The Brief

Heading to a New Year’s Eve gathering or hosting one yourself? You may be thinking about a cheese plate — making one or giving one. But before you dash out to the nearest major supermarket and reach for a box of Boursin and crackers, may we suggest you start off the new year on a perfect note by consulting a cheesemonger.

A cheesemonger, simply put, is a person who buys and sells cheese. Yet at the right store, they are so much more than that. Cheesemongers are connoisseurs of flavor, ready to take your palate across the globe with one bite.

We asked four across Los Angeles what they’d suggest for a perfect cheese plate combo.

Should old acquaintances be forgot, these L.A. spots you surely should not.

Say Cheese: Silver Lake

Say Cheese's wide assortment of artisanal goods.

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Tamar Faggan

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LAist

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Surrounded by several grocery chain stores, Silver Lake’s Say Cheese has held its own for over 50 years, in many ways thanks to Glenn Harrell, who firmly believes that having a palate is a gift not to be wasted.

Harrell, who grew up in the neighborhood, fell in love with cheese (vacherin fribourgeois to be precise), while traveling across Europe. Upon his return, he was determined to get a job at the local cheese shop, Say Cheese. He got the job on the condition that he make it through the holidays without quitting.

28 years later, Harrell has made it through many a holiday season, proudly serving as owner since 1999. Customers are treated to a selection of year round cheeses, as well as seasonally available cheeses, all curated by Harrell.

Say Cheese’s NYE Cheese Plate:

• Maison de la Truffle
• The Blue Jay
• Tomme aux Fleurs 
• Erborinato Sancarlone caffè in crosta

Monsieur Marcel: Farmers Market

Owner Stephane Strouk at the Monsieur Marcel Cheese Counter

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Courtesy

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Monsieur Marcel

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Nestled in the original farmers market is Monsieur Marcel. When owner and Frenchman Stephane Strouk first came to America in 1988 he was disappointed to find that all the cheese here appeared to be square and yellow.

Observing that people in California were well traveled, but lacked a store that reflected their journeys abroad, Strouk and his wife and co-owner Katy decided to open a cheese shop. Named for his father, Marcel (who ironically hated cheese), Monsieur Marcel has since expanded its operations to include an artisanal store,a French bistro, and a seafood market.

Although the business began as a way to give Stephane and Angelenos a taste of France, Monsieur Marcel now carries more than 300 cheeses from across the globe that change weekly.

Monsieur Marcel’s NYE Cheese Plate:

• Brillat Savarin
• Rogue River Blue 
• 5 year Gouda
• Truffle Brie 

The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills

The cheese counter at the historic Cheese Store of Beverly Hills

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Tamar Faggan

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LAist

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It's been just over a year since The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills moved to its new location on Santa Monica Boulevard, and two since veteran employee Dominick DiBartolomeo took over operations. The store originally opened nearly 60 years ago, in 1967. It is considered one of the oldest fromageries in Los Angeles and claims to be one of the first true specialty cheese shops in the country.

As the owner, DiBartolomeo has also added his own line of Italian speciality foods, Dominico’s, to the store. Visitors are greeted by the gallimaufry of over 600 cheeses and dried meats hanging from the ceiling from the moment they step inside. Celebrity sightings are not infrequent, nor are the selection of rare artisanal items.

The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills NYE Cheese Plate:

• Crémeux de Bourgogne
• Agour Ossau-Iraty AOP 12 Month 
• Piave Red Label Staggionato (Aged) 

Lady & Larder: Santa Monica

Lady & Larder's colorful cheese counter in Santa Monica

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Tamar Faggen

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LAist

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Shakespeare once said, "Though she be but little she is fierce," and this phrase most certainly applies to Lady & Larder. The brightly colored store was designed to spark curiosity and joy in every customer.

The Simms sisters opened their first brick-and-mortar location in 2016 as a love letter to the Golden State. They quickly outgrew their first location and moved to their new home in Santa Monica three years ago. Lady & Larder focuses on domestic cheeses, wines, and even flowers. Make sure to ask about their secret lunch menu.

Lady and Larder NYE Cheese Plate:

• Uplands Rush Creek Reserve
• Jasper Hill Bayley Hazen Blue
• Capriole O'Banon
• W.M. Cofield Big McKinley Cheddar