Season's Eatings

-
The holiday season brings people together - it's called the season of giving, receiving and sharing for a reason. The one thing that is true to all three is the gift of food. Rich flavors combined with seasonal ingredients bring out the essences and tastes like no other time of year. Appreciated by any party guest, foodie, sweet tooth and wine lover, I have rounded up some of my absolute favorite foodie shops in Los Angeles where I always find just the right gift. 
Season's Eatings.
Christmas tree at The Original Farmers Market (photo courtesy of The Original Farmers Market)

Joyeuses Fêtes
Pitchoun Bakery imbues both French and holiday spirit throughout. Once you enter there is no stopping. One of everything, s'il vous plait. Fortunately, this is the time of year to share festive and favorite French pastries with amies (friends): sweet holiday mini Panettone, Christmas decorated eclairs, classic French Yule log, traditional butter cream and genoise sponge cake, iced star cookies and more. Pitchoun also alleviates gift-giving stress by creating customized holiday gift baskets with choices like Champagne, Bourdeaux, or Monte Carlo accompanied by dried nuts, dried fruits, house-made Foie Gras, sweet bakery favorites, coffee and tea and all with a French flair. Available now, be sure to pre-order 2 days in advance here: https://pitchounbakery.com/shop/ (last day to order will be 12/20).
The Aspen Yule Log created by the Pitchoun Bakery (photo courtesy of Pitchoun Bakery)

Classically Nostalgic
I never show up empty-handed! Cake Monkey has scrumptious holiday gift boxes assorted with nostalgic riffs on classic treats. Crowd-pleasers for all ages include El Rollos (their gourmet take on a Ho Ho), Pop Pies (pop tart/pie hybrids), beloved Cakewiches, and Li'l Merri's (oatmeal cream pie sandwich). $62 for 16 pieces; $118 for a 32 piece assortment.
Lisa Olin & Pastry Chef Elizabeth Belkind's Cake Monkey sweets (photo courtesy of Cake Monkey)

One for You, Two for Me
Confectioner Justin Chao of Le Bon Garçon, known for his exquisite handmade caramels, offers special holiday flavors this season. This season gift Le Bon Garcon caramel boxes (starting at $13) with holiday flavors - spiced cider and gingerbread and Chao's signatures caramels - salted caramel and mango passionfruit. The Hollywood shop offers a fun holiday experience for friends - sign up for a private caramel and spirits tasting: orange mezcal caramel with tequila, salted caramel with whisky and tiramisu with port. I'm a fan.
A sweet surprise by Le Bon Garcon (photo courtesy of Le Bon Garcon)


Sipping All the Way
Silver Lake's Vinovore is one of the best LA go-tos for selecting unique wines (the shop features 100 fierce wines by female winemakers across the globe). I love Vinovore's gift boxes (starting at $30 is a deal) for the shop's hand-chosen wine and specially curated items like wine openers, premiere CBD chocolate, and other festive trinkets. Reserve your box for your favorite person.
Vinovore's Beast Gift Box (photo courtesy of Vinovore)

A Local Holiday Food Experience 
The Original Farmers Market is quite the one-stop-shop for both holiday feasting and holiday gifting. I like to grab a brisket from Marconda's - sometimes I call ahead for easy pick-up. Bob's Doughnuts hold a special place in my life - my Dad and aunt used to bring me here when I was a kid. I could never stop at just one, and they always let me fill up on two doughnuts. Chocolate glazed ones are my favorites and this doughnut- coffee shop always surprises with its holiday shapes and colors. The Farmers Market has a whole lot of festive cheer to put you right in the mood. Stick around for Christmas karaoke, carolers, Santa's Elves and holiday crafts.
(photo courtesy of The Original Farmers Market)
Carolers singing and celebrating the season (photo courtesy of The Original Farmers Market)




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Th(P)inking All About October

-
Image
photo by designpik While LA is bleeding blue this coming week (World Series starts tonight Dodgers v Boston), everybody still has eyes on pink. Pink as in October is Breast Cancer Awareness month . This month local businesses are supporting organizations that raise awareness for life-saving research, patient advocacy as well as raise funds to provide women in need with mammograms, breast health and self-breast-exam education. Whatever color you decide to support (pink, purple , or the entire rainbow), know that it makes a huge impact. Pretty in Pink photo credit: Tara Redfeld @thefood pervert Tocaya Organica is serving a Pretty in Pink specialty prickly pear margarita for $10. All of the proceeds are being donated to Breast Cancer Research Foundation   through Oct. 31, 2018. The "modern organic Mexican" restaurant has locations all over town including its newest at The Beverly Center. A Pink Getaway photo credit: Terranea Resort If you are itching ...
Read more

TRUE Love

-
Image
Today like any other day is the perfect opportunity to tell someone you love them. For many that may mean a significant other, a son or daughter, a friend, or a secret crush. While not often top of mind for those who don't have a caregiver in their lives, any person who relies on somebody else to drive, dress, feed, and give them daily care (or for some person you love deeply), everyday is the time to express your gratitude. My mother has the horrible disabling disease of the central nervous system - Multiple Sclerosis. She has been living with it for 30+ years. My family has seen her through many caregivers over the years including where she lives now, a full-care nursing home. I spend as much time as I can with her, but she doesn't rely on me for any of the physical care. It's all in the hands of her caregivers (and, she does have a team of amazing people she can depend on). These caregivers are my extended hands and legs. Without them, I wouldn't be able to give...
Read more

Your 2019 Spring & Summer Outdoor Series Guide - Los Angeles

-
Image
It’s time to get outdoors, take in the sites of Los Angeles and catch an outdoor flick, some cool indy music, and, of course, wine. Here is your Spring & Summer Guide to favorite SoCal outings. Eat|See|Hear Eat|See|Hear  the traveling outdoor cinema series kicks off this Saturday, May 4, 2019. Classic movies are shown at various iconic destinations throughout the different neighborhoods of L.A. The  scene is very relaxed. Guests can even bring their dogs. Before settling into the movie, grab a bite to eat at one of the food trucks (each week features a different grouping of food trucks which include Thai Mex Cocina, Roll’n Lobster, Oaxaca on Wheels, Main Squeeze). *Things to know: Tickets are $14 (advanced online), $16 (at the door), kids ages 5 - 12 $8, and kids under 5 are free. *When: Every Saturday May 4 - September 14 *The Line-up - check website for full summer schedule May 4 - Ferris Bueller’s Day Off at North Hollywood Recreation Center May 11 - Cra...
Read more