Splitting an app is grate and all, but let’s be real: cheese boards + charcuterie are a whole other indulgent feasting experience. We’ve put together a list of our favorite Lakeland spots to help you bring out your inner curd nerd. But first, let’s start with a lil’ cheesy vocab lesson.
Charcuterie(n.) – cold cooked meats collectively
Cheese(n.) – absolute heaven
Feelin’ like a cheese whiz, yet? Basically, add meat + cheese to plates, finesse some fruit, bread + spreads – and you’re in the board biz, baby.
🧀 Red Door Lakeland | 733 E Palmetto St. | Grazing Platter What’s on board?A seasonal cheese selection, deviled eggs, Mediterranean olive mix, honey pistachios, pickled golden raisins + crisps. 🧀 Cob and Pen, 1221 Florida Ave. S. | Cheese Board What’s on board?High-quality cheeses, pickles, jam, seasonal fruit + crostini.
🧀 Sabrina’s Delicacies | Contact for ordering | Customizable Boards What’s on board?Customize your own personal board for any occasion by contacting Sabrina for your charcuterie vision come to life.
🧀 Frescos | 132 S. Kentucky Ave. | The Mason Jar Charcuterie What’s on board?Patrons can build their own board by selecting 2-4 servings of house pimento cheese, benton ham, assorted cheeses, house pickles, and summer sausage.
🧀 Bay Street Bistro | 211 E. Bay St. | Baked Brie What’s on board?Baked brie with a fresh fruit compote.
🧀 The Salty Cow | Contact for ordering | Assorted boards What’s on board?Order your own board (with a given 48 hours notice) that’s comprised of Cow goat and sheep milk cheese, olives, preserves + more. Boards are served with varying accouterments and bread or crackers.
🧀 Stuffed Lakeland | Contact for ordering | Valentine’s Day Box What’s on board?Check out this sneak peek of Stuffed Lakeland’s special sweetheart box for a not-so-cheesy Valentine’s Day gift.
Rather stay in with Netflix, wine, and your pajamas? (Same –– Katelyn + Kaylee here. 👋) We definitely suggest grabbing some cheeses from Publix on the way to the register, lactose-intolerance be gone. *Pours Lactaid in mouth*
Become the local whiz on cheese + forward this newsletter to your gratest pals.
NEWS NOTES
Weather ○72º | Mostly Sunny | 5% chance of rain
Announced ○ Lakeland’s popular First Friday events have beencancelled through April in an effort to curb the City’s surge inCOVID-19 cases. This means there will be no Mardi Gras-themed February event or Foodie Fest March. This decision will not affect the Downtown Farmers Curb Market held on Saturday mornings.(The Ledger)
Development ○Heads up: new Starbs. The Starbucks at Lakeside Village(1479 Town Center Dr.) will be moving to a new location just down the street, complete with a drive-thru. The grand opening is expected this spring. ☕️
FeelGood ○ Running enthusiast + Lakelander Alan Grofe, 76, finished third in his age group at the Florida Senior Games, qualifying to compete in nationals later this year. This victory comes five years after he defeated prostate cancer. Count us in to the Alan stan club.🏃 (ABC Action News)
Community ○A new thrift store in Auburndale has made it their mission to providefor those in need. New Purpose Thrift Store (223 Main St.) has pledged 80% of proceeds to provide domestic violence survivors with food, housing, and other resources. The store will be hosting a community giveaway on Sat., Jan. 30 for people to shop for free.(ABC Action News)
ComingSoon ○Get a pizza this. Union Taproom (245 W Central Ave. #102) announced some dough-pe news. The Winter Haven-based taproom will be expanding their ex-beer-tise to something a little less hoppy and a little more cheesy –it’s pizza, in case you missed the hints. All we know at this point is that “Union Pizza” is coming soon and the pies will be cooked in artisan brick ovens. Yum. 🍕
Biz ○Snowcat Ridge, the state’s first outdoor snow park, has closed early for the season. The park, based in Pasco County, was scheduled to close in March around spring break but has shut its gates almost two months early. Reasons for the early closure are related to upgrading the park’s attractions. (Tampa Bay Times)
TodayIs ○ National Cheese Lover’s Day. Here’s how to make your own pro-quality cheese board with the help from the cheese and wine experts at GreenWise Market. Yum. 🧀Ⓟ
TryThis ○The Florida Dance Theater will be hosting“Golden Ticket” auditions at their studios (305 W Main St.) this Saturday, Jan. 23.. Auditions start at 12:30 p.m. for ages 10-12 + 1:30 p.m. for ages 13+. Arrive early for paperwork + temperature screenings. Masks are required. 🎭
TheBuy ○ICYMI, some former Under Armour execs are making jeans (and they might just become your new favs).Revtown uses a proprietary fabric consisting of Italian milled denim infused with the same stuff used in football uniforms and yoga pants. Plus, you can get a pair for a killer price. Shop here. Ⓟ
Asked ○What’s the 411?Reader Dawn C. was wondering about the work on the old convenience store on Old Rd. 37 between Highland + Alamo. Know what’s going on there?Email us your updates.
Coronavirus ○ On Tuesday, the Florida Department of Health announced 9,816 new cases of COVID-19 and162 additional deaths in Florida. That brings the total number of cases in FL of COVID-19 to 1,589,097 + the total deaths to 24,436.You can find more updates concerning COVID-19 case numbers on the Florida Department of Health dashboard. See Lakeland + Polk numbers here. ○Monitor the Florida Department of Health on Polk’s website for the latest information regarding vaccines.
While yesterday morning was a bit brisk, it was nowhere near as brisk as Jan. 19, 1977. That’s right, 44 years ago this week it snowed in Central Florida – Lakeland included. And, apparently, the 1-3” of snow made its way as far south as Miami + Homestead.
Could you imagine waking up to snow tomorrow morning? #CantRelate.
#DYK that your photo could be featured in our newsletter? Just use #LALtoday on social media.
#MUSTDO
Learn ○ Big & Little Chef| Wed., Jan. 20 | 5 p.m. | Publix Aprons Cooking School at Lake Miriam Square, 4730 Florida Ave. S. | $75 | Recipes include loaded roasted baby potato salad + s’more trifles. 🍳
TryThis ○ Trivia Wednesday: General Knowledge| Wed. Jan. 20 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St. | Free | Teams must have six people or less. 🍻
ForKids ○ Preschool Storytime| Wed., Jan. 20 | 10:30 a.m. | Mulberry Civic Center, 901 NE. 5th St. | Free, RSVP | Come on our for storytime with Miss Sarah. 📖
Network ○ Free Training Webinar| Wed., Jan. 20 | 4-5 p.m. | Online | Free | Make sure to visit the website for the webinar password. 💻 ○ Master Networks| Wed., Jan. 6 | 12-1 p.m. | OnPoint CoWork Solutions, 1805 James L Redman Pkwy. | Free | Bring flyers and business cards for 30-50 people.
Biz ○ Fireside Chat | Thur., Jan 21 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Virtual or in-person | 502 East Main Street, Lakeland | Free | Stacey Jones, Nikki Hunt + Matt and Candace Gross will discuss the pricing strategies that help them sustain a profitable business while attracting their ideal clients. Ⓟ
Disclaimer: It is up to readers’ discretion to determine whether they feel comfortable participating in any mentioned events based on COVID-19 protocols and precautions. If you have questions, please contact the event’s organizers directly.
