Cheese plates

[SBonner]

I just finished this afternoon a very tasty cheese plate along with a pint of Guiness and Strongbow Cider at the Irish heather. The plate consisted of four international cheeses in various styles accompanied by a decent size portion of salad, toasted bread slices and house made onion marmalade.

I'm looking for a selection of cheeses from various four legged species, varied styles, cheese friendly accompaniments, great presentation, and staff that know what cheese is what.

So what makes a great cheese plate and who is doing these treasures justice?

Cheers,

Stephen

[nwyles]

The best cheese selection I had was a few years back at Bacchus. We knew some of the waiters in the room etc. and they showed us some love, and wheeled around the cheese plate. The two of us were treated to over 20 ozs of cheese ( 2 ozs each by ten different types ) which was way over the top but what can you do ?? The selection was fantastic but the whole event was forever etched in my mind as the waiter showed up with this cheese dubbed the " King of Cheese " some sort of wine soaked soft cheese, firm outside, liquid center that they were all raving about. I have to say that the only thing that describe this, and I do not mean to be rude but, it tasted like someone farted in my mouth ! I like strong cheese but this was something else. I have not been in a while and actually want to try Lee Parsons food so perhaps someone can refresh us if the Bacchus still has a great cheese selection.

Cheers

Neil

[chef jeff]

All right, I was not going to post, but at Stephens prompting, here's our list. Each cheese is a composed plate with it's own accompaniment. We're quite proud of it. No international cheeses, but some great BC cheese.

My favourites at the moment are Tiger Blue, and Hillary's Red Dawn

I cheese

Poplar Grove “Tiger Blue” - Naramata, BC

with apple carrot salad and a walnut crisp

Creamy blue cheese, lemony start, sharp nutty finish

Moonstruck “White Moon” - Salt Spring Island, BC

With plum compote and plum wine reduction

Double cream cows milk, light Camembert style

Salt Spring Island Chevre – Salt Spring Island, BC

With roasted cumin beets and bulls blood beet greens

Smooth textured, pleasant goats cheese

Armstrong Cheese Co. 3 yr. Reserve Cheddar

With dried fruits and spiced nuts

Sharp, crumbly, pale yellow cheddar

Hillary’s Red Dawn – Cowichan Bay

With Riesling stewed golden figs

Cider washed rind, full, earthy flavour, Oka style

McLennan Creek Blue Capri – Langley, BC.

With red wine poached pears

Award winning crumbly, Stilton style goat cheese

Oh my sweet cheezuz!!

[Andrew Morrison]

I have to say that the only thing that describe this, and I do not mean to be rude but, it tasted like someone farted in my mouth !

Baak! I just had a crapload of beer come out of my nose, courtesy of Neil.

Thanks, buddy. Can I use that line?

Edited July 30, 2005 by editor@waiterblog (log)

[kurtisk]

Oh my sweet cheezuz!!

←

I'm so sorry everyone. You should try workin' with the guy...

k.

[SBonner]

All right, I was not going to post, but at Stephens prompting, here's our list.  Each cheese is a composed plate with it's own accompaniment.  We're quite proud of it.  No international cheeses, but some great BC cheese.

My favourites at the moment are Tiger Blue, and Hillary's Red Dawn

I cheese

Poplar Grove “Tiger Blue” -  Naramata, BC

with apple carrot salad and a walnut crisp

Creamy blue cheese, lemony start, sharp nutty finish

Moonstruck “White Moon” - Salt Spring Island, BC

With plum compote and plum wine reduction

Double cream cows milk, light Camembert style

Salt Spring Island Chevre – Salt Spring Island, BC

With roasted cumin beets and bulls blood beet greens

Smooth textured, pleasant goats cheese

Armstrong Cheese Co. 3 yr. Reserve Cheddar

With dried fruits and spiced nuts

Sharp, crumbly, pale yellow cheddar

Hillary’s Red Dawn – Cowichan Bay

With Riesling stewed golden figs

Cider washed rind, full, earthy flavour, Oka style

McLennan Creek Blue Capri – Langley, BC.

With red wine poached pears

Award winning crumbly, Stilton style goat cheese

Oh my sweet cheezuz!!

←

Jeff,

my wife and I have to get up there asp to sample your cheese selection. They sound like a real treat.

Stephen

[appreciator]

In recent memory... I've had a cheese plate at Ocean 6 Seventeen and also at Pair Bistro. Now... I am not going to be able to tell you what was on either plate..... but I will say that the one at Ocean 6 Seventeen was much nicer. Why?, you ask.... well for starters, the portions of cheese were a tad larger. Also, the presentation was quite artistic and the fruit compote was delicious and complementary to the cheese. Something (I think it was the compote as a matter of fact) on the plate had some nice cardamom kick if I remember correctly.

As you will note... my memory is hazy.... too much wine no doubt

I love cheese and am always on the lookout for a good after dinner offering..... Would, of course, try the Heather again but alas, banned for life and all that. Oh well, c'est la vie

Edited July 30, 2005 by appreciator (log)

[nwyles]

I have to say that the only thing that describe this, and I do not mean to be rude but, it tasted like someone farted in my mouth !

Baak! I just had a crapload of beer come out of my nose, courtesy of Neil.

Thanks, buddy. Can I use that line?

←

I have not seen any Royalty cheque for "goat rodeo" yet, but sure, go ahead !

[Chocoholic]

On Thursday night I was at Fiction (they were celebrating their 6th year anniversary, congrats Sean and Sue!) and some time after dinner we decided to order some fine Scotch from their sizeable collection and a cheese plate to nibble on. The cheeses were delectable, we picked a creamy & assertive Stilton, a Guinness cheddar, a very flavorful and slightly edgy cow's cheese and a few slices of very creamy brie. The names of these linger vaguely in my mind but will not present themselves I'm afraid. The condiments were very interesting, a small sage pot au creme, a few pieces of hazelnut cake, some fruit compote and a bowl of nuts provided some great flavor contrasts and combinations.

As a Dutch expat I sorely miss my cheese. In fact I have a piece of 'Rijpenaer' in my fridge at the moment, a 2 year old intensely flavored and dry Gouda. This cheese is utterly unlike the pale, barely present 'Gouda' you find at the local supermarket. I savor this with some good multigrain bread (and nothing else mind you!) in the mornings. The sizable chunk I picked up in Schiphol airport last month has dwindled to a small piece which I will be finishing off this weekend, to be left bereft of cheese from the motherland...

Anyway, the odd cheese plate and frequent visits to Les Amis do a lot to cure the longings.

[Jeffy Boy]

I'll second the suggestion of Fiction for scotch and cheese. Some fine scotch, great cheeses, and servers who know both. Great way to end an evening out.

[Daddy-A]

All right, I was not going to post, but at Stephens prompting, here's our list.  Each cheese is a composed plate with it's own accompaniment.  We're quite proud of it.  No international cheeses, but some great BC cheese.

My favourites at the moment are Tiger Blue, and Hillary's Red Dawn

This is at nobody's prompting ... Aurora has a fine cheese list, and I agree with Jeff's fave.

We are extemely lucky in BC. "J" and I snuck into Paleys place here in Portland for a late night cheese plate and a glass or two of the local grape. The wine here is really good ... but our cheeses are as good if not better than the OR product. I'll post the Paley's list when we get back.

A.