With swimsuit season coming to a close we can now turn our attention to bulking up for the winter with delicious comfort foods, namely loads of dairy and carbs. Let's welcome Meltkraft, a new artisan grilled cheese shop with an excellent dairy pedigree. Opening next week in the former Almondine space on 9th Street in Park Slope, Meltkraft brings a heart-stopping menu of comfort food bliss to the neighborhood, with cheese sourced from owner Eran Wajswol's New Jersey farm Valley Shepherd Creamery.

Like their original Philadelphia location, Meltkraft grills up seven different cheese-based sandwiches, using everything from aged cheddar to brie combined with all sorts of tasty fillings. Purists will dig the Shepherd Classic—filled with three Valley Shepherd cheese aged three months—but we're most excited for the Valley Thunder: 12 month aged cheddar, Bubbe's brisket and baked macaroni and cheese. You can also opt to grill your sandwich in duck or bacon fat for a small fee. If there's a better ambassador for comfort-waist jeans we certainly can't think of it.

Roasted fennel and tomato soup and a kale and fennel coleslaw lighten up all the dairy. Grub Street notes that the shop will offer a rotating selection of regional microbrews and the menu reveals that natural wines will be available by the glass or bottle.

442 9th Street, Park Slope, (347) 889-6290; valleyshepherd.com/meltkraft-brooklyn

Meltkraft Menu