Offbeat eatable housewarming gift for a friend?

October 30, 2006 3:41 PM

I need an awesome housewarming gift for my friend that can be drop-shipped from the other side of the country. Recommendations? (posted anon because this friend reads MeFi).

This particular friend really likes gourmet food. Some sort of tasty, offbeat food-oriented gift basket would probably work well. I really need help with the offbeat part; please don't suggest Harry and David or similarly mainstream offerings.

posted by anonymous to home & garden (19 comments total)

Sweet or savory? Cold or warm climate?

Fancy chocolates are good for most people; maybe fancy hot chocolate mix if the person moved to cold climate?

Zingerman's Deli in Ann Arbor has amazing foodie stuff and ships anywhere. Their cheese rules and their staff are very knowledgable so can help you pick if you're not sure.
posted by LobsterMitten at 4:18 PM on October 30, 2006

good coffee
posted by LobsterMitten at 4:22 PM on October 30, 2006

How about ultra-mainstream? For our wedding present, my sister-in-law went to the local grocery store and purchased every knick-knack in the knick-knack isle (corn skewers, shrimp forks, measuring cups, meat thermometer). She wrapped each doo-hickey individually, and it took us a good hour-and-a-half to unwrap it all. She didn't have a lot of money to spend (and this didn't cost much), but she put a lot of effort into it, and my ex and I laughed all the way through the unwrapping process as we had no idea what was going to come out of each package.

Based on the question, it's possible that this answer is the antithesis of what you were looking for.

Beyond that, I've never known a cook or a chef to say, "I have far too many really good knives."
posted by FYKshun at 4:29 PM on October 30, 2006

I know it's not exactly a food gift basket there are some terrific food magazines out there.
There Cook's Illustrated (my fav), Savuer, Gourmet , Food and Wine, Cuisine Et Vins De France , Fine Cooking; or Cook's Country.

You could go to a good newsstand, select a few of your favs put in a basket with a couple nice cooking gadgets that most people dont have but may want...

And a couple very unusual edible tidbits..(I dont know where you live so I can't suggest a store that is close)

http://btmcelrath.com/
http://www.oliviersandco.com/index.asp
http://www.buffalotrace.com/giftshop/detail.asp?

http://www.redenvelope.com/re/gifts/product_display/product_information.jsp?nc=36825&BV_SessionID=@@@@0783765791.1162254988@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdladdjehfddeecefecefedfgfdfmf.0&refPg=endeca&oid=12057519&nc2=1MasterID=100113

Sorry I am not gettin gthe linkies to work
posted by beccaj at 4:37 PM on October 30, 2006

Vosages Chocolate, specifically, the Exotic Chocolate Bars. Truly tasty stuff you'll get nowhere else.

My favorite is Barcelona (hickory smoked almonds + fleur de sel gray sea salt + dark milk chocolate). Also superb is Naga (sweet Indian curry powder + coconut flakes + milk chocolate).
posted by Argyle at 4:58 PM on October 30, 2006

A nice bottle of wine.
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 5:12 PM on October 30, 2006

Not sure if this is off beat enough, but edible arrangements are fun & tasty.

You could also send a lobstergram.
posted by tastybrains at 5:21 PM on October 30, 2006

Shipping alcohol can be a PITA for recipients; shippers will not leave it without delivering to a person over 21- so either they have make sure an adult will be home to sign for it or they have to go stand in line at UPS/Fedex to sign for it.

I know you can't say where your friends are moving to, to keep it a surprise, but beware of inadvertently sending them a "coals to Newcastle" kind of basket- we got a gift basket from friends on the East Coast with Napa Wine, Monterey Jack cheese, and Ghirardelli chocolate, and we appreciated the gesture but would have rather received some Vermont Cheddar or something. I'm just sayin'.

That being said, Recciutti Chocolates are astonishingly good and have always gone over extremely well when I've had them shipped to friends. They aren't cheap, but they are worth every penny.
posted by ambrosia at 5:28 PM on October 30, 2006

How about a Pete's coffee gift basket? It's the best.

Stonewall Kitchen is very nice too.
posted by LoriFLA at 5:30 PM on October 30, 2006

I forgot to add the link to Peet's Coffee.
posted by LoriFLA at 5:32 PM on October 30, 2006

Seconding the edible arrangements. I have seen these in person and theyre gorgeous, plus they use very very nice fruit. It's almost like giving both flowers and food because the work is so intricate.
posted by theantikitty at 6:14 PM on October 30, 2006

How much do you want to spend?
posted by petersn1 at 6:40 PM on October 30, 2006

Moonstruck Chocolates - Portland, OR
They're delectable.
posted by lilithim at 6:57 PM on October 30, 2006

Chocolate Dieties.com
Something from this site might be fun.
A Tara or Laughing Buddha might be appropriate.
posted by BoscosMom at 7:18 PM on October 30, 2006

Argyle beat me to the Vosges suggestion. Its pretty good quality chocolate, but its main selling point is the interesting and unusual flavors they offer.
posted by Joh at 7:57 PM on October 30, 2006

If your friend cooks, spices from Penzeys are a great gift. And they come in very nice packaging.
posted by cushie at 9:18 PM on October 30, 2006

How about gourmet versions of the Bailey housewarming gift in It's a Wonderful Life?

-a loaf of bread ("that this house will never know hunger")
-a box of salt ("that life will always have flavor")
-a bottle of wine ("that joy and prosperity will reign forever")

Not sure where to order them...
posted by orangemiles at 6:00 AM on October 31, 2006

Wisconsin/Danish Kringle is a very tasty treat, and almost no one outside of Southern Wisconsin knows what it is.

Most of the bakeries in that area are more than willing to ship, and I've had both Larsen's and O&H varieties and can attest to their delicacy.

Here are some links to get you where you need:

Wikipedia.

Larsen's Bakery

Racine Kringle Contact Page

Photo of Kringle 1

Photo of Kringle 2

Photo of Kringle 3
posted by SlyBevel at 6:45 AM on October 31, 2006

Forgot to include my favorite Kringle bakery, Lehman's.

Turns out they're in Sturtevant, not Racine. Could've sworn...
posted by SlyBevel at 7:15 AM on October 31, 2006