cross-country cheesecake

First and foremost, I want to thank everyone who gave us some sort of gift for our wedding. Big or little, intangible or tangible, thank you. Kent and I didn't know what to do with ourselves when we came home from our honeymoon to a room full of boxes. We spent at least 4-5 hours opening everything. It was like a culinary-themed Christmas where you actually received everything on your wish list.

One item we didn't receive though (that Kent was really hoping to get) was this Crate & Barrel cheese dome. Instead...we got a cheesecake, shipped straight from New York City (apparently cheesecake made in New York City is better than salsa made in New York City). I thought all gift receiving had ceased, but I was wrong.

Our good friend, Nathan Allen, recently moved to New York to attend law school. He told us he was going to send us a famous New York cheesecake for our wedding, but I don't think Kent or I really believed him (no offense, Nate...we truly know you are a man of your word now), but there it was, sitting on our front porch in its orange and white striped glory, our New York cheesecake from Junior's. The packaging had to have been my favorite part:

(The cheesecake was even nice and cold when I pulled it out from the box. Amazing.)

I'm not a cheesecake connoisseur and I don't profess to know the best or ANY delicatessens in New York City, but I think Nate found a winner. Kent and I sat around the dinner table last night and tried a sliver of each type of our four-flavor sampler: Original, Raspberry Swirl, Chocolate Ganache and Cherry Crumb. (I can't even write this without my mouth watering!)

Kent's favorite: Original.

My favorite: Cherry Crumb.

Thanks again, Nate, for the delectable gift. The cheesecake, along with our egg, muffin and sausage toaster-in-one, have made us a happier, more fulfilled couple.