The Chalet Wine & Cheese Shop offers a heart-stopping array of special-occasion essentials; any frequent entertainer will have the same trouble practicing restraint as a first-time homeowner in Ikea.
Unlike the times you've had to tear through Jewel on the way to a party (there's gotta be a hostess gift in here somewhere!), the Chalet shopping experience is pure gourmet retail: A quick-to-help staff doles out wine wisdom, jazz or classical music floats from the speakers and an array of hard-to-pronounce perishables line the shelves like exotic gems.
Far and away, the store's most touted factor is its vast wine selection; bottles line shelf after shelf, hide in refrigerators and peek out from under arches (giving the Chalet a wine-cellar vibe). Wines hail from Spain, California and just about anyplace grapes grow. This is when the staff comes in handy; there's something to accommodate every palate and budget, but having someone guide you through the bottle-maze makes the selection process that much smoother.
Apart from wine, every imaginable liquor from J&B Scotch to Absolut Vodka is available; there's also an assortment of sake and unexpected treats like ready-to-go Bellinis. On the solid side, look for a gourmet cheese counter, a case of sleek Vanille pastries and sophisticated party-spread pleasers like smoked salmon dill mousse and Campoforio Serrano ham.
Reviewed By: Jennifer Berg
