There are few things in life that everyone can agree on, but a love for cheese has to be one of them. New York City has many fantastic fromageries around the Big Apple, but here are three that really love to place a spotlight on that wonderfully stinky dairy product.
Artisanal: Chef Terrance Brennan designed this midtown restaurant to mimic eateries in France that specialize in cheese. Mission accomplished, as a visit to Artisanal reminded me of what a classic French restaurant must have looked and felt like back in the day.With a spectacularly stinky selection that includes muenster, brie and over 200 international varieties to choose from, chances are even the pickiest cheese head will find something they like. Chow down on such items on the menu as mac and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches and various fondues. For dessert order up the extremely tasty creme brulee. Tip: When making reservations, ask to be seated in the cheese cellar for a truly cheesy dining experience. 2 Park Avenue. Stay nearby at Affinia Dumont Hotel.
Lamarca Cheese Shop: For a more casual dining experience, head on over to this Gramercy located “cheese-a-torium” that has seen dishing out such delicacies as home made pastas, soups and Italian sandwiches since 1974. But of course no visit to Lamarca is complete without partaking in a nibble or two of the wide selection of roughly 100 types of cheeses on site. Order to go or grab a table for a quick bite. Bring cash as Lamarca does not accept credit cards. 161 East 22nd Street. Stay nearby at the Gramercy Park Hotel.
Nolita House: Located in the former home of the original Knitting Factory, this cheese friendly restaurant offers up way more than just your typical plates of cheese for connoisseurs. With killer menus for brunch, lunch and dinner and daily drink specials, you would think that the cheese here might get lost in the shuffle. But it doesn’t, as the spectacular cheese platters at Nolita House are a must order and range from mild for amateur samplers to overwhelmingly pungent for the real cheese crazy customer. Order up a glass of wine or a bottle of beer to wash down all this cheesy goodness as live music plays in the background. 47 East Houston Street. Stay nearby at the Mercer Hotel.
Image: Wikimedia
