Pacific Northwest Cheese Project

New Cheese Shops Coming to Seattle and Portland

Less than a year ago, I was lamenting the possibilities of a long, drawn out recession....today, I'm here to tell you about two new cheese shops on the horizon in both Seattle and Portland. Signs of an economic recovery?

In Seattle, Sheri LaVigne is working hard to get her cheese shop, Calf and Kid, open on Capitol Hill by the end of the year. While she's working out the details, in the meantime she's collaborating with Capitol Hill wine bar Poco Wine Room on a wine and cheese pairing class slated for 9/17 - click here for details. More on Sheri here.

In Portland, Atomic Cheese is coming. This new shop will be sharing space with Blackbird Wines on NE Fremont; Blackbird has moved around the corner from its original location into a bigger space near Umpqua Bank. The cheese shop will be tucked inside the wine shop, the same business model used by Steve's Cheese and Square Deal Wines.  But while the sign is already up and the wine shop is open for business, Atomic Cheese is still a few months off from realization (detonation?). Stay tuned.

Update:  Atomic Cheese will open at the end of September.

Abbie & Oliver's Artisan Cheeses in McMinnville, Oregon

Andrea McEvoy with her selection of local and international cheeses

Abbie & Oliver's Artisan Cheeses
located inside Wednesday Wines
250 NE Third St.
McMinnville, Oregon 97128
503-857-5665

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While at a book signing last week in McMinnville, Oregon, in Yamhill County (for the uninitiated, that's about 40+ miles outside of Portland) I happened across a lovely new cheese shop called Abbie & Oliver's. This is an exciting development for Yamhill County food lovers, who have otherwise been forced to travel to Portland to get their cheese fix.

Andrea McEvoy owns the shop; she's a lifelong cheese lover who got into the business by representing gourmet food products retailers at food festivals and trade shows. She saw how enthusiastic people were for specialty cheeses and, knowing that the demand was there, decided that she could be the supplier. When McMinnville wine purveyors Wednesday Wines contacted her in the fall of last year about setting up shop, the time was right and McEvoy decided to give it a go. Abbie & Oliver's debuted in October of last year. The name is styled after the grand names of British cheese shops like Paxton & Whitfield and reflects McEvoy's love of cheese and the tradition and history behind the world's great cheeses.

Now entering its first summer of business, Abbie & Oliver's is poised to bring fine artisan cheeses to Oregon's wine country. McEvoy's cheese case, strategically located inside the wine store, is well stocked with a variety of domestic and international cheeses - I was impressed to see Northwest cheeses like Estrella Family Creamery Red Darla and Rogue Creamery's new Caveman Blue in her case. "My goal," she says, "is to make sure I have a constantly rotating variety and enough of a selection that I can offer something for most tastes and price ranges." She offers wine and cheese pairing classes at the shop and is planning several events in cooperation with local wineries (call for more info). Abbie & Olvier's is well worth a stop on your way through the area and a perfect place to pick up cheeses to pair with all of the area's great wines.

Les Amis Du Fromage on Hastings Open Soon

One of the Northwest's best cheese shops - Les Amis du Fromage in Vancouver, BC - is expanding. They've been hard at work on their third location on Hastings Street, and things are coming together. The location will include, among other things, a cheese and wine bar called Au Petit Chavignol, which is set to open in February.  Here's a sneak peak behind the scenes as work progresses:

Au Petit Chavignol from Andrew Morrison on Vimeo.

Northwest Cheese Shops are Open Today!

With all of the snow we've had in the Pacific Northwest the past couple of weeks, many small retailers have of necessity varied or limited their hours. Following is a list of shops that I've confirmed are open and ready to sell you cheese, cured meats and other amazing foods - today. Larger specialty retailers like New Seasons in Portland, PCC Natural Markets in Seattle, and Capers in Vancouver, BC have generally remained open, but call individual stores for more specific information. Support your local retailers!

Portland

Foster & Dobbs
Pastaworks
Steve's Cheese

Seattle Area

Bella Cosa Foods
The Cheese Cellar
DeLaurenti's
Madison Market

Resident Cheesemonger

Bayleaf (Whidbey Island)

Vancouver

Les Amis du Fromage
Mt. Pleasant Cheese Shop
Benton Brothers Fine Cheese

Those of you living outside the Northwest might wonder why things shut down out here when it snows. This is generally because snow events are relatively rare, and as a result we are completely unprepared to drive in the snow. You'll find ample evidence of this fact in this now-classic footage (below) of Portland drivers on a snow day. Filmed during a storm several years ago if memory serves, this loop is now replayed endlessly on TV during every Portland snowstorm, as much for levity as for fair warning.

Portland Cheese Shop Curds & Whey Closes

Portland's Curds & Whey, a mainstay in Southeast Portland's Sellwood neighborhood for three years, has closed. According to their website, the economy was a big factor. I'm sorry to see them go....Curds & Whey was the first installment of the 'cheese shop renaissance' in Portland that saw Foster & Dobbs and Steve's Cheese spring up around the same time.

I'm wondering how changing economic times will affect other small entrepreneurs who have been instrumental in bringing us local and artisanal products. Some say that a down economy doesn't affect this sort of thing but time will tell...

Quel Fromage :: Bellingham, Washington

Many cities are amalgamations of smaller, independent towns that grew together and eventually became one, either by annexation or general acceptance...that describes the relationship of Ballard to Seattle and Albina to Portland as well as Fairhaven to Bellingham, Washington. Fairhaven, now situated on Bellingham's south side, has evolved into a lovely historic district; some may also know it as the place where you catch the ferry to Alaska. Among its many claims to fame, Fairhaven is the location of artisan cheese shop Quel Fromage.

Rachel Riggs and her husband, originally from San Diego, fell for the Bellingham area while visiting on vacation; in fact, they liked it so much they moved there. Just over a year ago, Riggs opened Quel Fromage in the Fairhaven district. It's a gorgeous, sophisticated shop that carries a selection of high-end chocolates, oils and cured meats as well as a broad selection of domestic and imported cheeses. In addition, Riggs offers classes and events focused around wines, cheeses and other gourmet goodies. One of her most creative concepts: tasting notes and wine pairing suggestions printed right on the store receipt!

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Quel Fromage
1200 Old Fairhaven Parkway  Suite 101
Bellingham, WA  98225
360-671-0203
hours: Mon-Sat 10-6  Sunday 12-5

The Cheesemonger's Shop ::: Leavenworth, Washington

I haven't been through Leavenworth, Washington for a long time. Leavenworth is situated in the midst of the Cascades in Central Washington....if you travel over Stevens Pass between Eastern and Western Washington, you'll go right through it. If you've never been you should know that in the 1960s, Leavenworth hinged its fortunes on the premise that making itself over into a quaint Bavarian Village would bring fame and fortune. And it worked - the town is really quite remarkable. There are several ski areas in the vicinity and the town becomes a hub of activity in the winter months, but also holds a variety of festivals throughout the year. I've always been tempted to find the whole thing kitschy, but the sincerity and sheer thoroughness with which Leavenworth accomplished the feat is undeniably impressive. Even the McDonald's and Starbucks are Bavar-ified.

So when you find yourself moseying through Leavenworth wondering if you'll have to dredge up your high school German to get by, you're likely to happen upon a cheese shop called, appropriately enough, The Cheesemonger's Shop situated right in the heart of town. (If you're already familiar with the shop, you should know that it's moved from the previous location). This is Leavenworth's own deli-style specialty cheese emporium. Dave and Barb Hambleton carry a nice selection of cheese, both local and international, as well as wine and German and English ales. Naturally, they've got a selection of German products as well including sauerkraut and mustard.

These folks are enthusiastic about cheese. Christy and Sarah were working when I was there the other day (pictured at above right - Christy in front, Sarah behind the counter) and they jumped right in and offered me tastes of cheese and knew their stuff when I asked them about local products. Most impressive - for me anyway - is the fact that The Cheesemonger's Shop carries cheese from local artisans including Alpine Lakes Sheep Cheese and Frost Farm during the season. If you're in town, it's well worth your time to stop by and see what this cheesemonger can do for you.

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The Cheesemonger's Shop
819 Front St.
Leavenworth, WA  98826
877-888-7389

Spokane Gourmet: Saunders Cheese Market and Vino: A Wine Shop

Saunders Cheese Market is Spokane's source for fine cheese. Located just off the freeway in downtown Spokane, Washington, Saunders is situated in a block that also boasts Vino: A Wine Shop as well as a chocolate emporium. Multiple local vineyards also have tasting rooms within a few blocks  radius of the shop....it's Spokane's burgeoning gourmet zone.

Saunders has been open just over a year. Kim Morin's selection includes the best of Neal's Yard, many French and Italian favorites as well as local cheese from area cheesemakers when she can get it. (For a profile of Saunders by Spokane chef David Blaine, see my prior post here). She's also got a selection of treats like crackers, balsamic vinegar and other cheese accompaniments. You can buy treats from Saunders, or you can also enjoy a cheese plate and a glass of wine in the cozy seating area at your leisure.

Kim also sent me down the block to meet John Allen, one of the owners of Vino: A Wine Shop. Vino specializes in Washington wine but features wines from all over the Pacific Northwest and the World. The shop has an extensive selection and includes a spacious tasting room in the back and a unique Wine of the Month club that stashes wines according to your preference in their temperature controlled cellar. They're excited about the Spokane area's growing wine industry and feature the best of local vineyards.

Kim Morin (center) with friends Claire and Kirk at Saunders Cheese Market

Upcoming Events at Saunders Cheese Market:

April 28th - Sweets for the Sweet  Chef Jeremiah Timmons from Ambrosia Bistro incorporates cheeses into delicious desserts
April 29th - Intro to Wine and Cheese - Kim and John from Vino will teach the fundamentals of wine and cheese
May 19th - Northwest Cuisine Jeremiah Timmons will teach attendees different recipes using Northwest regional flair
May 27th - Spokane wineries and Northwest Cheeses - Kim and John pair Spokane area wines with regional NW cheeses

all classes are $45 and take place at Saunders from 6-8PM

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Saunders Cheese Market
210 S Washington
Spokane, WA  99201
509-455-9400
hours: Tues 12-5; Wed-Thurs 11-5; Friday 10-7, Sat 10-5

Vino: A Wine Shop
222 S Washington
Spokane, WA 99201
509-838-1229
hours: Tues-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-5

Foster & Dobbs 2nd Anniversary Party Saturday Nov. 17th

Foster & Dobbs will throw its second anniversary bash this Saturday Nov. 17th. The celebration lasts all day long and will feature demos by small artisan purveyors of  fine salts, smoked meats, ciders and more (see the complete schedule below). Join Luan Schooler and Tim Wilson in celebrating two years in Portland's Irvington neighborhood.

Scheduled purveyors include:

11:30 to 12:30     Eric Stubenberg & Lords of Salt
12:00 to 2:00     Tracy Oseran & Urban Gleaners
1:00 to 2:30         Pam Kraemer & Dulcet Cuisine
4:00 to 5:30        Ben Dyer & Viande Meats & Sausages
4:00 to 6:00       Nicholas Gunn & Wandering Aengus Ciderworks

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Foster & Dobbs
2518 NE 15th Ave.
Portland, Oregon  97212
503-284-1157

Steve's Cheese 2nd Anniversary Party Sunday Nov. 11th

Steve's Cheese in Portland will be celebrating two years of  selling great cheese and artisan products this Sunday Nov. 11th from 1-5PM. Join proprietor Steve Jones and his crew along with cheese, honey and chocolate producers and more at what promises to be a fun celebration of great food and great cheese. Steve will also be hosting Christine Hyatt, Oregon's own Cheese Chick, who will show video from her new Cheese TV series.

While you're there, meet makers, producers and representatives from:

• Ancient Heritage Dairy - Oregon
• Black Sheep Creamery - Washington
• Ames Farms Honey/Great Ciao - Minnesota
• Xocolatl de David - Portland
• Ritrovo Imports - Seattle
• Corsican Cellar - Seattle
• Marin French Cheese - California
• Provvista Specialty Foods - Portland
• DPI Northwest - Portland

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Steve's Cheese
Inside Square Deal Wines
2321 NW Thurman
Portland, OR   97210
503-222-6014