04/10/07

Best for cheese!

by baychick

My dad started taking me into Say Cheese when I was a little baby, and over 20 years later, the place is still open and good as ever. It's a charming local business with a very friendly and knowledgable staff (especially Bob!), and an immense selection of specialty cheeses. They also have wine, olives, crackers, bread, etc. plus they make AMAZING sandwiches! The Cole Street location is great - it's easy to stop by after dining at Zazie, Bambino's, or Crepes on Cole, and it's a short walk to the busy part of Haight Street. One downside: it's often extremely difficult to find parking in this neighborhood.

• Pros: friendly staff, cute shop, great selection, delicious food
• Cons: parking

Local and imported wines, cheeses and all their trappings inspire epicurean delight at this Cole Valley outpost.

by Lorraine Sanders

In Short
Oenophiles and cheese lovers frequent this shop for its nearly encyclopedic array of cheeses, carefully chosen stock of wines and seemingly endless sandwich menu. The expert staff often can be overheard explaining the origins of a particular cheese, the nuances of its flavors and, of course, the perfect wines to match. Antipastos, fresh pastas, foie gras and gourmet sausages fill a deli case, while breads, crackers, chocolates and imported olive oils pack the shelves.