59216 Mon Mar 22 21:35:16 -0800 2004 9 2 Los Angeles Area 0 311399 Yesterday, I went to the Silverlake Cheese Store for the first time. I happened to be visiting friends downtown and they suggested we hit up the Cheese Store. As I had a family dinner to go to later that evening, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to buy a few cheeses and sausage for folks to nibble on while we were waiting for dinner. Disclaimer: I'm not a cheese afficionado, so I can't remember the exact names of the cheeses I tried. I liked them all though. Upon entering, I was delighted to smell the funky cheese-shop smell, and after looking around for a few minutes, I approached a young blonde woman to ask for a wedge of brie with fruit chutney in the middle. I wasn't done shopping, but a couple of guys/friends came in who she obviously wanted to speak to, so she left me to visit with them. I didn't mind though as I was still looking over the inventory in the cases. The woman who helped me initially was still speaking to her friends, so I approached the older, heavy-set man at the counter to inquire about a couple cheeses that interested me. He wasn't very friendly, but I pressed on and asked about a cheese with small brown slivers in it. He said it was truffle cheese, and without saying anything else to describe it or offer any information about it, he said it was very expensive. I simply kept looking at him, and finally, after a few seconds he reluctantly offered to give me a taste. It was quite good, but I was baffled by his demeanor. From there, I asked to taste the young manchego, and a sheep's milk cheese with black pepper. They also had available, samples of a Taleggio, Irish Cheddar, and a jack cheese. I ended up purchasing wedges of the stuffed brie, young manchego, aged manchego, black pepper sheep's milk cheese, a Rosette sausage, a container of spiced olives from their selection of olives, and crackers. I was happy with my purchases and so was the family later that evening. The only bummer with the whole place though was the counter man's attitude. After living in Berkeley and frequenting the Cheese Board, I'm used to the fun of sharing the enthusiasm of folks who are into cheese enough to want to make a living selling it. This isn't another one of those posts comparing the Bay Area and LA, and finding that LA is lacking, but the Cheese Board's the only other cheese store I've been to - haven't been to the Beverly Hills Cheese Store yet. I tried finding the older thread where the Cheese Store was discussed, and found a link, but the page came up blank. I wanted to see what others have said about the Silverlake store. In any event, I may go back, if I'm in the neighborhood, but I definitely won't make any special trips out there. Mon Mar 22 21:35:16 -0800 2004 0 Angie5 1 311407 I've been there a couple of times since it opened, and I think I recognize your description of the unfriendly man. Sadly, I think he's the owner. The first time I went in I was looking for some cheeses for a party. The usual thing is to have about four different kinds of cheeses, which is what I said I was looking for, but he basically chose one of each kind for me to taste rather than offering me alternatives within each category. I was pretty disappointed because from what I'd heard of the Cheese Store of Beverly Hills (though there's no official affiliation), it's pretty much a taste-fest. Still, it's a place to buy good cheese if not a great destination in itself. Mon Mar 22 21:50:03 -0800 2004 311399 0 Cicely 1 311410 I feel your pain - for 2 years, we had lots of fun with the "cheese lady" at Joan's on Third (we'd get cheese for Sunday night splurges), and hoped once we moved near the SL Cheese STore that we would have the same experience, but we haven't. I swore never to return (in a post) after very bad treatment a while back - before moving to the neighborhood - but given all the positive posts here, we thought we would try it again once we moved. Our experience was better, but still not stellar. We did have a wonderful time talking to a man who seems to run the wine part of the business (owner?)- he pointed out several interesting, reasonably priced bottles and explained the cheeses being offered for the wine tasting. However, when we approached the man you described (diff't from the man who was unhelpful last time), he was gruff and seemed reluctant to offer samples, make recommendations, or explain the difference between various cheeses. It was literally like pulling teeth. I have read about others' wonderful experiences here - I can only say I am baffled. Who is the person everyone raved about? - i.e., whom should I approach? I'm 0 for 2 but willing to try again if I get some direction this time. It seems so promising - if only those behind the counter would step it up. Mon Mar 22 21:56:48 -0800 2004 311399 0 Megan 1 311421 I just had to throw in my most recent exp with the BH cheese store (I haven't been to the SL one; I work in a gourmet shop that has a great selection but if I was ever out for the bomb I'd make a day out of driving to BH) The last time I went, I bought about 4 cheeses, some prosciutto, a baguette, and a bottle of Grenache (we had goat, so it paired well) Norburt was breaking out some pate for the lady ahead of us, there were little slivers and scraps from the mold that he was smearing on bread and passing around for us (this is already after tastes of a half dozen cheeses we were interested in) Very excellent pate (duck liver). After I had been rung up, I asked him if he could recommend a Chaorce for next time. He reached in front, picked up a slightly older one, handed it to me and said, "On the house" and smiled. It was still wonderful, a little baby round to eat on the way home. THAT'S why I'll drive an hour out of my way to get here.... Mon Mar 22 22:35:55 -0800 2004 311399 0 fooddude37 1 311425 Well, in the greater Silver Lake environs, you also have Say Cheese on Hyperion near TJ's and Piccoline on 1st St. near Beverly, owned by the former owner of Say Cheese. Thus you have options without the drive to the dreaded BH!- tongue in cheek! Mon Mar 22 22:57:59 -0800 2004 311399 0 carter 1 311436 A few observations on our cheese stores. The owner of SLCS is Chris. He is a large fellow. He definately knows his stuff, and admitidly he can be a little grumpy. If you want warmer, friendlier, albiet less knowledgeable service, it's available. There is a Latin guy with glasses, who is very friendly and likely the next most competent employee in the store. The women who have helped me are friendly too, yet not very knowledgeable about the products. So I guess choose carefully. IMHO, SLCS has the greatest selection and prices in the hood and frankly that's why I go. There are amazing wines on the shelf as well. Picholine is a good shop. Friendly and knowledgeable. I have not frequented them as much as SLCS, but would recomend them if you are closer to their locale. The chocolate is awesome-though not a secret anymore-thank you LA Times. Say Cheese is a store I will not shop in anymore. Not only are they more expensive than the others, but the help is abismal (this may have changed since it has been more than 2 years since I last walked in). I think they would rather be a sandwich shop than a gourmet deli. DO NOT BUY WINE from them also. It is marked up to outrageous prices. For example, I once saw a '98 J. P. Boisson Chateauneuf du Pape priced at $45. I bought the same wine for $16 elsewhere. The one nice thing about our hood is it's development over the last several years. It seems more than ever before, that I can truely stick to my rule of never going west of Highland, unless it's absolutely necessary. Tue Mar 23 00:37:33 -0800 2004 311399 0 Grog 1 311531 I have only been to Silverlake Cheese store a couple times, and never had a great shopping experience there. It never felt like a place to experiment, but just grab what you know you want and go. I have also bought British/ Neals Yard cheeses at Campanile, and Whole foods, never impressed with the condition of the cheese. I was going to order cheese from Artisanal in NY for my parents this Xmas, but decided to try Bev Hills Cheese Store, based on all the recommendations here on Chowhound... and was so VERY happy with both the service and the cheese was amazing. Even at xmas time, very crowded, it was much less hassle than I had expected. The parking is not that bad because you can go into the public structure right across the street. The store was very crowded, and I had to wait maybe 10-15 minutes, but took that opportunity to check out all the cheeses, the shelf items, and INHALE the aroma of great cheese that hits you as you walk in the door. And, tho they were very busy the staff was as cheerful and relaxed as if I was a regular. The guy who helped me was a sweetheart. I explained I wanted to get a selection of about 5-6 British cheeses as a gift for my parents, who enjoy British cheeses having lived in GB. He pulled out a variety including some of that Port soaked Cheddar ( yuck) and right off the bat I told him no "flavored", ie Port, Lemon, type cheeses, and he put those back. I explained that they like basic cheeses, like caerphilly , lancashire, etc. He proceded to pull out a ( excuse my spelling) caerphilly, lancashire, farm cheddar, shropshire and a stilton. The shropshire was a huge new wheel, he cut it in half and offered a taste, it was heaven. He handed out tastes to every one around. In fact, he wasnt going to sell me anything without my tasting it first... I wound up with five good sized hunks of perfect cheese. And when asked if he would recommend any thing to accompany the cheese he simply said, "nope, just some good water crackers". My parents loved the cheeses, and my Dad said, about the farmhouse cheddar..."it would be hard to find cheddar this good in England these days" It was their favorite xmas gift, and for only around $35. So I think the Beverly Hills Cheese Store is the only place I will spend the $ to get good cheese from now on. It's not that hard to get in and out, they don't try to sell you things you don't need. They insist you sample the cheeses before buying. The cheese is in perfect condition and ripeness. They could charge for the aroma in the store it is so good. What more can I say.....thanks Chowhound Tue Mar 23 16:09:12 -0800 2004 311399 0 ciaolette 1 311536 Frankly, I'm astounded by all of the negative comments about the Cheese Store. I've never had a problem there. Chris, the owner, may not be the most charming and outgoing fellow, but he has always been helpful. I've gone in and told him my needs, and he has offered up samples of several possibilities. I've found him very knowledgeable and helpful; he's just not the most engaging fellow. Perhaps I'm in the minority, but that sort of thing really doesn't matter to me. Tue Mar 23 16:33:46 -0800 2004 311399 0 Jack Flash 2 311544 Maybe he treats different people in diff't ways? If I didn't have any questions at all and was a cheese encyclopedia, I think I would be fine. That is, the selection is fine, it's purely a service issue. Some of us just seem to be asking questions and getting no responses, no samples, no feedback. In fact, one person referenced a gentleman with glasses who was helpful. He's actually the one we tried to avoid after our bad experience w/ him last summer. I'm surprised that most people have had the same experience as I did b/c cheese stores must be used to people wanting to experiment and try new things. Maybe someone should say something to Chris? B/c I really love having a cheese store in my neighborhood, but don't think I'd go unless I had something extremely specific in mind. It's just that it should be a pleasant - not uncomfortable - experience. Tue Mar 23 17:27:21 -0800 2004 311536 0 Megan 3 311588 I love that store, but yes, the guy is not the nicest. He is extremely knowledeable, though. And if you know what's up he warms up a bit. The best part of the service there is descriptions of the wine. That's where that guy really shines. Tue Mar 23 20:45:11 -0800 2004 311544 0 Jtg