JENNIFER GUSTAVSON PHOTO | Cheese shop owner Joe Ciardullo opened C'est Cheese on Main Street in Port Jefferson.

Joe Ciardullo loves cheese and he wants to share his passion for the dairy product with you.

On Thursday, Mr. Ciardullo, 35, opened C’est Cheese on Main Street in Port Jefferson because he believes visitors to the downtown area will enjoy the cheese-tasting experience offered at his shop.

“When you start to talk to people about cheese, people’s eyes light up,” the Port Jefferson resident said.

Mr. Ciardullo said he has always been very fond of cheese, from peeling milky-white string cheese, to munching on mini-circular soft-cheese wrapped in red-colored wax, to adding a slice of yellow American cheese to his sandwiches.

But he said his life didn’t become consumed by it until he started to study culinary arts.

“When I was a student at culinary school, I became fascinated with the science and the art form of crafting cheese,” Mr. Ciardullo said, adding that he plans to open other stores on Long Island.

The new restaurant, which is pronounced “say cheese,” offers artisanal cheeses, boutique wines, craft beers, gourmet sandwiches and salads.

The cheese shop owner said visitors to his store will not only taste unique pairings of cheeses — which he purchases from Seacrest Foods International of Lynn, Mass. — but they will learn about the craft, too.

“Our mission is to bring the world of cheese to our customers through education,” he said.

The lunch and light dinner menu offers a choice of three cheeses paired with three different wines or beers for $15. The restaurant also acts as a retail store where customers can purchase cheese to enjoy at home.

“Between the bars and restaurants in the area, I think this shop is a good fit,” Mr. Ciardullo said.

For more information, visit www.cestcheesepj.com.

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