I am fully of the opinion that Formaggio can, on its own, solve the world hunger problem, completely turn around global warming, and produce a lasting peace in the Middle east. You know why? Cos it's JUST THAT GOOD! And, the best part of my visit with Natasha, was discovering there is one in my very lovely little town of NYC at the Essex Market (to be visited often and with great vigor). When we wandered over on a Saturday afternoon, the grill was raging outside, which to my delight, meant we could get fresh roasted corn on the cob rubbed with a chili lime butter and an amazing BBQ chicken. Let's just say three people in Porter Square spent their afternoon licking their fingers, plates and anything else that may have had even a teensy drop of sauce on it. We wandered in to get some cheese and olives and other things for a little shindig later in the day, and the tasting commenced. The cheese selection is unbelievable. Now, just a bit before this, I had hit up the Pickle festival in NYC and brought up a jar of some amazing McClure's pickles. Lo and behold, Boston and Cambridge, you are in luck! You can actually buy McClure's here! Just beware, this is a very serious and intense pickle (particularly the garlic dill) so know what you're getting into. Everything was amazing, and I ended up picking up some treats for my family too (hot chocolate for the bro, black currant mustard for my mama, and some fig liquer infused chocolates for my dad, as well as some much needed chocolate for all). Basically, if it tastes really good and can be purchased, you can find it here. I am of course back in NY now, but the fond memory of Formaggio remains (oh yeah, and I got to see my friends and stuff that weekend, nice). It may be just about time for me to head down to Essex market, I can feel the need to feast on something amazing stirring in me, sadly, I don't think I'll be able to get that BBQ here...guess I'll have to come back to Boston! read more

The original. The best. Like no other. This cheese shop is insane. Been here a million years and they have a little market with specialty foods and produce too. Nothing beats the cheeses though. Anything you can imagine and then some. Location also on shawmut ave in the south end. read more

Absolutely excellent place to be for gourmet food. Produce section looks like jewellery carefully bedded in velvet for safe-keeping, and the flowers are dazzling. But I spend my time in the store prowling the cheese and meat section and the sweet shop. They have excellent jams, chocolates, wines and teas and coffee in stock. The three things you should know: 1) If you get there and there is a line, dig out a paperback. It's a long wait. And then when you finally arrive at the front, the cheesemonger will work with you. If you have a budget, tell him. (I don't believe they're employing any female staff as cheesemongers at this writing.) They know how to balance their offerings in terms of texture, taste and toll, and come up with a dynamite cheese, meat and olive platter. 2) If you work in west Cambridge, they serve fresh hot lunches at excellent prices -- $10 or less -- that are out of this world. 3) Come during an off-time -- mid-morning, early afternoon -- and ask for a tour of the cheese cave. The cheesemongers will happily show you just how everything is aging and tell you so much about the cheese process your head will spin. read more

The original Formaggio has been a training ground for some of the top cheesemongers in America for well over a decade. Although it looks deceptively small, the cheese case is chock a block with some of the treasures of the cheese world. The staff can be a bit haughty and unhelpful, but the cheese is always perfect and the business of the store ensures that you will almost never take home a bad piece. Be warned: best to have a budget before you walk in or you'll end up emptying out your bank account. Prepared sandwiches, meals, breads, pastry, oils, vinegar, fruits and vegetables and lovely flowers round out the selection. read more

a great place for specialty food and a fantastic place for amazing cheese. The staff are really knowledgeable and will always offer a tasteing for you. I am constantly amazed at how much they can cram into such a small space, but it's organized well, and easy to find everything you want, and new things you'd never had thought of existing! I LOVE this place! oh, and the employees are pretty hot too! Yummie all around! read more

Greatness lives here. We went for the cheeses, which we found some very nice selections of. But during my browse, I saw DUCK BREAST PASTRAMI. If you are a fan of Pulp Fiction like me, you'll remember the golden glow that came from the briefcase when Vince opened it in Brett's apartment??? That pastrami looked the same way. I tried a wafer thin sliver, felt the earth move and bought a freaking POUND. Perfect spice, silky texture and beautifully fatty. They make it themselves and I will be back again and again for more. This is Disney World for foodies.The selection, quality and aroma! read more

Formaggio's sidewalk barbeque was key to a perfect Saturday afternoon on the first warm spring day of the year. I must say that I was quite grumpy on the walk over from Harvard Square. It was 11:30 in the morning, and Friday night only ended shortly before. Then, there was a 30 minute wait as the mouthwatering barbeque smells wafted past us. In order to make this torture tolerable, we took turns standing in line and perusing Formaggio's cheeses. This was a great idea until we nearly downed a quarter pound of brie and crackers (after sampling the many unique offerings, of course). By the time we got to the front of the line, we wanted to order everything: *Half a rack of the best ribs I've had in Cambridge (Moist, messy, satisfying) *Pulled pork sandwich (Massive, tender, perfect) *Cornbread (ehh, somewhat dry) *Beans (I don't know what they do to this, but it's more like chili with burnt pork ends. Amazing!) We would've bought more, but the guilt of depriving others behind us (and maybe that of gluttony) stopped us. Our rack of ribs was the last one Formaggio had . . . From there, we walked to the Charles, found a bench, and gorged on divine barbeque. It tasted all the better with hungry runners jogging past us. Formaggio's barbeque is worth waiting for; it made that sunny April extra heavenly. And, it's so random that the best Cambridge barbeque may be found at a specialty foods store . . . read more

This may be one of the only Markets I would pay a cover to go into. I really hope the owners don't get any ideas about that...that is, if they read yelp reviews. It's enchanting close quarters and sprinkling of cheese samples around the store make it a veritable european-market-inspired wonderland...a cheese wonderland. But it goes beyond just cheese - don't let the name fool you. If you want to try a lavender infused truffle, it's there...and if you want to try something new, be it wine, cheese, or pea greens, a knowledgeable and friendly group is available to help you out. read more

My God. If I was a billionaire, I suppose I'd buy my food here too. It should come as no shock that both of these stores are in upwardly trendy neighborhoods like the South End and Huron Village near Harvard. I stopped by the Huron Village store recently and found the median age to be somewhere between 45-60, so clearly there's a lifestyle element that factors in somewhere. Still, a great place to buy ritzy cheese and other luxury food items. I believe my last purchase was a $10 bottle of exotic honey (the kind whose label reads like a bottle of wine: 'delicate overtones of blah blah, tempered by hints of tangerine, cherry, etc') and a $8 tin of hot chocolate. A great place to indulge oneself... but couldn't they do something to ease that nagging sense of liberal guilt? ;) read more

Amazing indie gourmet shop for the following reasons despite it's higher than grad student average prices: 1. WIDE range of cheese, and by this I mean 1/3 of the store dedicate to it (see their website for the cheese finder under "Artisan Cheese") 2. Bakery with fresh bread daily. Come early for freshest and the most to choose from. 3. Dessert pastry counter. Need I say more? 4. Pre-wrapped sandwiches and pizzas, best when warm. 5. Many varieties of domestic and imported wines and beers. California varietals are my favorite for obvious reasons :) 6. Good: Quarts of Blue Moon Cafe Sorbets (including apple cider sorbet!), Toscanini, and Lizzy's ice creams. Bad: No Christina's :( 7. Hard to find organic produce such as white and black truffles red kuri, acorn, butternut and Delicata squash, pumpkin, Bosc Pears, Spencers, Empires, Brocks, Baldwins and Macouns apples, etc. 8. Good flower selection for those "I'm sorry I didn't compliment you enough on Yelp" moments. read more

If you've read my review for the Wine and Cheese Cask, you are probably confused as to why I would subject myself to another cheese place, particularly one that's not even in my neck of the 'bridge. I have desperately missed Europe since I moved back to the US, and the very next time a wave of longing passes over me, I am going to drive over to the Formaggio Kitchen and bask in the glory that it offers. They greet you as you arrive, and may as well be saying "bonjour" for your senses are delighted by the stench of stinky cheese. You quickly learn why you are assaulted with such pungence, as there are loose hunks of cheese all over the store for the tasting (god help me). I was not there for the cheese (my boyfriend was, and he went a bit nuts), but for the baked goods and the produce. The produce is pretty luscious looking, but the 5 stars goes to the tart cherry bread pudding that we demolished in one gluttonous, savage sitting. I CANNOT WAIT to go back there and try their other carb-infused offerings: pear coffee cake, cappuccino bread pudding, apple cranberry crisp, and a variety of delicious-looking cookies. read more

If you like filling your bod w/ sweet, sweet dairy product, than look no further than Formaggio -- wonderful array of cheeses of all formats -- good enough to tempt even this lactose intolerant gal to want to take a hit of pretty much everything in the store. In addition, FK also has a killer dessert section (cases of chocolates, macarons, cakes, pies, etc), and their grocery, whilst small and crazy overpriced, will do the job for produce in a pinch -- Ohhh, and they sell Ohio's own Jeni's Ice Cream -- and do yourself a flavor favor, go get the Reisling Poached Pear Sorbet. I'm in New Zealand right now and still fantasizing abt it (why am I on Yelp in NZ you ask? Recovering from a long, hard day at the spa before making it rain on my selected dinner joint, duh). Anemic looking flowers, mediocre pastry and brewed coffee selections, but redeemed by the awesome coffee beans (hello, Stumptown) and imported teas for purchase. I dare you to try to get out of here for less than $25. Or maybe make that $50 if I'm coming along for the ride. PS - Friends have done private cheese tastings here and raved abt them -- apparently worth booking for the fromage connoisseur in your life. read more

Go try the cheese! They have samples and it's piled high. I have to admit that I've probably eaten more in samples than in actually cheese purchases (only bought cheese once and it was one of the least expensive items), but this place is always an experience. I like to bring out-of-towners here on a nice round-about walk ending in Harvard Square. The prices are way too much for me, but this place and the tiny grocery attached are an amazing sensory experience and I'm sure I'll purchase something else there eventually... read more

The first time I walked into Formaggio, I was pretty intimidated. I am a foodie - but the kind who knows what to do with kale and a yam - not the kind who is used to dining on upscale fare. Formaggio is the place to go for the kind of snacks that you'd serve at a party for the judges on Top Chef or the characters on Mad Men. It's classy AND caloric. The second time I visited, there was a wine tasting going on. Thank you, thank you Formaggio for introducing me to the Barbera that changed my life. If you put a glass of wine in front of me and tell me it's good, I'll make the appropriate "mmm" noises and look at the "legs" and whatever else I picked up from watching wine snobs on the Travel Channel. But it wasn't until the $13 Barbera at Formaggio that I figured out why people get obsessed with wine. It was so so so good. The third time I visited, the very helpful staff showed me how I can look for other similar wines (even ones that I can afford!). Visit during a slow weeknight, and you'll be treated to a much more relaxed shopping experience (Sundays are quite busy). read more

Good cheeses, mediocre meats, nice people, awkward space, good quality, go off hours to sample and enjoy the lovely service.

UH-MAZE-ING....yeah Formaggio's has excellent customer service to go along with excellent produces, cheeses, meats and wines. Sample cheeses....sample great meats....and they'll pair wines with whatever you choose! The staff is really down to earth and very very helpful. Definitely come here for your next wine and cheese party or if you want to pick something up for a nice dinner. read more

Just moved to the neighborhood 2 months ago and I am kicking myself for taking so long to visit this place. My husband and I were on our way home from a grocery run on our bikes and our panniers were filled to the brim, but I wanted to stop at Fish Monger for some sushi grade fish. They were closed, but we still went next door. Wow, I had no idea that they were more than a cheese shop: - local produce - craft & microbrews that my husband hasn't seen before - CHOCOLATE - bakery - cheese and meat counter that made my head spin - fresh flowers Last, but not least, they had 4 feature recipes pinned on their wall printed on cards that you can take with. Love the small touches. read more

Go for the BBQ! I highly recommend the weekend sidewalk BBQ in the summers. I stumbled across this in spring of 2022, but have learned this has been ongoing for many years. This is high quality, delicious BBQ with lots of tasty sides including options for vegetarians. Their pulled chicken (I buy potato rolls inside the market to pair with it), macaroni, corn maque choux, BBQ baked beans (vegetarian) are my favorites. I also would like to try their BBQ jackfruit, which is available if you are vegetarian. They also have lots of other meat options that I did not try. It's pricey but worth it because the food is fresh and delicious. The staff is very friendly. It's a great weekend treat and easily the best BBQ around. I wish there was seating available nearby, but you can easily walk to nearby parks or to Radcliffe Quad (my personal preference) to enjoy. Make sure to get there relatively early such as the first few hours they're serving, because they may run out (the first time, I arrived there once 30 min before closing and a lot of dishes were sold out). read more

Went into Formagio's today. I have had this gift certificate burning a hole in my pocket for a few years now. But until recently, I no longer lived or worked near a Formaggio's I'm having a dinner party this weekend. I went in and asked Ellis for help. What an expert, aside from a very sweet person who put up with my over-exuberance without judgement. I left with two Spanish ham's, Jason de Serrano and Iberico, a Spanish Sheep's-milk cheese, a Spanish Olive oil, fresh figs to go with them (not melon). Naturally I picked up some spices I don't generally find elsewhere (pink peppercorns), lunch... It was such a lovely experience that I've vowed to go in at least once a month. It is so good for me to be there! read more

Formaggios, i love you. I was trying to think - what could make formaggios better? and I couldn't really think of anything. Friendly, knowledgeable staff, classes, free tasting events, outdoor bbq on the weekends, acknowledgement that we are not rich and thus are looking for a cheap -fill in the blank- without it being crap. I would recommend the Cheese 101 class over the wine 101 class as it is more festive and actually you get more wine AND cheese in the cheese class, but sign up early because they go fast. One day while inside I thought "candied violets for $99 a pound? that is insane, who the hell needs candied violets anyway" and then seriously 3 days later i was reading a julia child recipe and saw "Candied violet" and I thought "well, now I know where to get that little sucker". read more

Fromaggio Kitchen I miss you! A little over a year ago I moved to Chicago and assumed in such a large city it would be easy to find a proxy to Fromaggio Kitchen. Wrong. Although we have several cheese shops here, they just don't compare. Being a huge cheeselover (I went so far as to take a cheese certificate course at BU, which also happens to be taught by Fromaggio Kitchen's owner) the cheese selection is what holds the most appeal for me. Everything about the way they approach cheese makes it clear that this place is passionate about it and does what they can to bring the best quality and variety of cheese to their customers. They have varieties of cheese that I haven't seen anywhere else.. If you're looking for something hard to find or unique this is the place to go. There have been several cheeses I've tried here that sadly I have not been able to find in Chicago. Boo! They also cut everything to order so you don't have to buy more than you want and everything is as fresh as it can be. No cheese pieces that have been sitting in plastic for god knows long. In fact, in all the times I've been there they wrap your cheese in special imported paper to make sure it can breathe and stays high quality for as long as possible. They also have incredibly knowledgeable employees. I think the only other place that has come close is Murray's in NYC. They're great at directing you to cheeses you might like, helping you build a cheese plate, and suggesting other pairings (i.e. jam, fruits, nuts, wine, etc). If you know a lot you're appreciate they can speak the details better than anyone and if you don't you'll feel less intimidated and like you're in good hands. Bottom line, this place is a mecca for cheeselovers and I am impatiently awaiting a Chicago outpost. Pretty please can you bring one here? read more

The best place to get good cheese in Boston. Most of the staff behind the cheese counter are excellent. They know their cheeses and can help you hone in on your particular palette's ideal piece of heavenly cheese perfection. I could happily waste hours trying different types of cheese here. The store itself is like a great grocery store from 100 years ago. Its small and just packed to the brim with interesting and cool food specialties and curiosities. When they are busy, it can be really hard to find street parking close by. So park a mile away and walk a bit, lets face it you are really going to need all the exercise you can get once you start consuming that mountain of delectable cheese that is about to tempt you. On weekends, they get so busy it can be hard to move around the store. A little patience is well rewarded. Yes, you will eventually get to the cheese counter, and if you are committing to buy a little cheese as you go, you can keep trying cheeses for quite a while. The sweets section and vegetable section are also pretty interesting, But there is no question that it is the cheese that draws me here. read more

I was apart of a cheese club. Not the kind that sends you cheese monthly, but a group of us would meet weekly to chat and try cheeses. Well, with more than 300 cheeses this was naturally our go to place. After trying quite a few, I can say you can't get a bad one here. Just tell one of their very knowledgeable workers what you're looking for and you will be handed a most divine piece of cheese. I would recommend some, but it's really about taste. There are better wine stores, but it's a small place so I understand the restriction. The breads are good. I especially like the raisin nut loaf. read more

I'm giving this place five stars for the fantastic Saturday barbecue that they put on during the warmer months. As for the store, it is well-stocked but expensive. I opt out of rating that because that serves a purpose to some people. read more

This is where dreams are made...truly. It is a treat to visit this location! There are always delectable tastes being given (I discovered the magic that is sparkling red wine paired with fatty soft cheese on my most recent visit,) the cheesemongers are SO knowledgeable and helpful even when I give them vague guidance about what I am looking for (with more tastes, to boot!), and the selection of prepared sandwiches are a welcome change from the usual area sandwich shops. The price is top dollar, which can be a deterrent, but for special occasions, the quality of product and sensual experience of shopping is well worth it! It can get pretty busy on weekends and right before holidays, so finding those rare off-peak hours to visit will let you worship at this temple in even more bliss. read more

The cheese selection and overall selection of "fine foods" at Formaggio is just AMAZING. I was warned that I'd spend a lot (more than $100) on cheese, and said "no way". Over $250 dollars later, it was the best money spent in having a fabulous soiree with friends. The service was fabulous, as well. They taught me how to make my first brie-en-crout with their fresh pastry dough. Just fabulous.....ENJOY Formaggio!!! We sure did. read more

I wanted to write a review on this place because the french macaroons were rated best in the Boston magazine. When I saw this article in the mag in the hotel, I was sure I needed to pay this place a little visit. So after church one Sunday, we went looking for this place, and I had forgotten the name, only knew the area it was in and knew that they had yummy macaroons. We ended up going to a bread cafe down the street that was pretty crowded, but they pointed me to formaggio's and this place was really cute!! It wasn't like a Dean and Deluca's where it was huge and clean commercialized, but it had more of a mom and pop type, family-owned feel. I really liked that bc it's rare to find that nowadays. The place itself was pretty small, but packed with fresh produce, flowers, groceries etc etc. The best part was that there were tons of samples of different cheeses layed out for you to sample! yayyyy. So...I got 3 of the french macaroons: rasberry, chocolate and lemon... they were pretty good other than the fact that they were a little cracked. The rasberry was the best because the jelly center wasn't too sweet and it was still chewy :) We didn't have much time to browse around, but I definitely want to go back to buy and scope out the chocolate, wine, and more cheese! :) read more

Disappointing online experience. They are out of many cheeses. They let you pick a delivery date but then tell you the date when it will be delivered, many days later than expected. Way over priced. Trader Joe has as good a selection and for savings of 50% or more. Do not shop here online for the holidays or be ready for a disappointment. read more

Ohhhhh 'kay, I'm going against the grain a little here. I do agree with other people, that this place is a foodie paradise. How many so-called gourmet shops have a real cheese cave? I really wanted to give this place 5 stars, but being an outsider (i.e. south of the Charles) it's a challenging to make a pilgrimage. Parking's a pain, it takes a while to come & go by bus, and there's no indoor seating if you want to eat in. I'd knock off only a 1/2 star if I could. Hey FK: any chance you can expand and include an eatery? For example, check out Zingerman's if you're ever in Ann Arbor, MI (www.zingermans.com). An alternative to going to their stores either in Cambridge or in the South End is signing up for their course "The Fine Art of Cheese Tasting" at BCAE (www.bcae.org). THEN you can make the trip. read more

Heaven with all of the cheese selections, olives, Italian meats, wine, and fresh fruit selections. Prices are par for the course, which unless you are a gourmet cook, will probably be high to you. I like sampling the cheeses that I have never heard of before - so many! I have not tried any of the bakery items but they look so good too, just sitting in the case winking at me. Next time. read more

As I walked down the hill towards Fromaggio Kitchen there were billows of smoke and a group of people milling in the street. It looked like a street party. As I neared, I smiled. Awesome! They were grilling up a BBQ that smelled fantastic. I knew then I would come out after shopping in the store and get my lunch. Inside, well, it was foodie heaven. Perfectly ripe cheeses. Expertly smoked hams slice so thin you could see the light through them. Acres of wines. Loads of samples to try. Pastries. Fresh produce. Small batch artisan sauces, condiments, honeys, and jams. I loaded up and headed for the counter to pay my bill. Outside again, I joined the now really long line. It was sooooo worth it. What did I have? Baked beans. And they were over the top. They were the best baked beans I have ever ever had. Sticky, thick, hot and sweet at the same time, chock a block full of chunks of bbq meat and sopressatta. This store is going to be my first stop every time I am in Boston. It brings back all the joy of shopping for food I used to feel when I lived in Europe. The quality is amazing, and it is run by people who love food. I can totally recommend you run, don't walk, to Fromaggio Kitchen! read more

Shelves stocked with cheeses and meats? Check. A huge selection of delicious foods? Check. Friendly staff? Check. This place is insane. I cannot recommend it more. Having lived in Europe for a year, I know about shops like these, and I've got pretty high standards. They have sandwiches, prepared food, and they even offer cooking classes. They also have a section with candy, jams and preserves, flowers, and a wide selection of wine and beer. This place is amazing. read more

See all

Ugh I hate that I love this place. Dinging half a star for excessive prices and another half for unfriendly people at the checkout. They suffer from the same complex that the staff at Diesel Cafe suffers. And that is, they think because they are good and popular now that they are irreplaceable and can treat people however they want. Look up "Hilltop" restaurant for an Ebenezer Scrooge look at your future. read more

Free Samples, Friendly Staff, House-cured meats...You can't go wrong at Formaggio Kitchen!! I love cheese, but I didn't realize how little I actually knew about cheese until I strolled into Formaggio Kitchen one afternoon. We went in wanting to get blue cheese and were asked what kind of blue we wanted and yes, I admit it, I looked like a stupid asshole and said, 'the kind of blue cheese that has blue veins in it.' And I said this in a completely harmless way because I had no idea the variety of blue available. How far I have come thanks to the patient and friendly staff. By the time they were done schooling me on the intricacy of blue cheese I was out the door with a Bluechatel and a nutty Gruyere to help balance the strong blue. I also left with baby bok choy, carrots, spring onions, some applies, pancetta, dried pasta, a baguette, and sea salt. And I wasn't hungry anymore since I must have sampled almost 10 varities of cheese. It was amazing. Formaggio Kitchen is located outside of Harvard Square in Huron Village. I think the location is great during the summer. It's a nice walk, the area is beautiful and public transportation is available (by bus). But I think getting to Formaggio Kitchen in the winter would be a little tougher, since parking is a pain in the ass and that nice little walk might turn into a bitter quest for cheese. read more

Being succinct when talking about Formaggio Kitchen is difficult, but I'm gonna try it out. This place is the bomb diggety. What do you want to eat? Delicious cheese? Okay. There's a ton of it, and little trays of samples everywhere just in case you're not sure you want to commit. Fabulous sweet things? Done. And they're beautiful as well as droolingly amazing. Fruits and veggies? Awesome. It's a one-stop destination. I can't comment on the meats because I don't eat them, but I'm sure someone else can suggest some adjectives because they look pretty damn tasty. I can say that they have hard-to-find beers (like Innis & Gunn) in sizes that I've never seen anywhere else. Stuff is not too pricey either, although even if it had been, it would have been totally worth it to see the look on the face of my European-bred boyfriend as he walked through the place, like he'd just discovered god. read more

This was an AMAZING experience. They allowed me to try 10 different cheeses. I learned so much and I was able to see my very first cheese cave! They even allowed me to hold the oldest cheese wheel in the place. It was so cool! I couldn't stop talking about it when I got back home to Philadelphia, PA. Thank you for creating a "cheesy" memory for my friends and I. read more

When I ask people who live in the Boston area if they've been to Formaggio and they say no, my response is generally an immediate dropped jaw and a "WHAAAAAAT?!" I then promptly make plans with them to take them, or command them to go within the following week. This place is not just a store, or even a gourmet foods store, a fromagerie, a butcherie, a bakery, a flower shop, a gift store, or a produce shop. It is all of these things, and an experience. No doubt my favorite thing about it is that I can always count on eating some yummy cheese when I go (on any given day at any given time, they have 3-10 cheeses out for you to try as you shop). I love trying something and not being able to leave without buying it because it's so delicious. And the best part is, of course as one of the best and most well-known fromageries in the country, the folks who work here know what they're talking about. If you're looking for something specific, or you just want to try something new, talk to anyone at the counter and they'll give you some tastes and send you home with exactly what you're looking for. They can also always recommend good pairings with wine, or spread, or anything else really. I'm sure they'll do the same when it comes to the meat selections, though I've not purchased any of it there. This is one of my favorite places to shop for gifts - they have a HUGE gourmet foods selection, from pastas to chocolates, olive oils and sauces to beer and wine. It's also the perfect place to grab food for a quick picnic - they've got some prepared stuff, and the bakery goodies are delectable. Lastly, one of the most written things in Boston media on Summer to-dos is their Saturday barbecues right outside the store. OOOOOH boy this shit's phenomenal. Plan to get messy and stuff your face!! read more

I don't know how I'd never been in this place until today. It's like my dream store. And it has such an intimate neighborhood feel, which is hard to find in a city, even in the more neighborhood-like parts. I went in for a loaf of bread, and they had three different types of large white baguettes. And that's just the large white ones. There was also a demi-baguette, and (I think) a multi-grain one. And those are just the baguettes! The produce was great, and they listed the locations/sources of many--local fiddleheads, New Jersey asparagus. Helpful for those who want to buy as local as possible. And their cheese selection was heavenly! I love the atmosphere, the options, the quality, and the location. Can't wait for an excuse to go back! read more

If I had to choose a place to die, it'd be Formaggio. Surrounded by cheese, wine, and sweets, I'd die as the happiest girl. In fact, if I were locked up in Formaggio, I'd eat myself to death... happily. CHEESE - Largest variety of cheeses I've ever seen. I stood in front of the display case with wide eyes and dropped jaw for a good 15 seconds before I remembered... Oh yeah, I'm in public. WINE - Expensive but good quality, and they carry difficult-to-obtain wines. Hence, cost. SWEETS - 2 words = French Macarons. It is my personal mission to learn how to make these myself, but until then, Formaggio is my supplier. They have their own pastry chef of 18 years that hand-makes all their sweets. They have so many other items that you won't see in most stores. SERVICE - Excellent. I talked to the staff about cheese, wine, salami, and sweets. They enjoy and know what they're working with. Ask them for suggestions, they know their stuff. I could go on and on, but it's not the same. Just go if you can, and buy everything. read more

I came here with some friends after snowshoeing. We had planned to do wine, cheese, and fruit after a beautiful day of snowy goodtimes. (Note that this was before all the blizzards hit. My affection for snow has since declined a bit.) It's really crowded, both by people and shelf space. That said, when you approach the cheese counter, the world narrows. An earnest, expert cheesemonger engages you: what are your cheesy needs? And then the conversation begins: this is what we like, what we were planning, this was our day and BOOM! He suggests your purchases. You will need to sell some of your less important organs on the black market to afford them, but once you taste the cheeses, you think it might not be such a bad deal. In all seriousness, the staff is incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and clearly passionate about what they do. The quality of product is very high, which make the high prices easier to swallow. ...So to speak. Also interesting wine, beer, bakery, and produce sections. Thank goodness I live way far away because otherwise, I might be looking to my more necessary organs to finance an addiction to Formaggio Kitchen. read more