Bedford Cheese Shop

Bedford Cheese Shop started in Williamsburg but has since expanded with an equally expansive, cheese-packed shop in Union Square. With 200 to 400 cheeses on average and a hearty charcuterie and pantry selection—from local chocolate to Italian pasta to all the pickles and olives you could ever want—it’s easy to assemble a gift for a friend or a smorgasbord for yourself. (If you can’t make decisions, it also offers platters, cheese-of-the-month clubs and pre-assembled baskets.) A handful of homemade spreads like hummus and addictive onion dip are also available to grab and go, plus sandwiches and house-made salads and roasted veggies. Some cheeses are cave-aged in house, and the shop specializes in fun yet detailed descriptions of cheese. (Example: Colston Bassett Stilton: “You would be a fool to let this buttery and warm-veined creation pass you by. Don’t be a fool. Really, it’s not charming at all.”)