La Cave in South Kensington is one of my favourite places to grab lunch with friends.
A little taste of Euro-chic in an otherwise cold & wet London town.
You sit up at rickety, tall tables for two while friendly shop assistants buzz & fuss around you chattering about new cheeses & combinations you have to try.
From the second you walk in you're transported to Barcelona, Paris or Roma... not bad for a little cheese shop on the corner.
The menu is very, very simple.
In fact, I think there's only a choice of two plates... meat or cheese.
I'm always sure to go with a friend, so I can have both!
A platter of freshly cut hams & salamis will be delivered to your table and your waiter will explain what is what & where it's from.
Then... the cheese will arrive.
The main event.
The reason we're all here.
The big cheese, if you will.
8-10 different types of cheeses, from all over Europe will be displayed infront of you.
The waiter will explain the variations and insist that you make your way around the board in one direction.
They're laid out according to strength, so this will ensure that your pallet isn't overwhelmed.
It's very serious business this cheese eating.
My favourite was the ludicrously rich brie, topped with flavoured honey.
But you all know I'm a sucker for salty/sweet by now.
When you're done with your lunch, I highly recommend a browse around the fridges & cupboards.
Without fail I leave with bags & boxes piled high with soft cheeses, meats & baguettes.
If you're looking for an unpretentious, inexpensive but delicious lunch stop, I highly recommend it.
Lunch for two, with drinks is usually around £25.
You'll find them here & I never bother with a reservation, they can usually squeeze you in.
If you're not London based, they also have a website where you can order a cheese selection.
Get it delivered to your desk, put on your best beret, curl your moustache & enjoy your own little Parisien daydream.
Oh la la!
A little taste of Euro-chic in an otherwise cold & wet London town.
You sit up at rickety, tall tables for two while friendly shop assistants buzz & fuss around you chattering about new cheeses & combinations you have to try.
From the second you walk in you're transported to Barcelona, Paris or Roma... not bad for a little cheese shop on the corner.
The menu is very, very simple.
In fact, I think there's only a choice of two plates... meat or cheese.
I'm always sure to go with a friend, so I can have both!
A platter of freshly cut hams & salamis will be delivered to your table and your waiter will explain what is what & where it's from.
Then... the cheese will arrive.
The main event.
The reason we're all here.
The big cheese, if you will.
8-10 different types of cheeses, from all over Europe will be displayed infront of you.
The waiter will explain the variations and insist that you make your way around the board in one direction.
They're laid out according to strength, so this will ensure that your pallet isn't overwhelmed.
It's very serious business this cheese eating.
My favourite was the ludicrously rich brie, topped with flavoured honey.
But you all know I'm a sucker for salty/sweet by now.
When you're done with your lunch, I highly recommend a browse around the fridges & cupboards.
Without fail I leave with bags & boxes piled high with soft cheeses, meats & baguettes.
If you're looking for an unpretentious, inexpensive but delicious lunch stop, I highly recommend it.
Lunch for two, with drinks is usually around £25.
You'll find them here & I never bother with a reservation, they can usually squeeze you in.
If you're not London based, they also have a website where you can order a cheese selection.
Get it delivered to your desk, put on your best beret, curl your moustache & enjoy your own little Parisien daydream.
Oh la la!
Looks lovely, will have to pop in next time I'm in London.
ReplyDeleteBookmarked! Perfect place I was looking for!
ReplyDeleteRose strikes again.
This post genuinely made my mouth water and tummy rumble. It's these posts that make me adore your blog!
ReplyDeleteAs a Parisienne in London, I cant believe I have been living all these years without knowing this place
ReplyDeleteThank you!
T x
That looks delicious and I love how you describe the menu...the meat and cheese look so damn good that they don't need to serve anything else! Again, adding this on my places to see in London list!
ReplyDeleteThat brie looked amazing! Wonderful photographs too, as always!
ReplyDeletewww.palindromepoppet.com
This place looks AMAZING! I shall definitely be paying a visit.
ReplyDeleteL
x
Oh Rose, of all your sumptuous food and restaurant posts this is the one that has utterly drawn me in. Cured meats, a myriad cheeses and fresh bread is my notion of an edible, midday heaven!
ReplyDeleteEmily Jayne xx
I have been to their store in Brighton. It is amazing and the cheese is to die for! You really do feel like you are somewhere else. I didn't realised there was one in London.
ReplyDeleteLou
www.thekeypieces.co.uk
this looks so delicious! you made me hungry! x
ReplyDeletegockyemma.blogspot.com
The food looks so yummy! :) Great pictures x
ReplyDeleteis that ..... epoisses i see?!
ReplyDeleteLooks lovely! Is it more of a daytime lunch place rather than night time would you say? x
ReplyDeleteOh cheese porn! This looks too good to be true. Have you tried sticky toffee cheese before? So good on wholemeal digestives.
ReplyDeleteEmma
www.emschwardrobe.blogspot.com
X
J'adore!
ReplyDeleteWow! I'm going to bookmark this place for my next trip to London. I love cheese :)
ReplyDeletehttp://thelilacdream.blogspot.com
Looks great!
ReplyDeleteI hate the fact that soft cheeses are off my menu at the moment due to stupid illness because they look so good!
ReplyDeleteOh good heavens, yum! Must try that honey and brie combo soon!
ReplyDeleteYou are a girl after my own heart....amazing pictures! The only place, somewhat similar that I've been to was The Grand Fromage in Skippack, here in SE PA. I could have spent hours (and much of my bank account) in there! What is the second to last picture of?
ReplyDeleteYou are seriously a girl after my own heart...and what amazing pictures! I spent some time (er, a whole day) in a cheese shop this past summer and I debated pitching a cot in the back and applying for a job. Yum! Also, what's the second to last picture of?
ReplyDeleteWow! Looks amazing! I might check it out soon! :)
ReplyDeleteThere is one of these in Brighton too, and my brother-in-law had his birthday there. Absolutely amazing. I could hardly move after the 2 hours we were there....tummy full goodness.
ReplyDeleteI love this place!
ReplyDeletexxx
Lovely photos! Brie and honey is so amazing :)
ReplyDeleteWow! I want cheese now!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this! I don't live in London but I'll make sure to check it out next time I'm around. Your photographs are really good:)
ReplyDeletexx
Elena- blue velvet
Love this post - will be in London next year and will add this place to my list. Thx Rose.:)
ReplyDeleteIt looks lovely:) Xx
ReplyDeleteLove your posts about London. Shops like this with meats and cheeses are some of my favorite places to eat. The cheese plate looks so yummy.
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff!
ReplyDeleteWow, this looks like an amazing shop! We just don't have places like that in the US, we are missing out!! I feel like I am really missing out! I want to visit sometime. We want to take a trip to England someday, and Kensington is one of the places we want to see, we named our daughter Tara Kensington because we liked the name so well. :)
ReplyDeleteI love La Cave... so much better than La Fromagerie!
ReplyDeleteThis place looks amazing!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletexx
Why you do this to meeeeeeeeeeee?!
ReplyDeletethat cheese looks preeeeeeeeetty darn good
ReplyDeleteOh La la. . . Da Leccarsi i Baffi, Chapeau !
ReplyDeleteOh well so different types of Cheeses from over Europe but...I dont recognize any from Sicily :(
to name some: Ricotta, Tumma, Primo Sale, Vastedda, Pecorino. . .Enjoy!
and to end a rich menù maybe also a bit of Sweet note...the Sicilian Chocolate: try the Cioccolato made by Modica's Manufacutrers following the ancient Aztech recipe...it's Unique...
Sicilian Ciaoooo
Just found your lovely blog! will definitely be back for more :)
ReplyDeleteI just saw a review of this place that said "Surly, arrogant staff and expensive cheeses" - not so good. BUT. I trust your opinion over anything ever so I'm still definitely going to give it a go!
ReplyDeleteYour writing makes me want to visit London only because of this place! We miss good cheeses and deli and variety in the US.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea how you eat such beautiful cheese and meat and stay so beautifully thin but I'm pretending like I'm not jealous ;-)
ReplyDeleteQuestion! Have you been the The Breakfast Club? I'm trying to get some breakfast ideas together for an upcoming London adventure!
Mmmhh these cheeses look so tasty!!!! Do you know the restaurant called "Jak's" also in South Ken. If not I recommend it to you u ll love it :-)
ReplyDeletewww.liveyoungabroad.com
You have completely convinced me to try this place. Next time in London I'll for sure check it out!
ReplyDeleteohh, that cheese with the honey on it looks DIVINE!
ReplyDeletekatie x
Based on your review, my friend and I went there today. It was so good! Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed it as a nice change.
ReplyDeleteLove your pics too.
Just gonna post mine on my cumbriafoodie blog.I was just checking prices and hey...surely not ? They charged me the same £25 or thereabouts for the tasting plus 4 wines for 2 people ???? Really ? If that`s the right price then thats one hell of a good deal...i just paid the bill and left quickly.