The weather is getting colder. It was 30 degrees this morning when we walked outside. We're looking forward to heading home after a long day at spoiledNYC HQ, cozying up with a warm blanket, opening a bottle of dark cabernet, and noshing on a selection of the cheapest cheeses we could find.

We might be broke, but if there's one thing that we're willing to splurge on, it's a really good plate of cheese. 

When we're out with a group of friends, it's the perfect thing to hold us all over until dinner. Plus, we can split the bill when it comes, but most of the time cheese plates aren't overly pricey. 

Unless you're lactose intolerant or vegan, you need to embrace this often ignored item on menus. 

When paired with the right accoutrements or glass of wine, the cheese becomes an intricately balanced symphony of flavors and textures. 

Whether you're a fan of brie, blue (or bleu), camembert, cheddar, or gouda, cheese and crackers can be as fancy or casual as you want. Regardless, you'll be having a pretty incredible sensory experience. 

These spots have cheese plates that just cannot be ignored, in no particular order. 

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1. The Cellar at Beecher's (900 Broadway)

Originally out of Seattle's Pike Place Market, The Cellar was open in the Flatiron district in 2011 to serve excellent cheeses. Beecher's has been making house-made cheeses using local, premium milk from just south of Albany since it opened its doors. 

You have to try their "Flagship" cow's cheese from New York, and their "Marco Polo" cow's milk cheese from Washington state. 

We recommend trying something on their menu from Cowgirl Creamery. For anyone who has ever spent any amount of time in Napa or the Bay Area, you've probably fallen in love with Cowgirl Creamery's "Mt. Tam," a deliciously mild, semi-soft cow's milk cheese. 

We also suggest the Cypress Grove "Humbolt Fog," goat cheese (with ash in the center), or the "Barley Buzzed" from Beehive Cheese Co.  

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2. Amelie Wine Bar (22 West 8th Street)

While Amelie has a wonderful variety of cheeses ranging from the stinky and soft to the hard and mild, their accompaniments to each cheese plate are just as delicious. 

Your choice of cheeses will be served with a french baguette, homemade pear jam, honey, caramelized nuts, and dried fruits. Each item is specifically added to the plate to enhance the subtle flavors of the cheese. 

We'd recommend ordering the "Manchego" sheep's milk hard cheese from Spain, or the "Brillat Savarin" cow's milk soft cheese from France. The "Brillat Savarin" is so delicious you won't want to share.

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3. Murray's Cheese Bar (264 Bleecker Street)

How could we not include Murray's Cheese Bar in this list? They have caves to age and ripen their cheeses. Even though their cheese bar was only open in 2012, they've been in Greenwich Village since 1940, selling some of the most unique cheeses from around the world.

Murray's menu is one of the most extensive cheese menus on this list. With five different choices of cheese plates AND a cheese tower (we're obsessed), you have so many options. But go with the tower.

If you're choosing your cheeses, we highly recommend "La Tur," a soft fresh goat, cow, and sheep's milk cheese from Italy. If you like bries, but want a bit more excitement, this cheese is for you!

Fan of the mold? Try "Rogue Creamery Caveman Blue" from Oregon. You won't regret it.

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4. Casellula (401 West 52nd Street)

Casellula is an absolute must for any self-proclaimed cheese fan. They serve over 40 cheeses from around the world. They also take the time to match each cheese with the perfect accompaniment specific to that cheese.

But, if you're heading there this month (October), you'll notice that all of they're cheeses are from the great US of A. That's because it's American Cheese Month! They've picked some of the best cheeses America has to offer.

Their cheeses are separated into five categories: fresh, bloomy and soft-ripened, washed, pressed and cooked, and blue. 

Their accompaniments alone range from honeys, brittles, compotes, curds, pickles, purées, pestos, candies, cookies, and cakes. 

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5. Lelabar (422 Hudson Street)

Wine and cheese is a quintessential pairing. Having one without the other is just fine, but when you pair them together, your snack or occasional glass of wine (rather... nightly glass of wine) transforms into an exploration of subtle flavors and textures. 

Lucky for us, Lelabar offers all of their wines by the glass (when you purchase two glasses... and really who only gets one glass?). 

That way, you have more than enough wine (well, is there ever enough wine?) to make your way through a delicious cheese course. 

If you've never had "Epoisses," a cow's milk cheese from France, you need to get on over to Lelabar and get yourself some. 

Be aware that it is an incredibly stinky, creamy cheese, but is one of the most flavorful, rich cheeses we've ever tasted.

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6. DiWine (41-15 31st Street- Astoria)

We highly recommend DiWine for the best "bang for your buck" cheese plates. For $19, you can choose 5 different cheeses for $19. Their cheese plate is accompanied by red grapes, fig compote, toast, sliced apples and strawberries. 

Their cheeses are sourced from Murrays' Cheese, which is number three on this list. 

We recommend the "Pyrenees Brebis", a sheep's milk cheese from Aquitaine, France, or the "Coupole" goat's milk cheese from Websterville, Vermont. 

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7. La Lanterna di Vittorio (129 Macdougal Street)

This little romantic spot is the perfect place for a cheese plate to start your meal. They have options for a three, four, five, or six cheese plate. 

Normally, we don't see many mozzarellas on cheese plates, but their "Mozzarella di Bufala" is a must at La Lanterna. It's a soft Water Buffalo's milk.

We also recommend the "Chevre Rondin," a tangy, french goat's milk cheese. 

All of their cheeses are served with baked-to-order focaccia crisps. 

Check out 10 Amazing Colombian Eateries in Queens. 

[Feature Image Courtesy Instagram]