Essex Street Market

212 228 8204

www.saxelbycheese.com

www.saxelbycheese.blogspot.com

Check out the web sites above for more detailed information about the shop and its proprietor.

For the record, I purchased a small part of a Lazy Lady Farm goat (or was that a Nettle Meadow goat and cow milk, "Kunik"--my receipt says "Kunick," but I could have sworn I went back and chose one of the Lazy Lady Chèvres--maybe it's just hard to go wrong at this shop) and a small Jasper Hill Farm raw milk "Constant Bliss." The Kunick was so good I insisted on taking the rest of what was left of the small cheese out for tasting in spite of the fact that it was an odd looking unattractive leftover shape. The Constant Bliss was too small for me to want less than a full cheese and I was delighted with the condition of the one I received.

Anne Saxelby is all of twenty five years old and already has what may be the best selection of fine cheeses in excellent condition for sale in NYC. I'm stressing the quality and consistency of condition I saw and tasted across the board, but what makes it all the more remarkable is that her stock is limited to American made cheese with what seems to be a focus on the Northeast. That the cheeses are all artisanal farm made cheeses should not therefore come as a surprise. The best selection should not be confused with the largest selection of cheeses. You should however, expect to find as many fine cheeses at their prime as you might find in a larger shop with a much greater number of cheeses. Everything I tasted was in prime condition and I wasn't shy in my requests, especially for a guy who only bought two cheeses. In fact, I'd have a far easier time putting together an impressive cheese tray for an excellent dinner here than at shops I know six or eight times as big.

Prices are high if you're used to buying more industrial chèvres at Trader Joe's, but not out of line with what you pay for similar cheeses at specialty shops around town and, from what I've experienced, your chances of getting good value are higher here than at other shops I know. There's a large selection held at tasting temperature, but the whole little cheese Anne pulled out of the cave after I made my selection, turned out to be in an impeccable state when we cut into it that evening.