480937 Sat Jan 19 06:54:42 -0800 2008 13 42 U.K./Ireland 0 3311222 As you may know (I love the depth of culinary appreciation on this board), the silly US bans under 60 days raw milk cheeses. I've even heard a few people argue that it doesn't make a difference. Everyone has a right to their opinions but those people are wrong. When I'm in London in a couple of weeks, I really want to stalk up on some good stuff. I'd be thrilled to come across some raw milk Taleggio (yes, I know, Italian) and I'm ready to go as bland as just a plain brie, provided its under 60 days aged raw milk brie. Any ideas on a cheese shop? I went to the Irish one at Smithfield's last time and it was great (helpful staff, lots of good stuff to eat and buy) but it wasn't what I was looking for. I even went so far as to look into tickets to Paris on the train but $300 for a day trip seemed a bit steep. And while I'm at it...if anyone knows where I might find Iberico ham, especially jagubo, that would also be great but any helpful hints on the french cheese shop would be hugely appreciated. Thanks! Sat Jan 19 06:54:42 -0800 2008 132053 seanakilpatrick 1 3311251 For the cheese, you probably need to try La Fromagerie http://www.lafromagerie.co.uk/ Two branches in Marylebone or Highbury For Iberico, try one of the Brindisa places http://www.brindisa.com/ Borough market or Exmouth Market. Hope this helps S Sat Jan 19 07:11:50 -0800 2008 3311222 12021 Simon Majumdar 2 3314082 If you go to Borough Market there is a stall call "Mons" (part owned by a French Affineur) which has some very good cheese that is sold in peak condition. On our last trip with bought a Saint Felicien, Saint Marcelin and a soft Chevre - all were perfect and reminiscent of our time living in Paris. Whilst you are there also visit Neil's Yard Dairy which stocks British and Irish cheese only, worth visiting to see how good British cheese now is, and lots of unpasteurised cheese. One to try is "Stichelton". Whilst this is quite a new cheese it is reputedly tastes like Stilton should taste. The problem with all Stilton is that it must be made with pasteurised milk which apparently it is the EU rule that must be followed to be able to use the name. Stichelton is made from unpasteurised cows milk in the same way Stilton is. The result a much more complex flavour. Really worth trying if you are a cheese fan. I attach a link to Gridskipper a site with with a cheese lovers guide to London. http://gridskipper.com/travel/london/cheese-lovers-guide-to-london-311593.php Sun Jan 20 09:39:07 -0800 2008 3311251 64584 PhilD 3 3314258 Actually I got confused - I was at Neil's Yard Dairy and did like it but I'm a bigger fan of french and italian cheese. Nonetheless, I'm going to go back and check out the Stichelton - always game for a new cheese. Also, many thanks for the gridskipper site - fantastic stuff there. Sun Jan 20 10:44:44 -0800 2008 3314082 132053 seanakilpatrick 4 3316003 The Stichelton is definitely worth trying. It is the only cheese actually made by Neal's Yard themselves. When I went around their "caves" ( actually three arches under the raiilway by Tower Bridge, earlier in the year, I tried quite a bit and, although it is not quite up to Colston Bassett standards, it is very good. Another cheese shop which often gets over looked is Paxton & Whitfield on Jermyn St ( just behind Fortnum & Masons) It has been around for nearly 250 years http://www.paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk/ Old school and well worth a visit. Very charming and knowledgable staff. S Mon Jan 21 01:04:00 -0800 2008 3314258 12021 Simon Majumdar 1 3311459 I don't know if you're in the market for raw milk Camembert, but you can find that at Sainsbury's... supermarket. It has to say... produit de Normandie. The 'de' is important. Produit en Normandie is the other type made differently. Sat Jan 19 08:33:01 -0800 2008 3311222 11939 zuriga1 2 3311994 Wow - thanks to you both! Sat Jan 19 11:58:39 -0800 2008 3311459 132053 seanakilpatrick 1 3314989 Indeed as noted by Simon this is the spot: For the cheese, you probably need to try La Fromagerie http://www.lafromagerie.co.uk/ BB Sun Jan 20 15:45:42 -0800 2008 3311222 117598 bombaybeauty 1 3315811 You don't say if you are planning on bringing your goodies back to the States but be warned that cured meats won't make it past customs (unless you and your travelling partners, unlike my hubby, have an excellent poker face). I had no problems with the wonderful cheeses from Neal's Yard that I brought back but sadly the wonderful chorizo I picked up in Ireland was taken. As a side note, the monger at Neal's Yard double wrapped my cheese in cheese paper and advised me to simply scrape off any mold that had formed when I arrived home (11 days later). There was mold, not surprisingly, but once I scraped it off, it was just as wonderful as it had been in London. I highly recommend the Cornish Yarg (although I've found it here since) and Beenleigh Blue (unpasturized sheep's milk). Sun Jan 20 21:38:04 -0800 2008 3311222 77734 Sushiqueen36 2 3376289 Just a quick post-trip report. I ended up getting most stuff at the borough market hall, if, for nothing else, because of the fact that so many places were together and I was short on time. I got fantastic jabugo ham from brindisa which wasn't really my experience last time (had another type of iberico that was kind of dry and a bit flavorless). Mons was fantastic for cheese - they were really helpful and just about everything I tried turned into something I bought. I brought the St. Marcellin to a party the day I returned to the states and became an instant hero thanks to their high quality products. The Stichelton from Neal's Yard Dairy was excellent (and a small bit remains in my fridge) but my surprise hit out of everything I bought was the Stinking Bishop that they carried. Really good stuff. As far as customs, I honestly am just getting lazy. I threw cuban cigars, still clearly marked as such, the ham and 10 different types of cheese included underaged, raw milks from France all in my luggage and just walked through customs. I suggest the same although finding a pleasant person at customs is also helpful but the truth of the matter is that, thankfully, they're really looking for terrorist activity and not cheeses and meats. So thanks again for everyone's help - I never could have gotten everything that I did without chowhound. Fri Feb 08 05:12:11 -0800 2008 3315811 132053 seanakilpatrick 3 3376369 "I suggest the same although finding a pleasant person at customs is also helpful" Ha! Did you travel back to the States on a flying pig? :) Fri Feb 08 06:01:16 -0800 2008 3376289 158194 monkeytennis 3 3377495 You were lucky the dogs weren't around! Fri Feb 08 10:52:27 -0800 2008 3376289 11939 zuriga1 3 3381096 I'm pretty confident that I would have made it through with my chorizo had my husband not been along. There's something to be said for walking through the whole customs experience with a relaxed, calm attitude - they will most likely leave you alone. My hubby, however, hates flying (you can read it all over his face) and consequently gets picked EVERY TIME for any sort of special screening imaginable. I envy you for getting the meat back! Sat Feb 09 15:29:45 -0800 2008 3376289 77734 Sushiqueen36 1 3316049 Surprised nobody has mentioned Hamish Johnston, on Northcote Road (Wandsworth). Perhaps it's a little out of most people's way, but it's a fantastic little shop and they do a good selection of cheeses from all over Europe. They also always have Stinking Bishop in, which keeps me coming back. Mon Jan 21 02:05:52 -0800 2008 3311222 158194 monkeytennis