Cheese Importers — Restaurant in Longmont

This is a lovely, lovely place to visit whether you choose to eat here or not. The staff remains polite, charming, and friendly each time I visit. Reservations are recommended if you're staying for dinner on Friday or Saturday night. In the summer, they have a jazz band playing on each of those nights. The entire establishment drips with charm, including the flower garden in front of the building and the patio out back. The food is hit or miss: The lima bean vegetable soup was comparable to something from a can. The side salad is a simple mix of baby greens with shaved carrots and a few cherry tomatoes. The amount of dressing is perfect and tasty but it's nothing to rave about. The goat cheese appetizer satisfied our table and the portion was ample. The Raclette crepe was a bit dry. It was served with a ramekin of mustard but it still cried for something else. The crepe contained Raclette cheese along with potatoes, caramelized onions and arugula. I wished I had ordered the Croque Monsieur which one rave reviews from two of us. The Haloumi burger was good but the cheese was a bit much. It was a huge chunk of cheese that looked like a slab of tofu. Again, it was good but I think half as much would satisfy. The avocado toast was delicious and we would definitely order that again. The rose lemonade was unique and not overly sweet but the rose flavor over-powered. We cut it with water and shared it. The rose' wine from Provence proved to be so good that my husband ordered a second glass. The elderflower cocktail was creative and tasty but a little goes a long way due to the nature of its sweetness. During one visit, the waitress did not write anything down which proved to be a forgetful experience for her. I did not remind her of what we ordered and was glad I was not charged. The star for me was the lavender mocha. I ordered it with coconut milk. It was neither too sweet nor overpowering on the lavender or chocolate. A perfect balance really. You have to ask all the questions: Twice I was asked if I preferred 2% or whole milk. I wouldn't have known they had alternative milk choices if I didn't inquire. They also don't divulge the soup du jour. Don't forget to grab a handled shopping basket because they offer wonderful delights on both levels. There is additional seating upstairs and on patio but table service may not be available upstairs so please inquire. And of course, you MUST go into the cheese cooler. There is much more in there than just cheese! Jackets are provided outside the...

Tres Magnifique!

You really don't imagine a perfectly quaint French bistro in the heart of Longmont, and yet here it is. Attached to am enormous shop full of delicacies, finery, and trinkets for the discerning francophile, the bistro bustles with an ambiance one could imagine on a street in Paris.

The enormous attached cheese shop is a shock at first, as you question whether you've stepped into a cold Colorado winter. Then, you realize that you have walked into a wondrous market of cheese masquerading to hide that it is a huge walk-in cooler. The selection is world class, or at a minimum, it is world spanning, with selections organized by country. Ranging from brie and camembert to Locatelli romano, cheddars, manchego, and Nordic cheeses, the quantity and variety is breathtaking - as is the cost if you are not expecting to pay over $30 a pound for exceptional fromage.

The bistro is more of a restaurant/bar, as it is definitely a small space. With seating upstairs as well as down, the only thing small is the table size. As a result, the space can get packed with guests but not uncomfortably so. The happy hour selection is far better than at most eateries, particularly for wine lovers and charcuterie aficionados. Bring an appetite as there are few who won't be tempted to order one of everything. The meals are perfectly sized, and the baked acorn squash is divine.

The evening we went, there was an exquisite jazz trio paired with a singer whose sultry voice was unexpected yet very welcome. After some initial confusion with seating, an unusually long wait for food and beverages, and some mild discontent at the scarcity of French onion soup by the time we ordered at about 6pm, our cocktails arrived and the evening quickly got back on track.

Capped off by scrumptious chocolate mousse in a delicate chocolate tulip cup as well as a lemon merengue tart, there were few things I can imagine that would have made the evening more complete.

Many thanks to the...

Longmont is making leaps and bounds as a community with more to offer than just affordable homes. The restaurant and bistro scene is taking off and the Cheese Importers are leading the way with elegance, quality and selection.

The imported selection of European food is impressive. There is an abundance of jams, chocolates, crackers, condiments and (of course) cheeses! One third of the store is devoted to dry goods and the other section of the store is a walk in cooler. No matter where you are in the store the displays are appealing, attractive and invite you to spend time browsing and considering all of the delicious food you could make with what you find around you. I was even able to find a cheese that I haven't tasted since living in Holland a decade ago; Gouda with Nettles!!!

And if the selection of imported foods seem to overwhelming to cook, then let them prepare the food for you in the restaurant, located in the last third of the store. The atmosphere in the seating area is so romantic. It reminds me of being in a bistro in Paris with the red accent walls, dark wood floors and gold or brass accents. They serve a large selection of quiche, sandwiches, salads, soups and YUMMY desserts. I highly suggest their macaroons - so puffy and soft its like eating a...