La Fromagerie

More than 50 varieties of cheeses from Europe and especially from France are sold in this typical French 'fromagerie' (cheese shop) located in the Dogpatch.

As you would imagine its French founder Ruben Donze has a passion for cheese. He tells us more about La Fromagerie...

What is the story behind La Fromagerie ?

The passion for cheeses and food led me to open La Fromagerie. It was kind of a process that builds up in me. I'm from the French Alps, I grew up with cheese, my grand-parents had a dairy farm. And each time I was back in France I was thinking I would like to open a cheese store in San Francisco. And two years ago I decided to do it in the Dogpatch, where I have been working for the last 10 years.

What kind of cheeses can we find in the store? Where do they come from?

We sell imported old world cheeses from France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, and Switzerland. We also have a few domestic cheeses from California and Vermont. Our selection includes soft cheeses, semi-soft cheese, and hard cheeses, as well as blue cheeses. We have the 2011 World's Blue Cheese winner from Italy, a sheep's cheese called Blue Guttus, among our selection.

Do you sell other products?

We sell products that make nice accompaniments to the cheeses. We receive fresh bread baked daily by Firebrand Artisan Bread. We sell pasta from Italy, extra virgin olive oil from Crete, charcuterie made in the French style, mustard made in France, raw honey from Colorado, cultured butter, preserves created in San Francisco, and dried fruits. We also stock French cookies and sodas.

And we make sandwiches during the lunch hour from our charcuterie and fine cheeses. And each week we create a special sandwich special. For instance The San Sebastien is made out of Chorizo, Petit Basque, abricot jam, arugula and olive oil.

Do you organize special events and tastings?

We hold cheese classes and other events throughout the year. You can visit our Facebook page to stay informed.

And of course, people are welcome to stop in the shop and sample some of our cheeses. We recommend sampling the Brillat Savarin soft cheese, Tomme de Savoie semi-soft cheese, the Bleu d'Auvergne blue cheese, and for a hard cheese the Cave Aged Gruyere Kalbatch. All of our cheeses have rich flavors that pair nicely with other fine foods.

We also offer cheese and charcuterie platters for parties and events and we deliver.

Could you make a recommendation for the season?

For this holiday season we recommend the Vacherin that will pair nicely with a Gewürztraminer.

And your favorite cheese of the moment?

The Hoch Ybrig. It has a sharp taste that pairs nicely with a Riesling.