52964 Wed Jan 29 00:18:08 -0800 2003 8 2 Los Angeles Area 0 271168 My first visit was out of curiosity... stopped in, had a couple of samples, and made a minor purchase. Their selection is somewhat intimidating to a fromage non-expert. My second visit was more focused. Super Bowl party. I wanted a small platter to accompany the various offerings - and I had some cheese-loving fans attending. These are simply lovers of cheese in any form, not active explorers.. so my goal was to give them something new. And that's what I asked for when entering the store on Sat. I outlined my desire for selection (5), diversity (blues, goat, etc) and to keep it withing my budget (appx. $5-10 per chunk). But beyond that, I totally deferred to their expertise. In short, I gave my parameters and the staff, without hesitation or judgement, delivered with such class... bouncing over each other to cut, proffer, slice samples, etc. I'm sure they have many customers who pop in and spend hundreds on a single selection, but I felt like I was customer #1 - even though they knew they piece of cheese I was debating was only a few dollars. I'm a dummy when it comes to the complexities of the cheese world, but felt totally happy with their suggestions. Likewise, I was in a low budget situation, but felt this was a great value experience. How often will a staffer in most customer service situations even care about a $8 product, let alone spend the time to advise you on how to store it, or rattle off a list of ways to present it, foods to accompany it, etc? For example, I asked if I should serve with apples or grapes and the gentleman pondered the thought and suggested a handful of other possibilities based on the best seasonal fruits available this time of year. Amazing. These folks are pros without pretention, and they will get my tiny bit of business without hesitation. In time, hopefully I'll have a bigger budget to spend with them. On a side note, I did a search on previous posts and noticed concern over cost. I'd bet that if you walk in there and ask for the most bang for your buck, you'll walk out with a smile on your face... not only from your final selection(s), but also from the experience. If you want a tasty epiphany, check them out... Link: http://www.cheesestorebh.com/home.html Wed Jan 29 00:18:08 -0800 2003 0 TastyJon 1 271170 I received a class on cheese tasting at the Cheese Store of Beverly Hills as a Christmas present. I can't wait to go! It's sometime in February. Wed Jan 29 00:22:38 -0800 2003 271168 0 Natalie 2 271182 You will have a blast. I went with a couple of friends awhile back and it was a lot of fun. We are lucky to have a store like this in our town. Wed Jan 29 02:34:57 -0800 2003 271170 0 Marco Polo 3 271414 I'd love to hear more about this. Their website doesn't talk about it, unless I just missed it. Fri Jan 31 12:41:17 -0800 2003 271182 0 Home Chef 4 271451 It turns out that the class is given by the New School of Cooking in Culver City. My friend takes the professional courses there, but they have recreational classes also. I'll let you know how it goes! Link: http://www.newschoolofcooking.com/ Fri Jan 31 17:27:17 -0800 2003 271414 0 Natalie 1 271199 I read somewhere that one of the folks associated with the store has left to start the Cheese Store of Silver Lake. Does anyone have the details? Wed Jan 29 12:03:44 -0800 2003 271168 0 mc michael 2 271229 Yes, that is true. The Cheese Store of Silverlake is not affiliated with the Cheese Store of Beverly Hills, but the founder and at least one employee used to work at the CS of BH. It's located next door to Cafe Stella, and the times I've been in the selection has been very nice, if a little more limited than that at CS of BH, and the service has been fine as well. It's a good addition to the neighborhood. Wed Jan 29 15:14:51 -0800 2003 271199 0 DanaB 1 271211 You should print and send this email to the Cheese Store - that's a really nice review. AND, I'm going to go check them out! Thanks for sharing.... Wed Jan 29 13:30:42 -0800 2003 271168 0 A 1 271387 My only gripe with the cheese store is that I've only been there once =) My experience was like yours, and I'm glad to hear they're keeping up the good work. The first time I went there was on a cheese tour, where I and about 10 others were led through a tour de force of sheeps, goat, and cows cheeses. Sampled aged cheese, fresh cheeses, paper thin prosciutto sliced on their handcranked deli slicer, olive oil, balsamic, just tons of really great stuff. We were fed unpasteurized butter, raw camenbert, along with regional delicacies such as handpacked mustard from an anonymous producer in france, a jar of giardinerra from a gourmet shop in louisianna, and so forth. Norbert, the head honcho, was as enthusiastic as he was knowledgeable. Bonus? When my girlfriend and I made several small purchases, including several hunks of baby goat cheese, and a bottle of pinot grigio, he told us, "Here, why don't you go ahead and take these too..." and he gave us the unused tasting portions of raw butter and camenbert free. I really need to go back Fri Jan 31 01:12:13 -0800 2003 271168 0 fooddude37