Cheesemonger
La Fromagerie is run by the indefatigable Patricia Michelson. It is a veritable treasure trove of good food, the sort of shop in which you should spend hours just finding out what is in stock. At the back are the air-conditioned cheese rooms which double up as maturing rooms and I was overwhelmed by the choice, admittedly not much of it British. They do stock some British cheeses, notably Mrs Appleby’s Cheshire, Bonchester, all the Blues from Ticklemore, Tala and Spenwood and Wigmore,; but I could not help thinking Patricia’s heart lies with France and Italy. What they also sell are goodies to go with cheese: apples from Brogdale, a farmhouse whey butter, bread from Innes and & Clarke’s, as well as some specials that are baked expressly for the shop. These include a dark rye with pecan or lexia raisins which marry well with Beenliegh Blue; and Neapolitan biscuits with nuts or figs.
Using produce from the shop, Patricia also has own-made pizzas laden with Mozzarella, crespolini, tortillas, baked ricotta, tortellini stuffed with ricotta & spinach or wild mushrooms and truffle cheese, cheesecakes, one baked in the Bavarian style. In season she sells wild mushrooms and a few fresh vegetables.