If you’re a foodie, few things are more enjoyable than buying—and receiving—a food gift for the holidays. Food itself is always good, whether the tried and true (chocolate) or the new and innovative (hello, pine sap syrup.) And food-related gifts (cookbooks, cooking tools, and the like) are also always a great option. Whatever you choose, remember to buy extra, and to stash some away—just in case a foodie drops by.
Receiving a shiny new cookbook full of possibility is a great thrill, and it would be especially great to receive The Del Posto Cookbook by Mark Ladner, chef at Mario Batali and Lidia Bastianich’s restaurant. (This one is good for the advanced chef—or those who want the advanced chef to cook for them.) With options like Red Wine Risotto with Carrot Puree and Ricotta Chocolate Tortino, just hope you’ll be invited to dinner. On the opposite end of the spectrum there’s Eat Like a Gilmore Girl: The Unofficial Cookbook for fans of Gilmore Girls by Kristi Carlson. (Tips on how to speak quickly not included.) It contains all the flavors of Stars Hollow, from Luke's Diner to Sookie’s Inn, from Salmon Puffs to the Birthday Girl Cocktails. (Available at Barnes & Noble.) And Everything I Want To Eat: Sqirl and the new California Cooking from Jessica Koslow, chef of Sqirl in LA, tempts with health conscious but still yummy recipes like raspberry and cardamom jam and the well-known sorrel pesto rice bowl.
At S. Feldman Housewares on Madison Ave., an extensive selection of top-of-the-line Le Creuset and All Clad cookware is available: maybe give a serious cook a sauté pan or one of their famous frying pans (with without non-stick coatings). Another option: a Sodastream—turn plain water into sparkling water. Good for the environment and economically savvy, plus fun at parties!
La Boîte Biscuits and spices, created by spice wizard Lior Lev Sercarz, has everything your friends need to make that curry/stew they’re always talking about. (724 11th Avenue, available as well at Eataly and other stores.) The spices are all incredibly high quality and resourced from around the world. You can buy a blend, like Amber No. 2 ($15) which combines annatto, mace, ancho, and spices inspired by barbecue; or single spices, like green cardamom or fenugreek. The Voyager Collection (created with Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin) has spice blends, such as Sel D’Antibes, with grey salt, bergamot and spices. Or try the Oz (lemon myrtle, Tasmanian pepper, coffee and spices); it’s inspired by bush spices of Australian cuisine. And don’t forget the biscuits ($65.) A tin of seasonal biscuits includes pretzel with smoked salt, caramel and sour cream, as well Date & Honey.
Sugarfina (the Time Warner Center) calls itself a “luxury candy boutique”; it seems made for gift giving. We love the Ugly Sweater three-piece Bento box: It contains Rudolf noses (raspberry gummies coated in non pareils); Jamaican rum snowballs; truffles with Jamaican rum; and gingerbread men gummies, all in festive sweater-inspired box. The Shake it Up chocolate-martini shaker contains chocolate-covered almonds in a clear Lucite martini shaker ($40); good for the friend who’s into both cocktails and kitsch.
Honey from Tremblay Apiaries in the Finger Lakes region can be found at the Union Square Greenmarket (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday); you can choose from flavors including goldenrod, linden and orange honey. Andrews Local Honey and Berkshire Berries, also at the Greenmarket, provide fresh honey as well.
Oh, Amy’s Bread, how do we love thee? Mostly by buying, eating and giving several loaves of your semolina fennel-raisin bread. And the new Orwasher’s Bakery on the upper west side is the reincarnation of the bakery that started in1916; it’s known for rye, grain and black breads. Try a wine bread, like Cabernet Rustica, made with a starter from a Long Island vineyard, or the classic pumpernickel.
As long as you’re on the Upper West Side, the By the Way Bakery carries only gluten and dairy-free offerings; try the challah, almond cookies, linzer tortes or cinnamon chocolate chip muffins.
Over at Dean & DeLuca (several locations), they’ve done a lot of the selecting for you: For your Thursday night movie-watching club, buy a Movie Night Box ($60) replete with red licorice Scotties, Vermont Maple and Sea Salt popcorn, blueberry acai gummy pandas, and other goodies. Or perhaps the Snacks on the Run ($75) for the friend who’s always munching; it has chocolate espresso beans and cranberry nut mix. For your cousin who loves to grill no matter the season: the jumbo cedar grilling planks ($25) are perfect for cooking chicken or fish. And for the foodie friend who always wants what’s new: Pine cone bud syrup. She might be the first on her block to have it drizzled over ricotta or yogurt ($30).
For the buddy who has everything/wants nothing, perhaps the white balsamic with petals of 23 karat gold (in a gold box, natch) might be just the ticket. At $65, it’s got a wow factor at a price point that’s a lot less than that gold watch you were eyeing. Still in the balsamic family: chocolate with balsamic ganache. ($22): It says, “I’m in the know, but I also know that chocolate is the answer to all things.”
Foodies need cookware and tools. At Williams-Sonoma, some of the gorgeous copper utensils would make a great set—maybe a skimmer ($16.95); ladle ($16.95), and copper handled whisk ($24.95). The hammered copperplate salt and pepper shakers are also gorgeous and functional ($84.95). And your techy pal who likes to cook would love the Bluetooth thermometer is compatible with most devices, and can track the internal temperature of several dishes—perfect for when the roast, dessert and all the side dishes are up at the same time ($79.95.)
For the foodie friend who puts the foodie in friend, put together a basket, with the Lower East Side as your destination. Start with Di Palo Fine Foods in Little Italy—it’s the place for authentic Italian goodie. Try the burrata and the Lochitello Extra Virgin olive oil, and the gluten-free spaghetti for your gluten free friends.
At Russ & Daughters, get a dozen bagels, the double-smoked Danish salmon, and the horseradish cream cheese. Be a sport and throw in some new pickles and pickled baby carrots from The Pickle Guys on Essex.
For a more offbeat gift, The Meadow on Hudson is the place for Himalayan salt glasses, bowls and dishes, as well as a large selection of bitters. Give the Bittercube Bolivar bitter with dried fruit, chamomile, and golden raisin, or maybe the Hopped grapefruit.
And Malt & Mold (locations on the Lower East Side and Gramercy) has baskets of artisanal food and craft beer; say happy holidays to your college roommate with the Beer Lover’s Deluxe ($75), which includes a growler with gift card and several kinds of jerky, or the Gourmet Kitchen ($75) with tomato sauce, truffle oil, sea salt chocolates, and more.
And don’t forget when you’re shopping at any of these places to find a thing or two just for you. You’ve been pretty good this year, too.
