My wife and I are visiting for the weekend and she loves cheese. The problem is that we don't know much about what cheeses are good and what aren't. Is the staff at Artisanal patient with people like us, or should we know what we want when we get there? Also, any recommendations of what to get?? Thanks.
scott
Aug 28, 2003 11:36AM
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Hi,
My SO and I went there three weeks ago while visiting from LA. I'm a cheese lover but not an expert. The staff is extremely helpful. I highly recommend the stilton cheese fondue...it is VERY rich but yummy! We got the beef tips to go with it. The cheese puffs are a must-try. Their wine list is excellent. Have a great dinner there.
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I was a novice when I went there for my first meal. Ask for the Fromager and tell him what you like and don't like. I have been there several times now and every time the cheeses they pick are great. They are very patient and helpful.
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I heard a rumor that they lost like 90 perecent of cheese during the blackout so I'd check this out before I'd go.
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It is a phenomenal place for cheese. I think they'll have a nice selection for you even after the blackout. I'm sure they've replenished most if not all of their cheeses. The gougeres are a must-have, and pop them while they're hot.
The Fromagers there really are very knowledgeable and truly patient and friendly. I've been there with people who know what they like, and those who are open to trying things, and they are all handled with care.
As for the cheeses, they divide them by type -- goat, cow or sheep, so that's a good place to start before you get there, to consider what kinds you like. Then, they'll be listed with their origin -- Italian, French, Portugese, Spanish, American, etc. So, again, if your partial to something or interested in trying something from a particular region, you can go that in mind.
The Fromagers will also ask you questions like if you want something mild or "stinky" or if you like blues or hard cheeses. It also helps if you know what you like and don't like.
As for choices, I really like the Piave -- it's like Parmagiano Reggiano, only more buttery, a bit sweeter and smoother (not so much crystalline crunch) -- and their Epoisses (smooth, but kinda smelly), Primadonna (not a totally hard cheese, but tastes like a butter scotchy version of Parmagiano Reggiano), Vacherin (that's sort of soft but tastes like a very strong Swiss), Point Reyes Blue (a blue cheese that's rather tangy), Brin D'Amour (an herby sheep's cheese), Gorgonzola Dolce (another blue that's not pretty mild and really creamy), and Sottocenere (a cow's milk, I think, that is speckled with truffles and is out of this world). Just my favorites that I've had there, but I'm sure you'll get other recs for good stuff, too. There's so much to choose from!
If you're going primarily for cheese, lighten up on the food in the upfront, and order the cheese plate with a selection of six. And if you can't finish it, they very tenderly pack it to go for you!
Enjoy!
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