Jennifer Husmann is 813area.com's newest contributing writer. Her passion for food, restaurants, cooking, and seasonal markets are a welcome addition to our ever-growing table. Here's her take on South Tampa gourmet cheese shop, Cheese Please. A visit to Cheese Please in South Tampa is like walking into a European delicatessen, where fine wine is deemed appropriate at any time of the day and Wisconsin Cheddar is a dirty word. When I arrived I was greeted jubilantly by Michael, one of the owners, who immediately requested that I pick a few samples from his enormous selection of cheeses. I started out with a sensual Spanish Manchego, a nutty French Comte and a mouth-puckering Gorgonzola; as well as several glistening red and white wine jellies; and my personal favorite, an earthy and sweet fig spread. Michael was eager to share his knowledge about crafting, pairing and entertaining with rare imported cheeses, and an hour later I found myself still lingering over all the richness, flavor and conversation. I did commit the faux-pas of asking for a cracker, which Michael informed me with some good-natured condescension, was not available, as it would surely mask the intricate flavor experience of the cheese. Who knew? A visit to Cheese Please can be a charming experience, but first-timers should be prepared to shell out $10-$20 to bring home a pound or so of Michael’s hand-picked selections. Moreover, the shop itself is somewhat awkwardly stationed: Michael and his partner Carlos also own a landscaping shop called Pondscapes, which hides the entrance of the tiny Cheese Please. Don’t be put off by the enormous, glassy eyes of the brilliant orange and white koi who silently watch as you make your way along the stony path to the front entrance. Michael and Carlos also put on weekly events where patrons can pay around $20 to attend a themed tasting. This fee includes around eight cheese samples and a wine or beer accompaniment. Select Fridays in October include evening events appropriately titled “Ghostly Ghoudas” and “Oktoberfest”. Participating in a tasting might give newcomers a reasonably-priced opportunity to meet the vivacious staff and familiarize themselves with the prices and selection, both of which could overwhelm at first. Even if your pallet or pocketbook does not take well to regularly indulging in expensive imported cheeses at home, an evening at Cheese Please in South Tampa is a fun and fresh substitute for a movie and popcorn, and costs just about the same.
