If you think wine connoisseurs are picky and obsessive, you haven't met a cheese connoisseur. Cheese lovers are very particular about texture, taste and origin of their moldy snacks. Just try and serve one of them a bright orange cheddar from Lawblaws and see what happens. Go ahead, try it. After you've wiped the cheese off your face, head over to Mount Pleasant Cheese, the Lower Mainland's new destination for cheese.

In the few short months that the store has been open, it has already cornered the all-important niche market and it's not even done growing. The store wears the Canadian flag on its sleeve (and all over its walls); of the more than 150 selections always in stock, every single cheese, bar none, is from Canada. France isn't the only country that can make a good blue cheese; try one from Quebec.

Every province and territory is represented, as are all the genres of cheese. You need a blue? No problem. How bout a good Swiss? They've got plenty. Although the focus is on fine artisan cheeses, they've also got many kid-friendly and plebe-friendly selections. They're extremely serious about cheese at Mount Pleasant, but they also want to make it a fun and accessible product. Therefore, it's refreshingly unpretentious. Plus they've got tastings and cheese education classes (yes, there's such thing) to help expand your palette.

The knowledgeable staff is willing to help you in any way possible, as long as it means you'll buy some cheese. They provide professional pairing suggestions for both wine and food, they can put together cheese platters, and they'll let you sample anything in the store. Of course, often cheese isn't enough, so they also offer a selection of gourmet products meant to be served with cheese like compotes, bruschettas, crackers, and mustards. Never again will you have to settle for Cracker Barrel. - R.T.

3432 Cambie Street
Vancouver, B.C.
604-875-6363