Ottawa Foodies

We have found that the prices and selection of cheese is excellent. John, the certified cheese guy is very knowledgeable and more than willing to assist. Living in the Market there are plenty of cheese stores to choose from, but we have found that LaBottega never disappoints.

There's a semi-ripened goat cheese (like a tree trunk, with concentric circles of ripeness), covered with yellow plastic straws. It's my absolute favourite cheese. It was the first food I requested after my first child was born.

The Merivale location has consistently good prices for parmegiano reggiano (watch for their specials), gorgonzola dolce, emmenthal and many other European cheeses.

I worked at Farm Boy in the Cheese department or 3 or 4 years... I will never forget slicing 3 wheels of Raclette prior to Christmas. I stank for days!

They will let you sample a cheese if you're unsure about it, as I did with with a couple Oka varieties a few weeks back in preparation for a fondue party. They'll cut the right amount so you don't have tonnes of leftovers. They'll also shred it for you, if you ask.

The one thing I always liked about it was that I could get whatever cheese I wanted, in whatever size I wanted. This way I never ended up with a huge block of cheese to toss because I couldn't finish it.

I love the large variety of cheeses available at Farm Boy. It is the closest thing to a cheese store. I like to buy my Parm wedge here, as well as any specialty cheeses (ie ricotta). Today I picked up some emmenthal. It is also nice that cheeses are available both by the block or sliced.

I find the cheese at Farm Boy is largely overpriced, especially the fresh parmesan. I get Italian cheeses at Nicastros and other cheese at Costco. OTOH I am going to those places anyway and not making special trips; it is handy to have Farm Boy nearby with a good cheese selection.

I recently asked Farm Boy to provide me with a list of the cheeses they carry that do not contain animal rennet. They only got back to me with a partial list so far but here it is for those who care:

ALL Agropur Cheese Products
ALL St. Albert Products
Mini Mini Bocconcini Light
Mini Mini Bocconcini (200g)
Crotonese Cheese
Friulano Tre Stelle Cheese
Mozarella Balls
Friulano Tre Stelle Wh/Hlf
Provolone Cheese Sette Fette
Provolone Cheese Smoked
Provolone Cheese Tre Stelle
Provolone Cheese Tre Stelle Light
Smoked Mozzarella Cheese
Ricotta CremonaMediterra Feta Garlic/Herbes
Bocconccini (200g)
Bocconccini Cheese
Rosenborg Brie / Camembert
Blue Danish Cheese
Cream Cheese Dill
Cream Cheese Garlic
Cream Cheese Herb/Spice
Cream Cheese Pepper
Tre Stelle Mascarpone
Provolone Piccante
10 Year Old Porto
Emmenthal Swiss Cheese (No Lactose)
Emmenthal Swiss Cheese Slices (No Lactose)
Bocconcini Light
Mini Bocconcini Light
Organic Danish Havarti
Organic Danish Blue
Organic Cream Cheese
Organic Feta Cubes
Light Ricotta Cremona
Bocconcini Pearls
Balsamic Cream
Mediterra Feta Light

I was told that I would be updated with any additions to the list so if that happens I'll post it here.

Many kudos to them for having a few very small bits of cheese wrapped up and ready to go with small prices.

Noted: buffalo mozzarella, which was worth the price.

Friendly service, too.

This place sells Le Riopelle de l'Isle, Le Douanier, La Sauvagine, etc. all those Quebec cheeses that taste so darned good. They also sell a good variety of their own cream cheese spreads for bagels.

Love it!

My husband says he has seen it at La Bottega -- it's quite pricey there.

Mmm..I tried their Highland Blue when I visited the Landsdowne Farmer's Market this summer...I savoured every last crumbly/creamy bite.

I have yet to find them at the actual stores (listed) though....maybe I'm not looking in the right place?

Local makers of raw milk cheeses. I can recommend the Bonnechere and especially their Highland Blue.

I love this store for cheese; it probably has the best selection of Quebec cheeses in the region and the prices are relatively cheaper on most occasions.

I tried the other day a brie with Truffles, yummy!!!!!!!!!!!!

The hard dutch goat cheese is fantastic and joyfully tasty in a non-goaty way which some people find so unappealing with soft goat cheeses. If you decide to purchase an entire wheel, which i recommend if you like to impress you guests at your next gourmet parté, the nice folks at the dutch store will give you a discount.

If time permits check out the stand of photo greeting cards made by Wim Kok. Edible but not tasty, the photo greeting cards are of superb quality and craftsmenship and give one a warm feeling when seeing those cozy images of The beautifull Netherlands.
Those with a keen eye will notice the nicely laminated enlargments hanging on the walls of the dutch store are those very same cozy images as in the photo cards.

Try the aged Gouda (black rind). It is completely unlike wimpy supermarket gouda. It is hard, dark golden and nutty. A really superlative cheese.

I have to say cheese is one of the only reasons I keep a Costco membership. They sell large wedges of incredible and hard-to-find cheeses at good prices.

I recently tried one called "Zurigo" (the Italian name for the city of Zurich in Switzerland). It is made by Fromagerie Fritz Kaiser in Quebec (www.fkaiser.com/cheese.htm) and is truly amazing.

The taste is a bit like Oka but even better. The rind stinks to all hell but the flesh doesn't. And it's low fat but you'd never guess that from the texture (12% fat, less than half that of most cheeses). Highly recommended!

Mrs. McGarrigle's has recently added a cheese counter... a great assortment of fine cheeses. As with other food items, there are sample trays. Unfortunately, didn't buy any this trip... will remember to bring a cooler next visit.