Harmoni Market

A return to normalcy and family traditions – Maybe the Europeans have it right?

Harmoni — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:26:54 +0000

Are we changing the way we live, eat, and spend our free time due to the “new world order”? What do you think?

I spent the decade of the 1990’s in Eastern Europe at a time when these economies and cultures were faced with the opportunity to shed 50 years of dominant Communist rule and the freedom to absorb “Western” cultural lifestyles. Even at a time with inflation running 20%+, my Eastern European friends seemed to enjoy life more than we do in the States – as they were making only $300 to $500 a month. In America, we are overworked, overwhelmed, overstressed, overweight, over-everything! In Europe, I learned that material things: a large car, name-brand clothing, my name-brand neighborhood were much less important to be truly happy. I quickly learned to take advantage of life’s simple pleasures – like breaking bread and raising a glass of wine with family and friends. It is one of our most cherished, shared experiences and probably the most important investment of our free time. What other part of the day except during mealtime do we slow down (even sit down!) to share one of the most common questions, “how was your day?” and truly have the time to focus on the answer?

I also found out that our European friends laughed at our American infatuation with “organic” foods because everything they ate was already organic. The franken- processed foods had not yet entered their economy. This year alone, in America we have had a recall on spinach, and then peanuts, now pistachios. What is next? If you have ever eaten a freshly picked truly vine-ripened tomato, you know what I am talking about.

I find it funny that as European cultures become more “American,” we Americans are becoming more European. As our interconnected world becomes smaller and smaller, this homogenization process is quite expected …. .and (I think) good for us! Do we really need the massive homes and cars or do we actually enjoy and value quality time with our friends and loved ones more? My European friends live in small condos and drive tiny autos (if they even own an auto at all) but, they seemed to enjoy life and travel more than we did even during our “go-go” decades.

So, with an economy finally finding a bottom and starting to recover, we begin to ask our selves, “What is REALLY important in life?” Do we need an overly salted, high caloric fast food dinner half consumed in the car on the way home? Or, do we owe it to ourselves and to our friends and family to seek out something better, more real and more wholesome? It is encouraging to hear our guests tell me how important Harmoni has become in their lives. Few of us have the time to shop for all of the fruits, vegetables and fish needed to put a wholesome dinner on the table day in and day out. Let us take care of that chore . . . . . You simply focus on gathering your family and friends around the table. As we like to say, Viva Bene!

What do you think? Are we changing the way we live, eat, and spend our free time due to the “new world order”? Or, is this just a minor blip in our quest for all things convenient? Is the added economic pressure to keep our jobs making it even easier to justify our go-go lives? I’d love to hear your thoughts?

Family Traditions

Some of you may know that the pictures that don the walls at Harmoni are of my extended Italian and Slovenian ancestors. Most of the photos are of my Italian and Slovenian grandparents who made it to American via Ellis Island bringing their own family and food traditions. I am grateful to still have wonderful memories of traditional holiday dinners at grandma’s house.

Tomorrow night, we celebrate my parent’s 45th wedding anniversary – at Harmoni, of course! I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my parents for teaching me about the importance of family and the value of dining together as a family unit.

Do you have any family food traditions that you would like to share? The best story enjoys a free bottle of wine at Harmoni during your next visit!

Deborah Richie

Harmoni — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:05:17 +0000

Dear Marelize,
Thank you so very much for catering our baby shower on Sunday. From the moment I called you I felt I was in very creative hands! I was right. Your expertise and imagination exceeded our expectations. The theme of “high tea” was a perfect compliment to the gentleness and Joie de vive of the occasion. The choice of tea sandwiches was ideal. They were delicate and delicious. You put a lot of thought into the pastries, the cake and the decorations. They were all delicious including the edible flowers. I would highly recommend your services for any occasion. You went above and beyond to make sure we had the very best affair. It was truly a class event. I have heard from so many guests that they enjoyed trying everything! Bravo to the chefs!! From the gourmet egg salad to the tender chicken and almonds it was ALL so good. You made my daughter very happy with all the goodies and chocolate!! Thank you again, for making such a memorable event.

Snail of Approval

Harmoni — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:45:09 +0000

Over the last year of Slow Food Orlando Board meetings, we seem to have had a recurring discussion about how to recognize restaurants in our region that are supporting their patrons rights to good, clean and fair food. While we didn’t exactly want ourselves to mimic Zagat, we didn’t want to reinvent the wheel either. We needed a one-stop shop for anyone and everyone to find fresh, “Slow” restaurants. Well, finally another Slow Food Chapter did the leg work for us and they call it “Snail of Approval.” Through the Snail of Approval, an individual, business or organization may be nominated in the areas of restaurant/café, drinking establishment, purveyor/market, producer/artisan or other. The final decisions are made through the Slow Food board members who will be particular about whether or not a “Slow” process is involved, and whether or not the products or process belong to a particular tradition. Additionally, Slow Food board members will pay particular attention to quality, authenticity and sustainability.

Slow Food Orlando will be working on the Snail of Approval process in the coming months. Since the organization is volunteer-run and has minimal resources, due-diligence may not be done on every nomination submitted. Harmoni Market will be one of the first restaurants listed on the Snail of Approval. We hope that you will start to consider yourself a co-producer and begin encouraging many of your other favorite restaurants to begin relationships with many of our area farmers and artisan food producers.

Extravagant Frugality: Celebrating during a recession

Harmoni — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:55:06 +0000

My wife and I love Champagne. We used to drink it frequently, often more than once a week. Champagne transforms a Tuesday night into a special celebration. It is complex, refreshing, food friendly, stylish, sexy, and perhaps most importantly, FUN! We would often have a glass of Champagne before dinner instead of a cocktail, and it was a frequent part of our Sunday brunches. But that was a few years ago… before our twins arrived, before we took an equity line on our house for a remodel, and before the price of a decent, entry level bottle skyrocketed as it has in the past year. 3 years ago, it was not hard to find a bottle of Montaudon, Piper Heidseck, or other quality nonvintage Brut Champagne for $25 or less – sometimes it would even be on sale for $19.99! However, times have changed. Champagne has really demonstrated the reality of how supply and demand for a product control its pricing. Virtually all the plantable land in Champagne is already planted with grapes, so the supply of Champagne produced in a given year is basically unchanging. You might have heard that the authorities recently expanded the boundaries of the region, which will certainly increase production, but we will not see the increase for a few years. Meanwhile, newly booming economies Asia and the Middle East are contributing to a surging demand for fine wine in general – demand that was not there a few years ago. And you can see where I’m going with this – combine a fixed supply with an increase in demand, and there is virtually no limit to where prices can go. Today, if you can find a quality non vintage true Champagne for less than $40, grab it, because that is an increasingly rare item.

So, while I still will splurge on true Champagne for special occasions, it is no longer my go-to sparkler any time I’m feeling like some bubbles. However, I’m happy to report that there are a lot of great choices out there, retailing below $20 per bottle. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

Cava: Cava is Spain’s answer to Champagne. Cava’s are fermented in bottle in the exact manner of Champagne (“Methode Champenoise”), but unlike Champagne, which is usually made from a combination of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, Cava can be made from any of those three, as well as Mourvedre, Tempranillo, Grenache, and some grapes you might not ever have heard of, such as Macabeo, Xarello, and Parellada. Expect to pay $12-$20/ bottle for good Cava. I sell Marquis de Gelida, which Robert Parker called “Perhaps the best sparkling wine value in the marketplace”.

Prosecco: Prosecco is the most common type of sparkling wine from Italy (along with Moscato d’Asti). Unlike Cava and Champagne, Prosecco is not bottle- fermented, and in my opinion, it is not quite as serious a wine as Cava or Champagne. However, it is delicious, fruity, occasionally slightly sweet, and it makes a great afternoon pick-me-up or aperitif wine. It is still possible to get high quality Prosecco for less than $15 per bottle. I represent La Marca Prosecco, which was in the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 wines of 2007.

Non Champagne, French Bubbles: There are sparkling wines made all around France, not just from Champagne. The quality of these wines is as variable as it is for American sparklers. You really have to experiment to find out which ones you like, but plan to spend $10 - $20 per bottle for something that’s actually enjoyable, not just a base for a mimosa. I sell the surprisingly delicious Francois Montand Blanc de Blancs, which retails around $12. Also look for Cremant De Loire, a method Champenoise sparkler from the Loire Valley. Marcel Martin is a new one in a great looking package – fresh, dry, clean and fruity, it is great stuff.

Domestic sparklers: Some are great, many are not worth the price. A few of my favorites: Schramsberg (particularly the blanc de noirs, although it is sort of expensive), Roederer Anderson Valley, and for good value, the bubblies from Gruet, in believe it or not, New Mexico. Their Extra Dry is not too sweet and is quite good.

If you have some favorite non-Champagne sparklers, please share your secrets! Cheers and happy holidays!

How It Works…

Harmoni — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:14:23 +0000

Either stop in to Harmoni Market to make your selections or call us at the store 407.206.0033. We can have your meals ready for pick up or even bring them out to the car.

Harmoni Market makes eating well simple, easy, and inexpensive.

Dinners start at just $6.99

Harmoni — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:58:53 +0000

Dinner for One - ONLY $14.99
Any dinner, side salad, and dessert

Dinner for Two - ONLY $29.99
Two dinners of your choice, two side salads, a dessert, and bottle of wine

Beverages

Harmoni — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:09:00 +0000

Iced Tea / Lemonade $9.99
(Serves 8-12)
Harmoni Blend Coffee - Regular or Decaf $15.99
(Serves 8-12; includes half-n-half, sugars, stirrers)
Canned Soda / Bottled Water $1.49
(Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite)
Penne / San Pellegrino $4.99
(1 Liter)

Desserts

Harmoni — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:08:00 +0000

Cheesecakes: Peanut Butter / Baklava / Chocolate Ganache

Slice $4.49
Whole Cakes (Serves 16) $39.99

Cookie Tray: Chocolate Chunk / White Chocolate Macadamia Nut

10 Cookies $9.99
20 Cookies $18.99

Gourmet Platters

Harmoni — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:07:00 +0000

Please allow us 24 hour advanced notice to appropriately accommodate you and your Guests.
Small Serves 10-14; Large Serves 26-30

Antipasto (Prosciutto, Sopressata, Mortadella, Marinated Mushrooms, Roasted Tomatoes, Olives & House-Made Mozzarella)
- Small $49.99
- Large $99.99
Artisan Cheese (Cheddar, Brie, Bleu & Goat served with Nuts, Fruit & Preserves)
- Small $49.99
- Large $109.99
Fresh Fruit (Fresh Melons, Pineapple & Mixed Berries)
- Small $29.99
- Large $74.99
Grilled Vegetable (Grilled Seasonal Vegetables served cold with a Tzatziki Dipping Sauce)
- Small $24.99
- Large $49.99

Mediterranean Appetizers

Harmoni — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:06:00 +0000

Served with Pita Bread

Small (Serves 8-10) $19.99
Large (Serves 20-24) $34.99

House-Made Tomato Bruschetta
Diced Tomato, Garlic, Basil, EVOO, Salt, Pepper
Tzatziki
Greek Yogurt mixed with Diced Cucumber and Garlic
Spinach & Artichoke Dip
Creamed Artichoke and Spinach served warm topped with Parmesan
Red Pepper Hummus
Roasted Red Pepper blended with a House-Made Hummus
Baba Ghanoush
Diced Roasted Eggplant, Tomato, Garlic, Lemon, EVOO, Parsley
Moroccan White Bean Dip
Blended White Bean & Garlic, Topped with Spicy Harissa