European-style cheese shop and quick service bistro educates and inspires with an innovative approach to cheese loving
The Cheese Course, a European-style gathering ground for cheese aficionados and amateurs alike, offers the ultimate sanctuary for South Floridians to enjoy a taste of more than 150 artisanal cheeses imported from dairy farms all over the world. Complete with a cheese and wine market, bistro and online store, The Cheese Course provides patrons with all the accompaniments, utensils and cookbooks needed to enjoy every cheese variety. With six locations – Weston, Midtown Miami, Boca Raton, Hallandale, Coral Springs and Pinecrest – and more on the way, The Cheese Course is quickly becoming a go-to spot for the newest and freshest artisanal cheeses in South Florida.
Cheesemongers at every store offer a culturally rich and authentic experience for guests shopping for the finest cheeses from every country, including La Tur (Italy), Epoisses (France), Stilton (England) and L’Amuse Signature Gouda (Holland). The founder’s vision to inspire and educate guests about every aspect of cheese led to the concept of promoting a higher standard for cheese lovers. With owner Enrique Altamirano at the helm, The Cheese Course continues to grow and integrate even more types of cheeses into its already vast selection.
“We want to transform the typical cheese eater’s standards,” said Altamirano. “Instead of having an outdated can of dry pre-grated, domestic, commercially produced ‘Parmesan’ cheese in their fridge, we want our guests to experience the difference found in freshly grated, real Italian-made Parmigiano-Reggiano.”
The brand prides itself on the more than 150 imported artisanal cheeses that fill the wooden creates and wicker baskets in each store. Images and color schemes from farms, green pastures and rolling mountainsides bring to mind the authentic, organic roots of the store’s products and concept. A signature red barn door found at each location further emphasizes the brand’s direct connection to farms around the world.
In addition to the specialty cheese and wine market, The Cheese Course Bistro boasts a menu of more than 40 items, clearly labeling cheeses included in each dish and categorizing cheese plates by region and flavor, paired with the perfect accompaniments. Turning classic sandwiches, salads and cheese plates into a cheese lovers’ adventure, menu items include traditional favorites such as the Prosciutto Di Parma sandwich with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, fresh basil, basil pesto, extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar; Applewood Bacon sandwich with goat gouda, tomatoes, avocado, rosemary aioli, and greens; French Field Greens with fresh goat cheese, dried cranberries, mustard-shallot vinaigrette, and fresh bread; and Homemade Quiche with specialty cheese, meat, roasted vegetables, fresh herbs, seasonings and field greens with mustard-shallot vinaigrette. The Cheese Steward’s Tasting Plate allows guests to sample three special cheeses at an ideal stage of ripening and flavor, carefully chosen from the store’s entire collection, and served with two accompaniments and sliced baguette.
The array of educational courses offered to guests interested in learning more about specific cheeses or the cheese making process is a valuable addition to The Cheese Course experience. Classes are offered several times throughout the month at each location, and provide a simple approach to understanding the art of cheese making, pairing and tasting. Drawing upon community learning, The Cheese Course takes advantage of hands-on methods of education and allows guests the opportunity to sample, ask questions and indulge in all things cheese.
The recently launched online store, found at www.thecheesecourse.com/store, allows visitors to order the best of The Cheese Course right to their front door. Online store visitors can select from four different collections of cheeses – American, French, Italian and Spanish – containing hand-crafted cheese pairings that showcase the best selection of each region. Restaurateurs, chefs and caterers can also order wholesale from The Cheese Course Online Store with customizable size options and a quality delivery guarantee.
About The Cheese Course
A European-style artisanal cheese landmark of South Florida, The Cheese Course is the only shop in the Southeast that consists of a cheese and wine market, educational courses, tastings, and bistro in each of its six locations. After 10 years in the market, The Cheese Course has mastered the artistry of cheese and influenced others to grasp a culturally rich understanding of this classic artisan product. The Cheese Course has locations in Weston, Midtown Miami, Boca Raton, Hallandale, Coral Springs, and Pinecrest, and continues to expand in the South Florida market. Crossing all cultural borders, The Cheese Course unites and imports cheeses from dairy farms all over the world. The store embodies a traditional, farm-to-table approach to dining with a bistro menu of more than 40 items, each enhanced by the store’s assortment of hand-crafted cheeses. For more information on The Cheese Course, visit www.thecheesecourse.com.
