I submitted a long review yesterday, which for some reason appears at the very end of this chain, as "not recommended." No explanation from Yelp. I am therefore resubmitting an abridged review, focusing only on the positives, and no longer attempting to rebut the philistines who bash this place. You are all entitled to your opinions. If you don't like The Cheese Shop or the staff of Super Cellars, there are plenty of local supermarkets and big box stores to go for similar, if nowhere near as good, products. Enough said.
I have been driving from Emerson to Ridgewood for more than 10 years to go to The Cheese Shop, and for the past 3-4 years, to the new combined Cheese Shop and Super Cellars. I make this trek 2-3 times a month, and spend a minimum of $300 per visit on cheeses, wines, spirits, and various high-end food and service products.
I have come to know Rick well, and more recently, Patrick, John, et al. I just met the new owner, Deepin, who has undertaken an impressive renovation and expansion, and I look forward to continuing this relationship in future years.
Before we get to cheeses, permit me to announce (to those of you who do not know already) The Cheese Shop makes the best damn baguette around! Beats any French bread at any supermarket or Best of Bergen bakery, and believe me, I've been to all of them. Rick's baguettes are a perfect complement to his cheeses.
Someone said the nearby Whole Foods has more varieties of cheese than The Cheese Shop. My experience at places like that is you are directed to a cabinet where all the cheeses are pre-cut and pre-wrapped. Much of the fun at The Cheese Shop is kibitzing with Rick and the staff, who are only too willing to cut samples for tasting, which of course takes time, and I am prepared to spend up to 45 minutes here before I get everything I want.
Again, multiple kinds of cheddars, domestic and imported. Multiple blues, rocqueforts, and Stiltons. Once even had a piece of the legendary Stinking Bishop from here (which you may recall from Wallace and Grommit cartoon features). Multiple goats, and bries, double and triple creme. The Savarin-Brillat brie is to die for, with or without black truffles. Extensive selection of truffle honeys to go with various cheeses. C'mon, this place is great, and it deserves all the Best of Bergens it has won. Don't forget the Wensleydale ale cheddar spread.
Super Cellars itself is super, and now even larger. They have extensive selections of beers, fine wines and spirits, including sakes, pinot noirs, and tequilas. With their recent expansion, and perhaps even as the result of my request, they have added a shelf of more than a dozen kinds of bitters, so if you are a mixologist, or into "cocktail culture," this is the go-to place for all your brewed, spiritous, oenological imbibing, mixing, and serving needs - as well as all your cheese-y desires.
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