We are in between trips right now, just getting back from Miami, and heading out soon for Boston. We're still working on the write up for Miami, but to hold you over, here is an account of some good food in Williamsburg...
The Cheese Shop
The Cheese Shop is located in Merchant Square along Duke of Gloucester street between the historic area and the College of William and Mary. As soon as you walk into the store, you are surrounded by gourmet food items, hundreds of cheeses, and freshly baked bread. The Cheese Shop offers a wide selection of gourmet cheeses, over 200 varieties.
At the back of the store, you will find their sandwich counter. Hang to your left as you walk back there to order, it's a simple move but it will make it look like you are a regular (otherwise you will end up waiting in the "pick-up" line). The specialty sandwiches feature their fresh-baked, crusty bread and a selection of cheeses.
They have a fairly simple menu, but prices are pretty low and the taste is outstanding. Our favorites are the salami and provolone sandwich on whole wheat bread and roast beef with Havarti on foccacia. The house dressing is a delicious blend of grainy mustard and mayonnaise, giving the sandwich a tangy, yet creamy taste. Order your sandwich with a side of chips from the Cheese Shop's wide selection of gourmet brands such as “Dirty” potato chips (one of Stefan's favorites) or “Terra” exotic vegetable chips. You can get a soda, or go nuts and grab a bottle of beer/wine/cider. During the warmer months, the Cheese Shop has a front patio where you can enjoy your lunch and watch William & Mary students, Historic Williamsburg tourists, and visitors pass by.
There is also an incredible cheese counter (which does not seem to offer free samples, and therefore has not been sampled), an adjoining restaurant called the Fat Canary (which we never bother to try, the Cheese Shop is really all you need), and a wine/beer store in the basement (with quite a selection!)
Wythe Candy and Gourmet Shop
After you leave the Cheese Shop, visit the nearby Wythe Candy Shop to satisfy your sweet tooth. When you walk in the front door you almost slapped in the face with the smells of a candy shop... sugars, chocolates, all sorts of confections.
Immediately to your left is a case of their freshly dipped chocolate candies. They often feature chocolate dipped strawberries, rice krispy treats, pretzels, and gourmet dipped apples. A smore’s candy is a jumbo marshmallow smashed between two graham crackers and dipped in their delicious milk chocolate. The peanut butter pretzel is rather delicious as well- a pretzel rod dipped first in peanut butter and then a second time through chocolate. For a while, Wythe was also offering their fresh peanut butter, double chocolate, and chocolate chip cookies dipped half-way in chocolate, although I haven’t seen these the past few times we visited. Wythe is also known for their homemade caramel apples. The thick apples are dipped in their caramel, made
fresh in the shop, and then rolled in various toppings such as chocolate chips and toffee bits. Some of the apples then get a drizzling of their milk or dark chocolate (the picture to the right was borroweed from this write-up).
Most days you can watch the candy makers dip these apples fresh in the shop or watch as they make some of their chocolate dipped specialties. Wythe also offers several rotating flavors of fudge, as well as gummy candies, chocolates, and truffles. They have sugar-free options available as well.
Aromas
Aromas is a coffee house and bakery behind Merchant’s square. In addition to coffee, they also serve espresso beverages, tea, sandwiches and pastries. Aromas offers several latte creations that you won’t find at your local Starbucks. For instance, their Almond Joy latte combines steamed milk, chocolate, and freshly brewed espresso with coconut and almond flavored syrups, topped with whipped cream. Stefan likes the honey latte, an espresso drink with honey and vanilla syrup. I usually opt for the frozen beverages- the mocha smoothies are quite delicious.
The pastries from the bake case at Aromas are also worth mention.
The selection often varies from day to day, but the cakes are dense and stacked several layers high. I would definitely recommend stopping by for bakery items at Aromas before you leave Williamsburg. If you are too full for dessert, make sure you get some of their baked items to go- this stop is too good to miss out on. And if you have a local Entertainment Book, they have been featured in the past.
The Cheese Shop
The Cheese Shop is located in Merchant Square along Duke of Gloucester street between the historic area and the College of William and Mary. As soon as you walk into the store, you are surrounded by gourmet food items, hundreds of cheeses, and freshly baked bread. The Cheese Shop offers a wide selection of gourmet cheeses, over 200 varieties.
At the back of the store, you will find their sandwich counter. Hang to your left as you walk back there to order, it's a simple move but it will make it look like you are a regular (otherwise you will end up waiting in the "pick-up" line). The specialty sandwiches feature their fresh-baked, crusty bread and a selection of cheeses.
They have a fairly simple menu, but prices are pretty low and the taste is outstanding. Our favorites are the salami and provolone sandwich on whole wheat bread and roast beef with Havarti on foccacia. The house dressing is a delicious blend of grainy mustard and mayonnaise, giving the sandwich a tangy, yet creamy taste. Order your sandwich with a side of chips from the Cheese Shop's wide selection of gourmet brands such as “Dirty” potato chips (one of Stefan's favorites) or “Terra” exotic vegetable chips. You can get a soda, or go nuts and grab a bottle of beer/wine/cider. During the warmer months, the Cheese Shop has a front patio where you can enjoy your lunch and watch William & Mary students, Historic Williamsburg tourists, and visitors pass by.
There is also an incredible cheese counter (which does not seem to offer free samples, and therefore has not been sampled), an adjoining restaurant called the Fat Canary (which we never bother to try, the Cheese Shop is really all you need), and a wine/beer store in the basement (with quite a selection!)
Wythe Candy and Gourmet Shop
After you leave the Cheese Shop, visit the nearby Wythe Candy Shop to satisfy your sweet tooth. When you walk in the front door you almost slapped in the face with the smells of a candy shop... sugars, chocolates, all sorts of confections.
Immediately to your left is a case of their freshly dipped chocolate candies. They often feature chocolate dipped strawberries, rice krispy treats, pretzels, and gourmet dipped apples. A smore’s candy is a jumbo marshmallow smashed between two graham crackers and dipped in their delicious milk chocolate. The peanut butter pretzel is rather delicious as well- a pretzel rod dipped first in peanut butter and then a second time through chocolate. For a while, Wythe was also offering their fresh peanut butter, double chocolate, and chocolate chip cookies dipped half-way in chocolate, although I haven’t seen these the past few times we visited. Wythe is also known for their homemade caramel apples. The thick apples are dipped in their caramel, made
fresh in the shop, and then rolled in various toppings such as chocolate chips and toffee bits. Some of the apples then get a drizzling of their milk or dark chocolate (the picture to the right was borroweed from this write-up).Most days you can watch the candy makers dip these apples fresh in the shop or watch as they make some of their chocolate dipped specialties. Wythe also offers several rotating flavors of fudge, as well as gummy candies, chocolates, and truffles. They have sugar-free options available as well.
Aromas
Aromas is a coffee house and bakery behind Merchant’s square. In addition to coffee, they also serve espresso beverages, tea, sandwiches and pastries. Aromas offers several latte creations that you won’t find at your local Starbucks. For instance, their Almond Joy latte combines steamed milk, chocolate, and freshly brewed espresso with coconut and almond flavored syrups, topped with whipped cream. Stefan likes the honey latte, an espresso drink with honey and vanilla syrup. I usually opt for the frozen beverages- the mocha smoothies are quite delicious. The pastries from the bake case at Aromas are also worth mention.
The selection often varies from day to day, but the cakes are dense and stacked several layers high. I would definitely recommend stopping by for bakery items at Aromas before you leave Williamsburg. If you are too full for dessert, make sure you get some of their baked items to go- this stop is too good to miss out on. And if you have a local Entertainment Book, they have been featured in the past.
Comments