I like cheese. That in Shanghai there is an Italian-run shop selling imported cheese and other Italian goodies is a real treat.
La Formaggeria is the retail shop of Bazzale Group, a family owned company originally from Vicenza that, according to their website, has been operating in the milk world since at least 1784, representing the oldest Italian company in the sector, in continuous activity since at least eight generations. Bazzale is a large company (by Italian standards) selling its products in over 54 countries, with production facilities in Italy, Czech Republic, Brazil and China, and employing over 600 people.
The visit
It is a small shop but full of beautiful food. The center-stage is the cheese and cold cuts counter.
They offer tasting of their cheeses. Gran Moravia is their own brand of long-aged hard cheese. Also Verena is a brand of theirs and it is a hard-pressed cheese with a sweet flavor.
They also have other more classic types of hard cheese (Grana Padano and the famed Parmiggiano Reggiano), Roman Pecorino (from sheep milk, mildly spicy), Provolone (also a bit spicy), Asiago, Montasio, pasta filata (stretched-curd), mozzarella, smoked scamorza…
They also have some cold cuts (I tried their speck, made in China, it was ok) and a selection of Italian sweets and wines.
For 20 RMB (3 USD) they can prepare an Italian toast, with cheese and smoked ham (prosciutto cotto). Unfortunately the bread is a bit too sweet for my taste, but otherwise another treat.
The check
For 295 RMB (44 USD) above is pictured my shopping in March 2019. Most cheese was around 50 RMB for a large portion. The provolone was 200 grams. Also had a pack of “Torinesi”, a type of grissini that is a fixture in the bread basket of restaurants in Italy.
Considering that most products are imported, the prices are excellent, much better than the prices of cheese sold in high-end supermarkets, with the advantage of a lot of variety. If you like cheese, this is heaven.
Where in Shanghai:
1250 Huaihai Zhong Road Xujiahui District,
In Chinese: 淮海中路1250号
Website: https://www.brazzaleshanghai.com/