Christmas present for the In-Laws! Help!
I'm visiting my friend and his family in the Bay Area around Christmas time and would love to bring an edible gift with me from New York. The food gift doesn't have to be distinctly "New York," but it would be nice to bring something that is unique and maybe not so easily found in CA. Lox and bagels come to mind, but my friend doesn't really like them. And after considering Shake Shack and Gray's, I've relented to the sad fact that burgers and hot dogs won't travel so well in my carry-on...HELP!
(Note- They aren't *technically* my in-laws, but they possess the in-law "spirit" and a food blog is no place for the finer details of my love life!)
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
Start Talking!
Need a question answered? Have advice to share? Start a Talk topic now!
Sign up to get your questions answered and share advice.
16 Comments:
A case of olives stuffed with anchovies......why a case because when have one you'll want more
Markbb at 11:27AM on 12/04/08
You could put together an egg cream gift. Buy them some cool glasses (which are always a nice gift) and take some Fox's u-bet chocolate syrup with you out there. Then when you arrive, you get the millk and the seltzer when you arrive.
LadyMarmalade at 11:55AM on 12/04/08
Could be a Harry and David situation. They have lovely pears and citrus fruit.
When my in laws did not come for Christmas I would send Harry and David.
Also Jacques Torres has the nicest boxed chocolates and gift baskets.
Fortum and Mason has great tea and stuff baskets.
http://www.fortnumandmason-usa.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=PPC&utm_term=fortum+mason+&utm_content=Brand&utm_campaign=VCCP%2BSearch&gclid=CJCS4PO2p5cCFQJHxwodBxM5Ug
JerzeeTomato at 11:56AM on 12/04/08
A salami from Katz's!
KateRuby at 12:12PM on 12/04/08
How about NY water? LOL
pjracz10 at 4:09PM on 12/04/08
Cheesecake! It travels decently well or you could even have it shipped from a well-known place like Junior's...New York is known for their cheesecake and now that I don't live there anymore I DEFINITELY miss it.
Cupcakes are also fun and if transported properly, can get the job done well..try Magnolia's or if you're feeling adventurous, Crumbs.
Black and white cookies are also apparently a New York treat. All the bakeries make them and if you ask them to pack them neatly would be a delicious gift for any East Coaster!
And lastly (I promise I'll stop after this!) you might want to consider an antipasto basket or something from a really good Italian deli. You can't go wrong with some fresh pasta, soppresatta, cheese, cured peppers, maybe some Italian cookies...especially from, lets say, Arthur Ave in the Bronx, that is a verrry authentic New York gift.
decemberain27 at 4:10PM on 12/04/08
Please not Harry & David. I've not had good luck with their fruit in terms of taste - visually, it's lovely, but tongue-wise, not so much. I've had great luck with honeybells from Cushman's in Florida if citrus is what you choose. I'd think about the salami or cheesecake and have it shipped. I personally wouldn't want to carry a bakery cake cross country traveling for the holidays.
lemons at 4:19PM on 12/04/08
Chocolates from Black Hound, on 3rd Avenue (their only shop).
mongoose at 4:30PM on 12/04/08
A whole pastrami from a good jewish deli
onepercent99 at 6:07PM on 12/04/08
They might enjoy a bottle or jug of pure New York maple syrup. That's what my family asks for. You wouldn't be able to pack it in a carry on bag though.
yankeesgal at 7:11PM on 12/04/08
Make Rainbow cookies from Epicurious.
bemily at 10:37AM on 12/05/08
Black Hound is on 2nd Avenue, not 3rd Avenue, BTW.
For chocolates, I recommend Jacques Torres, and they are beautiful, packed quite nicely, and travel well. Cheesecake, black and white cookies, and pastrami would also work well and not look suspicious to the TSA.
For pastrami, Katz's can vacuum seal them and give you reheating instructions. Cupcakes would probably dry out by the time you got from NYC to CA.
Also, I would add Zabar's babka, Mallomars, and pickles from Gus' to your shopping list.
Agree that maple syrup wouldn't work as a carry on item. Neither would Fox's U-Bet syrup. However, you could potentially bring maple candy from the Union Square Greenmarket.
Other Greenmarket items that would work:
- Oak Grove for unique grains (and I think they have some interesting flours and pancake mix, as well as corn for popping)
- 3 Corner Field for sheep's milk cheeses or soap
- Twin Spruce honey (there are a few vendors but I forget which one is illegally gotten NYC rooftop honey) -- not sure if TSA would allow honey though
See here for restrictions: Maple syrup and jams/jellies are specifically banned.
http://www.tsa.dhs.gov/travelers/airtravel/holiday.shtm
kathryn at 1:36PM on 12/05/08
Maple syrup (or honey) could go into the checked luggage... don't think I'd want to take a chance on transporting dairy products, regardless. to disappointing if they were spoiled in transit.
@kathryn: Yep, you're right... I'm bad about directions, because I know how to get places, so I don't pay as much attention as I might to street names and so on. Main point, they're good, and definitely a New York thing.
Torres' chocolates are okay, but never seem to taste as good as I expect, they're always a let-down. But that's just me.
mongoose at 1:46PM on 12/05/08
good calls all around about not transporting baked goods ;) But they indeed can be shipped!
decemberain27 at 2:05PM on 12/05/08
Personally I like Kee's the most, but they're so fragile! Also I think her flavor combinations might be a little out there for some tastes. Jacques chocolates are the best balance between shelf life, taste, and presentation.
kathryn at 6:04PM on 12/05/08
Thanks everyone!
Jenn Sit at 10:33AM on 12/08/08