cheese wedding cakes are perfect for any season. They can also be created for birthdays, retirement parties, or other events. 

Pricing varies. Call or email for additional details. 

The Cheese Traveler on Pinterest

Stop into The Cheese Traveler on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Fridays in February and March to be seated for a delicious meal of gooey, melted cheese goodness.

Launched on January 20, Alpine Nights at The Cheese Traveler was met with delighted customers and satisfied tummies. Richard fired up the raclette grill and served raclette “better than what I had in Switzerland,” one customer confided. “This one came out the way it should. It was hot and perfectly melted.” That night we did experience a little ventilation problem, but that’s now resolved. “We have a good system in place now, and a sweet little fireplace to make the store feel warm and cozy,” Eric Paul, proprietor said. The menu features a curated selection of grilled cheese sandwiches; monger’s-choice cheese platters; Raclette!, an Alpine cheese melted over duck-fat fried potatoes; and Harbison gratin, a layered cheese, potato, and Benton’s bacon-caramelized onion dish that is not to be missed. Round out the meal with a selection of world-class wines, beers, or ciders. Desserts available. We are kid-friendly.

Dishes can be made to accommodate dietary restrictions. We have a fabulous gluten-free bread options, and the potatoes in the raclette dish can be fried in olive oil.

Come in to sit at a private-ish table for two or our long tables, with hall-like seating by the fireplace. Check out our menu page Friday Alpine Nights.

We will be open this Monday, December 29 from 10-7, Tuesday December 30 10-7, and Wednesday, December 31 10-6. Please stop by for your cheese, charcuterie, pate, olives, condiments, hostess gifts, and other needs. And have a very happy new year. Cheese!