Formaggio Essex — Local services in New York

i ask for half a lb of rogue river blue, hope its not the owner, but whoever was working says "you know its going to be about 30$"... racist, classist "cant understand normal thinking" thing to drop on a customer. maybe its because of the neighborhood? i wonder how far they drive to work at that cheese shop to feel that way about someone clearly from the neighborhood. i can get the cheese from somewhere else if thats what formaggio essex wants.

apologies, didnt realize there was a owner response until today. assumptions are a well trod thing with many sayings to go with it. its very clear to many that essex market is somewhat gated. being of the neighborhood i can say definitively that people looking for cheese from a limited generally classed variety pegged to a maximum cost wont be buying cheese from a case with names they wouldnt be able to pronounce, much less outside of a supermarket. i appreciate the offer of the generous sample and to meet with an authorized agent+ but ive surrendered to the notion avoiding the probable result of self inflicted disappointment in dealing with new people outside of quality proven establishments i built relationships with over the decades. sorry to say that i am one of the few that think gentrification in terms of businesses is great and something i want as a resident in this neighborhood but it is thrown in with gentrification of residences which any person can see has netted negative results for long time residents causing the new incarnation of essex market to perform poorly. i was dealing with the butcher from harlem , harlem shambles? before they left from lack of patronage, ends meat which the owner john was willing to put his own time in in finding many of the workers hired were trash, forced out from the basement being repurposed, etc even josephines isnt there anymore for their great strawberry rhubarb... ive hated the idea of the new essex market but def am trying.. i used to deal with who became the wife of heritage (meats?), her cheese shop in essex market, forget the names. i could accept that the worker is protecting your interests absolutely but this is a zone where people dressed much less than formal frequent michelin starred establishments regularly, like me, that dont have a stated dress code. i am not going to diminish how i choose dress to validate the treatment. how often has someone requested cheese they couldnt pronounce to indignantly refuse to complete purchase upon hearing the cost causing an actual loss? ive seen boutique cheese shops with high ticket cheese cut and wrapped, not saying that its something...

you will find a variety of fine meats and cheeses at Formaggio Essex, located in the Essex Market. Formaggio Essex is on the Essex side of the market, closer to Broome Street than Delancey Street.

Formaggio Essex is a haven for gourmands of all sorts and anyone who enjoys curated artisinal cheeses, charcuterie (meats), and/or an assortment of jams, honeys, mustards, vinegars, olive oils, and more. most cheeses and meats are clearly displayed in a large glass display case that takes up most of the square footage. there are items organized on shelves opposite the case as well as baskets atop it. there are more items in the small space.

come for the aged cheeses at Formaggio Essex, but stay and purchase the guanciale (season/cured pig's cheeks/jowls). if you are a fan of Italian cooking, then guanciale is something you should be familiar with as it is a core ingredient in pastas alla carbonara, all' amatriciana, alla gricia, and more. the guanciale is excellent. it is sourced from a local farm in NJ. it has great marbling (fat to meat ratio). you can ask to look at the guanaciale before they cut it for you which i do. and they do cuts before 1/2 pound which is great for most recipes if you are cooking for less than three people.

the staff is knowledgeable and kind. definitely ask questions if you need recommendations or want to know about the origins of different cheeses and meats on hand.

and keep in mind if Formaggio Essex doesn't have all the ingredients of a recipe...one of the other vendors in Essex Market will...one-stop shopping.

drops mic cuz someone is...

I go there multiple times a month and they are definitely pricey, but it’s well worth it.

However the owner/manager (Caucasian male with brown hair) is pretty snooty and rude and it is very off putting; yesterday, my friend and i felt so uncomfortable to the point where we just left. I have been a returning customer for 2-3 years and not only has he never said a word to me but he’s got an impressively obnoxious stare (maybe it’s his resting b face but it’s quite awful).

The rest of the staff is extremely kind and...