Oh happy day! We now have our own dedicated cheese shop in town – American Cheese (106 W. Main St., West Sayville, 750-5202). Erin Nicosia, a born and bred (baguette?) Sayville daughter was one of the original Farmer’s Market vendors when they set up shop on Main Street over a year ago. Erin, and her selection of cheeses, developed a loyal following and she is now the delightful owner of Sayville’s first artisanal cheese shop.

‘Artisanal’ cheese simply means handcrafted in small batches, using traditional methods. Frankly, it is the opposite of mass produced, factory made, processed cheese.

The doors opened on Friday, July 16th and I was there, among the first twenty customers. The cases held a diverse variety of artisanal cheeses from Long Island to California. Because I was making a wonderful salad for Engineer Man (aka my husband Rich), as part of his dinner, I decided to try the Feta Alfresco … he noticed the ‘new addition’ to his greens right away and rolled his eyes in delight as he savored the creamy heavenliness of the feta.

I sliced a peach in order for us to cleanse our palates and then served what I am now calling the “Miss America” of cheese – Tumbleweed. While in the shop on Friday, this was the big hit for sampling. It has a brothy flavor that keeps tumbling along long after you have tasted and savored it. We tried it on a wasabi rice cracker and it was as if our tongues gave a surprise party for our mouths! Tumbleweed, from the 5 Spoke Creamery, NY – the new “Miss America” of cheese.

Last but not least, I purchased what I lovingly and respectfully refer to as ‘stinky feet cheese’. Erin explained that the aromatic, intense, flavor is achieved in the washing of the rind. It is an aging technique. The rind is full of robust (stinky, but in a good way) flavor and the cheese itself is creamy to the point of melting in your mouth. My choice was Mecox Sunrise and if this was a perfect world, I could eat it from sunrise to sundown …

Run, no take your car, and visit our town’s delightful new business at 106 W. Main St., West Sayville, 750-5202.

American Cheese is a celebration of America, what can be better than that?
Nothing.

Erin Nicosia, owner of American Cheese

Happy American Cheese Customers

The author, Ginnie Moore, lives in Sayville and loves it almost as much as she loves her luggage. Ginnie can be contacted at: ginniemoore@verizon.net, and she would love to hear from you, really.