Get On Board
Given the current heat wave, it is, as they say, too hot to cook. It may occasionally feel like it’s too hot to even eat.
But since humans can’t live on popsicles, you still need to eat something. How do bite-sized portions of delicious cheese, fruit and meat sound? Delicious, right?
Charcuterie boards aren’t just for art openings and cocktail parties! You can enjoy some of the best quality and mostly balanced meals – prepared by experts – by ordering a small (or large, no judgement) board and leave the cooking for the Fall.
Morsel & Nosh
This neighborhood delicatessen and specialty grocery in Northside offers a wide selection of fine cheeses, cured meats, and grocery and specialty items from local, regional, and artisan producers. You’ll also find grab-and-go options and made-to-order soups, salads, and sandwiches.
Morsel & Nosh
4183 Hamilton Ave.
Monday – Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.,
Sunday, 12 to 6 p.m.
Closed Wednesday
morselandnosh.com
In addition to all of that, they also have a great selection of cheeses, so you could create your own cheese board. But isn’t that really best left to the experts?
Morsel & Nosh is famous for their mandalas – a presentation of cheese, charcuterie, and accoutrements arranged in a beautiful pattern. Each tray is unique creation, with a chef’s choice of meat and cheese.
Small Mandala is $49 (serves 12–14 people); medium is $79 (for 16–18 people), and the large is $129 (for 18–22 people).
Bohemian Boards – a more traditional presentation – offer artisan cheeses, artisan charcuterie, and more.
A small Bohemian is $49 (4–6 people), the medium $79 (12–14 people), and a large $129 (16–18 people).
Urban Stead
If you want to guarantee you and your cheese have the same zip code, head to Urban Stead. This urban cheese company makes and sells cheese in their East Walnut Hills store.
Urban Stead Cheese
3036 Woodburn Ave.
Friday, 3–9 p.m., Saturday, 2–9 p.m.
Closed Sunday to Thursday for cheese-making.
www.urbansteadcheese.com
You’ll also find a full-service entertainment shop, with beer and wine to pair with their cheeses. Along with locally made cheddar and gouda, Urban Stead makes a delicious (like can’t stop eating it) pimento cheese.
Their cheese and charcuteries boards include fruit, jams, pickled items, and nuts, based on seasonal availability. Boards can be customized to include your favorites. A Single board, which serves 6 to 8 people, is $60 ($75 with charcuterie) and a Grand Slam, for 25 to 40 people goes for $275.
The Rhined
This Over-the-Rhine shop specializes in American cheese, and we’re not talking about plastic-wrapped singles. They have a focus on domestic, small batch cheese with many regional selections.
The Rhined
1737 Elm Street
Monday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m.– 6 p.m.
www.therhined.com
They promise to only put cheeses they love in their case, from producers with integrity. The same philosophy extends to their selection of wine, selling from small producer.
Their cheese and charcuterie boards include an assortment of their artisan cheeses plusFindlay Market-sourced fruits and vegetables and Sixteen Bricks baguette. The Rhined Mini is $25, and serves two. The Rhined Itty Bitty is $15, and is a single serving.
They also serve a cheese “cake,” which is three tiers of artisan cheeses, with fruit, fresh herbs and flowers.
As an FYI, Share Cheese Bar, at 6105 Ridge Ave., is closing on June 30 to move to a NEW location at 6041 Montgomery Road. While they are no longer accepting orders, you can still stop in to pick up goodies before their big move.