[Gumby]

Going to a friend's place after work and I thought I'd bring some cheese and crackers over. We're looking at 9 adults, and this is meant to be more of a snack/appetizer.

1) Where can I buy some fancy-ish cheeses, and will it break the bank?
2) Any suggestions as to what cheeses to buy? Nothing too fancy; maybe 3 kinds in total.

Links to websites for local shops with pictures and/or prices appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[bcrdukes]

The only place that comes to mind is Benton Brothers in Kerrisdale. Cheese is not my specialty but these guys should be experts. I would highly recommend you to call these places to get an idea of what you can/cannot get. From my own experience, some cheeses can and will break the bank so I would highly suggest you purchase in moderation. 3 cheeses should suffice, pending you don't delve into fancy deli meats. :)

Benton Brothers Fine Cheese
2104 41 Avenue West
Vancouver, BC
V6M 1Z1
(604) 261-5813
(No website)

The below recommendations are restaurants but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to ask if they can help you with what you're looking for. My only other alternatives would be:

Salt Tasting Room (Knowledgable and friendly staff)
45 Blood Alley, Gastown
Vancouver, BC, Canada
V6B 1C7
(604) 633-1912
http://www.salttastingroom.com/

and

au petit chavignol (I have not been here)
843 East Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC V6A 1R8
(604) 255-4218
http://www.aupetitchavignol.com/

[Phil@rise]

I found a place in the granville island market with a good selection of cheeses that weren't to expensive.

[Culverin]

How discriminating is your crowd?
If they aren't serious cheese eaters, then believe it or not, the selection at costco will more than suffice.

If they are pickier, then +1 to Benton in kerrisdale.
They know their stuff.

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

average consumer, Costco should be sufficient

:D

[Meowjin]

costo and superstore actually have it pretty good for cheese.

[MG1]

Why stop at cheese and crackers? Go to Freybe's Factory Outlet on Hastings and Victoria.

They have all kinds of cheeses there, but all kinds of deli meats, as well. Award winning stuff. Everything from Ladjaegers and Lyoner to smoked salmon and cracklings. Oh, they have a good selection of crackers and whatnot. There's a couple of really cute chicks working there - but maybe only on Saturdays. Be warned of the older Frauleins, LOL.

http://www.freybe.com/html/contact/contact-nov10-2009.htm

[Bonka]

Would brie fall into your category of fancy-ish? Then something like St. Andre or Explorateur would be up your alley. They are like brie but with triple cream so it's very rich but fairly inexpensive you can find this at a grocery store for around $10.

Jarlsberg is a nice swiss that's readily available or a good cheddar in case your friends might not like the stiltons or anything pungent but Bentons is a great place to check out as mentioned.

Make sure you use a good quality, low preservative, low sodium cracker for those cheeses!

[vafanculo]

I like Boursin. Creamy herb or garlic cheese. Can get at almost any grocery store
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[MelonBoy]

Parrano Cheese
Goat fig log is killer for salads
5 Year old chedder is good if your just starting to eat cheeses from your normal processed ones.
Comox Brie is pretty nice.

[Ronin]

Les Amis du Fromage

Three locations: http://www.buycheese.com/

In my French class back at UBC, one of the students brought in a bunch of great French cheeses for us to sample. Told me it came from this place. Great place...loads of good stuff there.

[Meowjin]

^that place sucks. I've been there and they are overpriced, and I can get better cheeses from santa barbara (on comercial) and parthenon (on west broadway/kits)

[Ronin]

Oh right, Santa Barbara. I love that place...I buy prosciutto and parmesan from there all the time.

The deli has a bunch of cute, probably eastern European girls behind the counter.

[TheNewGirl]

In the future, Langely Farmer's market has a local cheese guy that sells amazingly good fetas and other cheese that are locally produced, packed with herbs, not nearly as pungent as most fetas and absolutely delicious on crackers.

[Meowjin]

goats or sheeps?