Top Ten Places to Get a Great Cheese Plate
I love cheese. The problem is that when I'm reviewing, cheese plates aren't something I order much because they usually aren't the restaurant's specialty and they are often meant to be shared, which means one fewer thing I can try.
So I turned to someone who's a cheese expert, LIVE reviewer Richard Gorelick, and asked him. I had actually thought of the ones he mentioned, but it was nice to have them confirmed. Yes, they are for the most part the usual suspects, but as Richard put it so well:
...[They are] more or less obvious choices, and I know you like to mix it up, but isn't it funny how good restaurants are good because they do so many things well...
Here's the list. A couple of these restaurants have siblings; I decided to choose one. If you don't agree with all the choices, blame me, not Richard: ...
* Chameleon Cafe in Lauraville has a three-cheese plate with fresh fruit and compote for $11.
* Cinghiale in Harbor East offers a selection of 10 cheeses. You do the choosing ($5 for one, $13 for three).
* Dogwood in Hampden will have its artisan cheese plate on the seasonal menu again in the fall. Right now it's by special request only.
* Iron Bridge Wine Company in Columbia describes its offerings as "a bodacious selection of world class cheeses." A little over the top, but this wine bar can back it up. The plate is $13.
* Kyma in Annapolis offers a "Cheese Tasting" of four Spanish cheeses with toasted baguette and fig paste, $8.75 each.
* Meli in Fells Point has a chef's selection of three cheeses with baguette and quince paste for $12.
* Savona (2 N. Main St., 410-803-0000) in Bel Air is as much gourmet market as restaurant, so you'll find a wide selection of imported cheeses from which to create your own cheese plate.
* Tersiguel's in Ellicott City offers the "chef's daily selection of boutique cheeses" for $7.95.
* Wine Market in Locust Point has a three-cheese plate with quince paste and cardamom spiced almonds for $9.
* Woodberry Kitchen in Woodberry/Hampden is offering three local cheeses on its cheese plate at the moment, a gouda, a cheddar and a chevre; but the menu changes seasonally ($5 each or $12 for a plate of three).
(Photo of Savona's cheese by Lloyd Fox/Sun photographer)
Comments
the link from the main websiite says this is top 10 lunch buffets (not that I'm complaining)
Thank goodness someone is reading early. That was last week's. I e-mailed The Powers That Be about the mistake. Thanks! EL
Posted by: Emily | July 22, 2008 4:38 AM
Yeah, I was confused to get cheese rather than lunch buffets. Granted, I'd rather have some lovely cheese....
Posted by: Anonymous | July 22, 2008 7:18 AM
My sister recently was married in Quebec. The most wonderful thing about being up there was the fact that nearly everywhere we went had a special cheese course! I miss it dearly.
Posted by: Pat au Poivre | July 22, 2008 7:51 AM
I'd add Wine Me Up in Westminster to that list.
Posted by: jl | July 22, 2008 8:15 AM
Petit Louis has them all beat.
Posted by: Joe Rockenbach | July 22, 2008 8:15 AM
A Frenchman once told me, "A nation with strict health laws can not produce good cheese."
Posted by: bra1nchild | July 22, 2008 8:23 AM
We love love love the cheese course at Petit Louis, and the servers are very well-trained on the cheeses offered. (Also true at Charleston, but there the cheese presentation is a little more uppity.)
Posted by: BMoreSweet | July 22, 2008 8:26 AM
Wow, it's nice to see cheese get a little press. I'd like to give Grand Cru winebar at Belvedere Square my vote. They have been serving a variety of excellent cheeses since they opened. I had a great 4-cheese selection there on Sunday that included Jasper Hill Farm's excellent "Constant Bliss", Three Sister's Farm "Serena", Fiscalini Farmstead "Bandaged Cheddar" and Idiazabal from Spain
A question, however. Why was Richard Gorelick consulted for this list? His restaurant reviews almost never include mention of a cheese plate and only his review of The Wine Market actually gave the reader the names of the cheeses.
By the way, St. Andre should immediately disqualify any restaurant from this list.
He may not talk much about cheeses in his reviews for the same reason I don't, but it is one of his areas of expertise. Even if it weren't, I often consult with the LIVE reviewer on Top Ten topics because I only get to about 50 restaurants a year, and I hate to miss ones that should be mentioned. EL
Posted by: Vespa1 | July 22, 2008 8:50 AM
Petite Louis has a good cheese plate.
Posted by: Les | July 22, 2008 8:54 AM
I'll echo the call for Petit Louis as well. The Foreman Group does cheese well, and at room temperature!
Posted by: Vespa1 | July 22, 2008 9:00 AM
Ze Mean Bean has a good cheese plate, too. The chef selects the cheeses each day. Delicious. I love being surprised with cheese!
Posted by: KB | July 22, 2008 9:15 AM
We were at Ryleigh's (?) in FedHill recently, and they had a great cheese plate with a lot of unusual cheeses, including some made in Easton!
Posted by: Pigtown | July 22, 2008 9:21 AM
GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK,
GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK, GAK.....!!!!!!!
Is it possible Donny B isn't very fond of cheese? EL
Posted by: Donny B | July 22, 2008 9:32 AM
Is it possible Donny B isn't very fond of cheese? Or possibly just a large hair ball. (Which is something bacon grease might help.)
Posted by: Robert (the Single One) | July 22, 2008 10:25 AM
Cheese plate? You should retire the top ten category. Clearly you've run dry.
Posted by: Jonathan Gilbert | July 22, 2008 10:49 AM
Love all of it! Bring on the cheese! I'll take Donny B's!
Liquid Assets had a nice cheese selection (downyoceanhon). Are they still there?
RtSO, Bacon grease helps everything!
Posted by: Joyce W. | July 22, 2008 10:55 AM
I'd rather eat a hair ball and wash it down with a tall glass of bacon greese than eat a plate of cheese any day.
I can't get past the sheer stink of cheese for it to be appetizing.
If I want to eat somethign that smells like dirty feet, I can always stop washing my socks, and eat them after I've worn them for 2 weeks straight. The smell is pretty much the same.
Posted by: Donny B | July 22, 2008 11:04 AM
Helen's Garden in Canton offers a cheese plate special a few days a week. Each special is FULL of cheese's hand selected by the chef and is usually accompanied by a chutney, fruit and a carefully selected cracker to complement the cheeses. Always a great way to enjoy their half priced glasses of wine during happy hour!
Posted by: Anonymous | July 22, 2008 11:08 AM
I pity those who don't like cheese. But hey, here's something at least as important. I just discovered that Hershey's Nuggets -- extra creamy with toffee and almonds -- cures acid reflux.
Someone give the me the number for John's Hopkins!
Posted by: jl | July 22, 2008 11:33 AM
Donny B, that's okay--more for the rest of us. When I was very small my mother called me her "little mouse."
Posted by: Dahlink | July 22, 2008 11:41 AM
i am very fond of cheese and therefore of course cheese plates! i have sampled a few of them all over federal hill...i agree with pigtown - ryleighs has a great one... but i HAVE to disagree with the Wine Market review - their cheese plate seriously sucks. my friend and i were actually shocked at how tiny the portions of cheese was when the plate came out and also, both cheeses tasted exactly the same. we also tried the cheese plate at metropolitan on charles st... it was so-so. so, all in all my favorite in the fed hill area was ryleighs. i'll have to try petit louis since a few of you recommended it. thanks!
Posted by: cheese conoisseur | July 22, 2008 11:46 AM
I looked through the archives and didn't see any mention of this before in your posts, but have you ever considered a "Top Ten Bagel shops" or breakfast sandwiches? I struggle to find a decent place every time i want one.....
We've talked about it, but we don't think there are 10 that aren't part of a chain. EL
Posted by: Wing | July 22, 2008 11:50 AM
The Tusk Lounge offers a nice plate as well (or they did the last time I was there 6 mo ago)
Posted by: Mather | July 22, 2008 11:58 AM
Was happy to see that the Whole Foods in Mt. Washinton has a cheese "basket" on the salad bar. It's just little pieces of various cheese what is usually only a few dollars per piece, perfect for a cheese plate for one! :)
Posted by: Leslet | July 22, 2008 12:01 PM
I have to add Charleston and Ixia. Ixia has plates (I think you select 3) with amazingly delicious chutneys!
Posted by: mrs. howchow | July 22, 2008 1:03 PM
I LOVE cheese plates. This is a fun top 10 and a nice change of pace!
I'm not a dessert fan so I look forward to indulging in a cheese plate to finish my meal whenever I head out to a nice restaurant. This list makes me miss Annabelle's in Ellicott City. It offered a stellar selection of cheese and a lot of opportunity to create a really interesting cheese plate.
Posted by: SGI | July 22, 2008 1:11 PM
Since Leslet has moved onto cheese baskets, I'd have to suggest the sample cheese that Atwater's in Belvedere Square offers. You can pick up a handful of lovely cheese, but in smaller portions and at lower prices. Perfect for creating your own cheese plate. And sometimes they have roasted figs to boot!
Posted by: Claire | July 22, 2008 1:25 PM
Wegman's has lovely little cheese flights for $7.99.
They include 3 or 4 cheeses which vary and they include different accompaniments like fruit, olives, candied walnuts, or those big, oily almonds, whose name escapes me right now.
It makes a nice lunch for 2 or appetizer for 3 or 4.
Posted by: Rosebud | July 22, 2008 1:46 PM
I'd have to suggest the sample cheese that Atwater's
And the cheese lady (I don't know her name and should ask the next time I'm there) is so helpful and accommodating.
Posted by: Rosebud | July 22, 2008 1:58 PM
I recall having a good cheese plate at the Brewer's Art along with a nice glass of port.
Posted by: ClaudLaw | July 22, 2008 1:58 PM
Wegman's sometimes has take-away cheese plates that are pretty good. Usually three varieties with some bread and a little sweetmeat or fruit. They come packed in carry-out trays with clear lids so that you can see what you're getting. They also write the names of the cheese on the lid so that there are no surprises. They are a generous post-prandial for two diners.
Posted by: MD Canon | July 22, 2008 2:00 PM
Petit Louis does not offer cheese plates; even better, it offers a cheese cart to choose from to make up your plate. All taste delicious. I also agree Charleston has a great cheese selection.
Posted by: Guillaume | July 22, 2008 2:02 PM
Rosebud, are you thinking of Marcona almonds?
Claire mentioned roasted figs. This time of year we like to grill them along with whatever else we are grilling and then top them with a little crumbled feta. Mmmmm!
Posted by: Dahlink | July 22, 2008 2:02 PM
Rocket to Venus in Hampden has a great cheese plate, as well as a good selection of wine and draft beer to go along with the cheese
Posted by: nestee | July 22, 2008 2:36 PM
YAY! Great top 10 topic (if I may say so as a Dutch/Euro/Cheese-loving girl). And to plug another one of my loves: can we have a top 10 for the best places to order rosé wines? In the summer I cannot do without some cheese and rosé :)
Posted by: K | July 22, 2008 4:05 PM
Let us not forget the ever popular free all you can eat cheese buffet at the Dutch Market! How funny it is to watch people make their lunch out of the free teeny samples on toothpicks at the cheese stall! It's sort of like watching the episode of the Simpson's where they move into the grocery store.
Posted by: Joyce W. | July 22, 2008 4:41 PM
Liquid Assets in the O.C. has an excellent cheese plate (France, Wisconsin, California) with lots of extras (grapes, currents, apples) that nearly make it a meal.
Posted by: J Easton | July 22, 2008 5:00 PM
I miss the cheese place that is where Iggies Pizza is now. Iggies is great, but when that cheese place opened up it was great. Unfortunatley, as time went on the place withered on the vine. The selection was reduced and the once helpful staff turned salty.
Posted by: Robert of Cross Keys | July 22, 2008 8:30 PM
Shhh. Stop talking about Liquid Assets. Let's keep that a secret between those of us who do not wear Greene Turtle t-shirts stained with old vomit or baseball hats on backward. There are not enough places to go to in OC that are d-bag free!
Posted by: KB | July 22, 2008 9:11 PM
I love this TTT! On weekends I love to buy a few sample cheeses at Atwater's, and maybe some fruit at Planet Produce. At home I might add some good olives and crackers or bread. Talk about heaven! And Rosebud is absolutely right--Atwater's cheese lady really knows her stuff, not only about cheese, but also olives. She's great! Rosebud, one of us should get her name and print it for the rest of the Sandboxers. She's too good to miss.
Posted by: Dottie | July 22, 2008 9:42 PM
Rosebud, are you thinking of Marcona almonds?
That's it. Thanks, Dahlink!
She's great! Rosebud, one of us should get her name and print it for the rest of the Sandboxers.
I'll try to remember to ask. She is wonderful!
Posted by: Rosebud | July 23, 2008 7:57 AM
Oh and in regard to Planet Produce, as I was finishing up at the Farmers Market on Saturday, the guy from Planet Produce hurried by me with a push cart full of boxes. I wondered at which stand he was shopping. (P.O.E.M.)
Posted by: Rosebud | July 23, 2008 8:01 AM
Does anybody know of a place that serves Raclette? I would have thouhgt that the cheese place that used to be where Iggies now is on Calvert St. just north of Center Stage would have had it but alas it never did. The only place that I have ever had it in this hemisphere was in a Swiss restaurant in Montreal and it was delicious!
Posted by: Hugh | July 23, 2008 11:16 AM
Hugh,
I googled Raclette Cheese, and you can buy it online. Looks rather pricey though. Here is one place I found:
http://www.125west.com/Roth_Kaese_Raclette_Cheese.html
Posted by: Rob in PCB FL | July 23, 2008 2:06 PM
Hugh -- I suspect you're looking for a restaurant that serves the traditional Raclette meal, as described in this Wikipedia entry. I'm not aware of anybody who does so. However, Whole Foods sells genuine Raclette cheese, so I guess you could buy the ingredients and make it at home, if you're so inclined.
Posted by: hmpstd | July 23, 2008 2:56 PM
Hugh, to serve raclette properly you need some sort of cheese-melting apparatus (or a hot fire and a tolerance for mess). It doesn't sound like my first choice for July.
Posted by: Dahlink | July 23, 2008 3:14 PM
Dahlink -- many years ago, I bought a raclette grill at C-Mart, but, as the instructions were missing and the grill importer had gone out of business, it took a few years (and Internet access) for me to figure it out. I would concur that raclette, like fondue, is a dish that is better suited for winter (sorry, Melting Pot).
Posted by: hmpstd | July 23, 2008 4:41 PM
Victoria Gastro Pub near Columbia has a cheese platter they describe as "Selection of Artisanal Cheese, House Made Pickles, Grain Mustard, Red Grapes, Crackers." for $15.
Posted by: Retired in Elkridge | July 23, 2008 7:13 PM
Ahhh the wegmans cheese lady (petite with dark hair) is Helen!!
Posted by: Elizabeth | November 6, 2009 3:31 PM