Say Fromage: A Cheese Lovers’ Guide to Mon Ami Gabi

Melting Moments, Compound Classics, and Block Beauties

Everyone knows that wine and cheese are the perfect pair, but Mon Ami Gabi is taking it a step further. Executive Chef David Koehn goes beyond just serving great cheese—he’s sharing the art of pairing it with the perfect ingredients for a balanced dish, and wine for the ultimate flavor experience. Whether it’s a creamy brie or a sharp Roquefort, find out which wines and dishes enhance each cheese’s unique texture and flavor, taking your meal to the next level.

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Melted Cheese

Tomme de Savoie

Straight from the French Alps, Tomme de Savoie is the star of Mon Ami Gabi’s Le Cheeseburger and Summer Squash Quiche. Its smooth, melty texture adds comforting depth and makes it the perfect addition to warm dishes. This raw cow’s milk cheese is aged for at least 60 days, giving it a delicate and creamy yet flavorful and fragrant profile with nutty notes. It’s also the reason it pairs beautifully with white wines.

Perfect Pairing: Domaine Gilles Noblet, 2022 from Pouilly-Fuissé. This Old-World Chardonnay complements the cheese’s nutty and creamy characteristics with its full flavor of spices and lemon zest, balancing the richness while enhancing the subtle earthy notes. The pear and honey flavors in the wine highlight the delicate flavors of the cheese, and the touch of oak rounds out the pairing with a satisfying finish.

Melted Brie

Inspired by Chef David’s family tradition of enjoying baked brie with honey and nuts during Christmas, the Melted Brie Hors d’Oeuvre pairs apricot jam syrup and brown butter walnuts for a sweet and savory combo. The creamy richness of the brie contrasts beautifully with the bright and tart jam, and the crunch of the walnuts.

Perfect Pairing: Château-Fuissé “Tête de Cuvée”, 2021 from Pouilly-Fuissé. The creamy texture of the brie and the wine’s rich notes of stone fruit and hazelnut create a seamless flavor harmony. The wine’s acidity cuts through the richness of the brie, while its slight nuttiness complements the brown butter walnuts, creating a well-rounded taste experience. 

Compound Cheese

Housemade Boursin

Mon Ami Gabi’s housemade Boursin blends chèvre with chives, parsley, shallots, and a hint of garlic, for a smooth and tangy spread that adds richness and vibrant flavor to their dishes. You’ll find it enhancing the Egg White Omelette with asparagus and Ratatouille Tarte Tatin, bringing bright flavors and balance.

Perfect Pairing: Mon Ami Gabi’s Mimosa, available during Sunday Brunch! The effervescence of the bubbly paired with the fresh orange juice elevates the tangy and herbaceous flavors of the Boursin, creating a light and refreshing contrast that’s perfect for a morning or mid-day meal.

Block Cheese

Roquefort

Roquefort is the French blue cheese everyone talks about—creamy, bold, and full of flavor. Mon Ami Gabi’s Roquefort is sourced from Chicago’s Closed Loop Farms, celebrated for its creamy, luxurious texture and its unique mold developed from the soil. Cave-aged for 6-8 weeks, it has a rich tang that pairs perfectly with the Fermière Salad, making it a standout on the menu.

Perfect Pairing: Mon Ami Gabi’s House White Bordeaux. One of Mon Ami’s “vin au bistro” (house wine), the La Moulinière Bordeaux has a balanced acidity and bright citrus notes that cut through the richness of the Roquefort, while its floral hints elevate the salad’s fresh ingredients, making it an effortless match to the refreshing Fermière Salad.

Corsican Feta

Corsican Feta, is an homage to Mon Ami Gabi’s longtime Chef Partner, Susan Weaver’s time spent in Corsica. Not your average store-bought feta, this cheese is sourced with care to ensure authentic flavor and quality. It is a creamy and tangy cheese that brings the Heirloom Tomato Salad to life.

Perfect Pairing: Peyrassol Rosé. Refined and elegant, this wine delightfully compliments the tomatoes and feta cheese with its notes of fresh citrus and light florals.

Reserve your table today at Mon Ami Gabi and experience the perfect pairing of classic French cuisine and charming Lincoln Park.

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