The finest selection of cheese in Ottawa? It's Il Negozio Nicastro

I was once asked “If you had to give up one thing, would it be meat or cheese?” My reply was immediate: “Meat”. 

Frankly, giving up cheese just feels like an unnecessary cruelty. The range of flavours and aromas is so vast, that it feels, as with wine, that there’s no end to the pleasures to be reaped.

Unfortunately, the prices have gone up dramatically over the last years but I’m always prepared to make an exception for a splurge if the selection is first rate and the cheeses are properly cared for.

Enter Il Negozio Nicastro at 792 Bank St. in the Glebe. Cheesemonger Mickey Amato and I lived in the same building when I moved back to Ottawa and I’m glad to see that his love of food has not waned. 

Mickey has built what I expect is the finest selection of unique cheeses available in Ottawa. While some of those will have their price, if you’re a cheese lover you cannot let the opportunity to try these rarities slip by.

On this particular visit I ordered (clockwise from top left to right): 1- Cremoso Prosecco Gorgonzola (Italy- $17.95 100 g) 2- Gunn’s Hill 5 Brothers washed rind gouda (Ontario- $7.60 100 g) 3- Sainte Nitouche 2 yr old washed rind goat cheese (Quebec- $5.70 100 g) 4-  Wrangeback 2 yr old raw milk (Sweden- $11.50 100 g)

All were superb with bold, long finishes and would be ideal with wines, ciders or beer. In fact if you’ve not explored beer and cheese pairings, I guarantee most of you will be surprised by how much better beer can pair with cheese when compared to wine. 

Let Mickey advise you and tell him I said Hi when you stop by.