Reviewing Cheesetique: Cozy restaurant and bar serving fine cheeses and wine in Alexandria.
Local mainstay Cheesetique has taken this beloved food and turned it into an experience, complete with adult versions of your favorite comfort foods. Pair your meal with a glass of wine for truly unique dining in a comfortable, casual atmosphere. Owned and operated by “Cheese Lady” Jill Erber, it first opened in 2004 on Mount Vernon Avenue in Alexandria, Virginia, Cheesetique now has two shop-and-restaurant locations (the other can be found at 4024 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206) where they dish out the creamy, melty, gooey goodness for lunch and dinner.
We stopped by the newly renovated restaurant at Cheesetique’s original location on a Friday just after noon for lunch. Having expanded into a space next door, Cheesetique has remodeled this location into two halves: one side is a wine and cheese shop, and in the other, you can find their restaurant. You can move easily from one side to the other for all your cheese needs via a large archway between the two. Decorated in primary colors interchanged with neutrals, the modern vibe is welcoming and comfortable, with cozy couches adorning the entrance and a bright red bar looking over all the tables. It lends itself to a casual atmosphere at lunch, but it looks more elegant when lit up at night. They have both indoor and outdoor seating available, with heaters set up for chilly days. This is a great spot for a bite with friends or a romantic date night.
We were greeted immediately, and since we were the first diners to arrive for lunch, the staff allowed us to sit anywhere we liked. After choosing a small table near the cozy front entrance, our menus were promptly delivered alongside a pitcher of water. The menu features housemade mac and cheese with a rotating seasonal flavor, grown-up grilled cheeses, and more substantial dishes like lasagna and beef short ribs. Every item on the menu also includes a recommended wine pairing, which is a helpful guide when there are so many wines to choose from! We eventually settled on two sandwiches – the Brie and Pearsciutto grilled cheese and the Buttermilk Chicken Salad sandwich – that come with either a side of salad greens or rosemary chips.
Both sandwiches arrived quickly, and so the grilled cheese was perfectly hot and melty. The Brie and Pearsciutto was a mouthwatering combination of warm brie, thinly sliced Asian pears, and crispy prosciutto on beautifully golden-brown sourdough toast, with a bit of honey on the side for dipping. The Buttermilk Chicken Salad was an impressively tall sandwich, piled high with savory bacon-filled chicken salad, fresh heirloom tomatoes, and crunchy lettuce on a soft and buttery toasted brioche bun. The flavors came together with a creamy ranch dressing, and the overall taste was reminiscent of a club sandwich. The mixed greens on the side, usually a cast-off, were just as much of a star in this meal. They were fresh and dressed in a light, but addictively flavorful dressing — a perfect side for a decadent sandwich.
After finishing our meal, we decided to look at the offerings in the attached cheese and wine shop. If you present a receipt from dining in the restaurant, you receive a discount of 10% off anything you buy in the shop – so definitely save your shopping for after your meal! The display of cheeses includes a vast variety of imported, hard-to-find, and adventurous options. Everything is available to purchase by weight, and the staff is excellent at making recommendations and describing the cheese selection. The shop also carries a wide selection of wine intended for pairing with food and many other wine-and-cheese adjacent delicacies: crackers, truffle salts, and spreads are among the many tasty ingredients that will instantly inspire your next charcuterie board.
Cheesetique is an easy choice for a warm and delicious meal. The service is friendly and welcoming, and the menu is unique without being unapproachable. This is a spot you will want to return to again and again — I sure will.