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Antonelli's Cheese Shop
Category: Food Specialty Food Cheese Shops Cheese Shops [Edit]
4220 Duval StAustin, TX 78751
Neighborhood: Hyde Park
(512) 531-9610
- Hours:
Tue-Sat 11 am - 7 pm
Sun 12 pm - 5 pm
- Price Range:
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$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
114 reviews for Antonelli's Cheese Shop
Review Highlights
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"We spoke with John, who really knows (and *loves." In 30 reviews -
"John and Kendall are so helpful and friendly." In 12 reviews -
"They really know their stuff and are more than happy to..." In 3 reviews
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114 reviews in English
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Review from Gina B.
Updated - 5/3/2012
Once again, 5 stars for Antonelli's! I recently ordered a cheese platter for a baby shower, and I came in twice to pick just the right cheeses. The service was excellent every time, and the platter was a huge hit!
Just FYI -- If you order a platter, you need to return the physical dish to the shop within a week. It's a little annoying to have make to another trip there, but they're trying to be greener and cut down on waste. I can't really complain about that.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/18/2011
If you love cheese, this place is a destination in Austin. The cheesemongers will let you sample… Read more »
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Review from Eliza C.
4/13/2012
Walking into Antonelli's and speaking with the owners and staff is not only consistently a delicious and educational experience, but is also a sheer reminder of turning what you love into a career is the simplest algorithm for success---and delighted customers.
I'd heard about Antonelli's for about a year before making the trek with an out of town guest to taste and experience that which my friends described as cheese-gasms. Antonelli's has what seems like hundreds of cheeses and the staff (known as Cheesemongers) treat cheese as the best of wine conniseurs. Even my lactose intolerant guest caved and tried at least 6. It's a bit on the pricey side, but even my cheap self didn't mind. These are the kinds of businesses that deserve every half cent of support.
I can't write about Antonelli's without mentioning their cheese tasting 101 classes. Getting into such classes is just about as easy as getting tickets to Adele (my computer even froze when I tried to purchase tickets 5 minutes after the email announcing the classes came out. Alas, the cheese god's were smiling upon me that afternoon and I secured a spot.
After attending the class yesterday (and eating .5 pounds of cheese, literally), my faith in Antonellis is only rejuvenated. The course was in two words, simply lovely. Six cheeses were served along with pelegrino, complements and a guided tasting. My 2 friends and I were utterly delighted...great date spot idea as well.
Hope this place will be around for a very long time! -
Review from Brian H.
Austin, TX
3/29/2012
If anyone is looking for a definition of customer service, you need to experience Antonelli's. They are THE most engaging experience I have ever been a part of at any store or restaurant anywhere at any time.
Their cheese baristas will guide you through the wonderland that is cheese heaven. Holy aweseomeness greets you with every taste. This is the paradise of the saints and the lost city of Shangdu.
Go to Antonelli's and let them lead you through the maze of flavors. Their experts will delight you with their supreme knowledge of all the fare they offer - which additionally includes such items as jams and almonds.
I'll be returning soon. -
Review from Ashley S.
5/23/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I just ate $12 worth of their cheese and I'm still alive.
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Review from Rachel F.
Austin, TX
3/23/2012
One word: WOW. I set up a private tasting with Antonelli's at their Cheese House for my boyfriend's birthday. We're both cheeselovers and I thought it would be something different and fun. Here's the letter I sent to Antonelli's after the event (you can see a picture here: http://twitter.com/#!/...)
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Consider me (well, more accurately, us) impressed. Thank you for making what was to be a fun evening a phenomenal one. It could not have gone any better. From the candlelit table in that gorgeous room to the friendly staff at the Cheese Shop who helped carry everything over to the breadth of knowledge and, most importantly, passion John has for cheese: all of it was simply fantastic.
I've lived in Austin my entire life and, hands down, that was one of the coolest things I've done in this city. The cheese was delicious, the pairings were carefully chosen and the whole evening emanated a love of one's work and sharing it with others. It sounds corny but that's what my boyfriend Ryan is all about - he's a giving guy who is always up for sharing what he knows and helping others. To be able to give him something like this was really important to me. You guys hit it out of the park. -
Review from Dakota L.
3/9/2012
This place is fantastic. I always end up spending just a little too much money because everything is so good.
The staff are friendly and hilarious, and they will stuff you with so many cheese samples, it's practically a meal. They have basically everything you could want, plus things you didn't even know you wanted (read: duck fat and truffle honey). It's also a great way to support local businesses.
Definitely worth a stop in for both die-hard and casual cheese lovers. -
Review from Ian A.
2/17/2012
I took a date here because she had said she loved cheese, but hadn't been to Antonelli's yet. I set about to rectify that by heading over about 30 minutes before they closed the other day. Courtney was behind the counter and decided to pretty much blow our minds with a sampling of cheeses and meats, her knowledge about cheese, and her awesome attitude and humor.
Not only is the quality of the product (artisinal cheeses) fantastic, but the EXPERIENCE here is undeniably special. The ambiance, the staff. . .everything here is great.
Five stars. -
Review from Omar Z.
2/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
It's probably a good thing for Antonelli's that I waited some time to review their cheese shop. I don't think they launched with the best cheeses. But everyone else loved them and, as B.B. King once said about The Edge's guitar playing, everyone else can't be wrong, can they? Well, turns out they were right. For whatever reason, The Antonelli's have dialed it in. Perhaps their love for cheese has finally turned into a proficiency in cheese.
They were always super friendly and accessible. That might have helped. But now I can say that you can go there and find a truly wide range of tasty cheeses. They offer raw too, which is great for many folks. And they have proved to me that raw can sometimes even taste good. I think where they sometimes stumble is with their triple-creme style cheeses. They are often sold overripe and overpowering in the ammonia. So, just insist that your nose be the guide and smell every rind before you buy.
Some of our favorites include are the Tomme Crayeuse (Tom Cruise) and a great new Roquefort they are serving up now.
Antonelli's is a bit of a boutique. The upside is that when you are served, you get the undivided attention of a cheese head. OK, that's not what I meant to say. Frankly, I'm surprised that they don't have cute names for themselves. But, they will sample you til the cows come home and treat you like a king. The downside is that when you walk in the first words you will likely hear, as though you were in a New York Deli, are: "You are number five on line!". And that loosely translates to: "Hey, we'll talk to you when we talk to you, like in 30 minutes". If that's what they mean by "on line", I strongly suggest they opt for broadband.... -
Review from Kelly S.
12/3/2011 2 photos
You know those big things of "fresh" mozzarella you get at the grocery store? The ones you're buying for appearance and not flavor (because they have little) but it looks like you're getting something fancy? Stop it. Right now. Or rather, only buy that for guests and tomato mozzarella appetizers.
Instead, you need to head to Antonellis and get the fresh buffalo mozzarella. Yes, it's about $18 for a fist sized ball but it is SO different than the heretofore purchased cheese. I wandered in there after a lunch at Mothers and bought that (had just arrived) and some chevre. They're both wildly different from each other of course -- but also from the kind I usually pick up in the refrigerated section of HEB.
All I can think as I'm returning to the fridge for one sliver after another, is "wow, so THIS is real cheese." -
Review from Vanessa B.
Chicago, IL
1/4/2012
I love this place! I am originally from Austin, but living in Chicago now. We have a great cheese shop called Pastoral here in Chicago so I was a bit skeptical about the quality of cheese I would find in Austin while visiting family. I know the city is changing and there is a real food movement, of which Antonelli's is absolute proof of.
The woman helping my mother and I was very patient with me and let me try everything I was interested in even though I could tell they were a bit busy getting ready for a cheese tasting group. Once she had a sense of the type of cheese I enjoyed she was on a roll and really led me to try some fantastic and unique cheeses. One in particular that stood out was this great Gouda made of goat's milk! It was such a different taste from the traditional Gouda made of cow's milk, but in some ways I almost like it more.
Even though I walked away with something like 7 cheeses there were still so many more that I wanted to try. They have an extensive selection of cheeses from around the world that is actually better than many major cheese shops I've been to bigger cities (even Chicago). Even though I can only stop here when I visit from Chicago I also love that they keep track of your cheeses in their computer! There have been so many times that I have gone back to a store and tried to describe a cheese I previously purchased because I can't remember the name and they just don't know what I am talking about.
Ultimately, if you like cheese at all, Antonelli's is a must stop shop for you! -
Review from Arnel S.
1/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
This was my first time in a cheese-only shop.
They were friendly, helpful, very knowledgeable, and let me and my girlfriend and I try out several of the cheeses.
Fresh cheeses, local cheeses, all kinds of cheeses. If you're a cheese person, then this place is the place for you.
Oh! And a cool benefit is that they'll keep a record of which cheeses you purchase so that when you come back they'll know what you like and be able to help you better. it's the little things. -
Review from Erin J.
1/17/2012
On a recent trip to Austin, a fellow cheese-loving friend and I hit up Antonelli's for a small cheese "plate" on the way to eat some food truck grub. She was pregnant at the time and had thought she could eat NO goat cheese, but we were informed by a helpful counter lass that she could most certainly have pasteurized goat cheese, and hey! They had some! In fact, they had quite a lot of pasteurized cheese. I go for all kinds, and I was happy to stay within the safety bounfaries for my friend.
Counter service was great, they had a small, but good, selection of wines and other cheese accoutrements and the pricing was fair and in line with expectations. A great little gem to get some good cheese in this part of Austin! -
Review from Addie B.
Austin, TX
Updated - 12/5/2011 7 Check-ins Here
Life is Gouda here! The owners are great. They have a great staff, committed to making you a happy customer. I've been going here since they opened up and I have to say, they've had it right since the beginning. They even keep a customer record of all the cheeses you have had, so when you go back and want the same thing but can't remember...WAALAAA! They know!
Always oblige to tasting any and every cheese you desire.
They are also committed to spotlighting local artisans. Many of the cheese compliments and accompaniments are produced locally.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/26/2010
what's better than a cheese shop! I love this place and the fact it's right around the corner! the… Read more »
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Review from Lizzie C.
Austin, TX
1/16/2012
Love this place and the cheese! We enjoy walking here on a nice day in Hyde Park. They are very helpful and not shy at all about letting you try their cheese. Sometimes, they even ask "Are you sure you tried enough?" and will give us an olive. We like to buy quarter pound of their cheeses and try it at home with bread or wine.
Looking forward to their cheese house opening across the street! :) -
Review from Aly J.
Austin, TX
12/22/2011
Yes yes yes!!!
Cheese is my guilty pleasure. I'm one of those people who will just grab a block of cheese out of my fridge and bite into it and then devour the whole thing in a matter of minutes without any regard to the massive amount of fat and calories I'm consuming.
At Antonelli's you can just walk in and say "Hey I'm looking to try a new cheese or two. I like *insert a couple cheeses here* and don't like *insert whatever cheese you don't care for here*" and they will fix you right up. Or you can tell them that you're craving cheese and honey but don't really know what pairs well with honey. Again, they will fix you right up. And you can sample cheeses to your hearts desire. When I went in asking about cheese that goes well with honey, they even let me sample the honey and cheese at the same time. Excellent.
They rotate their cheese selection often so there's always something new and delicious for you to try! Also, they have a database so if you ever forget what cheese you bought and want to buy it again, they can look it up for you. :) -
Review from daniela t.
Austin, TX
12/6/2011
Hyde Park's and Austin's most amazing little, local cheese shop with an endless variety, free knowledge and samples of whatever you'd like.
Antonelli's is the best to drop in when you want some really delicious cheeses and friendly service. I would die without good cheese so essentially, I would die without Antonelli's.
If you've never been, it's quite frankly a treat and one you should enjoy. -
Review from autumn l.
Austin, TX
Updated - 1/6/2012
Another home run!
Dear Antonelli's,
Please oh please oh pretty please open a location here in Lakeway. We love you and your staff so much. I almost don't want to give you such a great review as to try and keep you all to myself, but it's too late.
Your Kunic is delicious and all the other cheeses that I get are just , well... there are no words.
Also,
Thank you for keeping a record of everything I get so that I can still get it even though I forget what it was.
Please reach out to Fore in Lakeway about getting one of your cheese plates!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/30/2011
I'm only giving Antonell's 4 stars so this review does not get filtered out. If I could, I would… Read more »
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Review from Melissa H.
Hyde Park, Austin, TX
3/21/2012
I never knew how amazing cheese was until I visited Antonelli's. The staff is so friendly and they have options for every budget. I also love that they let you "try before you buy." Antonelli's rocks!
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Review from Jack M.
2/25/2012 3 Check-ins Here
This is the kind of place that makes one want to write silly love songs.
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Review from Bovinius M.
Austin, TX
10/21/2011
Antonelli's Cheese Shop is probably one of my favorite places to open up in Austin. If you are familiar with cheese and love it, you should come here. If you or someone you know is interested in cheese but intimidated by it, you should bring them here.
My husband and I come here so often they can pinpoint they days we usually come in. John, Kendall, Courtney, Brad and Shawn (I hope I spelled that correctly)are incredibly knowledgable and extremely passionate about their cheese. Their sincerity comes through their service and when they tell you about the cheeses, without coming off as condescending or snotty (which we need more of!).
Their service is always top notch. They recommend cheeses for you and allow you to sample almost every single cheese in the case. They are patient and friendly. This helps when there will inevitably be a cheese rush, and you have 4 to 6 people ahead of you. They take their time with everybody, and make sure that you are satisfied and happy with what you choose. This place is worth waiting for.
You can buy cheese by the pound, and at first seeing the entire cost of a pound of cheese can seem frightening, when you realize you can buy a third or a quarter of a pound it's not that bad. I have most definitely spent more than I intended to at this place, which is not necessarily a bad thing. It just is. It also means I just have more cheese to eat when I get home.
Edit: They have cheese of all types: blue, goat, cow, sheep, blends of the three. Creamy, dry, semi-soft you name it. My favorites (which might not be there, since they also rotate their stock of what they keep): Lambchopper, Humboldt Fog, Trugole, Ewephoria, Mt. Tam.
If John and Kendall are reading this, I want to say your shop is perfection. I love what you guys do, and I really wish more kinds of speciality shops will look towards your business as how to really treat a customer well both unaccustomed and accustomed to your wares. Keep up the fantastic job. -
Review from Rachel S.
11/28/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Artisan cheese shops, beware! Antonelli's is here to take over with their extensive variety of beautiful cheeses from around the world. You can taste it all, and buy all sorts of wedged beauties for pretty good prices. (Even at $9.99 a 1/2 lb, you're not going to be taking home that much Truffle Tremor, are you??)
Antonelli's also prides itself for its local beer selection for sale, as well as interesting wine selection. There's an additional charcuterie section, but I didn't taste anything from that glass taste. I just tasted every cheese in the OTHER glass case...
This is a wonderful addition to Austin's fine food-scene. -
Review from Ryan F.
Austin, TX
2/11/2012
Does Antonelli's Even need another glowing review? I wish I could somehow marry the entire staff. And eat all the cheese. Every day. Forever. That sounds awesome.
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Review from Natasha H.
Austin, TX
2/28/2012
Love their selection of cheese and their staff. It is great to have people who can describe the cheeses and also offer good recommendations. They have always been willing to offer samples of any cheese they have, this is very helpful.
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Review from Missy B.
6/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have so much love for John and Kendall Antonelli and their cheeses.
First, all their cheesemongers carry their titles with pride. More than one always welcomes you. Within minutes of your eyes wandering to a cheese or jar of caramel, a cheesemonger will hand you a tiny spoon with a taste of it. Also, they are so excited about the cheese. They will do all they can to make sure that you find something that you love.
What is so special about their cheese? It is the thought that goes into what they choose to carry. They range from France to local. When I first visited Antonelli's, I was able to have a cheese flight and while there were some I absolutely disliked, there were some that were divine. I was thrilled when I saw they had an old favorite of mine from Marin: Cowgirl.
People tend to have different palates and so, like specialty a wine shop, a specialty cheese shop needs to carry bold, even polarizing, kinds; otherwise, everything just hovers around the middle mark and where is the excitement in that. -
Review from Cris G.
1/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
I walked into Antonelli's just days before Christmas. The place was packed. I almost walked out. It looked like a mob at the counter. Since I don't live very close by and was dead set on getting some good cheese, I stood there for a minute to make sure the place wasn't about to clear out. That's when I learned you walk to the back of the room to get into line. And that will be the last thing I could say bad about this place - get a sign to tell folks where to get in line.
The line moved at a pretty brisk pace. Even though I had to be 5-8 people back in the line, I was waited on within 10 minutes of getting there. The people behind the counter are a lot like sommeliers (there's probably a real word for it I don't know yet) but with cheese. I told the guy what tastes and styles I was looking for, and he pulled it out of the counter. He hit one of my requests on the head, and another one after trying two different kinds. I also purchased some dried meats and an awesome chocolate bar.
Two warnings:
if you don't like higher end cheese, this place is not for you. Stick with Tillamook (which is good, don't get me wrong) if you can't handle the extra flavor you get from artisan cheese. Same things with the meats, which I even had a hard time enjoying the flavor at times. It's distinct, to say the least.
Second, this stuff isn't cheap. They aren't robbing you, but it might feel like it if you think you can walk out for $10 and have a good snack.
They are about to open up a shop in the house across Duval from their current location. Not sure if it's an extention or a relocation, but that's exciting. Maybe they'll have enough space to enjoy the experience a bit more. -
Review from Liz B.
Austin, TX
5/9/2011
After receiving their emails for months and eating their cheeses at wine night, I finally made it to Antonelli's. And wow!!!
They're offer a great selection of premium cheeses at decent prices. I was looking for a cheese to accompany a Bordeaux and was offered a few recommendation and tastings. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful.
I love how Antonelli's tracks the cheeses you purchase so you never forget that great French sheeps milk cheese, or the California goat cheese. I'll definitely return soon! -
Review from Sydney T.
5/23/2011
I adore Antonelli's.
It's everything you could hope for in a specialty shop - the shop itself is decorated wonderfully, their cheeses are displayed with meticulous attention to detail, they have a guide on the wall for beginners, and they offer other local fare like jams and bread. John and Kendall are obviously as passionate about customer service as they are about cheese. The crowd is steady every time I visit (which makes me happy), but they take the time to familiarize me with every cheese I sample (which makes me even happier). The prices were lower than I expected too.
I love the homey, jocular atmosphere and the wonderful cheeses they offer. I hope this place continues to thrive. I'm saving my pennies (and my calories) to make sure I can do my part. -
Review from Catherine T.
Austin, TX
2/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
*Fromage* to age, people have used cheese in all kinds of culinary delights, wowing their friends. Cheese is a topper, or an accompaniment, or sometimes even a main course. Hell, it's even a dessert. If given the choice between cheese and a wonderful man who would love me forever, I would choose cheese wholehavartiedly. And lemme just say, if you don't like cheese, I'm not sure I want to know you.
It's too bad Antonelli's is closed on Mondays, 'cause that's when I'm usually in this neighborhood.
YOU: Say what?! Antonelli's is closed on Mondays? You'd *cheddar* be kidding me!
I only wish I were kidding. So I found myself there today to prepare for former-Wisconsin-resident and current-Cheesehead Quani C's Super Bowl par-tay. Since she's getting a bunch of cheese curds and brats, I figured I'd help out by getting even more Wisconsin cheese, and I figured the cheesemongers at Antonelli's would be a great help in finding what I needed.
All the employees yelled, "Hi, how are ya?!" at me when I walked in, which I actually mistook for, "Hi, *havarti*?!"
The prices here made me a bit *bleu*. The first Wisconsin one I was shown was, of course, the most expensive one, at $30/lb. I took a taste of the Seahive (a Utah cheese with honey and salt), and I took trois tastes of the Menage (Wisconsin). So I bought a half pound of the Menage, and a quarter pound of the Seahive and got outta there for twenty bucks. I feel like I could've gotten some other Wisconsin cheese at H-E-B for cheaper, so I can't award a fifth star. But at least I got some cheese and was able to call it *feta* accompli.
I sampled a bunch of other cheeses I can't remember, and the girl who helped me knew an incredible amount about each cheese. If I spent as much time as she did in learning all those cheeses, I would have that much more useless knowledge with which to be able to bore others. But it sure would be fun to learn. Antonelli's offers cheese-pairing classes that are filled up for the next three months, and there's a 30-person wait list, and that's no *blarney*.
I may have spent a bit more money than I wanted to, but I got to taste whatever -- and however much -- I wanted, got help and a great attitude from a very knowledgeable employee, and left a happy customer. If you come here and disagree with me about how great it is, then I don't know *jack*.
As cheesy as this sounds, I *camembert* just how *gouda* this place is. -
Review from Sharon C.
Austin, TX
3/4/2011
A friend has been raving about this place for months now and I finally had a day off with my gf, so I grabbed her and announced we were going to the cheese shop.
It's so cute, nicely laid out and wow, what a selection. My head was swimming and I didn't even know where to start.
Thankfully, John was there to help and when he asked what I was looking for I said "I don't know. I kind of want you to blow my mind."
He started with a soft cheese covered in brandy-soaked raisins that tasted yogurty and like cheesecake. We moved along to stronger cheeses, some amazing cheddars (because I asked for a strong cheddar) and into the funky blues. Every sample was handed over with a smile, a bite for himself, and a little "yummy" dance on his part that I was pretty tempted to join. I gotta tell you, this stuff is good. And good sales, because we would start with a flavor and he would throw some adjectives at me: do I want something stronger? more subtle? sweeter? richer? herbal? smoky?
I bought small slices of 5 different cheeses before we moved on to the meats, where I bought a few slices of bresaola and prosciutto. And a ciabatta. And then I spied a chocolate bar with chicory in it. It's all home now and we're waiting to eat it for another hour.
The best part all this is that I had FUN there. A lot of fun! It was just fun to hang out and sample cheese and have conversations about it and hear what other people were looking for and why and that is one seriously knowledgeable staff.
Go here., Eat some cheese. You will love it.
ALSO, they keep a profile so you don't have to remember what cheeses you got. Which I find REALLY helpful. -
Review from Kurt K.
Austin, TX
9/6/2011
Sweet Monkey Jesus. This place is unbelievable. I had heard about Antonelli's back when they first opened and thought I needed to pay them a visit. Long story short, it took me until this past Labor Day weekend to finally check them out and I kick myself for not going sooner. It's that good.
Right away we were heartily greeted when we entered the store, despite at least 15 people being packed in to the tiny space. As we waited for our turn (they don't have a number system up quite yet, instead running entirely on memory), the staff shared little tidbits of artisan cheese with us, whatever they happened to be serving the customer of the moment. When our turn finally came up, our cheese guide started us out with some nice middle of the road cheeses, then refined our selection via our comments. A little moister, a little sharper, not quite as earthy... it was incredible how well he knew the cheeses behind the case.
In the end we walked out with three different cheeses but we'll definitely be back for more. Antonelli's is outstanding in every regard, and will not disappoint. -
Review from Jennifer W.
Austin, TX
11/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Yeah Sean!! You set these girls up for a wonderful cheese & wine soirée! Thanks for the great guidance, patience and fun! Such a great crowd and very much looking forward to the cheese class. Your choices were wide and right on! Our 40th birthday bash was a success and the cheese tray was a TOTAL HIT! THANK YOU!
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Review from Jennifer G.
Austin, TX
1/10/2011
I love cheese but admittly I am not too knowledgable on the subject. I know I like certain cheeses but I have no clue when it comes to ideal wine/beer pairing or how to choose a well rounded cheese plate.
This is where Antonelli's comes into play, this fromaggerie is perfect for a cheese novice to a connaseur. The people that run and work at the store are wonderfully friendly and helpful for the moment you step in the door. They greet you with tasty samples of cheese and sometimes even give you a story to go with it. I once tried and bought a blue cheese from France made by a 80 year old man, seriously you can't beat that!
Antonelli's offers cheese pairing classes which sound pretty interesting and the price isnt bad at $30 either. Additionally you can rent out the shop for a private party for up to 10 people in which you get a several courses of cheese. I would love to do either some day!
If you want your friends to be forever indebted to you by rocking their taste buds, stop by Antonelli's before your next party and pick up some delectable cheese! Enjoy! -
Review from April S.
4/24/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Knowing there is finally a cheese shop in Austin makes me feel less like a hayseed. I love Antonelli's. From the cheese to the staff it is top notch.
Husband and I visited recently to buy a little bit of salami for a light charcuterie plate. I know it sounds funny to go to a cheese shop for meat, but I'm so glad we did! Not only did they have a decent selection, but their advice for quantity and which selections were spot on. We came away with a nice variety of salamis that we thoroughly enjoyed.
We were close to checking out but the wonderful woman working with us would not let us leave without sampling the cheese. It's free and she felt we'd be crazy to leave without it. So glad we did! We tried a variety of incredible cheeses and ended up having to leave with a goat cheese that blew my mind.
If you are intimidated by cheese shop, thinking it's going to be an expensive adventure, think again. They are happy to sell very small portions and you can easily get out of the shop for less than $20. They also will keep track of what you have bought, which is really nice if you forget what the name of that wonderful cheese you bought last week.
Can't wait to go back! -
Review from Andrew D.
Austin, TX
3/24/2011
As a burgeoning "foodie" (what a horrible moniker for people who like "good" food. What does that say about non-"foodies"? Ok that's enough quotes and rambling), Antonelli's seemed like a great inaugural destination. I knew nothing about cheese except what i gleaned from aerosol, powdered, or government varieties as a kid. Needless to say I was about to have my cheese balls handed to me.
Once I got over the sticker shock ($30+/lb for some), I eye-beckoned an amiable blond girl from behind the counter. Not knowing my ass from Asturias, she guided me towards more mild selections. As I tried sample after sample my courage built to where I tried the infamous Red Hawk Cheese. The Red Hawk reminded me of moldy gooey feet. On that note, I called it a day, bought a pound of various cheeses, and perused their wine selection for something to combat the fresh flavor of athlete's foot.
Antonelli's is a fitting and complementary Hyde Park shop: friendly staff, quaintly decorated with a hint of kitsch. The only drawbacks are the prices (although they are fairly commensurate with that part of the industry) and when busy, there isn't enough space for more than a few patrons to get a full glimpse of their odorous offering. -
Review from Kelty G.
Updated - 1/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
What's dark, amber, hoppy, smelly, tasty, fun, and can get you drunk without even trying? Why a beer and cheese tasting hosted by Antonelli's of course!
Gingerman graciously allowed us to hold the tasting in their courtyard and make use of their extensive selection of beer. Meanwhile Antonelli's did the pairing, plating, and hosting. After ironing out logistics, we requested four cheese and beer pairings. Then we let Antonelli's Cheese Shop run wild with their imaginations and our tastebuds.
On the appointed date, we showed up at Gingerman (along with 16 of our closest friends) and then Antonelli's led us on a magical, mystery tour of beer and cheese. Mr. John Antonelli himself passed plates of cheese, poured glasses of beer, and regaled us with information about the proper way to pair and taste beer and cheese.
Who knew that apricot beer (Pyramid Peach Audacious Ale) would go well with red-pepper rubbed cheese (Devil's Gulch by Cowgirl Creamery)? Apparently the people at Antonelli's ... and now I do! This was only the beginning though. From here we moved to washed rind cheeses, IPAs, dark beers, and even an ingenious combo of blue cheese and cider.
In summary, we drank, tasted, and talked our way through a most enjoyable Saturday afternoon thanks to the expertise of our most favorite cheesemongers.
If this is not enough to convince you, then you are obviously lactose intolerant or you do not understand that beer and cheese are the new black of food pairings.Listed in: For a Good Time Call ...
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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4/7/2010
Other businesses can learn a lesson from the Antonelli's cheese empire - these people live and… Read more »
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Review from Cynthia W.
Austin, TX
2/7/2011 1 photo
First, I have to say I feel betrayed by my Austin friends. When we moved here nearly 2 years ago, I asked everyone I met whether there was a cheese shop to be found. The answer was always, "Go to Central Market" or "Go to Whole Foods."
Now I find that there is indeed a cheese shop, celebrating their 1 year anniversary this week. So I say to my friends, "Wow, did you know that a cheese shop opened up a year ago in Hyde Park?!" And the reply is, "Oh, yeah, we've been going there since they opened." AND NEVER MENTIONED IT TO ME?!
Bad friends. Bad, bad friends!
When we arrived last Saturday afternoon, it was a gorgeous, sunny, balmy day with the feeling of spring in the air. The previous day had been a Snow Day for almost everyone in Central Texas, so Duval Street was thronged with people enjoying the lovely weather.
And shopping for cheese.
Antonelli's is a small shop. And feels even smaller when filled to overflowing with customers. But we were not going to be deterred since it had taken us so long to find them.
We waited patiently in line with many, many others. The line moved slowly, but that was chiefly because the wonderfully patient staff was offering a taste of each cheese as the customer selected it. They were also giving cheerful and knowledgeable advice to cheese novices on what might be to their liking or suit their needs. Amazing. A shop where they believe in customer service!
Finally, it was our turn. Oh, joy unbounded! We looked longingly at all the offerings arrayed before us. We asked if there was any hand-dipped ricotta? No. Do you have any bufala mozzarella, we ventured? No. Any St-Marcellin? Er... no.
We began to feel a Monty Python moment coming on.
However, we made do with burrata. And raclette. Um, and we acquired some gruyere. OK, and some robiola.
Oh, and a bottle of Gruner Veltliner to make fondue for Superbowl watching. (And may I just digress and say that using the gruyere from Antonelli's we achieved the most perfect fondue texture. Ever. And we've been making fondue for over 30 years.)
Each cheese selection was wrapped beautifully in two-ply cheese paper. The way it *should* be.
We asked if there was ever a less busy time to stop in. They advised us that a weekday, early in the day, is the best time.
I've now added them to my weekly provisioning rotation. For Thursday mornings. -
Review from Lindsey G.
Georgetown, TX
3/10/2012
Fantastic! Kendal was an excellent source of information, the selection was awesome, all around a great place. Picked up some beers, cheeses, wine AND Tupelo honey. Can't go wrong with this place.
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Review from Alex M.
Austin, TX
1/14/2011
Words can not describe how much the hubs and I love this place. The owners are knowledgeable and friendly and the cheese selection is to DIE for.
We have only used them a handful of times, Anniversaries, Valentines Day, but we always love the selection they give us. -
Review from Liza K.
12/16/2010 1 Check-in Here
Just say "Cheeeeeese"!
LOVE this freaking place. If you likie cheese you likie this place.
It's located in a very cute part of hyde park. Don't be deceived by the size of the store front, even though it appears small it packs a punch in products.
We got to try and learn about a lot of cheese without any pressure at all. They have beers, wines, chocolates, nuts, bread, books, cured meats & small cheese gadgets.. I loved the informational display chalk boards. It's not overwhelming at all because they walk you through the case in the right order.
I got out of there with 5 good portions of cheese for about 20 bucks, and a big bottle of brew which was another 10.
I'm a cheese-aholic, I can say with confidence this place is gold, the prices are comparable, and the experience is a delight! -
Review from Kamni G.
Antonelli's Cheese Shop showcases artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, craft beer, wine, and other delectable pairings like chocolates, nuts, honey, vinegars & oils, and olives.
The Antonelli's are an awesome couple who are passionate about cheese. When you arrive, they give you little samples of whatever cheese you want on tiny little spoons. They'll explain what all the different types of cheese are and their ingredients and tell you what makes a good cheese.
We had a great time tasting and learning. John helped us match brews to the cheeses for the hubby's back at home. 5 good portions of cheese for less than 22 bucks which took 4 people, 3 times to eat is a grand investment.
So am I a cheese-a-holic? Am I cheesy?
Yes and Yes...
why?
Because meats, cheese, olives and brews and jams make for a happier, cheesier me :DListed in: Spoiled Wife List
