Last-Minute Shoppers, Check Out These 10 Great Gifts for Gourmands!

Last-Minute Shoppers, Check Out These 10 Great Gifts for Gourmands!

Milk Mustache's six-ounce cookies can be shipped nationwide.

YOU KNOW THE way to a foodie’s heart? Consumables. The clock is ticking — time to wrap up gifting. These 10 yummy local ideas might save the day!


Madame Zéro Champagne

Houstonian Matthew Massey’s Madame Zéro Champagne, known for its low sugar content and transparent nutrition information, has launched its first rosé Champagne and gift sets. The single set comesembossed in a black lacquered gift box holding premier cru blanc de blancs or rosé encased in velvet, along with a Modern Madame Champagne stopper — an essential tool for Champagne lovers (starting at $100). The luxury trio gift includes bottles of your choosing (starting at $250). Peruse the Champagne gift options and consider yourself prepared for New Year’s Eve!

Hope Farms & Recipe for Success

Recipe for Success Foundation offers natural bath products and food-inspired gifts for everyone, whether it be fresh vegetables and herbs to cook with, or beautiful flowers. “Let’s Cook!”includes Hope Farms’ signature chambray blue apron and Cook the Harvest gift certificate for one cooking class ($109.00 + delivery). Hope Farms’ “Culinary Adventure” includes a Taste of Hope Farms produce presentation, Cook the Harvest Class, and signature apron ($149.00 + delivery). And the “Pickled Produce” package sports one jar each of pickled okra and pickled peppers ($29.00 + delivery). Check out options and purchase here.

Feges BBQ

From sauces to rubs and fresh smoked meats, this new-generation family-run barbecue joint has gifts galore for the pit master or wannabe. Consider the Texas Trinity: a whole rack of glistening pork ribs, two pounds of sliced brisket, and one link of juicy German style sausage ($100). Order here.

Montrose Cheese & Wine

Photo by Julie Soefer

Peruse the food and wine gifts online, or stop by the adorable shop to place an order. A few good ideas for any foodie: Small cheese and charcuterie box (feeds 4-8, $85) with three cheeses, a quarter pound each of prosciutto di Parma and schiacciata picante, house lemon almond-hazelnut mix, cornichons, grapes, and Bee2bee local honey (must be ordered 24 hours in advance). Also available are large cheese-and-charcuterie and other combo boxes, select wines, and custom gift packs.

Goode Company Restaurants

Don’t forget about our local fave for pies, smoked meats, barbeque and gift sets! Its Hall of Flame online store is ready to ship Goode’s Brazos Bottom Pecan Pie, packed and shipped in custom keepsake wooden boxes fire-branded with “MADE IN TEXAS” and the Goode Co. motto, “You might give some serious thought to thanking your lucky stars you’re in Texas.” Price is $54 per pie, which can be shipped nationwide for $5; optionally, purchase in a sturdy cardboard box (+$45, free shipping).

Xochi

Gift a box of unique Xocolatl Oaxacan-inspired chocolates — eight handmade delicacies that start with cacao beans roasted in-house, and blended with sugar and cinnamon to make a truly great chocolate. Flavors of the individual artisan chocolates are Rompope, Café de Olla, Peppermint-Oreo, Cranberry-Orange ($24 plus shipping).

Brennan's of Houston

That wonderful praline that you receive gratis after your meal at Brennan’s of Houston can be ordered online and shipped nationwide. These world-class pralines come in a decorative box that will be great for any sweet tooth. Gift boxes are carefully packed with 12 handmade pralines ($25 plus shipping).

Houston Dairymaids

Hop online and order the Holiday Cheese Bag ($60). The five incredible cheese selections from Texas, California and beyond will impress even the pickiest fromage connoisseur. Hoja Santa, creamy fresh goat cheese wrapped Hoja Santa leaves; Trillium, award-winning triple cream brie from Tulip Tree Dairy, Ind.; and Original Blue flagship blue from Pt. Reyes Farmstead, Calif., are a few of the gems.

Messina Hof

Searching for a last-minute gift or New Year’s inspiration? Consider Messina Hof’s wine bundles. Order online or stop by the new Richmond winery tasting room and café on Harvest Green, just 45 minutes from Houston. Options include the Sparkling Wine Trio ($85) with brut, rosé and almond Texas bubbles, or the Red & White Wine Duo ($40) featuring private reserve tempranillo and viognier, perfect for family dinners and celebrations. For the Aggie fan, its Aggie Network Gift Set ($85) is a no-brainer. The Association of Former Students has partnered with Messina Hof to select a limited offering of great Texas wines. The set includes Midnight Yell chardonnay and Gig 'Em Red.

Milk Mustache

We couldn’t leave without something sweet. This cute new cookie shop from Mom-turned-baker-entrepreneur Tracy Jones touts giant, soft, gooey goodness right on time for the indulgent season. You can’t miss with dreamy cookie flavors like Campfire Bliss with a melted-marshmallow center, Nutella Dream, sea-salt-caramel-pecan, and red velvet filled with cream cheese. Pick up a box or ship nationwide. Details here.

Food
In Time for 'Movember,' Top Spa Pro Offers Tips for Men Looking to Make the Most of a Spa Visit

AS WE MOVE into Movember, men’s mental health is a big topic. In fact, men can get a lot of benefit, both mentally and physically by taking advantage of everything a spa has to offer. LeBrina Jackson, owner of Escape Spa, has the answers

How does Escape Spa cater to men? We designed Escape Spa to ensure both men and women feel comfortable and welcome. From our earth tones to our luxury brown unisex robes, this is not a pampering palace but a rejuvenation destination.

Keep ReadingShow less

Bashar and Brigitte Kalai, and Alicia and Lance Smith

ONE OF HOUSTON'S most beloved charitable galas made a comeback, as the newly renamed “Voices for Hope” in support of Avenue 360 Health and Wellness and its nearly 40-year-old Omega House hospice for HIV patients bowed at River Oaks Country Club.

Keep ReadingShow less
Parties

Michelle and Jonathan Zadok (photo by Jacob Power)

WITH A COWBOY theme and terrific country band — think big hats and big hearts, said organizers — the Crime Stoppers gala was a huge hit and moving evening.

Keep ReadingShow less