Excellent service and outstanding selections of delicious cheeses make these five stops musts on nights we're hosting (or just craving some eight-year-old cheddar).
Cheese Boutique
In addition to a tea loft and a vast collection of gourmet honeys, this shop also carries the best French brie, Quebec artisan, and Australian blue. (No wonder some of the city’s best chefs are regular customers.)
Cheese Boutique; 45 Ripley Ave. (QEW & Kingsway exit); 416-762-6292; www.cheeseboutique.com
Leslieville Cheese Market
The helpful staff can guide us through putting together the perfect platter to suit any occasion. They also have a long (and growing) list of rennet-free cheeses for vegetarians.
Leslieville Cheese Market; 891 Queen St. E (at Logan); 416-465-7143 & 541 Queen St. W. (at Augusta); 416-361-3111; www.leslievillecheese.com
Chabichou
This cheese and gourmet food boutique has a special focus on French varieties making it a top spot on nights we’re entertaining.
Chabichou; 196 Borden St. (at Harbord); 647-430-4942
Nancy’s Cheese
Nancy is a member of the Cheese Education Guild, and will gladly give you a detailed explanation of how to store cheese, how to pair it with wine, and can even give you a brief history lesson.
Nancy’s Cheese; 260 Dupont St. (at Spadina); 647-343-1315; www.nancyscheese.com
La Fromagerie
This little shop on College specializes in artisan, unpasteurized and organic cheeses from Quebec, France, and Portugal.
La Fromagerie; 868 College St.; 416-516-4278