LONDONERS - Christmas cheese from Neil's Yard

[ChickyDuck]

I posted this in chat but haven't had any responses so I thought I wouldn't try the foodies in here!

I'm wanting to get my cheese for Christmas from Neil's Yard this year, and I'm wondering what day will be best to go and choose and buy it. Too early and it will be a bit past it by the time it gets eaten, too late and I'm worried there might not be much left to choose from!

I'm thinking probably 23rd. Does anyone have any advice or experience that would confirm or dispute this choice? Thanks!

[ChickyDuck]

ahhh thought I would*

[YelloDraw]

Oh they don't seem to sell out of cheese. CRAZY queues though so be prepared to wait a while. Usually they do a couple of the main ones Stilton, stichelton, outside so if you just want those its a bit quicker.

Would be fine to go weekend of 17/18 - those big chunks of cheese don't go off when stored well.

[QueenMortificado]

Neil's yard cheese? What's special about it? Have never heard of it....

[ChickyDuck]

It's just a nice cheese shop in London, Queen, and my closest nice cheese shop since I moved! Good to know they won't run low! And I'm more than prepared to queue

[Mrsmorton]

There's a totally amazing cheese shop in Marylebone. Just saying.

[EsmesBees]

I used to queue for my entire lunch hour when I worked by the London Bridge one. Lovely cheese though. And they are generous with their samples.

[rosegold33]

I'm so jealous love Neil's yard cheese!
Enjoy

[Mondrian]

The one of Marylebone is supposed to be the best cheese shop in England. Waitrose in John Lewis has a speciality cheese shop stocking cheese that other branches do not have.

A whole wheel of hard cheese lasts for several months, every time you cut it in half you also cut shelf life in half too. Soft cheese has the shortest shelf life and semi-hard somewhere in between.

Regardless of quantity buying a week in advance will not be a problem for hard or semi-hard cheese. Selfridges (& maybe wait rose) have a vacuum packing machine which makes it last even longer.

[Statelychangers]

We love Neal's Yard Dairy at London Bridge. We've queued around the block on Christmas eve but the server will always give you their full attention, you will taste whatever you like and as far as shopping experiences go it's hard to beat - it you like cheese....you can get faster service if you choose from a very limited selection. As long as you've got the time, I wouldn't worry too much. Dh is very fond of Paxton & Whitfield too - I haven't been but the cheese tasted good.

[lozengeoflove]

They will deliver. Queues are horrendous at the shop near Christmas.

I love their Montgomery Cheddar so much.

[PissPotPourri]

Neal's Yard. Not Neil's yard.

[Statelychangers]

You can get Montgomery cheddar via fast track outside the shop, along with Brie de Meaux and Stilton.

[ChickyDuck]

Ahhhh PotPourri massive spelling faux pas, thanks!

[Highlove]

I'm ordering this year - will be delivered on 21st or 22nd. And they promise it'll be tip-top got Christmas Day. Bugger two hour queues, imho!

[MrsJW15]

I used to work by the Covent Garden shop and usually went in the few days in the run up to Christmas. They definitely don't run out - but they do get busy! Prepare to queue!

We are doing ours this year on 20th December, and debating Neil's Yard or Paxton and Whitfield on Jermyn Street.

[mumobsessedwithdamp]

Can anyone recommend a good cheese shop in central london? Is La Fromgerie the good one in Marylebone?

[Crispbutty]

Neals yard perhaps.....

[cingolimama]

Mum, yes La Fromagerie is the terrific one in Marylebone.

OP, both Neal's Yard and La Fromagerie are very good and know their cheeses. As pp's have mentioned, be prepared to queue. They will help select a cheese that will be perfect on the day you want to eat it. Once I went in on the 21st, wanting cheese to take to America on the 22nd, to eat on the 25th. They completely sorted it and it was perfect.

Enjoy! And Happy Christmas.

[minipie]

There's another branch of La Fromagerie in Highbury that may be less busy than the Marylebone one.

this article might be helpful

[mumobsessedwithdamp]

Thanks mini - I will have my two children with me and they hate cheese so Highbury is a good tip!

[minipie]

They hate cheese?

In the Highbury branch, the back of the shop has the cheese. Front of the shop has other deli stuff like salamis, chocolates etc and a small cafe. Which could be great or terrible depending on their ages!

[ChickyDuck]

Morning mumsnetters! Just thought you might be interested to know that DH and I are up at this obscene time to get to the shop before they open at 7am! Thanks for the tips Hopefully we come back with a good haul!

[mumobsessedwithdamp]

Good luck! I am risking it tomorrow with my children.

[NotCitrus]

I was in Borough Market yesterday at lunchtime, and while all the stalls selling lunch had queues, the various cheese stalls didn't have more than one person in front of me. Loads of fabulous cheese!

[Backingvocals]

I got shooed out of Paxton and Whitfield once by some security men because Princess Michael of Kent wanted to come in and she couldn't queue for cheese with hoi polloi.

Who the hell is she anyway? is what I didnt say out loud but thought very loudly