Review: Cheese Galore & More Carries On Its For-the-Locals Legacy in Federal Hill

Mike Unger — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 16:53:47 +0000

Nestled among the thumping and bumping watering holes on always-hoppin’ Charles Street in Federal Hill is a small wine and cheese bar where most everybody knows everybody else’s name. (The slightly, shall we say, seasoned regulars at Cheese Galore & More may be more apt than many of the younger people in the neighborhood to get the reference to Cheers.)

“It’s kind of Cheers-y,” owner Sharon Johnson says. “If they don’t know your name, they will before you leave.”

Johnson, a neighborhood resident since Sam Malone poured Norm his last beer, opened a stall in Cross Street Market 15 years ago. About eight years ago, she moved it down the block and added a small bar that is adjacent to the shop. Since then, it’s been a favorite of locals who delight in the friendly, dog- and children-welcome, atmosphere and solid food and drink.

Wine is the star here, and the house bottles are an incredible bargain. Johnson enlisted a panel of regulars for tastings to help pick out the labels, and the Noble Vines pinot noir we enjoyed at one of the tables out front was excellent. When we learned that it cost just $21.99, our jaws dropped. (Since our mouths were open, we ordered another bottle.)

Craft beers and canned cocktails also are available (Cheese Galore does not have a liquor license), and beer and wine are for sale to-go every day of the week other than Mondays—when the bar and store are closed.

Of course, nothing goes better with wine than cheese. Johnson’s philosophy is to offer “basic cheeses with flair.” Cheese boards are served with fresh baked baguette slices and crackers, and there are fascinating varieties to choose from. Aged gouda from Holland, drunken goat from Spain, buttermilk blue from Wisconsin, and a rosemary and garlic chevre in olive oil from Maryland are among the offerings. Imported Italian meats and dried fruits, olives, jams, and almonds can be added and ensure that a cheese board here certainly can constitute a meal.

Paninis and sandwiches dot the menu, including the Big Dill, a version of an Italian cold cut with hunks of pickle serving as the buns. It’s a delicious take on a tried and true classic but be sure to request extra napkins. Hot dogs are also a favorite. Johnson started splitting all-beef quarter-pounders and grilling them for Orioles opening day when she moved to the new space, and they’ve remained popular. They can be topped with homemade chili and, obviously, specialty cheeses.

A wonderful array of items is available in the store next to the bar, including hot sauces, Fisher’s popcorn, truffle potato chips from Italy, and local products like Zeke’s coffee and Atwater’s chicken salad. Perhaps the most beloved item is the Asiago dip, affectionately known as Federal Hill crack. One bite and you’ll see why it’s so addictive.

The night we visited there was a neighborhood safety meeting in the shop, where book clubs also can meet. The for-the-locals vibe is impossible not to feel. Next to the bar hangs a picture of a longtime regular, simply and lovingly known as Mr. Ed. “Thanks Ed! All is still good here in the hood,” is written on the photo.

Cheese Galore & More is a big reason why.

Source

Open & Shut: Checkerspot Brewing; National Rosé Day; Bill Bateman’s

Lauren Cohen — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 16:29:00 +0000

COMING SOON

Checkerspot Brewing: After years of anticipation, a grand opening date for this South Baltimore brewery is finally in sight. Husband-and-wife brewers Rob and Judy Neff (who has her Ph.D in microbiology), and their business partner Steve Marsh—an industry veteran who founded the cask program at Heavy Seas Beer more than a decade ago—will officially open the taproom to the public on Saturday, June 30 at 12 p.m. Named after the state butterfly of Maryland, Checkerspot will feature signature releases including the Juniperus IPA and Two Paws Ale—a pale ale brewed in collaboration with Flying Dog Brewery that is made with 100-percent local malt, galaxy hops, honey, and paw-paw fruits. 175 W. Ostend St.

Blue Dog BBQ Company: Harbor East diners have been feeling the void ever since Dinosaur Bar-B-Que closed up shop in the neighborhood earlier this year. But now, a new destination for fingerlickin’ fare is making its way into the area. Set to open in the former home of Heavy Seas Alehouse, which closed suddenly earlier this month, local catering company Blue Dog BBQ will serve its signature whole-hog fare made with a wood-only smoking method. “No gas-assisted smokers allowed!” co-owner Sean Stoll quipped in a statement. The old Heavy Seas space is housed in the historic Tack Factory Building on Bank Street, which Stoll says is “the perfect fit” for his business. “It allows us to create world class BBQ the way it was meant to be made,” he adds. Blue Dog is expected to debut next month, and will offer lunch and dinner service six nights per week. 1300 Bank St.

Cheese Galore & More: In other South Baltimore news, this longtime Cross Street Market tenant is moving into a brick-and-mortar home around the corner in Federal Hill later this month. The cheese and sweets shop will soon open in the former HarborQue space on South Charles Street, offering beer, wine, pasta sauces, baguettes, Zeke’s Coffee, and all of the essentials for building a bona fide charcuterie board. 1125 S. Charles St.

NEWS

Atlas Restaurant Group Heads to the James Beard House: The national praise keeps on coming for Atlas Restaurant Group, which is heading to New York City to serve a meal at the James Beard House next Tuesday, June 12. The collaborative dining experience—prepared by the team behind Atlas’ Harbor East spots Azumi, Ouzo Bay, Tagliata, The Elk Room, Loch Bar, and The Bygone—will bring a taste of Baltimore to the Beard House with a five-course menu and wine pairings that fuse the styles of each restaurant. Featured dishes will include char-broiled Japanese ayu and sawagani crabs, squab tortellini with beets and blueberries, octopus with fava pureé, and spring lamb diablo with English peas.

ROSÉ ALL DAY

6/9: Rosé Tastings at Chez Hugo Bistro

Chez Hugo will be offering pink wine discounts in honor of National Rosé Day this Saturday, but the specials won’t stop there. The French bistro is continuing the celebration with a recurring rosé tasting series on Tuesdays throughout the month. Stop by on Tuesday evenings from 5-7 p.m. to pair chef Steve Monnier’s French bistro fare with four pours of local rosé. Next week’s installment will feature varieties from Bacchus Importers, followed by a tasting with Old Westminster Winery on June 19. Chez Hugo Bistro, 206 E. Redwood St. 5-7 p.m. 443-438-3002

6/11: Rosé Wine Dinner at The Outpost American Tavern

The Outpost in Federal Hill will also be featuring rosé specials throughout the weekend, leading up to this special three-course pairing dinner on Monday, June 11. Reserve your spot to enjoy a welcome cocktail and eats from executive chef Jesse Sandlin, which will all be served alongside pink pairings. The Outpost American Tavern, 1032 Riverside Ave., 6:30 p.m., $50, 443-388-9113

EPICUREAN EVENTS

6/7-10: St. Nicholas Greek Folk Festival

Head to Greektown Square for this four-day fête featuring arts, crafts, Greek wines, live music, dancing under the stars, and, of course, plenty of authentic eats. Get your fix of fire-roasted lamb, souvlaki, spanikopita, gyros, tzatziki, baklava and more at the decades-old community event. 701 S. Ponca St., Times vary, Free.

6/8: Friday Happy Hours at Power Plant Live
Grab your co-workers and head to this downtown entertainment district on Fridays throughout the summer for locally inspired drink deals including Wild Kombucha cocktails, boozy egg custard snowballs, traditional Orange Crushes, and strawberry margaritas with a Domino Sugar rim. Plus, there will be pop-up food trucks, live art installations, life-size board games, steel drum bands, and a live music lineup featuring national acts like Nelly on July 27 and Wyclef Jean on August 17. Power Plant Live, 34 Market Place, Free.

SHUT

Bill Bateman’s Towson: Towson University students and alumni were bummed to hear that this longtime on-campus hangout is closing its doors for good on Sunday, June 10. The local chain spot—best known for its crab pretzels, beer specials, and bottomless wings on Monday nights—first announced the closure on its Facebook page earlier this week. “We are so grateful to have been part of the Towson community for the past decade,” the post reads. “Our Monday nights will never be the same.” In an interview with the Baltimore Business Journal, co-owner Tony Gebbia cited campus construction and increased competition in the “current business environment” as the reasons behind the closure. There’s no word yet on what will become of the space. 7800 York Rd, Ste. 2, 410-296-2737

Source

Cheese Galore & More – Baltimore Magazine

Review: Cheese Galore & More Carries On Its For-the-Locals Legacy in Federal Hill

Open & Shut: Checkerspot Brewing; National Rosé Day; Bill Bateman’s