Shops We Love: Paste & Rind Cheese | The Cheese Professor

Location

904 H St NE, Washington, D.C., 20002

Kara McGrath is the owner and head cheesemonger of Paste & Rind Cheese Co. a woman-owned cheese shop in Washington, D.C. that takes pride in sourcing cheese and other goods from women producers while ensuring all artisan products are local and handmade. In 2021, she started with an online company offering cheese subscriptions and virtual tastings, then in 2023 she opened the brick-and-mortar location.

The shop’s first in-person cheese and wine pairing class sold out within 48 hours. McGrath says the community is still relatively new to the cheese world, especially compared to places like New York, San Francisco or Chicago, which is why the shop and the classes are essential. “People need to start somewhere,” she says. “If we can build up the trust and continue to increase their awareness, I think that’s great.” More classes are expected to be offered soon.

Besides classes, the shop also provides catering, monthly subscription boxes, and cheese wedding cakes. “If you can dream it,” says McGrath, “we can probably come up with a way to do it in cheese.”

The Space

Cheese cakes at Paste and Rind — Cheese Cake by Cheesemonster for Paste & Rind owner Kara McGrath's wedding

Paste & Rind sits in a former wine bar and still offers that familiar, cozy vibe the locals once knew, thanks to small tables and cozy benches spread around the space. The overall ambiance is intimate but playful, with bursts of color found throughout.

“The wine side of things draw people in but I actually think that’s perfect,” says McGrath. “If they weren’t necessarily coming in to try cheese, we can increase their awareness with a cheese board.”

The tasting bar serves wine and small plates of cheese and charcuterie offerings. Its dark blue shelves lined in bottles and warm overhead lighting keeps things comfy, making for a great place to pull up a stool and settle in.

But of course, this wouldn’t be a cheese shop without a retail component. Beyond the cheese case there are various accompaniments for purchase, such as crackers and jams, along with a solid charcuterie selection.

Top-Selling Cheeses

Ricotta Alta

From Maple Brook Farms in Vermont, this cow’s milk cheese is ultra creamy with a touch of sweetness. The Ricotta Alta is rich and full of fat so it’s not necessarily a diet-friendly option, but rather something to indulge in. “It’s great to cook with or put in pasta,” says McGrath. “But it’s also great on toast or to mix with jam.”

Goat Rodeo Wild Rosemary

Wild Rosemary cheese is a mix of cow and goat’s milk that comes from Goat Rodeo Farm & Dairy in Pennsylvania. Rolled in rosemary that has been grown at the farm, this cheese is herbaceous with “personality” as it’s creamy with “a little bit of tang”

Plymouth Original Cheddar

This raw cow’s milk from Plymouth Artisan Cheese out of Vermont is creamy with a sharp flavor. Known as one of the oldest artisan cheese producers in the area, Plymouth knows what it’s doing with the Original Cheddar as this is usually the gateway cheese to its other options. “It’s a great place to start,” says McGrath, especially when customers are trying “to be more adventurous but aren’t sure exactly where to go.”

Also Look For

The Trolley Club is a monthly subscription service where customers receive customized cheeses and accompaniments. The box includes three types of artisan cheeses, crackers, and even charcuterie for an additional price. Customers will also receive information on each cheese to learn about how it was made and its tasting notes. Boxes can be picked up at the shop or delivered locally within the area. There’s also a charcuterie option.