Named one of the top 20 cheese shops in the country by "Saveur," the opened-in-2004 Pastoral has quickly made a name for itself. Focusing on artisanal bread, wine and cheese, Pastoral sees itself as a place for customers to learn about gourmet foods, even offering cheese courses from Fromagier Daniel Sirko ($40; classes resume in the fall.)

Take your pick of up to 10 freshly baked breads daily, a mixture of more than 90 farmstead and artisanal cheeses (cut to order), a gourmet olive bar and a selection of "food-friendly" wines. For catering, Pastoral offers a number of lovingly structured cheese plates, starting at $29.99 and featuring a variety of cheeses; call 48 hours in advance.