I’ve been wanting to check this place out for a while now.  Owned by Steve Jones, Cheese Bar on SE Belmont between 60th and 61st has a large, well-curated selection of cheese, an impressive selection of beers and a thoughtful wine list for enjoyment on-site or carry-out.  So many to choose, I had a difficult time narrowing it down to just three cheeses.

From left to right, above:
Neal’s Yard Gubbeen from Southern Ireland [cow]- earthy, semi-soft spongy, grassy, slight funk, buttery and mushroomy
River’s Edge Sunset Bay from Logsden, Oregon [goat]- smoky, creamy meets chalky with tangy acidity
Unikaas Vintage Grand Ewe from Northern Holland [sheep]- nutty, salty, creamy with a lingering finish
 -served with a little demi-baguette and house-made chutney
To drink, the Cavalry Fresh Hop IPA [on-tap] from Laurelwood Brewing Co., Portland- apricot, peach, hay and tangerine peel

After the cheese, I ordered Speck and a delicious Julian Hard Cider [on-tap]. The smoky Speck was sumptuous with the dry cider, which had a fine mousse and actually reminded me of a fresher version of Prosecco. I finished with a couple of truffles from Xocolatl de Davíd, the Bacon Bourbon and the Salted Caramel.

Eating and looking out the window, watching the evening’s dusk take shape, listening to the noises and clatter of the room with Wilco’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot being played in its entirety, which I haven’t heard in this manner, since it was first released, cold weather and hilly bike ride to get up here to the Mount Tabor District, dark and colder still when I zoom home downward across the river.  I feel totally blessed, like I’m on vacation or something, and somehow in another country. As Portland settles into autumn and the winter rains begin, I feel the similarities between ATX and PDX will wash away.

Anne had to work tonight, but I will return with her the next day we have off together.

Anthony Garcia
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