There’s no getting around it – the holiday season is also gift-giving season. Check your list and you’re sure to find some foodies who would adore an edible treat or some time together at a special, local café or coffee shop.
These gifts are the perfect thing to bring to your host or hostess at a holiday party, or to give to a special friend. They show that you've given some thought to what they might really like – an indulgence they wouldn't think of buying for themselves. And here’s a bonus – you can buy all of these gifts locally and help support local restaurants and businesses.
FOR THE COFFEE OR TEA LOVER
(Courtesy Black Sheep Coffee)
Black Sheep Ground Robusta Revival
Black Sheep Coffee, 203-988-6994, 2750 SW 27th Terrace, Coconut Grove from London, UK, which has more than 116 locations worldwide, has landed in Grove Central in Coconut Grove near the Target and Total Wine stores.
The brand is known for being the first to serve specialty-grade Robusta coffee in the UK, which has a higher caffeine content than more commonly used arabica beans, for those who prefer strong and intense coffee flavor.
The Black Sheep at-home coffee, priced at $14.95 each, consists of unusual flavors, including Robusta Revival, with notes of dark chocolate and hazelnut; Love Berries, with notes of plum, cherry, and dark chocolate; and Rebel Decaff, with notes of chocolate, caramel, and tobacco.
And if you want to treat a friend with a little one-on-one time for the holidays, the Black Sheep holiday drink menu includes Fuji apple, ginger & caramel Red Bull infusion; and a gingerbread latte, topped with whipped cream and Biscoff crumbs.
If your foodie friends prefer tea, the Assorted Williams-Sonoma Signature Tin Tea Gift Set, priced at $44.95, includes black tea, breakfast tea, green tea, and herbal tea. Find it at area Williams-Sonoma stores in Miami Beach, Coral Gables, and Hallandale Beach.
FOR THE COOK
(Courtesy Piro Olive Oil)
Olio Piro, 500 ml bottle
Sure, anyone can bring a bottle of wine, but think of how much a cook would enjoy a fine bottle of olive oil. Piro Olive Oil is an award-winning, high-antioxidant extra virgin olive oil imported fresh from Tuscany and featured in Michelin-starred restaurants around the world. All you need is a drizzle to level up your favorite dishes. Priced at $56, grab of bottle of Piro at Mamma Leone, 305- 960-7161, 210 NE 82nd St., Miami and Casa Tua Cucina, 305-755-0320, Brickell City Centre, 70 SW 7th St., Miami.
FOR THE HOME ENTERTAINER
If you have a foodie friend who loves to entertain, make their hosting job a little easier with goodies from a local gourmet shop. Graziano's 305-460-0001, 2301 Galiano St., Coral Gables is a longtime Argentinean gourmet retailer featuring Latin American artisanal goods, wines, traditional comfort fare, and prosciutto and cheeses, perfect for a holiday party. Or try Salumeria 104, 785-947-5342, 117 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables offers charcuterie platters, meatballs by the dozen, lasagna del salumiere, tiramisu, and cannoli.
(Courtesy Salumeria 104)
Salumeria 104 board of Salumi
FOR THE COOKIE LOVER
Who doesn’t love a great holiday cookie? Cookie lovers are sure to be thrilled with the huge and decadent whole Cookie Monster Pie from Fireman Derek's Bake Shop & Café, which has chocolate chunks, crushed Oreo cookies, and cheesecake filling, topped with whipped cream, cookies, Ghirardelli chocolate and caramel sauce. Fireman Derek has two Miami locations, one in Wynwood and one in Coconut Grove.
(Courtesy Salumeria 104)
Salumeria 104 cheese board
FOR THE PIE LOVER
There’s something about the holidays that make a pie just the right dessert and the apple crumb or pumpkin pies from Maman, a French bakery, café and lifestyle brand, are sure to be a dessert lover. Mamam has two Miami-area locations, one in Coral Gables and one in South Beach.
FOR THE ITALIAN DESSERT LOVER
Panettone is a traditional Italian sweet bread, a popular festive food especially during Christmas. It has a tall, dome shape and a light, airy, buttery texture. You can buy authentic Italian Panettone at Laurenzo's Gourmet Italian Market, 305- 945-6381, 16385 W. Dixie Hwy., N. Miami Beach, a family-run market focusing on fresh seafood, and also has a deli and a bakery; and Bottega La Dolce Vita, 305- 967-8164, 4710 S. LeJeune Rd., Coral Gables, which carries a variety of Italian sweets, cheeses, cured meats, and ready-to-go food, including frozen lasagna and home-made sauces made by the owners.
(Courtesy Fireman's Derek's Bake Shop & Cafe )
Fireman Derek's Cookie Monster Pie
FOR THE FRENCH DESSERT LOVER
For a festive holiday showstopper, give the French-loving foodie on your list a Bûche de Noël, also known as a Yule Log, a traditional French Christmas dessert that consists of a decorated sponge cake roll made to resemble a log. It's available at Maison Valentine, 785-535-1432, 1112 15th St., South Beach, a French bakery and café that offers traditional French pastries, artisanal sandwiches, and coffee. Or treat your foodie friend to a holiday lunch at Maison Valentine, which was founded by French chefs intent on providing their guests with an authentic Parisian experience. Choose from items like croissants, choux pastries, quiches, and lunch options such as a croque monsieur. Order online for delivery, at maisonvalentine.com.