Paris Meets Love Lane at The Village Cheese Shop

Rosemary Batcheller, owner of the in Mattituck, has a special relationship with the city of love. Each week, Batcheller imports Poilane bread via FedEx Express from Paris to her shop on Love Lane in Mattituck.

The Village Cheese Shop started importing Poilane bread in 2000 after Joan Richardson, who acts as a representative for the U.S. market, contacted Batcheller.

“Joan felt Poilane bread would be a wonderful accompaniment to our cheese, and she was right — it was the perfect fit," Batcheller said. "Poilane has an intimate relationship with their vendors via Joan, who is the rep for the U.S. market. She personifies the warm and cooperative relationship that Poilane strives to maintain with all their customers.”

Poilane bread arrives at the Village Cheese Shop every other week via FedEx overnight during the summer months and during the holiday seasons. The loaves can be sold whole (4.25 lbs) for $45, half for $24 or by the quarter for $12.

Poilane Bread has bakeries on rue du Cherche-Midi and boulevard de Grenelle in Paris and Elizabeth Street in London. The bakery offers different types of bread, Viennese pastries, Punitions (a cookie named after the feeling you experience waiting for them to cool) and spoon biscuits. Poilane also sells jams, sweets, French toasts and gingerbread. Poilane bread has a rich history in France. Apollonia Poilâne, the daughter of Lionel Poilâne, took over the company in 2002 following her grandfather's and father’s footsteps.

Batcheller contacted Richardson, who visits the Village Cheese Shop yearly, and arranged a tour for 11-year-old Peconic resident Jackson Gillies Cocciolone, who recently won a trip to Paris through the French Embassy in New York.

The tour was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Jackson. A replica of the chandelier Lionel Poilane created for Salvador Dali hangs in Poilane’s office. Richardson gave Jackson and his mother a fascinating glimpse into the history of Poilane along with a peek into the wood fire oven and hands on experience with Poilane’s flour. Batcheller visits Poilane every other year when she attends the food show in Paris. Richardson gives a tour of Poilane to Batcheller and her guests.

Step into the Village Cheese Shop located at 105 Love Lane in Mattituck and treat yourself to Poilane bread accompanied by some mouth-watering cheeses from around the world. The Village Cheese Shop also offers great blends of coffees, smooth oils and vinegars and tasty meats. The bright and cheery Cheese Café offers fondues, raclettes, and exquisite cheese plates. The shop is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

The Village Cheese Shop is also promoting a tour of Sicily in October.  It is limited to 12 people. The tour will offer visits  to cheese, wine chocolate and olive oil producers and a cooking class given by a local chef plus visits to such places as Palermo, Modica, Ragusa and the salt flats of Marsala, just to name a few.  For information call The Village Cheese Shop at 631-298-8556.