Gifts We’re Giving (Part 1)

We think the best gifts are those enjoyed amongst friends — be it a bottle of bubbly or a fine, aged cheese. The SideDish team has put together a list of edible — and local — gifts that might be the perfect items for your foodie friends.

OLIVE AND VINE, 12848 Queensbury Lane in CityCentre, 832-377-1610
I struggle to put into words how stunningly delicious these products are. Think 40 different varieties of extraordinarily fresh extra-virgin olive oils from around the world and aged balsamic vinegars to be considered with their unique tasting notes in the same way that oenophiles consider wine. I nearly cried over the infused vinegars – the strawberry infused, the honey-spiked ginger and the lemongrass “white” balsamic. By the way, you can taste everything in the store, and everything is bottled on the spot to guarantee freshness. For a preview, visit oliveandvineshop.com.

PENZEY’S SPICES, 516 W. 19th St., 713-862-6777
I have been a fan of Penzey’s Spices for years via their catalog long before they had a retail location here. I figure market research spiked by my own purchases helped us to get a store in Houston. (You’re welcome!) They have a gazillion different gift packages, such as the “Baker’s Assortment” and “Some Like It Hot.” The gamut runs from packages for making different varieties of chili, “flavors of Asia” and steak seasonings to Indian curries (sweet curry, hot curry, “maharajah” curry powder with saffron, rogan josh), salt-free collections and more. Gorgeous peppercorns, sea salt, vanilla and the most amazing varieties of cinnamon you’ll ever discover. Visit the awesome store to experience more than 250 spices and seasonings or order online at penzeysspices.com.

THE GRATEFUL BREAD
The maple-cured slab bacon (named “best in Texas” by cookbook author Robb Walsh) is truly a thing of wonder along with the artisan pancetta and guanciale, Artisan aged Worcestershire sauce (aged three months and great in a bloody Mary), tart cherry mustard and pretty amazing vanilla extracts, vanilla paste and more. You will find Al Marcus and his gourmet goodness at various Urban Harvest farmers’ markets, or you can order online with free delivery within 10 miles of downtown for orders of $35 or more. Visit thegratefulbread.com.

LE CREUSET, 5515 Kelvin in Rice Village, 713-521-4466
The new location in Rice Village is a pleasure to visit – you’ll never see so much Le Crueset in one place, in every color of the rainbow. The room is filled with heirloom-quality pieces any serious cook would love, made from the legendary cast iron coated in a porcelain enamel glaze (sigh) along with bake ware, accessories and awesome cookbooks. Each Le Creuset piece passes through the hands of 15 skilled craftsmen.

ARAYA ARTISAN CHOCOLATE, 2013 W. Gray, 832-967-7935
Fresh, gorgeous chocolates made in Katy – there is also a retail shop in Katy, in addition to the W. Gray location – using only premium Venezuelan chocolate, cream, natural fruits, nuts, honey and liqueurs. They are as beautiful to look at as they are stunningly delicious, with flavors like Moroccan Tea (intense dark ganache infused with a Moroccan mixture of mint and black tea and Bourbon Cherry (fresh cherries, Jim Beam’s Red Stag bourbon and dark chocolate ganache). These are far from the ordinary. Beautiful packaging, too. Love. arayachocolate.com.

REVIVAL MARKET, 550 Heights Blvd. at White Oak, 713-880-8463
Fresh foods sourced from local farmers, ranchers, beekeepers and food artisans as well as house-made staples like vinegar, pickles and jams plus local Katz Coffee. Their housemade charcuterie is outstanding, and Revival always has a variety of cheeses from the Houston DairyMaids. I love the olive oils sourced from the Hill Country (available in bulk or by the bottle) and the Rancho Gordo dried heirloom beans. Create a fabulous “foodie basket” from the varied offerings at this happy place. revivalmarket.com