Visit the East End's Best Cheese Shops on National Cheese Lovers Day
Wednesday, January 20, is National Cheese Lovers Day. Why? Because, who doesn’t love cheese? Dan’s Papers asked readers to vote for their favorite cheese shops in the annual Dan’s Best of the Best competition, and the results will please any cheese lover, i.e., everyone.
Citarella (2 Pantigo Road, East Hampton; 631-726-3636, citarella.com) is a gourmet market will an excellent selection of cheese. Pick up a small wedge, or a whole platter. You can enjoy a cheese-filled lunch for one, or get enough cheddar, brie and gouda to entertain a large group. Citarella picked up the platinum award on the South Fork.
John and Danni Grecu’s Village Gourmet Cheese Shoppe (11 Main St, Southampton; 631-283-6949, villagecheeseshoppe.com) serves coffee, espresso, salads, panini, hot lunch—and, of course, cheese. This shop provides cheese by weight, large platters, and even fondu. Village Gourmet Cheese Shoppe was voted gold.
Silver winner Cavaniola’s Gourmet Cheese Shop (89B Division St, Sag Harbor; 631-725-0095, cavaniolas.com) is a family-owned cheese shop, kitchen and wine cellar. Cavaniola’s was founded in 2004 with a very simple goal: to share only the highest quality, delicious and unique cheeses and gourmet goods with the East End community.
Mecox Farms (19 Horsemill Lane, Bridgehampton; 631-537-6154) makes its own cheese that they sell themselves and also distribute to retail shops. Mecox earned the bronze in the Hamptons.
North Fork platinum winner Village Cheese Shop (105 Love Lane, Mattituck; 631-298-8556, thevillagecheeseshop.com) now has a new owner. The shop continues to be a Love Lane mainstay under Michael Affatato. Affatato, who boasts an extensive background in the wine industry, purchased the business from longtime owner and friend Rosemary Batcheller last summer, and he officially took over in October. The Village Cheese Shop will maintain its charm, while expanding its offerings.
Bruce & Son Cheese Emporium (208 Main Street, Greenport; 631-477-0023, brucescheeseemp.com) offers breakfast, lunch, cheese, artisanal provisions and the gold coffee on the North Fork, in addition to being the gold cheese shop.
Brew Cheese (127 Main Street, Stony Brook; 631-675-6060, facebook.com/brewcheesestonybrook) brings together beer and cheese, and offers cheese education classes. Just this week, they held on class on truffles in cheese. What beats that?
Catapano Dairy Farm (33705 County Road 48, Peconic; 631-765-8042, catapanodairyfarm.com) makes its own artisanal cheese right on the North Fork. It has won the award for the best goat cheese and the best sheep cheese in the USA from the American Cheese Society. You know you want to try it!
Find more winners in Food & Wine at DansBOTB.com.