If you find yourself with a hankering for cheese and you're in downtown Santa Barbara, stop into C'est Cheese for a tasty snack or some cheese to take home. Owners Michael and Kathryn Graham seek
out only the best tasting European and American cheeses and artisanal foods and have done so since 2003. Currently expanding and taking over the shop next door (formerly Our Daily Bread), the new C'est Cheese will include a full- service cafe serving
both breakfast and lunch 7 days a week. Offering over 120 types of cheese, cured meats, fine wines, and other cheese accoutrements, C'est Cheese is the perfect place to satisfy all of your cheese cravings. We often stop in for lunch and always order one of
the grilled cheese specials. The BLT-GC ($9.50) includes bacon, house-made marmalade, arugula, 4 year aged cheddar, Scharfe Maxx, and mozzarella, grilled as a panini. We also adore the Truffled Grilled Cheese ($9) made with Boschetto al Tartufo truffle cheese
and mozzarella. For a really different twist try The Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese ($9.50). Raw goat cheese, cheddar, and goat gouda are grilled together with Spanish chorizo, sweet roasted piquillo peppers, and arugula. If grilled cheese isn't your thing,
assorted sandwiches ($6) ranging from Niman Ranch Classic Ham to Fra'mani Turkey and Fig Jam are available. Add Tomato Soup ($3) to any Grilled Cheese; you'll be glad you did. Soup is homemade with San Marzano tomatoes, carrots, celery, onions, and fresh parmesan.
Grab a GuS (Grown-up Soda $2.50) in Meyer Lemon or Pomegranate flavor to wash down your sandwich. After lunch do some serious cheese shopping. Our favorites are Midnight Moon, a semi-firm goat cheese that's both creamy and tart; and Pecorino Stagionato,
a sheep's milk flaky textured, rich, nutty, buttery, and salty bite. Scharte Maxx from Switzerland is another favorite swiss that's both fruity and sharp. Use it in a grilled cheese; it's amazing! Boschetto al Tartufo is a yummy cow and sheep's milk
with white truffle. We love this and our other favorite, Wagon Wheel from the Cowgirl Creamery. Wagon Wheel is great for melting with its organic cow's milk, brown butter flavor, and rich creaminess. If I had only one choice, Wagon Wheel would be it!
Gourmet crackers, vinegars, honey and mustards are an added delight to your shopping basket. Urban Oven Olive Oil Crackers ($6) are made with fresh butter and are the perfect pairing to any cheese. Brown Butter Sea Salt Cookies ($12) are addicting! Shortbread,
brown sugar, and vanilla make these a must buy! Pick up a tin of Camargue Fleur de Sel ($13) to add salty flavor and texture to salads and meats. If you need a present, Laguiote cheese spreaders ($10) or ceramic cheese flags ($14) make the perfect gifts.
C'est Cheese 825 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara. (805) 965-0318.
Recommended Dishes: BLT-GC,
Truffled Grilled Cheese, Tomato Soup.
Recommeded Cheeses: Pecorino Stagionato, Wagon Wheel, Midnight Moon, Scharfe
Maxx Boschetto al Tartufo.