French gastronome Brillat-Savarin once said, “A dinner which ends without cheese is like a beautiful woman with only one eye.” Today’s Groupon makes sure your beautiful women all have two eyes. For just $15, you can get $35 worth of fromage, vin, charcuterie, and more at Scardello Artisan Cheese.

Located in a warm, loft-like Old World storefront at 3511 Oak Lawn Ave., this mecca for turophiles (that’s cheese lover to you) stocks more than 120 seasonal cut-to-order artisan cheeses, including American and European farmstead-produced, along with a selection of boutique fine wines, beers, and other tasty accompaniments (breads, crackers, jellies, cured meats, etc.). The helpful and knowledgeable staff encourages you to sample as many cheeses as you like and will even build a “taste preference profile” for your future visits. You can compose a plate to be eaten on the premises, order products to take home or back to work, or sit at one of the three rustic tables and try one of the artisan sandwiches along with one of the day’s by-the-glass wines. A combination of gastronomical treats also makes a great gift basket.

Reviews

Yelpers are unanimous in their five-star praise for Scardello, especially singling out the thoughtful customer service: > * I think I died and went to cheese heaven! This place has it all…ranging from soft brie type cheese, to goats cheese, gruyere, to blues…the people working behind the case are extremely helpful – Tori T., Yelp > * you are immediately enveloped in a warm and welcoming environment with aroma of cheese, beautiful displays of treats, tables in the back with beautiful, rustic candle chandeliers, and a large window counter that displays local, US, and import cheeses. Talk about a feast for cheese-obsessed eyes! – Sarah M., Yelp

One Facebook follower even recommends bringing the kids: > * Who knew buying cheese could be a fun family outing?! My husband, my son and myself met my daughter and her husband there last Sunday. After exploring the store, we undertook an adventure through the various cheeses trying samples. Once we had settled on some favorites, we settled down at a table with our selections, accompaniments and a nice bottle of wine. We left feeling relaxed and satisfied - and with more cheese and a few other goodies, of course. Even my fifteen year old wants to do it again. – [Susan Culp, Facebook]

Picnic Baskets For Work

According to Men’s Style magazine, the picnic basket has replaced the briefcase and the messenger bag as the must-have carry case for the business set. Before purchasing a high-quality picnic basket for work, first familiarize yourself with the numerous parts of the modern picnic basket:

1. The Basket: “The Basket” refers to the handle.
2. The Glintolomort: Commonly called the “basket,” professional picnic basket makers (called bicbakpicters) call it a glintolomort.

Today’s Groupon helps you keep up with your stylish office mates since you can rent a picnic basket from Scardello’s Artisan Cheese.