Mozzarella curd in Napa?

[Mudpuppie]

Does anyone know a market that sells fresh mozzarella curd in the Napa area? I've scoured Sacramento and, surprise, have found none. Napa is my next best guess.

Thanks!

[melkor]

Dean and Deluca is most likely your best bet.

[chezcherie]

NapaStyle in St Helena? They sell it through their catalog and website, both of which I have heard (from would-be gifters this holiday season) have terrible delivery delays and worse customer service. Maybe a walk-in would yield different results (and maybe some curd)???

[melkor]

NapaStyle's store may be the only thing worse than their catalog.

[chezcherie]

God! How is this possible!!?

(Took a cooking class, quite some time ago, in So CA, with a new "big deal" chef from Napa--MC--and my impression was quite negative. Cocky, I expected, but got rude and even a bit mean in the mix...) I guess cream rises to the top, and "other stuff" sinks?

[Mudpuppie]

Yeah, I have to admit that I'm a little hesitant to shop the NapaStyle store. I haven't been in, but the store itself doesn't seem very user-friendly. From the highway it always seems half-vacant. I guess this is an unfair unfavorable impression, but it's the reason I've never shopped there. Also, I expect they're more into selling overpriced olive oils and spice mixes -- not fresh cheese curd. Again, an unfair assumption.

Will try the nearby Dean and Deluca, unless anyone has a better suggestion.

thanks, all!

[melkor]

You could try making it yourself... I've had good luck with a kit from the new england cheese making supply people and strauss milk. It takes a bit less than an hour.

[tanabutler]

The Oakville Grocery Store has abundant provisions. They're crammed with every kind of food imaginable. I'd give them a call.

Oakville Grocery Store

[Mudpuppie]

You could try making it yourself... I've had good luck with a kit from the new england cheese making supply people and strauss milk.  It takes a bit less than an hour.

That was plan B, but would you believe I haven't been able to find rennet anywhere? I've scoured all my local grocery stores -- upscale, low scale, no scale. No one has it.

[melkor]

You could try making it yourself... I've had good luck with a kit from the new england cheese making supply people and strauss milk.  It takes a bit less than an hour.

That was plan B, but would you believe I haven't been able to find rennet anywhere? I've scoured all my local grocery stores -- upscale, low scale, no scale. No one has it.

There's some in my freezer. How much do you need?

[Mudpuppie]

Ha! Next time, I'll let you know. I spent today on the Great Curd Hunt and just came home with some.

Here's the scoop. Dean and Deluca don't carry it. Oakville Grocery doesn't carry it. Cowgirl Creamery, ditto.

GB Ratto's and the Cheese Board (Oakland, Berkeley) were both closed today, but I suspect they would have been good bets.

Three out of the five Berkeley Andronico's don't carry it. The fourth (Emeryville, actually) is closed on Sundays. The fifth, the Shattuck location, lo and behold, had some on the shelves.

The grand irony is that it cost $6.99, quite a bit more than fresh mozzarella. I sure hope it tastes better than the other, because if it doesn't....

Well, let's just say this: 1.25 hour drive + $2 toll + 1/2 day wasted + $6.99 > ((effort x tastebud output) x last day of vacation).