Oregon Cheese Cave
Happy Birthday Melodie Picard, owner of Oregon Cheese Cave! She celebrates her 41st this month. Melodie is my go-to lady for all things cheese. Originally from the second-largest port city in Northern France, Le havre, she grew up appreciating the pleasures of good food. A trip to Wisconsin to study cheese and it was fated to be. To the States she must go! So in 2013, she and her husband (from the Midwest) moved to Santa Monica area and worked in the specialty foods niche. Next, she spent 10 years at Market of Choice getting some mad wine and cheese-pairing skills. Almost a year and a half ago, she opened the Cave in Phoenix, Oregon and we will be forever thankful.
What the Hungry Hustle Walking Tour loves about the “Cave” (besides its udder cheesiness) is the whole ambiance and local flavor. When you walk in, you will be greeted by Melodie, likely wearing on of her many cheesy T-shirts, and possible hanging out with Phillipe, the baker, doing what comes naturally – playing with the wonderful variations of her solution to everything. Got a broken heart? Eat some cheese. Need to improve your vision – cheese of course.
The “Cave” carries hand-crafted vegan cheese from Beaverton, traditional cow’s milk cheeses, a wide variety of Oregon made items including honey and mustard, hard ciders, and more. But the “waffle bowl” is what we keep coming back for time and time again. You can find us bellying up to this foodie bar often because it is so irresistible. Let me tell you about the gluten-free, always delicious, sweet or savory container topped with a scoop of your choice surrounded by pickled items, jam or caramel dulce de leche. Why not? The possible combinations are unbelievable. The other day, we tried a vegan cashew cheese with walnuts, dried strawberries and balsamic vinegar. So yum! Eat one by yourself or share with a friend, but you know you never want to get to the last bite!
Mademoiselle Picard is a “pairing expert” too, so every second Thursday, she holds wine and cheese classes on site or at various locations listed on her Facebook page. And she invites other foodies like us to join her with Chai tea around the holidays and wonderful baked breads.
If you are looking for a specific brand name or product, she can custom order it and her cheese travels with her wherever she goes (on platters) for events. Open 12-5 Monday through Saturday, sit inside or outside and savor the flavor at the Hungry Hustle Walking Tour’s bestie cheesy-sauras of information.
Got a question, e-mail Melodie directly at: [email protected]. Tell her The Hungry Hustler sent you to her den of delight!
Oregon Cheese Cave
310 N. Main St. Suite F
Phoenix, OR
541-897-4450
Like her Facebook Page HERE!
