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Best Of Toronto
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By: Liz Robertson
Soft, crumbly, aged or smoked, cheese comes in all textures and varieties to please the palette in a little taste of heaven.
About Cheese
3467 Yonge Street: (416) 487-7768
483 Church Street: (416) 925-2479
With two locations it makes it easy to get to the best. The staff is fantastic, knowledgeable and great at describing the taste and textures of the varied selection. Samples can help to narrow down the choices but don’t be surprised if you end up with an unexpected block! The focus is on Canadian cheese makers but there is a selection from Europe as well.
Leslieville Cheese Market and Fine Foods
891 Queen Street East
(416) 465-7143
http://www.leslievillecheese.com
A small boutique in Toronto’s east end serves up lots of variety and friendly service for all your cheese needs. Cheese platters, gift baskets and gift certificates make for great parties and hostess gifts. Lots of local goodness from fresh bread and artisanal cheeses to specialty imported cheeses and oils. Not to miss – gourmet grilled cheese! Try blue cheese and pear or cheddar and smoked bacon.
Alex Farms Products
St. Lawrence Market
93 Front Street East
(416) 368-2415
The back corner of St. Lawrence is always bustling around the carts and long glass counter that makes up Alex Farms. A huge selection from all over Europe and Canada will leave you undecided. Luckily the helpful and knowledgeable staff will lead you to the cheese of your choice. If you need to pick up olives, specialty imported oils and vinegars or crackers to go with your delicious cheeses, this is a one-stop shop.
Olympic Food & Cheese Mart
St. Lawrence Market
93 Front Street East
(416) 363-7602
This market stand is filled with a great selection of different cheese -400 kinds to be exact! Mango-ginger Stilton, sticky toffee cheddar or maple smoked cheddar are just a few interesting varieties available. Lots of imported gourmet productsare sold here too; organic olive oils, crackers, pates, spreads and home made dips. You won’t leave empty handed.
Nancy’s Cheese
260 Dupont Street
(at Spadina Avenue)
(647) 343-0315
http://www.nancyscheese.com
Dupont Street near Spadina Avenue is getting revitalized and Nancy’s Cheese is a great addition to the strip. The glass domed display case at the back is where the small but well versed variety of cheese sits. Lots of cheese from Quebec, B.C. and other Canadian farms plus a few from France, Switzerland and Australia. If you’re interested in wine and cheese pairings with Nancy (graduate of the Cheese Education Guild) and Anne Martin (top Sommelier in Toronto), get in early because they sell out fast. Weekly Cheese Chat on Tuesday is a good way to start when getting to know your cheese.
La Fromagerie
868 College Street
(416) 516-4278
Paris has come to College. You simply cannot walk by and not go in. The delicious breads from Thuet Bakery sit in the front window and lure you in. The packed display case houses plenty of cheese; brie and goats cheese from France covered in a thick, aged rind. Varieties from Italy, England and Canada are not to be missed and check out the great olive bar too.
The Thin Blue Line
938 Roncesvalles Avenue
(416) 840-6966
http://www.thinbluelinecheese.ca
Passion is what comes to mind when visiting this gem. Specializing in Canadian artisanal cheeses from across the country in varieties of cow, sheep and goats milk from Bluebry to Allegreto, all the bases are covered. Locally produced pates, preserves and condiments compliment the selection of cheeses.
Chabichou
196 Borden Street
(at Harbord Street)
(647) 430-4942
http://chabichou.ca
A cozy French inspired patisserie and boulangerie all in one. Delicious choices of cheese like creamy brie and soft goat cheeses of different ages from France and many from Canada, Italy and England as well. Dine in area to nibble on grilled cheese or indulge in something sweeter like a pear tart or homemade chocolate truffles. Very friendly and helpful owners make you feel welcome and you can tell that they want you to enjoy what they have to offer.
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