I am sure some of you might have been wondering where in the heck I have been. It has been ages since I have written and I have missed it more than anything. Truth be told, I work in the restaurant industry and maintain a very hectic schedule. The last year has been a mixture of hard work, long hours, exhausting weeks and a bit of burn out. After turning 40 in March, I suddenly felt compelled to make some lifestyle changes and to get my “spirit” back. I began by dropping 20 lbs and committing to more “me” time instead of putting everything else in front of my own needs. Needless to say, my load is lighter and I am ready to get back to writing. I can’t think of a better way to get my blog going again than by sharing a great new place that opened in my neck of the woods. Located at 2908 W. Gandy between Himes and Bayshore, Craft & Curd is a quaint wine, beer and cheese shop with a stunning selection that will delight the palate and inspire you to invite your friends over for a cocktail party.

What I love most about Craft  & Curd is that they have something for everybody. My first visit was this weekend and I was impressed by their lavish selection of craft beer. As a bar manager that has become quite obsessed with beer and food pairing, I found myself salivating over their collection and thinking of any excuse possible to invite friends over for dinner.

I couldn’t help but smile when I saw how many of their selections I have featured at my restaurant. What can I say, great minds think alike.

Do not get me started on their cheese selection. Lucky for me, my visit was during a wine and cheese tasting so I got to sample several different kinds and found a few new favorites, such as the Fiore Sardo. Their staff, and especially the owner Tom, is extremely knowledgeable and can steer you in the right direction when selecting cheeses.

As I mentioned, I have been on a special eating program since March 9th and have dropped 20 lbs. Wine and cheese are not permitted so I am more than ready to be reunited with my two loves. I jotted down several wines that I plan on purchasing for consumption in the very near future.

As someone who lives SOG (South of Gandy), I could not be more excited to have Craft & Curd in the neighborhood. I look forward to many future shopping trips and tastings. Be sure to follow them on Facebook so that you can be the first to know about upcoming events. Cheers!

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