I live in New York City and decided to find out how difficult it is to find such a rare cheese. Agata & Valentina, a gourmet food shop about two blocks distance from where I live was my first stop.
I went to the cheese department, one that has been mentioned as having a large inventory of good cheeses in the NY Times food section. I asked one of the men behind the counter whether he had ever heard of Brie de Meaux and whether he had any idea where I could find one.
In answer he picked out a wedge of rather ripe Brie and showed it to me. "This is it", he said. He also showed me the sign that proclaimed that this was imported Brie de Meaux from France, made of raw milk and the price was only $11.95 per pound. I asked whether it was legal to sell cheeses made of raw milk and the man said that he doubted that his bosses would do something illegally.
I bought a small piece and will have some tonight. I looks and smells wonderfully. I wish I had bought a crispy crunchy baguette with it, but I did not think of it.
Is it authentic Brie de Meaux? I have no idea. There is no website for them. Here is the address and telephone number
Agata & Valentina 1505 First Avenue New York, NY 10021 View Map (212) 452-0690 Cross Street: 79th Street.
