Easy Cheesy

An all-time classic sandwich like the grilled cheese brings out some surprisingly strong opinions on how it is best made and served. Some insist on eating their grilled cheese with a cup of tomato soup on the side. Or pickles. Or ketchup. Or all three (and there is simply no other way). 

Has the humble grilled cheese achieved the ultimate comfort-food status? Perhaps. But we’re here to tell you that it’s okay to branch out, experience new grilled cheeses, and leave pickles out of the equation.

Try something new at Serious Cheese, a cheese shop/eatery on Bank Street in Old Ottawa South. It’s the perfect place to pick up a chunk of artisanal cheese and a fresh loaf of bread (how very Euro of us, we know).

But it’s the grilled cheeses that lured us there and will be bringing us back with slavish devotion. We had the “Cheese & Cheese” (made with Quebec Perron Cheddar and Ontario Thunder Oak Gouda) but you can have your grilled cheese with turkey or ham, too.

Made with seedy multigrain bread, delightfully toasted and squashed on a press, it will leave your fingers buttery, and your tummy very happy. Order it with a cup of soup and you’ve got all of your food groups covered.

We arrived a smidge too early in the day to try their signature Bacon and Truffle Mac & Cheese (it was just about to come out of the oven, and smelled divine), but that’s OK. It just means we’ll have to pay them another visit very soon.

Serious Cheese is a casual scene for lunch. There are only three small tables (and high café-style chairs), so if you don’t make it there a little early, you might have to get your meal to go.

Mom always told us to broaden our horizons. We think she was right.

Comments