Led by a cheese whiz and former Murray’s Cheese pro, the northern Dutchess eatery wants everyone to say cheese!
At the intersection of the Four Corners in Red Hook, a Second Empire-style building has been a fixture in the community since the 1860s. For more than a century, it’s been the home of provisions businesses like a grocery, market, general store, and gourmet deli. And since April, The Corner Counter, owned by cheese monger Lauren Cunningham-Housman, is the latest to move in.
The Corner Counter has been years in the making. Shifting careers from finance to fromage nearly a decade ago, Cunningham-Housman wore many hats at the iconic Murray’s Cheese company in New York City. From learning how cheese is cultivated in caves to working directly with customers at the ordering counter to behind the scenes brand and design work, she became passionate about every angle of the cheese biz.
After living and working in Brooklyn and Philadelphia, Cunningham-Housman and her husband decided that the Hudson Valley would be the best place to root, personally and professionally. They had fallen in love with the spirit of Red Hook, and when the building on East Market Street became available and she discovered its food-filled past, she knew it was the right place. “I’ve been pleasantly surprised and humbled by the feedback we get from customers that The Corner Counter is what Red Hook needed,” says Cunningham-Housman. “My goal was to open a space that catered to our local community, and it’s been validating to know we are on the right track.” The Corner Counter is a jack of all trades: It doubles as a sandwich spot, cheese counter, and provisions shop.
With enticing grilled cheese and paninis like This Figgie Piggie (maple ham, fig jam, and gruyère on bread delivered fresh from See & Be Kitchen in Cairo) or the Turkey Reuben (Swiss, sauerkraut, and house-made Russian dressing), it’s not surprising that sandwiches are best sellers. Other standouts include: The Caprese panini with fresh mozzarella, roasted tomato, pesto, and balsamic glaze, and the Maple Blues grilled cheese with blue cheese, caramelized onions, green apple, and maple syrup.
Prepare to spend a while staring at the cheese case—there are various styles from purveyors far and wide. “Choosing a favorite cheese is like choosing a favorite child,” laughs Cunningham-Housman, whose picks change with the seasons, “but my all-time favorite category of cheese is alpine. We carry Tarentaise made by Spring Brook Farm in Vermont, which is a farmstead, raw cow’s milk alpine-style cheese. It’s buttery, savory, and a bit nutty. It has a fudgy, semi-firm texture and a crystallized bite.” The shop also carries selections from R&G Cheesemakers in Troy, Chaseholm Farms in Pine Plains, and Churchtown Dairy in Hudson. To round out your charcuterie board, they also sell meats from La Salumina in Hurleyville and Northwind Farms in nearby Tivoli, plus a variety of artisan crackers, local jams and bread, and honey. You’ll also find pastas, fresh seasonal vegetables from local farms, and a selection of wine, cider, and beer.
“My goal was to open a space that catered to our local community, and it’s been validating to know we are on the right track.”
And, there’s more to look forward to: Cunningham-Housman plans to host several cheese workshops (she did one recently with a high school French class), and is working with local chefs to coordinate seasonal pop-up dinners. And for those who don’t want to bother making their own charcuterie boards, you can order petite, small, or large boards for pick up.
The Corner Counter
1 East Market Street, Red Hook
cornercounter.com 845.835.8116
Related: Add These Cheese Varieties to Your Hudson Valley Charcuterie Board
