ISO Pecorino Cheese

[Herne]

Where can I find Pecorino cheese in the GTA?

[CocoTO]

Back to pecorino ... if you love truffles, try Moliterno Black Truffle Pecorino. It's a raw sheep's milk cheese infused with black truffle ... outstanding (but bring your wallet!) Alex Farms stocks it, as does Cheese Boutique ... wonderful with an Amarone ...

[Kagemusha]

It's usually not tough to find at Italian bakery/delis, Highland Farms or Longos. Save your time and money and steer clear of the CB.

[Herne]

Ok thanks for the advice and direction. I think Highland Farms is on the Saturday agenda and I'll try there first. The only Longos nearby is at York Mills and Leslie and parking in their mini parking spaces always gives me the feeling I'm doing something stupid so I'll give that a miss especially on a Saturday.

[1sweetpea]

All those salty cheeses called "Romano" are various types of pecorino cheeses. They are perfect in some dishes, but pretty salty for nibbling. I think it would be worth your while to head to a better cheese shop and try Pecorino Toscano or Pecorino Sardo, which are much more refined than Pecorino Romano. I honestly can't imagine sipping a fine wine along with some romano, much as I like the tang. It would just overpower the wines. I'm sure I've seen some good looking options at Whole Foods, McEwan and About Cheese, to name a few. You could probably do okay at Grande Cheese as well. If you're in Aurora or Newmarket, Nature's Emporium has a good cheese selection.

[foodyDudey]

Why should he stay clear of CB, do you work for Pusateris? Or maybe you like blowing your cash at McEwans? There are lots of good products at the Cheese Boutique and if many others didn't think so, it would not survive. Many restaurants buy their cheeese from CB, does that mean we should not eat at those places also?

[Kagemusha]

Too many other options now and no need to endure the hauteur of the place. Could care less if CB sinks or swims since it's my go-to for absolutely nothing, thanks. Maybe you're OK with extortionate pricing but I'm not.

[Herne]

Only been to CB a couple of times. The walk in cheese room open to the public was the reason for the second visit. If that aroma could be bottled every home in Toronto would soon have a similar smell.

I must say that with this thread combined with Google I have learned more in 1 day than I usually have to deal with in a month.

[Herne]

Bought the Romano Pecorino in Loblaws near Laird. Nice taste and just a little dryer than old cheddar. Also had some pecorino wine with it. Nice combination I thought.

[Kagemusha]

If you're happy, I'm happy. Check out the Reggiano at Costco sometime, too, along with the Stilton that always comes in about now.

[Herne]

We usually get Reggiano at Alex Farms in the SLM and had not noticed it at Costco. Look for it next visit.

[Kagemusha]

Think you'll see a bit of a price difference.

[Herne]

That's why I go to Costco. Still amazed by people who don't/won't understand that a 1/3 reduction over a year is way more than the card price.

[Kagemusha]

There's a soothing fiction that Costco is just hay bale-sized packages of toilet paper and laundry detergent. Who needs that, right? Let 'em suffer. Another chunk of Reggiano, Herne?

[Herne]

No longer have the teeth for reggiano. Pecorino is about my limit. Today I heard the excuse that they didn't have a freezer. Looked a little downcast when I told them Costco will sell them one cheap.

Next trip is on Tuesday. How does Costco wrap the Pecorino

[foodyDudey]

I don't shop at Pusateri's and McEwen but I doubt the pricing at those two stores is much better. I don't feel any "hauteur" in CB, not sure why you feel that way. ANd I'm not one to throw spend money unless I see some value or reason to do so. I don't shop there so I can say I shop at the Cheese Boutique.

[ylsf]

Are you looking for a particular one or something from a particular dairy?

Pecorino seems pretty common to me even in grocery stores (well the ones I go to like Whole Foods/Longos). I have been buying cheese lately at About Cheese on Church and I find their customer service to be great and they have a nice selection of cheese and other items. They carry the Monforte Dairy cheeses there also and I am a fan of their Toscano

http://www.monfortedairy.com/monforte...

You can also buy it from them directly at various Farmer's markets including in the North Building of SLM on Saturdays.

EDIT - To add, I am not cheese expert... Monforte makes a lot of "sheep" milk cheeses but I don't know if their Toscano qualifies as a pecorino cheese. I was just reading the WIKI page on this and I guess if they are "Protected Designation of Origin" cheeses than it wouldn't qualify... And, not sure if it is significantly similar because the cheese seems softer than what is pictured on the wiki page.

[Herne]

Thanks. I think we must travel in different circles. I had never heard of Pecorino Cheese until about 2 hours ago when I was looking at Pecorino wine which it goes with very well apparently. I know I have never seen it in stores. Its been suggested I could get it at the Cheese Boutique so I'll try there tomorrow and Whole Foods on Saturday if necessary.

[TorontoJo]

Even Loblaw's should have at least one pecorino in the cheese case. There is no need to go to the Cheese Boutique, unless you're looking to pay a lot for your first taste of pecorino cheese. If you're near a Bruno's, I know they always have a couple.

[ylsf]

I am sure now that you know of it, you will spot it a lot more often :) It is funny how things like that happen when you first learn about something and then start seeing it everywhere :)
I also would recommend starting with a Toscano if you can find it.

Another nice little grocery store in Woodbridge (no idea where you live) is Caldadi Brothers and they have a nice selection of cheese too..