Fairfield CT - Great Cheese

[cornichonandrillettes]

Fairfield/Westport area - where do you buy great cheese. Stop and Shop has a good selection but nothing unique. Balduccis - overpriced and limited.

[bewley]

I found the Fairfield Cheese Co. overpriced, though they did have an interesting, albeit limited selection.

[foleyd7]

Can't disagree with the pricing comment, but where isn't cheese overpriced in specialty cheese shops in Fairfield County?
I've been to Fairfield Cheese Co the most because it is closest to me. I use to hit Mirabelle in Westport quite a bit before that. I hit the Darien Cheese Shop once (and it was kind of a let down based on everything I had heard - - - both in terms of service and price).
What good, reasonably priced cheese shops are around?

Also... what's the deal with so many cheese shops being closed on Sunday? I often enjoy having cheese on Sunday. Why not take off a Mon or Tue? Yesterday I had to get my cheese from Whole Foods because these shops close on Sunday. Doesn't make sense to me.

[triggs73]

Artisan cheese is expensive. She's right on target with every other shop. Plus service counts!

[bewley]

It was a he not a she that sold us the cheese. I think they're partners? I cannot recall the cheese, it was one they we sampling for the day (this was over a year ago), but it came in at just under $50/lb and the Carr's Table Wafers were about double the price you'd pay anywhere else. If you want to pay those prices, so be it.

As an aside, we shop at Harry's right next door and their prices (and service) ARE on target with, if not a tad better that every other shop.

[fairfieldcheese]

I just want to make a correction and let everyone know we do not have any cheese anywhere near $50/lb. Our most expensive cheese has been Rogue River Blue which we have sold for $38.99/lb. pretty much in line with other shops. Artisanal and farmstead cheese is expensive, I'm afraid. While we can't compete price wise with Stop & shop, Balducci's etc we are inline with other specialty cheese shops. Thanks

[bewley]

What about the table wafers?

[Ima Foodie]

I've been to the shop many, many times and find their cracker prices to be comparable to supermarkets (at least the ones that Supermarkets carry).

[scapegrace]

109 Cheese & Wine is a new shop that opened in the Copps Hill Marketplace in Ridgefield. It is owned by Monica, the same woman that owns Cellar XV across the street. Excellent cheeses and accompaniments. I purchased several yesterday that were excellent. I prefer my cheeses pungent, and the Munster (not Muenster) was perfect, the shropshire blue was also excellent as was the Brillat-Savarin mentioned by another poster. this one was perfectly ripe and not at all ammonianated.

[foleyd7]

Haven't been here yet, but I have high hopes:

Fairfield Cheese Company
Grand Opening Saturday, May 16th

2090 Post Road
(next to Harry's) Fairfield
203.292.8194

Store Hours:
Tuesday-Thursday 10-6
Friday & Saturday 9-7
Sunday 10-2
fairfieldcheese.com

Also, a place in Westport called Mirabelle is very good and my go-to place right now. It's as big (if not a bigger) in selection than Darien and I think better pricing, too. (http://www.mirabellecheeseshop.com/)

[nbermas]

Thank you very much, happy cheesing.

[luvarugula]

I stopped by FCC last Saturday...as I was curious about the place. It looked pretty sparse, but what they had looked interesting. I decided to get some Brillat-Savarin, which is usually a no-fail choice. The only ones they were offering were petit, not the larger ones I've seen elsewhere, where you buy it by the wedge. I should have asked for a taste test. After I got it home, I didn't try it until later that night. I'm sorry to say...it was SO ammoniated, I couldn't even get past the smell. A little taste proved no better. Some people like their cheeses that way, but it was too overripe for me. It was so stinky, I ended up throwing the whole thing out...what a waste. Brillat-Savarin is supposed to be creamy, buttery, soft, delicate and delicious. This was runny, foul smelling and awful. I know that cheese is a very risky business, so I don't really know if I can fault the owners. The lesson learned is, taste, taste, taste before buying. It's the only way to assure you're getting what you want.

[triggs73]

Not to sound like a total tool bag, but you said it yourself. Touch, smell, taste. always ask for a sample. I always poke, prod and poke some more to the point that I will get some attention from a worker. My rule is that if the person in charge cannot offer me a taste of what I am buying, then I am not buying it. You should've asked the owner her opinion. I am sure with the hustle and bustle of just opening, she did not check the case of Brillat...of course that falls on her, but it happens. Just like you buy a case of wine, open up a bottle and it's corked. No way of telling and I know it's not my wine store's fault and I'm sure he couldn't have detected it himself. Hopefully the owner will stand behind you and offer up something of equal value or your $$ back.

[lvtocook888]

The Fairfield Cheese Co. has never failed me! My husband and I prefer the tartuffo. Amazing truffle pecorino. We have also tried some of the spicy sausage, paired the two with a bottle of wine from Harry's and viola...a great happy hour!

[luvarugula]

Mirabelle Cheese Shop in downtown Westport is not bad, if you can't get to Darien. They are located at the top of Main Street in a square next to the town hall. The shop is below street level, so you have to look for it. The owners are very knowledgeable and the cheeses are good. Reality is that good cheese is expensive, but a little goes a long way.

[luvarugula]

Also, the cheeses at the Indoor Farmer's Market in Fairfield are excellent. Saturday, only.
http://www.westportfarmersmarket.com/
The selections are certainly few, but they are very good, and you'd be supporting local cheesemakers.

[cornichonandrillettes]

Thanks - I was not aware of this shop. I will check it out.

[triggs73]

Is that the store next to Harry's?

[cornichonandrillettes]

the place next to Harry's is closed. Was not really a cheese shop. I never really "got" what they were trying to do there. They had some cheese, but mostly napkins and party stuff. I think the owner did party consulting.

[triggs73]

ok...different place I'm thinking of then

[foleyd7]

the place next to Harry's is reopening as the Fairfield Cheese Shop. grand opening May 16.

[nbermas]

foleud7: I saw that yesterday I was intriqued who is opening it, I am a cheese freak. I love any cheese with truffles so I hope they have a variety. Have they had a cheese place before?

[triggs73]

I've met her at a private tasting in Manhattan and she has a vast knowledge and a great palate...WHAT BETTER COMBO! I live in New Haven and I am anxious to get down there to wish her luck.

[Ima Foodie]

went to the grand opening today and the place is great!

[triggs73]

Are they opened Sundays by chance?

[Ima Foodie]

Drove by yesterday and they were open - not sure of the hours

[nbermas]

Ima Foodie: What type of cheeses , taste any unusual ones? Do you buy cheese a lot? I love cheese and go to Darien Cheese, Plum Plum, Whole Foods and I am quite interested in cheese. So just was wondering what you thought , thanks.

[UWStoSONO]

I find Rowayton Market carries a pretty decent selection of cheeses. Head across the street to the wine shop and you've got yourself a night.

[rjka]

A little further than you might want to drive, but I'd suggest the Darien Cheese Shop in the Goodwives Shopping Center for the best quality.

[triggs73]

Darien Cheese...probably the best shop in CT hands down. If you think Stop and Shop has a good selection, then be prepared to sample actual good cheese, handled by one of CT's best cheesemongers.

[cornichonandrillettes]

I've been there. I'm looking for something more convenient than Darien. The Darien Cheese shop is fantastic.