Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine, the popular specialty food shop in Lakeview, is adding a store in the Loop, set to open sometime this month.
Visitors will find more than 150 domestic artisanal and international classic cheeses ($8-$30 per pound); more than 100 wine selections, mostly small-production American labels, including organic and biodynamic wines; and 10 varieties of baked-fresh-daily bread from Bennison’s Bakery in Evanston.
“Our whole concept is TLC: tasting, learning and converting,” said Greg O’Neill, who owns the shop with Ken Miller.
“The whole bar has been raised on cheese,” added O’Neill, referring to small-batch, high-quality cheeses such as Pholia Farm Hillis Peak aged goat cheese from Rogue River, Ore., and Valley Shepherd Creamery’s Shepherd’s Logue, a mold-ripened raw sheep’s milk cheese from Long Valley, N.J.
The shop also will sell imported and domestic hams and salami; specialty foods that complement cheese, such as fresh fruit in season, chutney and jams; and sweet treats including chocolate and toffee. An olive bar will feature a dozen varieties and sandwiches ($5.50-$8) will be made on-site, including pairings such as Serrano ham and Manchego cheese with quince paste.
The owners plan to offer classes, private-tasting events and business lunch and catering. The shop has seating for 10 to 12.
Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine, 53 E. Lake St., 312-658-1250, pastoralartisan.com; check the Web site for updated information on the shop’s opening date.
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