Taking Your Steak's Temperature

Have trouble with knowing when your steaks are done - especially if you've got different cuts and different guest requests to keep track of?  These mini steak thermometers will help you through your summer bbq's.

Steak Thermometers  |  $22 at Smith & Hawken

By Robert | May 28, 2008 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Kitchen Gadgets | Permalink | Comments (1)
Search Related Tags: bbq, steak

Sending A Toast via Mail

When a toast is in order and you can't be there, send this beautiful letterpress card by design studio Chewing the Cud.

Make Your Own Toast Letterpress Card | $4.25 via Etsy

By Robert | May 5, 2008 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)
Search Related Tags: letterpress, stationery

Etsy Find: Wishbone Bag

Give the power to grant three wishes with this bag of wishbones.

By Robert | January 20, 2008 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Malaga - a Modern Wood Wine Rack

A beautiful wine rack from Modern Cellars starts with a base unit that accommodates additional units ($160) as you wish.  Finished with hand rubbed walnut oil.

Malaga Wine Rack Base  |  $180 at Greener Grass Design

By Robert | December 1, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)
Search Related Tags: wine_rack

Holiday Gift for the Host of the Party

By Michelle Alderson | November 15, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Cafe Pelé Espresso Cup

This uniquely designed espresso cup designed by Julie Pfligersdorffer will let your guests know you didn't just pick it up at Crate and Barrel.

Café Pelé Espresso Cup  |  $30 at industreal

By Michelle Alderson | September 5, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (1)

Cherry Coaster

I was reading my friend Lizzie’s blog, designwatcher.blogspot.com, and discovered a mention of this very cool product line, iomoi. One of my favorite products is the cherry coaster that you can have monogramed.

Cherry Coaster  |  1 for $25 or 4 for $90 at iomoi.com

By Michelle Alderson | August 13, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Magnets from Pink Loves Brown

Pink Loves Brown now offers a line of magnets to their already popular paper products. Buy them alone or in a group to create your own refrigerator art.

Bicycle Magnet  |  $3.50 at Pink Loves Brown

By Michelle Alderson | July 31, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fruit Stack by Chiasso

This new take on the fruit bowl allows you to store your fruit without bruising and making a statement at the same time.

Fruit Stack  |  $28 at Chiasso

By Michelle Alderson | July 30, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Apron from Rock Scissor Paper

One of three new aprons offered at Rock Scissor Paper, this bird apron adds some "chirp" to your cooking.

Bird Apron  |  $35 at Rock Scissor Paper

By Michelle Alderson | July 25, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Um Tote by Josh Jakus

We love the shape of this Um Tote. Designed by Josh Jakus, the versatile tote can be used for so many things (there is a wine tote, as well). Handmade from 100% industrial wool felt, this uniquely designed tote is also environmentally friendly; the material is collected from factory waste.

Um Tote  |  $115 at branchhome.com

By Michelle Alderson | July 6, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Art of Ratatouille

The Disney animation film Ratatouille about a lovable rat wanna-be chef opens up tomorrow. For those cooks who love animated film and food, this illustration book, with a forward by Brad Bird, is a nice addition to their cookbook collection.

The Art of Ratatouille  |  $26.40 at amazon.com

By Michelle Alderson | June 28, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jack and Lulu Scratch 'N Sniff Cards

These scratch ‘n sniff are perfect cards for kids and adults alike. From design team Jack and Lulu, the cards are available in ice cream/bubble gum and chocolate/mint scents.

Jack and Lulu Cards |  $8 for a set of two at fredflare.com

By Michelle Alderson | June 28, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Eva Solo Fridge Carafe

This colorful, useful carafe from Eva Solo is a perfect way to keep drinks cold this summer. The carafe fits comfortably in your refrigerator door and has a neoprene cover for transferring to outdoor parties. The cover comes in five shades: black, red, orange, lime and blue.

Fridge Carafe  |  $85 at greengrassdesign.com 

By Michelle Alderson | June 27, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tray by Offi

Designed for today's breakfast-in-bedder, the overlap tray from OFFI allows you to work or play while enjoying the comforts of your own pillow.

OFFI Overlap Tray  |  $99 at 2modern.com

By Michelle Alderson | June 25, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Cupcake Deck

25 cupcakes, 25 cards, 25 recipes - Oh Joy! loves The Cupcake Deck. 

By Robert | June 14, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Baking | Permalink | Comments (0)
Search Related Tags: cupcakes

Chocolate Note Cards

Chocoholics will understand the beauty of giving and receiving these "Chocolate on the Brain" note cards.  Each card is blank inside for your own message, and a recipe is on the back of the card to give your recipient something to cook after reading.  Four recipes include Triple Chocolate Brownies, Incredibly Easy Chocolate Mousse, Overly Indulgent Cupcakes, and Parisian Hot Chocolate.

Chocolate on the Brain Stationery Note Cards  |  $8.50 for 12 cards/envelopes at Galison

By Robert | June 13, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Chocolate | Permalink | Comments (0)
Search Related Tags: cupcakes

Bacon & Egg Cufflink Set

With Father's Day coming up, here's a unique set of cufflinks that's a gift out of the ordinary.

Bacon & Eggs Cufflinks  |  $300 at Barneys

By Robert | June 7, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Silver-plated Ice Cream Container Holder

Having ice cream straight from the container becomes a bit more civilized when you slip your pint into these silver plated ice cream container holders ($95 at Vivre).

By Robert | June 2, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (1)

Grow Herbs from a Book of Matches

Matchstick Garden makes starting a casual herb garden easy.  Just tear off a matchstick and plant the tip into some soil and you'll have your own little herb (or flower) garden in no time.

Matchstick Garden, mixed herbs or flowers  |  $6 at MOMA Store 

By Robert | May 23, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Backyard Wood-Burning Oven: Beautiful and Expensive

At $2000, this rustic handcrafted wood-buring oven is definitely not for everyone, but it's a great conversation piece, regardless if you're buying, green with envy, or just looking.

Handcrafted Terra Cotta Wood-burning Oven  |  $2000 at Sur la Table 

[via BornRich]

By Robert | May 22, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Metrokane Vacuum Wine Decanter

On those occasions where you've decanted your wine but didn't finish it all off, then Metrokane's Vacuum Decanter will let you store your left-over wine to keep it fresh a few days longer.

Metrokane Vacuum Decanter  |  $70 at Kitchenzing 

By Robert | May 14, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wine Excursion Backpack Gift Basket

Have a great picnic for two with Wine.com's great "gift basket in a backpack" package.  The Wine Excursion Backpack includes a California white wine, smoked salmon, cheese, and pistachio nuts along with wine glasses, plates, utensils and a corkscrew for two.

Wine Excursion Backpack - Gourmet Gift Basket  |  $99 at Wine.com

By Robert | May 9, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine | Permalink | Comments (0)

Room & Board Goes Underground - NYC Pentatrays

Serve up your martinis and cocktail nuts on these conversation starting serving trays.  NYC Pentatrays are one-of-kind pieces handmade from NY subway graphics.  Unique enough to be signed and dated by the artist.

NYC Pentatrays  |  $165 at Room & Board

By Robert | May 4, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (1)

Laser Cut Wooden Coaster by Sarah Finn

Coasters take many forms and we love this set by Sarah Finn who lasers cuts her floral patterns into a richly stained wood.

Laser-Cut Wood Coasters  |  $40 for set of 8 at A+R 

By Robert | May 3, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (1)

Oil and Vinegar Birds

Stoneware oil and vinegar birds cuddle together - created by Dutch designer Margriet Foolen.

Oil and Vinegar Birds  |  $27.50 EUR at Bijzonder MOOI* 

By Robert | April 25, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mood Bottle Openers - Say "cheese" or not

Named "Shocked", "Crazy", and "Happy", these Mood Bottle Openers brings some life to the tired bottle opener.

Mood Bottle Openers  |  $13 each at Poketo

[via Tastespotting] 

By Robert | April 12, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Kitchen Gadgets | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chork

East meets west in this beautifully designed Chork, a combination Chopstick/Fork just right for your next Asian Fusian meal. 

Chork  |  $17 for one, $30 for a pair at Laura Rittenhouse

Final Word: Chork, like a Spork, but better.

By Bryce Longton | March 26, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Tabletop Design | Permalink | Comments (1)

Mousse Cups for Dessert

A shot glass of delicious, these delectable mousse cups come in three flavors: Crème Caramel, Double Chocolate and Cappuccino Chocolate.

Mousse Cups  |  $40 for 12 servings from Mackenzie Ltd.

By Bryce Longton | March 14, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bacon Alarm Clock

If you like waking up to the smell and sizzle of bacon frying in a pan, but you don’t want the hassle of getting up to cook it—this alarm clock is for you. The alarm works by slow cooking a piece of frozen bacon over a ten minute time period, allowing you the luxury of having breakfast in bed, every morning.

link: Wake 'N Bacon Project Site 

[via The Project Room]

By Bryce Longton | March 13, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Edible Chess Pieces

These charming chess piece moulds make for a great dessert conversation piece.

link: Edible Chess Pieces Cookie Cutters

By Bryce Longton | March 12, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Baking | Permalink | Comments (1)

Steel Wine Style

Some us wanted to grow up and be cowboys and samurais. Some of us are executives, have a green thumb and looking forward to the last lesson before becoming a pilot. No matter who you are, what you wanted to be, or your favorite thing in your life – your wine can play dress up to suit your days or your dreams, with H&K Steel Sculptors. H&K Steel Sculptors are a German import that allows your wine collection to really show off your personality while displaying your collection.

link: H & K Steel Sculptors @ Marcus Ashley Galleries

By Lilly Stein | March 9, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Cutting Up Knives

Cutting Up Knives takes the regular table knife and repurposes it as a beautiful bottle opener. 

Final Word: Dad’s birthday is coming up…

link: Cutting Up Knives 

By Bryce Longton | March 5, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sporadic Wall Panel

Get abstract with this super cool wine wall panel from Modern Cellar. Just insert bottles into the randomly placed holes in the panel, twist occasionally to keep the cork moist and voila, instant, drinkable art.

Final Word: If all the wine gets drunk, is it still art?

Sporadic Wall Panel  |  $155 at Modern Cellar

By Bryce Longton | March 1, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wall Mounted Fruit Holder

Fruit makes for renewable, changeable, eatable, art with this wall mounted fruit holder. This porcelain ring holds plenty of apples, oranges, kiwis, or any other roundish variety of fruit. The ring is well ventilated and quite the space saver for those with limited counter/table space.

Final Word: Still life on the wall.

link:  The Ring Fruit Bowl 

By Bryce Longton | February 12, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (2)

Vinotagz ID's Your Wine Glasses

Unlike dangly little wine glass charms that can be confusing to claim after a glass or two--did I have the grape or the bottle charm?-- Vinotagz makes it easy and modern with their boxy wine glass rings.  The abstractly patterned rings slip on through a slight opening in the squared circle, and store neatly stacked on the neck of a wine bottle. To make it even easier, the rings are made to be written on with ballpoint pens, wiped and reused. They even do double duty as napkin rings.

Final Word: Square is the new circle

By Bryce Longton | January 27, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tealight Tree Candelabra

Dress up your holiday table top with a little bit of nature with this silver finished tealight tree.

Tealight Tree Candelabra  |  $128 at Patina  

By Robert | December 9, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Tabletop Design | Permalink | Comments (0)

Holiday Gift Guide

Hop on over to Yahoo! Food and check out our holiday gift guides -

• Coffee Table Books for the Cook and Foodie
• Coffee Machines for the Design Lover
• Hostess Gifts with the Mostest
• Is Tequila the New Cognac?

By Robert | December 7, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

December Picks from O Magazine

December's issue of O Magazine features some great foodie gift finds from Oprah.  Here's a selection of our favorites -

Drosselmeyer's Nutcracker Cone bring a contemporary look to their traditional Nutcracker Suite of nutcrackers.  

Blis Bourbon Barrel Maple Syrup is aged in specially selected twelve to eighteen year old single barrel bourbon casks.  Available in a maple syrup gift box packaged with their Tahitian vanilla infused version too.

Oprah also loves the rum cake from Rum Cake Fairy Dessert Company, citrus and herb flavored olive oils from O & Co., and the chocolate bars from Pierre Marcolini Chocolatier.

link: Oprah's O List

By Robert | November 25, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fast Chilling Wine Decanter

Rapid Cool, by Eisch, is not your ordinary decanter.  Store it in your freeze to cool the anti-freeze/water mixture in its inner walls, then decant your wine to chill it at the dinner table from room temperature to about 45 degrees fahrenheit in just minutes.

Eisch Rapid Wine Cooler  |  $150 from Wineware

By Robert | November 14, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine | Permalink | Comments (0)

Turning Oil and Vinegar on its Head

Dutch design studio, Jansen + Co, turns the traditional wine glass silhouette upside down and created a unique Oil and Vinegar Set.

Ming Oil and Vinegar Set  |  $28 at Elsewares 

By Robert | November 11, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Anne Black's "black is blue" Porcelain Cups

Danish ceramic designer, Anne Black, created her new line "black is blue" to express "the beauty that comes from the inside" by handpainting blue flower patterns inside her cast porcelain pieces.

Anne Black Porcelain Cups  |  $24 each at PeekKeep 

By Robert | November 7, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Tabletop Design | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gourmet Cakes Delivered to Your Doorstep

Now here is a great idea for a gift - Bake Me a Wish - a gourmet cake sent through the mail to your favorite person. All you have to do is specify the occasion and a delivery date, and your cake will be baked, decorated, and delivered.

This week, I was lucky enough to receive an unbelievably luscious rich chocolate mouse cake with fudgy rosettes in the mail from Bake Me a Wish, a New York based bakery that was founded in 2004. This has to be their most decadent offering, with the cake itself arriving in perfect order in an attractive gift box packed in a dry ice container, and they even put a message on the cake.

If chocolate cake is a bit rich for your tastes, there are plenty of others to choose from. These include the strawberry shortcake topped with whipped cream and Belgium white chocolate shavings or the vanilla bean layer cake with buttercream mousse.

link:  Bake Me A Wish

By Michael Hepworth | October 21, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Special Delivery | Permalink | Comments (0)

A Moody Champagne Chiller

The Moodlight Champagne Chiller glows and changes color to your own programmed lighting scenarios through a control at the base.  Safe and waterproof, the chiller charges up to six hours away from its rechargeable base.

Mood Light Chiller  |  $184 at Unica Home 

By Robert | October 15, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine | Permalink | Comments (0)

Nesting Lotus Flower Bowls

The simple beauty of this set of 8 nesting lotus flower bowls is sure to find a place in your home and entertaining table.

Lotus Nesting Bowls  |  $89 at Koo de Kir 

By Robert | September 26, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

No Tip Wine Serving Tray

Glide easily through your mingling guests without fear of knocking over your tray of wine glasses with this Wine Tray from MuNiMulA.  Available in 9 different extruded aluminum colors.

UU22 Wine Tray  |   $98 at 2Modern.com

By Robert | September 7, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine | Permalink | Comments (0)

When two bottles are just not enough...

BuiltNY introduces a new three bottle wine tote to go with their growing neoprene bag line.

Three-bottle Tote  |  $29.99 at BuiltNY.com 

By Robert | September 2, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tree of Life Serving Plate by Michael Aram

Set Michael Aram's Tree of Life platter on your tabletop at your next party, and your guests will know they're in for a special night.

Tree of Life Serving Plate  |  $115 at Michael Aram online

By Robert | August 8, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

New "Bon Appetit Cookbook" Pre-sales Soaring

Pre-orders for upcoming Bon Appetit Cookbook is best ever!

Our contact at eCookbooks reports that pre-orders for the new Bon Appetit Cookbook have set a new record for most copies sold before its release.  Due to ship on August 12th, seems like The Bon Appetit Cookbook has set the early pace for the hottest cookbook for the holiday season.  Yeah, I know, it's not even Labor Day yet, but pre-sales have already beaten last year's holiday bestseller, The Silver Spoon.

Our review will be coming soon, and all I know about the book is that it's over 800 pages filled with 1,200 of the most-loved recipes from the magazine 50 year history.  Author, Barbara Fairchild says,

"You can always tell a Bon Appétit? recipe: It's a sophisticated twist on a beloved classic, and it's easy to make...our goal is to give you the cumulative expertise of Bon Appétit, with more than 1,200 recipes that will be delicious, first time out."

Pre-order The Bon Appetit Cookbook for shipping on August 12th from eCookbooks at 40% off for $20.97.  Or purchase the cookbook and a one year subscription to Bon Appetit, you'll qualify for eCookbook's free shipping minimum.

By Robert | August 7, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Cookbooks | Permalink | Comments (0)

Have Tea with a Noguchi Twist

Sculptor and artist, Isamu Noguchi, designed a tea cup in 1952 that was never put into production until 2002, when the line was "re-issued".  Available in two saucer designs, one as a stand and a larger version (shown above) to hold as a handle.

Noguchi Tea Cup Set  |  $55 - 65 per set at Velocity Art and Design  

By Robert | August 4, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sampler-size Starters are the Focus of Mustards Grill Cindy Pawlcyn's New Cookbook

Visitors to Napa Valley have either been to or heard of Mustards Grill, the long standing Napa Valley restaurant started by Cindy Pawlcyn over 20 years ago.  Big Small Plates is her new book featuring over 150 recipes of Pawlcyn's sampler-size starter dishes.  eCookbooks writes:

Cindy Pawlcyn, of Mustards Grill fame and the author of the acclaimed Mustards Grill Napa Valley Cookbook does it again.  Big Small Plates is here, and what a joy it is.  Customers of Mustards Grill have long been making meals of the sampler-size starters, the premise of this book.  Here are generously scaled recipes with less fuss and more flavor than traditional appetizers.  And, to whet your whistle, the recipe for Grilled "Street" Corn appears below.  Also in this week, James Oseland's Cradle of Flavor. Home Cooking from the Spice Islands of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.  Oseland is the executive editor of Saveur, and his book is infused with not only the recipes of the region, but with a writing style that joyously invites you to celebrate the food, the region, and the people.

Get Big Small Plates at eCookbooks for $21.00 (40% off).

Also available is Pawlcyn's Mustards Grill: Napa Vally Cookbook awarded the James Beard's Best American Cookbook in 2002.

By Robert | August 2, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Chef Books, Cookbooks | Permalink | Comments (0)
Search Related Tags: napa valley

See the Beauty of Honey Highlighted by BeeRaw

BeeRaw packages a line of artisinal honeys in a collection of clear vials to show off the color range of different honey varietals.  Founder, Anne Becker, first started Bee Raw simply because she thought the transluscent coloring was so beautiful.  Today, her company is committed to suppporting the community of small scale beekeepers in the United States who are passionate about artisanal honey.

The four pack gift set of honey varietals include orange blossom, raspberry, blueberry and cranberry.  Individual honeys are also available in 8 oz. bottles.

BeeRaw Varietal Honey Gift Set  |  $45 for 4 vials - $78 for 9 vials

[via Bon Appetit, August 2006] 

By Robert | July 20, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Stainless Steel Melamine Bowls help with hot and cold mixing

By Robert | May 13, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Kitchen Essentials | Permalink | Comments (0)

Low Cholesterol Crab Cakes by Chesapeake Bay

Chesapeake Bay Crab Cakes features a American Heart Association certified crab cakes as part of their offerings.  Using no salt cracker crumbs, no salt worcestershire sauce, and no fat mayonnaise, Chesapeake has crafted a crab cake that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol.  Might be worth a try if you're craving crab and want some guilt free indulgence.

8 Crab Cakes - AHA certified  |  $62 at Chesapeake Crab Cakes 

By Robert | April 4, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Daily Olive Shopping Guide

KITCHEN
	Sur la Table
	Cooking.com
	Chefs.com
	Food Network
COOKBOOKS
	eCookbooks.com Save up to 40% off on bestselling cookbooks

By Robert | March 22, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ina Garten launches the Barefoot Contessa Pantry

Author and Food Network hostess, Ina Garten, has launched the Barefoot Contessa Pantry with specialty food producer, Stonewall Kitchen.  The exuberant chef with the down-to-earth cooking style has recently completed overseeing the development and production of this line of products that includes preserves, baking mixes, savory and dessert sauces and more. Each recipe has been carefully created from Ina’s tried and true favorites from her four cookbooks.

Continue reading "Ina Garten launches the Barefoot Contessa Pantry"

By Robert | March 3, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Food | Permalink | Comments (10)
Search Related Tags: cupcakes

Hip Wine Glasses: Stack 'em Up

Stackable wine glasses? It's new to us, but we think they're pretty cool looking. These stackable acrylic wine glasses from Crate and Barrel can spruce up any party. They come in green, blue (pictured), and clear and are much hipper than any plastic ones you can buy. And just a bit more sophisticated, don't you think?

By Michelle Alderson | March 3, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Oscar Party: Star Cookies

Can't make the Governor's Ball this year? Sure, the big stars may get Wolfgang Puck's chocolate Oscars, but you can have custom-made sweets for your own Oscar night party. Eleni's New York creates frosted shortbread cookies decorated with the Best Actress and Best Actor nominees, and fun cut outs for all the Best Picture noms. A tin of 18 cookies costs $58.50 (for actresses and actors); the Best Picture tin is $65. Last year, although he didn't win an award, we found Johnny Depp to be especially tasty.

Check out elenis.com for more info

By Lesley Balla | February 27, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chop Chop - a Cutting Board and Serving Tray

Vessel's Chop Chop Cutting board is a pair of bamboo cutting boards that can also be a serving tray for two.  Perfect from kitchen to table.

Chop Chop Tray  |  $76 at DesignPublic

By Robert | February 20, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (1)

Got $1,000? Why Not Try a Golden Opulence Sundae?

I know. It sounds crazy: $1,000 for an ice cream sundae? But, the sundae is The Grand Opulence Sundae from famed Serendipity of New York City and it's made up of the best of the best.  According to the restaurant, they sell approximately one a month, so apparently, quite a few people have some money to indulge in such opulence.

The Golden Opulence Sundae, the "World's most expensive sundae", was created to celebrate Serendipity's 50th Anniversay last year. (If you are paying attention, the 50th anniversary is the "golden" anniversary. Get it?)

Made with "5 scoops of the richest Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream infused with Madagascar vanilla and covered in 23K edible gold leaf, the sundae is drizzled with the world's most expensive chocolate, Amedei Porceleana, and covered with chunks of rare Chuao chocolate, which is from cocoa beans harvested by the Caribbean Sea on Venezuela's coast. The masterpiece is suffused with exotic candied fruits from Paris, gold dragets, truffles and Marzipan Cherries. It is topped with a tiny glass bowl of Grand Passion Caviar, an exclusive dessert caviar, made of salt-free American Golden caviar, known for its sparkling golden color. It's sweetened and infused with fresh passion fruit, orange and Armagnac. The sundae is served in a baccarat Harcourt crystal goblet with an 18K gold spoon to partake in the indulgenceserved with a petite mother of pearl spoon and topped with a gilded sugar flower by Ron Ben-Israel."

Wow. Now that's spectacular. Worth $1,000? Well, I'd like to find out, if only I can get out of paying my rent this month...

Visit Serendipity's website www.serendipity3.com for more information.

By Michelle Alderson | February 10, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Desserts & Other Sweets, Valentine's Day | Permalink | Comments (49)

Curious George Lunch Box Gift "Basket"

Remember growing up reading about your favorite mischievous monkey, Curious George?  With the opening of the new Curious George movie, a whole grown-up generation is reminded of one of our favorite childhood memories.  For all of us and our friends, NY's DEAN & DELUCA is offering two special Curious George gift baskets packed into a classic metal lunch box.  One basket is packed with snacks and candy, and the second is a filled with fixings for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  It's bound to bring back memories to your lucky chosen recipient.

By Robert | February 10, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (2)

Top Ten Valentine's Day Gifts

1. Valentine Pez. Need we say more?
2. Strip chocolate board game. We're not sure how the rules work here, but chocolate with anything is a bonus.
3. Red Heart Casserole from Le Creuset. They make some of the best products around.
4. Valentine fortune cookie. You get to choose what fortune will be in the cookie. Nice.
5. Chocolate dipped Oreos. Chocolate + Oreos = yum.
6. Heart-shaped candy dish. A great gift for the person who loves to throw parties.
7. Fun foodie T-shirt. Love it. May have to buy it ourselves.
8. Wine tote in red. It's practical for wine lovers and perfect for V-day.
9. Dessert fondue pot. Melted chocolate: chocolate dipped strawberries, anyone?
10. Valentine popcorn pops. Sounded interesting and Oprah loves it. 

If you still don't know what to get your Valentine for the big day, take him/her out to dinner. Check out citysearch.com for your best local restaurants. Or cook dinner. Epicurious.com has some great ideas for a romantic feast.

By Michelle Alderson | January 31, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Chocolate, Valentine's Day | Permalink | Comments (0)

Foodie T-shirts with a bit of attitude

Our fellow bloggers at TastingMenu.com, have created some funny and witty t-shirts that will hit just the right nerve with food lovers.  Plainly printed black on white t-shirts, sayings such as "Of course it's meant to be eaten" and "Yes, I do need seven kinds of olive oil" carry lots of meaning for us foodies.

View and purchase online here. 

By Robert | January 19, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (1)

Food Gift Idea: Bacon of the Month Club

The Grateful Palate offers a 12-month bacon of the month club - a perfect gift for a bacon lover's stocking.  Each club member will receive a different artisan bacon every month along with informational notes about each selection, plus a Bacon of the Month membership card, monthly bacon comic strip, BOM club pen, toy pig, and a t-shirt.  Sounds like a great gift to give to yourself too.

Bacon of the Month Club  |  $140 (+ shipping) from The Grateful Palate 

By Robert | December 14, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (1)

Exquisite Stone Mortars and Pestles

Yesterday, we found these strikingly designed mortars and pestles by London based sculptor and designer John Julian.  Made from porcelain (pictured above) or black granite, these simply sculpted shapes bring together a perfect blend of design and utility.

Available and found at Le Sanctuaire in Santa Monica California. 

By Robert | December 7, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Kitchen Essentials | Permalink | Comments (0)

Food Lover's Gift Idea: Shiitake Mushroom Log

This shiitake mushroom log raised some eyebrows with us initially, but the more we thought about it, the more we were certain that each of us knows one perfect recipient for this very exotic gift. With care, this log will yield a crop of shiitakes every 8 to 12 weeks for years.

Shiitake Mushroom Log | $38 at RedEnvelope.com

By Robert | December 6, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wine Gift Basket Idea: Mark Oldman's Secret Wine Collection

Award-winning wine writer Mark Oldman has put together a great collection of lesser-known wines based on specific chapters in his new book, “Oldman's Guide to Outsmarting Wine”. Give friends and family Mark’s “Secret Alternatives Wine Collection” gift basket from wine.com, that includes six bottles of new wine discoveries plus a copy of Mark’s “Oldman’s Guide”.

Mark Oldman's Secret Alternatives Collection | $99 at Wine.com

By Robert | December 4, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine | Permalink | Comments (0)

Simplehuman introduces Single Cup Coffee Maker

Simplehuman has just introduced their own Single Cup Coffee Pod Brewer. All their products have a great design look and are well made, so we have high hopes for this product. Our sample is on its way, and we're looking forward to reviewing this newest single cup coffee maker. Stay tuned.

Simplehuman Coffee Pod Brewer | $129 at Amazon.com

By Robert | November 30, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Coffee & Espresso | Permalink | Comments (0)

Stainless Steel Cheese Slicer

Try this stylish cheese slicer made of stainless steel that uses a wire to cut the perfect slice of cheese.  German design.

Cheese Slicer  |  $22 at UncommonGoods.com

By Robert | November 23, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (1)

For Your Next Wine Tasting Party from RedEnvelope.com

Turn your next wine party into a first-class event. Wine bottles are slipped into faux-suede wine bags with charms labeling them one through four. After tasting each wine, guests write their descriptions on scorecards. Even if no one correctly identifies the wine, engaging conversation is guaranteed, and everyone will leave with a better grasp of the facets of wine tasting.

Wine Tasting Party Kit  |  $75 at RedEnvelope.com

By Robert | November 21, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine | Permalink | Comments (0)

Modern Holiday Cards & Invitations

Special Promo - Free Pashimina with $125 order

Our friends at Fabulous Stationery let us know that they have a great holiday special running right now.  Order $125 of their custom imprinted cards and get a free Pashimina scarf (value $100) with your order.

We featured Fabulous Stationery before because we love their contemporary greeting card designs and custom imprinting service.  Check out their holiday invites and cards.

By Robert | November 16, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ideas for Wine Gift Baskets

Wine gift baskets have become a popular way to show your appreciation to friends, party hosts, clients, and colleagues.  Here's a quick selection of some great wine gift baskets.

• Tour the Wine Country Gift Basket
• Executive Selection Wine Gift Pack
• California Wine Tasting Gift Basket
• Celebration Box with Sparkling Wine Gift Basket

See more wine gift ideas:  Wine Country Gifts   |  Gift Baskets  |  Great for Gifts  | Wine Collections

By Robert | November 14, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bestselling Cookbooks - Week of November 7 2005

From our friends at ecookbooks.com, here's their bestselling cookbooks this week--

1. America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook - by Cook's Illustrated Editors - Many years in the making, this comprehensive cookbook delivers more than 1,...
2. Baker's Tour - by Nick Malgieri - 100 delectable recipes for cookies, cakes, breads, ...
3. America's Best Recipes 2005-2006 - forward by Mario Batali - Every year The Best American Recipes is chosen by critics as one of the nation's top cookbooks. ...
4. Best Recipes in the World - by Mark Bittman - Mark Bittman traveled the world to find and bring back the best recipes of home cooks from 44 countries. ...
5. Charcuterie - forward by Thomas Keller - Charcuterie, a culinary specialty that originally referred to the creation of pork products such as salami, ...
6. Cooking at Home with America's Test Kitchen - by America's Test Kitchen - Watching a celebrity chef prepare a recipe on TV can be alot of fun, ...
7. DVD French Chef with Julia Child - by Julia Child - Chefs of all ages and abilities can share Julia's love of fine French food and learn to cook some of her most-loved dishes with this special collection of 18 episodes from her original series. ...
8. Everyday Italian - by Giada De Laurentiis - Charming, gorgeous, and extremely talented, Giada De Laurentiis is the star of Food Network's Everyday Italian...
9. Fast Food My Way - Jacques Pepin - Cooks in a hurry...

By Robert | November 11, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Cookbooks | Permalink | Comments (0)
Search Related Tags: napa valley

Gourmet Chocolate Bars with Classic Creme Fillings

Chocolate Bar NYC introduces Retro Chocolate Bars made with their finest gourmet chocolate and filled with flavors inspired by "broadwalk candy stores".  Creme flavors include Salted Pretzel, Key Lime Pie, Peanut Butter Caramel, Coconut Cream Pie, Malted Milk, Caramel Apple, and Raspberry Jam.  Available individually or in a chocolate gift box.

Purchase Retro Chocolate Bars directly from their website at ChocolateBarNYC.com.

via Wallpaper.com

By Robert | November 5, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Chocolate | Permalink | Comments (0)

Decorate your holiday parties with Candela ambients

Just in time for your holiday parties.  Decorate your Thanksgiving and Christmas parties with a Candela 10-pack of rechargable lights.

Candela Pro 10 Lamp Set |  $399 via Amazon.com

By Robert | November 3, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)
Search Related Tags: christmas, thanksgiving

Decant your wines easily with the Wine Funnel

Need a quick and effective way to decant your wine?  The Wine Funnel aerates your wine into e into eight separate streams helping smooth out its tannic flavor and improve the taste.  European design also includes a stainless steel filter to catch bits of cork and sediment.

Wine Funnel   |  $20 at UncommonGoods.com

By Robert | October 29, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine | Permalink | Comments (0)

New York Bagels & Lox Gift Basket

Missing New York City?  Give yourself or close New York loved one a gift basket of New York bagels and lox. 

Zabars puts it all together the right way with their NYC Essentials Gift Basket.  You'll get an assortment of fresh-baked New York bagels, Zabar's Nova lox, plain and scallion cream cheese, Zabar's chocolate babka & rugelach, almond biscuits, Perugina Baci chocolate bar, and a pound of Zabar's ground coffee.  It's a gift basket any New Yorker or NY foodie would love.

NYC Essentials Gift Basket  |  $179 Next Day Air from Zabars.com

By Robert | October 26, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (1)

A Retro Wine Rack - The Wine Knot

The Wine Knot is designed by New York based design firm called Mint.  Made of birch and walnut plywood, the Wine Knot is a different take on the standard boxy wine rack designs out there.

Wine Knot Wine Rack  |  $100 at GreenerGrassDesign.com

By Robert | October 25, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mario Batali Panini Grill

Make panini at home with this stove top cast-iron panini grill and press from Mario Batali.

Mario Batali Panini Grill  |  $79 at Sur la Table

By Robert | October 20, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Free Subscription to Gourmet or Bon Appetit Magazine

Order $50 or more from eCookbooks.com, and you'll get a free one year subscription to either Gourmet Magazine or Bon Appetit.

Visit eCookbooks.com to shop over 11,000 cookbook titles.

By Robert | October 19, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Cookbooks | Permalink | Comments (0)

Homemade Pumpkin Creme Marshmallows from Pete's Gourmet

Pete's Gourmet Marshmallows, called by Bon Appetit "a modern miracle", adds a seasonal twist to their marshmallows.  Give a box of pumpkin creme marshmallows covered with white and dark chocolate this Halloween.

Pumpkin Creme Marshmallows  |  $19 at Pete's Gourmet

By Robert | October 17, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Chocolate, Halloween | Permalink | Comments (0)

Champagne Housewarming Toolbox Gift

This perfect housewarming gift includes an issue of Dwell Magazine and set of basic tools including a hammer, screwdriver, flashlight, extension cord, and tape measure.  Oh yes, of course, there's also a bottle of champagne, gourmet cookies, chocolate and more--all in a classic red toolbox.  A Lemonade Housewarming Toolbox is also available.

Champagne Housewarming Toolbox  |  $120 at elsewares.com

By Robert | October 13, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Preserve Memories with a Dinner Party Journal

Use Pamela Barsky's Dinner Party Journal to keep track of what you served, who were your guests, and any interesting or controversial conversations that happened.  Over the years, you'll have a great record of all your dinner parties.  A Wine Journal and Restaurant Journal are also available.

Dinner Party Journal  |  $28 at PamelaBarsky.com

By Robert | October 12, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (1)

UK Tea, Food, and Gifts Are Popular

Seems like Americans have been buying many British tea and food products online to send to their friends either in the UK or back in the US.  If you're American, and visit BritishMailOrder.com, you're part of the 30% of that site's traffic according to CEO Stan Googe.

Whether you're and ex-pat or have some fond memories of a recent trip there, get your fix for HP Sauce, Colmans, Weetabix, PG Tips, Typhoo, Bisto Gravy Granules, OXO Cubes, Branston Pickle and Marmite from online retailers found at BritishMailOrder.com.

By Robert | October 12, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jeni's Fresh Ice Cream from Ohio

Enjoy this local Ohio ice cream maker's creations with fresh ice creams shipped right to your door.  Jeni's Fresh Ice Cream offers many unique flavors -- most of them local to Ohio.  Enjoy some current seasonal favorites like Sweet Corn and Blueberries, Pumpkin 5-Spice, and Ohio Black Walnut.  Plus these flavors catch our eye - Salty Caramel, Cocoa Zinfandel, Kentucky Bourbon and Buttered Pecans, and Apricot Sorbet.   Or order their Chocoluxe package of 6 chocolate flavors (pictured above).

Owner Jeni Britton was just named to Food and Wine Magazines' 2005 Tastemaker Awards winner.

Order online direct from Jeni's Fresh Ice Cream.

By Robert | October 10, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ita - Brazilian Agate Serving Plates

Polished agate "slices" from Brazil make perfect serving plates for your next party.

Also available in smaller coaster size pieces.

Brazilian Agate Plates  |  $65 at Les Cadeaux Gourmets

By Robert | October 9, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Egg & Muffin Toaster

We're not too sure what to think of the Back to Basics Egg & Muffin Toaster.  It screams "Runaway Gift for Christmas 2005", but it can easily become a white elephant gift too.  See it in action in the toaster video demonstration.

Any Daily Olive readers out there who own one?  Share your opinions with us.

Egg & Muffin Toaster   |  $39 at Amazon.com

By Robert | October 6, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Kitchen Gadgets | Permalink | Comments (1)
Search Related Tags: christmas

Elegant Olive Oil and Honey Jars

These beautifully shaped jars by Sili use either a silicone brush or dipper to dispense oil or honey.  The stainless steel cover has a silicone seal to keep the contents protected.

Sili Honey Dipper &  Sili Olive Oil Jar  |  $28 each at Chiasso.com

By Robert | October 5, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Kitchen Gadgets | Permalink | Comments (0)

Taste Test Your Wine with a Clef du Vin

Using a Clef du Vin, or "wine key", helps simulate the passage of time on a bottle of a wine.  Dipped in a glass of wine one second for every year of aging desired, the metal alloy speeds the oxidation process changing the wine's taste, in effect mimicking the effect of cellaring.  Wine collectors will use the Clef du Vin to predict how well a bottle may age helping them decide which wines are worth keeping and when their ideal drinking age will be. 

Clef du Vin Pocket Wine Tasting Tool |  $99 at WineEnthusiast.com

Perfect Christmas Gift for a wine lover--Clef du Vin Wine Tasting Tool built into a classic Chateau Laguiole Corkscrew

By Robert | October 4, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine | Permalink | Comments (0)
Search Related Tags: christmas

Serve a Pumpkin Shaped Cake for Your Halloween Party

Serve your Halloween party guests this special pumpkin cake from Dean & Deluca--a layered cake with spice butter and chocolate fudge shaped like a pumpkin!

Pumpkin Cake by Dean & Deluca  |  $110 at Dean & Deluca

By Robert | October 3, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Halloween | Permalink | Comments (0)

The French Chef DVD with Julia Child

French Chef DVD with Julia Child plus Bonus "Cooking Under Fire" --
An eCookbooks.com Exclusive

See Julia Child in 18 of her original PBS French Chef episodes.  Long before there was Emeril, Wolfgang, or Rachel Ray, there was Julia, and part of the joy was laughing along with her bloopers when things didn't exactly go right.

Entertaining, fun, and real in a way that influenced every television cooking program that followed, The French Chef embraced Julia’s passion for food and teaching and reflected her joie de vivre: “If I can do it, you can do it…and here’s how to do it!”

The French Chef DVD with Julia Child  |  $28 (30% off) at eCookbooks.com
includes exclusive bonus "Cooking Under Fire"

Continue reading "The French Chef DVD with Julia Child"

By Robert | September 29, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Three Wine of the Month Clubs from K&L Wines

When you purchase a Wine of the Month Club package from K & L Wine Merchants, you'll be assured that you'll get a great deal and some excellent wines.  Reviewed by many as one of the internet's best wine retailers (Inc.com, Time, Wall Street Journal, Forbes to name a few), choose from three wine clubs--Best Buy Wine Club, Premium Wine Club, or Signature Red Collection.

Order your Wine of the Month Club directly from K&L Wine Merchants online.

By Robert | September 28, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine | Permalink | Comments (0)

Magnetic Spice Rack

Save space, and mount this beautiful stainless steel spice rack above your counter or stove.

Magnetic Spice Rack   |  $88 at UnCommonGoods.com

By Robert | September 23, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)

Who Needs a Barbeque Tool Belt

Yeah, summer's over, it's after Labor Day, and it's time to think about Halloween.  But I just saw this ultimate barbeque belt on BBQ with Bobby Flay (Food Network), and just had to have it.  Have all your spices and sauces and tools right with you, along with a beer holder.  See - you're excited too.

Barbeque Belt  |  $29 at RedEnvelope.com

By Robert | September 17, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (1)

Crystal Wine Duck Decanter by Ravenscroft

Ravenscroft Duck Wine Decanter, made of lead-free crystal, is hand blown to give your wine maximum aeration.

Ravenscroft Crystal is the embodiment of old-world European craftsmanship and a modern understanding of how the composition and shape of a wine glass can significantly enhance the tasting experience. Our designs, developed out of the deepest respect for great wine, are hand crafted in nearly 30 different styles. Each style is the result of thousands of years of glass making trial-and-error, and is individually crafted to enhance both the bouquet and taste of the wine or spirit for which it was made.

Ravenscroft Crystal Duck Decanter  |  $68 at CalVines.com

By Robert | September 16, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine | Permalink | Comments (0)

Halloween Brownies by Fat Witch

Just in time for Halloween, give the Fat Witch Brownie Gift Tin made in NY.  Fat Witch brownies were chosen by Oprah in 2002 as one of her Favorite Things.  This chocolate gift tin includes 27 brownies in dark bittersweet, chocolate walnut, and blonde chocolate chip.

Brownie Gift Tin  |  $39 direct from Fat Witch Bakery  |  888-41-WITCH

By Robert | September 13, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Chocolate, Halloween | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bodum Insulated Glasses for Coffee Lattes

Bodum's Canteen Latte Glasses are made with a unique glass-in-glass technique to allow you to serve hot coffee and tea that's cool to hold without burning.

Bodum Canteen Latte Glasses | $19 for two at Crate and Barrel

By Robert | September 12, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Coffee & Espresso | Permalink | Comments (0)

Luxurious Leather Wine Tote

Two special wine bottles will travel in style with this leather wine tote from Mulholland Brothers--made by hand in San Francisco.

Endurance Two-Bottle Wine Carrier | $220 at eBags.com

By Robert | September 9, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine | Permalink | Comments (0)

Relax in a Wine Barrel Folding Chair

Made from salvaged California winery wine barrels, Whit McLeod has designed and constructed a folding chair out of 100% white oak barrel staves.  Each chair is numbered and branded with the name of the winery where the barrel was used.

Order online directly from Whit McLeod Chairs.

By Robert | September 7, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine | Permalink | Comments (1)

Coffee Made Simple - CafeSolo Coffeemaker

Designed by Eva Denmark, the CafeSolo Coffeemaker makes a pot without any filters or machinery.  Zippered jacket keeps your coffee warm.

Eva Solo Cafe Solo Coffee Maker Gift Set   |  $89 at Cooking.com

By Robert | September 5, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Coffee & Espresso | Permalink | Comments (0)

Autographed Chef Cookbooks

Sur la Table's website offers a great collection of autographed chef books from authors like Mario Batali, Bobby Flay, Paula Deen, Rachael Ray, Ina Garten, Lidia Bastianich, Jamie Oliver, Thomas Keller, Jacques Pepin, and more.  A great gift for food lovers.

Autographed Chef Cookbooks available from Sur la Table.

By Robert | August 30, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Chef Books | Permalink | Comments (0)

A New Design for Making Tea - The Teastick

The Teastick by Gamila is a beautiful new interpretation for brewing your loose tea leaves.  Your leaves are held in a sliding sleeve that you use to scoop up your loose tea leaves.  The design holds your tea and makes it easy to steep to your desired strength.  Elegance and simplicity at its best.

Purchase directly at The Teastick website.

By Robert | July 20, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Kitchen Gadgets | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chocolate Lover's Websites - Best of Web 2005

From praline truffles to white raspberry ganaches, you'll find lots of luscious artisanal chocolate to ogle over on the Web. Sophisticated French and British sites boast white-glove service and mahogany boxes, while U.S. master chocolatiers like Scharffen Berger round out its scrumptious offerings with things like chocolate lip balm and in-depth white papers on the art of chocolate-making. Aficionados should bookmark Chocophile.com, a news, review and discussion site whose stated mission is to elevate the awareness and appreciation of chocolate on a par with that of wine. --Constance Gustke

• zChocolat.com
• Chocolate Trading Company
• Chocosphere.com
• Godiva
• Hotel Chocolat
• Scharffen Berger.com
• Chocoholic.com
• Gourmet Chocolate Club of the Month

Via:  Forbes.com Best of Web

By Robert | July 18, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Chocolate | Permalink | Comments (1)

Wine for Women - a new book by Leslie Sbrocco

A majority of wine consumers are women, and Leslie Sbrocco has written a straight forward, easy-to-read book for them in Wine for Women:  A Guide to Buying, Pairing, and Sharing WineYou can also find her on PBS and CNN, plus through her regular column in the San Francisco Chronicle. 

Website - www.lesliesbrocco.com

By Robert | July 9, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine | Permalink | Comments (0)

Holiday Cookbook Gift: King Authur Flour Cookie Companion

This book is just in from the award-winning team that put together the "King Arthur Flour Baker's Companion: The All-Purpose Baking Cookbook." "King Arthur Flour Cookie Companion" is a thorough, comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about cookies. The first few chapters are devoted to cookies developed from one or two "essential" recipes. These are ingredient-based cookies such as Sugar Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Molasses Cookies. Later pages cover an incredible range of cookie varieties, separated into chapters such as Bars and Squares, Drop Cookies, Roll-Out, Shaped, Batter, and No-Bake. Each recipe is as tempting as the next, but what makes this cookbook so special is that you get tons of tips, techniques, and explanations that lead to a complete understanding of what goes into making a great cookie. The King Arthur team includes hints on measuring molasses without making a mess, intricate illustrations that outline steps for essential techniques, and sidebars with informative tidbits on certain ingredients. Unlike many cookie books, which only give one recipe for each type of cookie, you can make every cookie-lover happy here with chewy and crispy versions of many of your favorite cookies.

Whether you want to build a gingerbread house for the holiday season, or simply have a hankering for a big whoopie pie, the "King Arthur Flour Cookie Companion" is a cookie resource you will return to again and again for years to come.

By Robert | December 16, 2004 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Cookbooks, Holidays, Special Delivery | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gift for Wine Lovers: Wine Grape Varietal Table

Wine Grape Varietal Table is a beautiful wine reference poster that shows you all the different grape varieties in a easy to read chart.  Printed like a fine art print, this poster is a perfect gift for a wine lover, and hangs nicely in your tasting room or wine cellar.  It is packed with information about grapes worldwide and comes with a printed reference book, The Wine and Grape Indexes.

Visit delongwine.com for more information.

By Robert | December 10, 2004 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine | Permalink | Comments (0)

Lidia Bastianich's "Lidia's Family Table" Arrives

Join Lidia Bastianich on another wonderful cooking adventure in "Lidia's Family Table." Lidia Bastianich has changed the way Americans think of Italian food. With her bestselling cookbooks, authentic restaurants, and her PBS cooking shows, Lidia has revolutionized the way we understand traditional Italian meals.  From pasta to pizza to lamb to dessert, Lidia Bastianich has an authentic and inspired way to prepare traditional Italian meals.

Purchase Lidia's Family Table from ecookbooks.com at 40% off.

Read More:  Autographed Chef Books

By Robert | November 23, 2004 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Cookbooks | Permalink | Comments (14)

Holiday Gift: Richart Chocolate Introduces a Chocolate Vault

French chocolate maker, Richart, introduced a burlwood chocolate vault with temperature and humidity gauges for the perfect storage of their chocolates.  "Chocolate is very absorbent.  The same air will be circulating around onions!," says John Scharffenberger of Richart.  Makes sense to us.  Coming with 112 pieces of chocolate at $750, is this decadence at its best?

Visit RICHART Chocolate online.

By Robert | November 20, 2004 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Chocolate, Special Delivery | Permalink | Comments (1)

MarieBelle Chocolates - Food as Art

Tucked in a small shop in New York's Soho District, MarieBelle has developed a loyal following who probably buy their chocolates as much for how they look and packaged as how the chocolate tastes.  A great gift idea for the holiday season, MarieBelle offers beautifully packaged hot chocolate gift tins and boxed chocolate sets.  Shop at the MarieBelle website.

By Robert | November 9, 2004 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Chocolate | Permalink | Comments (4)

Gourmet Magazine's New Modern Cookbook: The Gourmet Cookbook

Edited by Ruth Reichl, The Gourmet Cookbook, weighs in at over five pounds and 1200 recipes from the past 60 years of Gourmet Magazine. Updated for the modern cook, and contemporary kitchens and lifestyles, you'll find classic recipes, great advice and tips straight from Gourmet's test kitchens. Read reviews from Time Magazine and the Boston Herald.

Available thru Amazon | Jessica's Biscuit

Related Items: Interview with Ruth Reichl from Gourmet Magazine

By Robert | September 22, 2004 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Cookbooks | Permalink | Comments (1)

Caterer Serena Bass's First Book: Serena, Food & Stories

New York caterer to the stars, Serena Bass, has written her first book , Serena, Food & Stories: Feeding Friends Every Hour of the Day. Filled with stories, tips, anecdotes, and over 100 recipes, you may be inspired to throw your best dinner party ever.

Available thru Amazon

By Robert | September 18, 2004 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Cookbooks | Permalink | Comments (0)

Nespresso Leads Other Single Cup Coffee Makers Into Market

Take a look around your local kitchen shop, and you'll start to find a growing number of choices for single cup coffee makers. First introduced 15 years ago, Nespresso machines have found their fans with prepackaged capsules of ground coffee. Now, new competitors are joining the fray after seeing Nespresso enjoy success with its one cup coffee maker.

This summer, Braun introduced Tassimo, Sara Lee brought its Senseo machine from Europe, and Proctor & Gamble started selling its HomeCafe machines. All these machines use prepackaged pods specifically designed for its machine to make one perfect cup of coffee--Nespresso and Tassimo using metal capsules, and Senseo and HomeCafe paper filter coffee pods.

Available thru Amazon Nespresso | Senseo

By Robert | September 14, 2004 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Kitchen Gadgets | Permalink | Comments (0)

Seafood Online: Order Fresh Crab, Live Lobster, and Seafood Delivered Direct to Your Doorstep

Ordering live Maine lobster and fresh crab online for delivery has never been easier. Our two favorites are The Crab Place, and Maine Lobster Direct. Straight from the chilly waters of the North Atlantic, live Maine lobster is delivered overnight direct to your doorstep from Maine Lobster Direct. We love ordering from this family owned business, and their great service. Specialty of the house at The Crab Place is the Maryland blue crab. You can order them live or steamed, plus an assortment of other seafood goodies like crab cakes, clams, and oysters.

The Crab Place | Maine Lobster Direct

By Robert | February 23, 2004 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Food, Special Delivery | Permalink | Comments (3)

K Sensual Chocolates for Valentines

K Sensual Chocolate Bonbons are filled with a blend of Chinese herbs specially mixed to stir the passions in women. Perfect for your special Valentine's loved one.

Available thru their website.

By Robert | January 31, 2004 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Chocolate | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dom Perignon Champagne Teams with Architect Richard Meier

Architect Richard Meier has designed a sleek limited edition carrying case holding six bottles of 1995 vintage Dom Perignon. Priced at $2000 and with only 250 of these cases available, the beautiful package makes for an ultimate gift for the art and champagne lover.

By Robert | December 24, 2003 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine | Permalink | Comments (0)

Great Read: True to Our Roots by Fetzer Vineyard's Paul Dolan

CEO Paul Dolan has written a book talking about the principles that have guided him in his leadership of Fetzer Vineyard since 1992. This is an inspirational read revealing how personal principles and commitment led a successful winery to use the land and resources wisely while enhancing the lives of its employees, and the community and industry in which they work.

Available wherever books are sold and thru Amazon.com.

By Robert | December 11, 2003 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine | Permalink | Comments (0)

Holiday Gift Certificates for Foodies

Gift certificates are a favorite gift choice for many, and online gift certificates add extra value because one gift certificate can be used across a wide selection of online stores. Certificates from GiveAnything.com are good at over 500 online stores. For foodie and gourmet fans, GiveAnything certificates are good online at stores including Chef Revival, Restaurant.com, Wine.com, SimplySeafood.com, Flying Noodle, New York Flavors, and others.

See all the online stores at GiveAnything.com

By Robert | December 10, 2003 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Special Delivery | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gourmet Christmas Gift Ideas from Red Envelope

One of our favorite online stores, Red Envelope, has a great selection of sweets, wine, and food gift baskets. Check out their special Gourmet section to find that special gift for the foodie in your life.

By Robert | December 9, 2003 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Special Delivery | Permalink | Comments (0)
Search Related Tags: christmas

Holiday Wine Gift Baskets

Holiday wine gift baskets are suitable for gift giving to many different people on your gift list. There are a wide variety of wine and gourmet gift baskets that are appropriate for business associates and corporate gifts, thank you baskets, and the wine or food lover in your family.

Wine gift baskets are available online at:
Wine.com | Wine Enthusiast | iGourmet | Wine Messenger

By Robert | December 7, 2003 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine | Permalink | Comments (2)

Holiday Gift Guide: Pocket Wine Guide for Your Palm Pilot

Wine Enthusiast's Guide for your Palm Pilot turns your handheld into an up-to-date wine guide. Get wine ratings by region and year with reviews to help you conveniently select the ideal wine for your occasion.

For more details, visit Wine Enthusiast Wine Guide - 2003 Edition

By Robert | December 6, 2003 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gourmet Gift: Ferran Adria's elBulli Cookbook

The English translation of Ferran Adria's cookbook, El Bulli 1998-2002, has arrived. Read a step-by-step account of twenty years of kitchen work covering El Bulli Restaurant's development, and the keys to Adria's creations. Photographs of every dish, taken by Francesc Guillamet, are found within the 500 pages of this hefty cookbook. A CD-ROM of all recipes is included with each book.

Read Wine Spectator's review of El Bulli here.

Available now from Amazon.

Special order price $210 from Jessica's Biscuit.  Order here.

By Robert | December 3, 2003 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Chef Books | Permalink | Comments (0)

Foodie Gift Idea: Chocolate Candies with a Spicy Kick

Cowgirl Chocolates features handmade chocolates with a unique spicy kick. These award winning chocolates are the creation of founder Marilyn Lysohir, and come in a selection of truffles and truffle bars with flavors like Spicy Lime Tequila, Spicy Peanut Butter, Spicy Mild Chocolate Mint, and Spicy Orange Espresso. Packed in unique gift bags, boxes, tins, and baskets, this could make an ideal gift choice for the adventurous chocolate lover.

By Robert | December 2, 2003 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Chocolate | Permalink | Comments (1)

Holiday Gift Guide: Gift Ideas for Espresso Coffee Lovers

Espresso drinkers are sometimes a different breed of coffee drinkers. 800-Espresso.com features a wide selection of espresso makers, grinders and even ice cream makers, all from Italy. Shop for manufacturers like La Pavoni, Saeco, Gaggia, Capresso, Gelato, and Lussino. Also, browse through their selection of espresso cups, tableware, and other accessories.

Illy Coffee also has great gift ideas for espresso lovers. Give a monthly Casa Espresso Membership, and lucky recipients get an espresso machine by FrancisFrancis or Pasquini, a set of cappuccino cups, and a fresh supply of espresso sent monthly. See all the Illy cup collections and other gift ideas at www.illyusa.com.

By Robert | November 30, 2003 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Christmas | Permalink | Comments (0)

Holiday Gift Guide: Brew Your Own Beer at Home with The Beer Machine

Brew your own beer at home? The Beer Machine makes it easy. Fitting inside your refrigerator, you can make your own homemade beer in just 10 days. This could be the ideal Christmas gift for the beer loving guy who loves cooking and tinkering around the house. Beer mixes from around the world are available from light to dark ales, lagers to honey beers to porters.

Click here for The Beer Machine

By Robert | November 27, 2003 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine | Permalink | Comments (0)
Search Related Tags: christmas

A Christmas Treat - Tamales

The tradition of making tamales during the Christmas season is like holiday cookie baking for some. If you're not lucky enough to have friends bestow you with their homemade goodies, you can always get your tamales from our neighborhood local favorite, Corn Maiden Tamales. This Los Angeles kitchen specializes in tamales that boast being "Hand Made, Hand Tied, No Lard, No Preservatives, No Kidding". Order them online and get these delicious tamales delivered via FedEx overnight.

Choose from over 20 different tamales and a variety of sauces--our favorites include roasted green chile and smoked gouda, black bean and red jalapeno with mozzarella, and a lobster and coconut and ginger tamale. Corn Maiden also offers an assortment of dessert tamales. Enjoy.

By Robert | November 26, 2003 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Special Delivery | Permalink | Comments (0)
Search Related Tags: christmas

Roasting Chestnuts for the Holidays

Whether you're listening to Bing croon a few "chestnut" tunes or you're wanting to snuggle up in front of the fireplace, roasting chestnuts over an open fire is the perfect pastime. Delmarvelous Chestnuts from Delaware offers two pounds for $14.50 or $30 for five pounds. See their assortment of chestnut gift baskets too!

By Robert | November 12, 2003 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Food, Holidays, Special Delivery | Permalink | Comments (1)

Holiday Gift Idea: Photo Cookies

Looking for a unique gift idea for a birth announcement, wedding or anniversary favor? Or maybe you're looking for a corporate gift?? Mrs. Beasley's offers the perfect solution--photo image cookies! Your photo is printed with edible ink on sugar paper and glazed onto a shortbread cookie, simply amazing!

By Robert | November 11, 2003 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Holidays, Special Delivery | Permalink | Comments (0)

Save 50% with Restaurant.com Gift Certificates

Restaurant.com offers 50% off gift certificates to 1000's of restaurants across the country. Available in $25 or $50 amounts, give these certificates as gifts for friends or buy them to use yourself. Restaurants are easily searched and include brief information on menu and wine lists. After purchasing your certificate, you easily print them on your home computer.

Visit Restaurant.com to see the cities and their member restaurants.

By Robert | October 29, 2003 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Restaurant News | Permalink | Comments (0)

Special Delivery - Online Gifts For Foodies

With the holiday season fast approaching we created a new category called Special Deliveries. We hope this section will not only make the usually hectic season a little less so, but also introduce the wonderful world of online mail order gifts to those of you who have not yet discovered this time saving phenomenon! A little impersonal you say? Not so! Time and thought go into every gift, whether you shop in a brick and mortor shop or you surf the world wide web. Check out Special Deliveries as we feature interesting and unique gourmet food items for this holiday season.

To start, here are some finds:

Nonnie's Traditional Southern offers wonderfully scrumptious pound cake presented in an elegant, reuseable hatbox. A perfect hostess gift or great for a holiday get together dessert. Poundcake...simple and familiar.

Gourmet bacon--why?? Because we can and because nothing else rings in a holiday morning like the scent of frying bacon. Who else can say they belong to a bacon of the month club?? "The only club like it on the planet (as far as we know)" Check out The Grateful Palate for more info.

By Robert | October 25, 2003 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Special Delivery | Permalink | Comments (0)

Capture the Flavors of Shanghai with Chinablue

In recent years, Shanghai has recaptured its pre-war stature of the most cosmopolitan city in the Far East. On the lifestyle front, Chinablue founder, Richard Wong, brings his vision of Shanghainese elegance and sophistication with new culinary food products, home furnishings, and future destination concepts that include retail locations, restaurants, and boutique hotels.

The Chinablue culinary product line was inspired by Richard's memories of growing up in Shanghai and his treasured family's recipes. The flavors of Shanghainese cuisine have been captured in his line of sauces, dressings, glazes, oils, and teas. Enjoy these uniquely Shanghainese blends of soy sauce, sesame oils, scallions and ginger, sherry, and black beans.

Chinablue Shanghai Glazes available online thru Sur La Table.

By Robert | October 25, 2003 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Cooking, Food | Permalink | Comments (0)

Get Your International Chocolate Fix

Who hasn't bought great chocolates while travelling in Europe? Or received wonderful gifts of chocolate from friends returning from their trips? Well, now you get all your French, Swiss, or Belgian chocolates online from Chocosphere. This internet only chocolate shop offers a grand assortment of all your favorite chocolates from abroad. Get your fix today.

By Robert | October 20, 2003 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Food | Permalink | Comments (1)

Got Wine Smarts? Get WineSmarts!

Play The Adult Trivia Game All About Wine

Designed as a stylish and useful addition to any coffee table, WineSmarts makes a great gift for someone who has just tasted their first glass or teaches their own wine class. You can use these question-and-answer cards by yourself, like traditional flashcards, to learn more about wine and test your knowledge. Or get competitive and use the cards as a party game.

Click here to order online thru Wine Enthusiast.

By Robert | October 5, 2003 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine | Permalink | Comments (1)

Make Your Pumpkin A Masterpiece

The Ultimate Pumpkin Carving Kit

To do any job right, you need the right tools, and here's the best tool kit to make your pumpkin the talk of the neighborhood. This carving kit comes with 9 different cutting tools, reusable template designs, 2 mini-lights, and a detailed instruction booklet to make your own unique and amazing jack-o-lanterns.

Available exclusively online thru Martha Stewart Living.  No longer available.

By Robert | October 3, 2003 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Halloween | Permalink | Comments (0)

Everyone's Favorite Corkscrew

Le Creuset's Lever Model Classic Screwpull has been a classic elegant corkscrew for wine lovers since it was introduced 20 years ago. Designed by an aircraft engineer and inventor, the Stainless Steel model makes a great gift.

Also, recently named in Food & Wine Magazine's 125 Reasons We Love Wine.

Available thru:
Amazon | Sur La Table

By Robert | October 2, 2003 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine | Permalink | Comments (1)