Besides being the time of year to exchange gifts, this is also the time for holiday feasts. So why not combine the two, with gifts of food and drink?
Indulge friends or family with Petrossian’s “Three’s A Crowd,” a trio of beluga, osetra and sevruga caviar in 30-gram jars, with three vodka shot glasses ($200); Federal Express delivers. Call: 800-828-9241.
The four Chicago-area Burhop’s Seafood stores, including the one at 1515 Sheridan Rd., Wilmette (847-256-6400), will send a whole poached salmon, presented on a garnished tray with dill sour cream, for $13.99 to $14.99 per pound.
Lawry’s the Prime Rib, 100 E. Ontario St., excels at holiday-wrapped fruitcakes that are marinated in rum for a month ($10). Lawry’s also has double fudge, sold in a Christmas tin (8 ounces for $10, 14 ounces for $13.50), with proceeds going to charity. Call: 312-787-5000.
The Palm Restaurant Corp. offers steaks, chops and fillets by mail order. The Classic Palm Pak includes four 16-ounce prime USDA New York sirloins ($109). Call: 800-388-PALM (800-388-7256).
Remember marzipan? The three north suburban Foodstuffs stores, including one at 2106 Central St. in Evanston (847-328-7704), sell it in the candy case ($1.95 each). They also have a tall Santa tin with a pound of Gummy Bears ($9.95), and Mrs. Moskowitz munchies in cellophane with a menorah (from $4.95).
May the spirits be with the one who receives Eli’s eggnog praline (bourbon-spiked) cheesecake ($20), available at Eli’s Cheesecake World, 6701 W. Forest Preserve Drive (773-736-3417), and Eli’s the Place for Steak, 215 E. Chicago Ave. (312-642-1393). To order frozen with a gift card, call 800-ELI-CAKE (800-354-2253).
Convito Italiano, 1515 Sheridan Rd. in Wilmette, has lush holiday baskets. One is Celebrazione, filled with champagne, chocolate, nuts and amaretto cookies ($38). The shop also has a selection of wines and sauces. Call: 847-251-3654.
Marshall Field’s is aglow with its newest Frango flavor, malted milk chocolate (a 1-pound box is $12.75, one-third pound is $5.75). Nutcracker tins designed by Maurice Sendak are filled with candy and nuts ($14 to $24). And the Windy City Party holiday baskets feature Chicago-themed items, foods and the Windy City Cuvee ($100).
Bloomingdale’s has chocolate dreidels ($10), and a beaded dreidel with candy ($10).
Tideways Seafood Crackers are new and low in fat. They’re made with Maine seafood: LobsterBites with onion, ClamBites with garlic and ShrimpBites with Cajun spices ($2.99 to $3.19) and can be found at Treasure Island, Sunset Foods and other food stores.
The eight Long Grove Confectionery stores have some fun yums, including the Golf Kit, 6 1/4 ounces of solid chocolate molded in the shape of a plaque showing golfers, bags and creamy white balls ($14.95); and a jolly traditional Santa, 11 ounces of solid milk chocolate ($12.95). Call: 800-373-3102.
The Farmside Grocery and Winery (with the Lofty Gourmet Gifts upstairs), 303 Old McHenry Rd. in Long Grove, offers such baskets as Snack Attack, which includes cookies, cocoa, pretzels and other fresh foods ($25). Call: 847-913-9002.
Godiva Chocolatier’s 1997 “Fete de Noel” collection includes a Christmas Ballotin, the familiar gold box filled with chocolates ($10.75 to $116); Ballotin Bear, a teddy bear holding a 1.75-ounce box of chocolates ($15); a colorful, 16-piece box of assorted foil-wrapped chocolates ($13); and the Holiday Truffle Box, filled with new seasonal truffle flavors such as Chocolate souffle ($26). At Godiva boutiques, or call: 800-9-GODIVA (800-946-3482).
The Four Seasons Hotel gift shop, 120 E. Delaware Pl., sells the hotel’s passion fruit iced tea ($4.75 for four packets) and Seasons’ silver martini shakers ($47.50). Call: 312-280-8800, extension 2414.
Tutti Italia, 700 N. Michigan Ave., has hand-painted biscotti jars ($50 to $60) to fill with La Tempesta’s Natale biscotti ($8, $10 for 8-ounce wrapped biscotti clusters). Call: 312-951-0510.
Sauces are chic. Restaurant Development Group’s Holiday Basket ($19.95) includes Redfish Bayou Jalapeno Sauce, Red Rock Texas Hot Sauce and Mambo Grill Habenero Sauce. Call: 312-755-0990. Hot sauces from Heaven on Seven, 600 N. Michigan Ave. (312-280-7774), or 111 N. Wabash Ave. (312-263-6443) include Jalapeno, Habanero and Heavenly Blend ($4.95 each). Frontera Grill, 445 N. Clark St. (800-559-4441), offers a gift pack of five salsas ($29.50).
When it comes to beverages, fans of TV’s “Frasier” might enjoy Cafe Nervosa coffees ($10 for a four-pack) with Cafe Nervosa biscotti cookie mix ($7) from the Viacom Entertainment Store, 600 N. Michigan Ave. Call: 312-867-3500.
If you want to wake up savoring the flavor of Hawaii, Maui’s Kaanapali Estate Coffee is the answer. Call: 800-996-2849.
Dalmore by Cadenhead has rare 30-year-old single-malt Scotch ($225), available at Schaefer’s Wines, Foods and Spirits, 9965 Gross Point Rd., Skokie. Call: 847-673-5711.
A. Hardy offers the prestigious Armagnac de Montal in a custom wood box, with vintages ranging from 1893 to 1979 (beginning at $21) at Gold Standard stores and Sam’s Wines and Spirits, 1720 N. Marcey St. (312-664-4394).
If Missouri is the last place you think of when it comes to wines, this may change your mind. St. James Winery’s 1994 Norton Dry Red ($14.99) was voted the top wine at the 1997 Missouri State Fair. Call: 800-280-9463.
For lovers of sparkling wine, Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves 1989 Royal Cuvee is a gem (special holiday price is $13) at Sam’s Wines and Spirits.
For martini types, Bombay gin and Stolichnaya vodka have gift packages available at most stores that sell liquor, including the Bombay Sapphire limited-edition Shaker Pack, with a 1-liter bottle of the gin and a cobalt-blue glass shaker ($18.99); and the Stoli Russian vodka collectible ($19.99) with a 750-milliliter bottle with a ceramic music box that has the appearance of a 16th Century cathedral.
Finally, for the California wine lover: a trip to Napa Valley Feb. 18 to 22. Call: Todd Hess at Sam’s Wines and Spirits, 312-664-4394.
