London is obviously a great place to visit with plenty to see and do. Next time you are in the city, be sure to save a bit of your appetite for the "Pick and Cheese" cheese bar found within the Seven Dials Market. The Pick and Cheese bar is found on the second floor of the market. The market is indoors and found in the Covent Garden neighborhood of London. The market alone is quite a foodie's paradise but the cheese brings me here so that will be my focus today! The cheese bar company also has some other locations and offerings. Check out their site here: https://www.thecheesebar.com/seven-dials/
This place is fantastic! The first of its kind, Pick and Cheese presents different selections to the guests along a conveyor belt, similar to that of some sushi restaraunts. If you don't see something you like, there is a small menu to order hot food as well.
They offer an all-you-can-eat option or you can opt to pay for what you choose with each cheese being priced in a different tier and listed on the menu. Each serving of cheese is paired with another delicacy and is numbered so that you can find it on the menu.
The staff will get your drink order and bring some crackers to help bring cheese from plate to mouth. It is reccomended to reserve a spot, as the place gets quite busy.
All of the cheeses on offer come from Britain. They may be styles that originate elsewhere but all were from British farms and creameries. I tried as many as I could before feeling completely full. I found it easier to share each portion with someone as there are alot of cheeses on offer. I have listed the ones we tried below with a personal rating and quick description.
Driftwood
Description: Ash coated goat's cheese which is pressed into a log.
Pairing: Shortbread crumbles and honey
Rating: 9 out of 10
Flavor Notes:
-Smoky, light ash
-Lemon zest
-Mouse-like smooth texture
Lanark Blue
Description: A roquefort-like blue cheese from Scotland.
Pairing: Marinated figs
Rating: 8 out of 10
Flavor Notes:
-Tangy, full flavor
-Almost sweet
-Easy melting medium texture
Smoked Kikham's Lancashire
Description: An oak smoked Lancashire cheese.
Pairing: Smoked apple butter
Rating: 5 out of 10
Flavor Notes:
-Rich and decadent
-Light, barely perceptable smoke flavor
-Crumbly texture
St. Gall
Description: Swiss-style cheese from Ireland.
Pairing: Irish black butter
Rating: 3.5 out of 10
Flavor Notes:
-Sour
-Nutty
-Firm, wax-like texture
Clothbound Cheddar
Description: A traditional farmhouse cheddar
Pairing: Apple Borretane Onions
Rating: 6 out of 10
Flavor Notes:
-Earthy
-Great lasting finish, slight spice
-Crumbly almost flaky
Cornish Gouda
Description: Gouda style cheese from Cornwall
Pairing: Clotted cream fudge
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Flavor Notes:
-Sweet, nutty
-Pleasant finish
-Hard and rigid texture
Rollright
Description: A reblochon style cheese from Gloucestershire
Pairing: Honey roasted peanuts
Rating: 7 out of 10
Flavor Notes:
-Milky and grassy
-Flavorfull and soft rind
-Very soft texture
Pick and Cheese proved to be a great evening out! Please do pay them a visit if you find yourself in London!
Thanks for reading!