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Say “Cheese!”
By Kelly de la Rocha Published: 10/01/2009
So you’re having a party. You’ve got a menu and know just what wines to offer. Oh, and you’ll stop by the grocery store to pick up some cheese. But before you grab an assortment of run-of-the-mill cheeses, why not consider perking up the evening for your guests with more surprising fare than a pre-packaged Swiss?Instead, head to Upper Montclair and explore Tallmadge Cheese Market, where the staff is happy to help you choose a surprising—and delicious—cheese that also pairs perfectly with whatever’s on tap, whether it’s an Old World Chardonnay or India Pale Ale.
“When you come into our shop, we give you our total attention,” says owner Allin Tallmadge. “For those who want to try new things, we provide the knowledge to mix tastes together.”
Tallmadge Cheese Market offers between 130 and 200 different cheeses, custom-created in the US and seven European countries. In stock are old favorites, including quality Cheddars, Bries, Parmesans and Manchegos, along with lesser-known varieties, like Barely Buzzed cheese from Beehive Cheese Company in Utah, a full-bodied, nutty cheese with a rind made of espresso and lavender.
Your conscience will enjoy Tallmadge Cheese Market, too, because, the owner notes, “We try to support the small producer and sustainable agriculture.”
Cheese is healthy, adds Tallmadge, “and it’s not expensive.” True, specialty cheese can cost up to $40 per pound—but with a fine product, you don’t need much.
“It has a finish to it,” he explains. “You take a bite and it will stay in your mouth for a long time. It’s a different way of eating, a different way of appreciating food. And it’s delightful that there are so many flavorful choices.”
So what will it be, the pungent Red Hawk washed rind cow’s milk cheese from Cowgirl Creamery in California or perhaps the tangy Leonora goat cheese from northern Spain? Nibble a sample or two to help you decide. Once you do, the shop will custom-cut and wrap it to ensure freshness.
Tallmadge Cheese Market also sells dried salamis, olives, and smoked hams, as well as dry goods like crackers, fruit preserves, mustards, olive oils, and vinegars. Explains Tallmadge: “We’re building toward providing a good Mediterranean-based pantry for foodies and cooks who want to add healthy flavors to their diets.”
The cheese, however, is always the star at Tallmadge Cheese Market. And the owner takes great pleasure in helping his customers discover the unique qualities of every fromage from Asiago to Zamorano.
“All cheese starts with the same ingredients,” Tallmadge says. “Yet it makes all these wonderful combinations. It’s fascinating… and truly miraculous!”
So whether you’re throwing a get-together or just want to upgrade your snack, stop by Tallmadge Cheese Market and start thinking (and munching) outside the plastic wrap.
Tallmadge Cheese Market
38 Upper Montclair Plaza, Upper Montclair
973-744-2464
TallmadgeCheeseMarket.com
