"People/Places in My Neighborhood" profiles the interesting characters and spaces that make New York, well... New York. These are the Places in My Neighborhood: Hell's Kitchen's Kashkaval

Daniel Assaf and Corey Samuels

Written by Jessica Cogan
Photographed by Evan Sung

Walking along the speedily gentrifying 9th Ave, it'd be easy to miss Kashkaval. At first glance, it seems a somewhat exotic deli -- straw baskets in the windows and piles of meats and cheeses just beyond. But if you look a little farther back, you'll spot one of Hell's Kitchen's hidden treasures -- Kashkaval's restaurant and wine bar.

Named after a tangy Bulgarian cheese, Kashkaval does double duty as a gourmet market for cheeses, meats and Mediterranean goodies, and a cozy restaurant perfect for sampling the shop's wares, dipping fondue or enjoying a glass of wine.

Pando Andonopulo is the man behind the cheese. He's a veteran cheese retailer, having operated shops all over Manhattan for more than fifteen years. It was at his 9th Avenue cheese shop that he met the pair who would become his partners at Kashkaval.

Kashkaval

High school friends Daniel Assaf and Corey Samuels stumbled upon the shop while exploring their neighborhood. They fell in love with one feature in particular: a small walk-in refrigerator turned fondue room at the back of the shop. Over steaming pots of cheese, Corey, Daniel and Pando hatched big plans for the larger space up the street.

For Kashkaval, they decided on a small shop up front and a larger area in the back for dining. They also wanted to add a wine bar to the mix. So Corey, Daniel and Pando rolled up their sleeves and with the help of a few friends, began renovations.

Pando built all of the furniture -- benches, bar, tables and chairs. Combined with newly exposed brick walls and strategically placed candles, the result is a rustic, warm and welcoming neighborhood retreat.

Smoked Gouda	Olive Tapenade	Goat Cheese

And then there's the food. The more than one hundred cheeses and meats available on the menu are imported from all over the world. Diners can create sampler plates or choose from a variety of Mediterranean appetizers and gourmet paninis. The real highlights on the menu are the fondue and the tabletop grills. Cheese fondue choices include a deliciously sharp cheddar and ale combo, rich gorgonzola and a smooth, traditional Swiss. Meat and veggie combos can be cooked to satisfaction and served sizzling using the tabletop grills.

Rounding out the Kashkaval experience is the wine. Available by the glass or bottle, the selection of affordable Old and New World wines is strong and expanding every day. The word is flights of wine may soon be added to the menu so that drinkers can sample a variety of wines to pair up with their cheeses.

Exceptional food and drink, great prices, inviting atmosphere and friendly service -- Kashkaval is the kind of spot every neighborhood should have. Lucky me. Mine does.

Kashkaval is located at 856 9th Ave. between 55th and 56th.
212.581.8282 www.kashkavalfoods.com.