Where to Buy Gourmet Cheese If You Live in Owings Mills, Maryland

Let's face it: Owings Mills is not the Gourmet Mecca of Maryland. Sure, there are a few good restaurants in the area, and more to come if the construction near the mall is any indication. But if you're trying to throw together an upscale party, or simply please your own palate, gourmet options are limited--especially when it comes to cheese. Don't even bother looking for a tasty fromage at the local Food Lion; you'll be lucky to find a port-wine cheese log amongst their selection. But at least two Owings Mills grocery stores have a bare bones selection of gourmet cheeses to choose from.

The first is the Giant on Groff's Mill Road. The gourmet cheese selection in this Owings Mills grocery store is limited at best, but if you're looking for basic Brie you'll be able to find it here. A more extensive selection can be found in the Safeway off the 795 interchange. The Owings Mills Safeway has dedicated a large refrigerator case to cheeses, and you'll also find a gourmet selection smattered about in other locations. You can pick up marinated mozzarella or Danish blue cheese, just by way of example, for a reasonable price.

The best gourmet cheese selection to be found in Owings Mills proper-or at least on the border of Owings Mills and Pikesville-is in the local Trader Joe's. An entire wall shelf is given over to the display of cheeses from around the world, and some of the least expensive double-cream Brie you'll find anywhere. Trader Joe's has a taste for the exotic, so you shouldn't be surprised to find unusual flavors and seasonings in their gourmet cheeses. But Trader Joe's is also practical; you'll not only find several different kinds of buttery Jarlsberg but a low-fat version as well.

If you're willing to drive a bit, the cheese display at Hunt Valley's Wegmans rivals any specialty shop. Not only will you be tempted by cheese tortes artfully displayed on crystal cake plates, but you'll also find the pre-made cheese flights to be irresistible. Wegmans encourages customers to try gourmet cheeses that they may never have heard of before by arranging them in small and affordable samples. You might find that you actually love goat cheese more than you thought!

If you're a gourmet cheese lover, Wegmans is certainly worth the drive from Owings Mills. But if you'd rather have your gourmet cheese delivered right to your door, don't neglect an online gourmet cheese merchant called iGourmet. The delivery rates are reasonable and the variety is staggering. You'll be able to make themed packages of cheese for any party--celebrate Spain with a mild El Ventero or order some Dubliner for St. Patty's Day.

Whatever you fancy, iGourmet can deliver, so you won't need to be deprived of gourmet eats even if you live in Owings Mills.