There's just something about wine and cheese at Kashkaval

In one of my favorite neighborhoods for food lies Kashkaval, a Mediterranean wine and cheese bar. There’s just something about a place that specializes in red wine and aged cheeses that makes my heart go pitter-patter and my stomach go growl. Merge the two and you’ve made my night just perfect, especially when it’s at a place named for sheep’s milk cheese.

A teeny restaurant in the midst of many others, Kashkaval appears to be a mere cheese and meat market from its outer appearance. Don’t be fooled by the exterior, as Kashkaval boasts a cheese market at the front and a wine bar in the back. Take a look around the teeny shop and its many offerings. Along the wall you’ll find olive oils, coffee beans, and jars of Nutella and candy. In the glass cases, Kashkaval features Mediterranean salads, grilled chicken breasts, and a full case of cheese.

I spent a full 10 minutes exploring the cheese case complete with manchego, goat’s milk cheese, gruyere, camembert, brie and even Kashkaval. They kindly offered free samples of jalapeno jack and iberico goat cheese, another sure-fire way to my heart. I couldn’t resist a small container of the iberico goat cheese.

If you plan to stay for drinks, take a seat at the bar and select from a range of reasonably priced wines and tapas. Meeting a group? Grab a table, but be prepared to wait unless you get there early. While seating is limited, the tables that are offered are small and wooden, offering a quaint, intimate atmosphere. Food offerings range in flavor and ethnicity, from cheddar and ale fondue to hummus and tzatziki tapas to chicken curry salad. Fondue is always a favorite for a casual, fun date or group of friends, but beware of the chocolate variety, as it’s a whopping $10 per person, seemingly a lot for dessert.

Kashkaval also offers an eclectic weekend brunch. For $12.95, choose from 5 ethnic brunch menus, of the Turkish, Spanish, Balkan, Dutch, and Greek variety. Each feature a select cheese, such as feta, gouda, or manchego with baguette and fixin's like olive tapenade or preserves and butter. Whether it be a drink of wine, a bar of cheese, a plate of spinach pie, or a helping of baklava that brings you to Kashkaval Wine Bar and Cheese Market, you’re sure to enjoy this hidden gem in Hell’s Kitchen.

For more info: Kashkaval Wine Bar & Cheese Market . 856 Ninth Avenue . 212.581.8282