BY CAITLIN SHAPIRO
Your friend may casually mention that the pumpkin-spice
coffee you’re drinking is her favorite, or maybe you notice that your boyfriend
is always ordering the same dish at his favorite Indian restaurant because he
“can’t get enough of those spices.” Absorb these hints like a sponge and use
them to your advantage this holiday season. Finding thoughtful gifts can be
tough in the consumer age, but here’s one thing everyone has in common: we all
have to eat and drink. And by keeping track of your loved ones’ culinary likes
and dislikes, you can come up with a present sure to please.
It’s easy to find tasty, unusual gifts in Rochester’s
diverse local shops that will show off your creativity while allowing you awaken
the inner-foodie in your friends and family. After all, the holidays are all
about indulging, right? The list of locally made foodie gifts is far from
comprehensive, but is a good place to start. Did we miss some of your favorite
local foods or food shops? Tell us all about them by commenting on this article
at rochestercitynewspaper.com.
Wine country: more than just wine
Many Rochesterians venture to the Finger Lakes for an
impromptu weekend getaway, or casual day trip spent visiting its many wineries.
But the distinguished wine country, home to many fabulous tasting sites, also
has other intoxicating draws. Distilleries are popping up throughout the
region, and with the varieties in signature liquors being produced, the Finger
Lakes are becoming a good place to ditch the Johnny Walker or Grey Goose and
deliver an unusual local gift.
Consider Finger Lakes Distilling (4676
NYS Route 414, Burdett; 607-546-5510; fingerlakesdistilling.com).
This distillery, located on the east side of Seneca Lake, is known for its
McKenzie bourbon whiskey and Glen Thunder corn whiskey. It also produces
grappa, a grape-based brandy popular in Italy, in three varieties: Gewurtztraminer,
Riesling, and Muscat. The Seneca Drums Gin, a dry gin, is like Hendricks in the
way that it hits on notes of cucumbers with citrus peel, juniper, clove, and
light licorice. The distillery’s Vintner’s Vodka has a bit of grape character,
too. Other liqueurs offered include Maplejack, made from New York apples, and
Cassis, made with local black currants, as well as other varieties like blueberry,
raspberry, and cherry.
Hidden Marsh Distillery (part of Montezuma Winery, 2981
Auburn Road in Seneca Falls;
315-568-8190; beevodka.com) uses honey in a number of its liquors. The star of its
collection, BEE Vodka, is made from regional Finger Lakes honey, and has
undertones of caramel, but isn’t sweet. Also available is the award-winning apple
brandy and Queen’s Flight honey brandy, which is aged in charred oak and has a
caramel and vanilla aroma. The distillery’s maple liqueur is made from New York
State maple syrup.
Knapp Winery (2770 County
Road 128, Romulus;
800-869-9271; knappwine.com) produces limoncello, a
lemony and sweet liqueur traditionally served after meals in Italy,
and offers a twist on the classic with its Limencello. Knapp’s brandy delivers
hints of butterscotch, vanilla, and caramel. The winery also has a selection of
ports, cordials, and grappa.
Six Mile Creek Vineyards (1551 Slaterville Road,
Ithaca; 607-272-9463; sixmilecreek.com) launched its “Spirits by Battistella”
liquor line, including vodka, gin, grappa, and limoncello. The vodka is
distilled from a finished Seyval Blanc wine, and the gin from chardonnay. The
gin is also infused with Italian herbs and botanicals – a twist on the classic
juniper flavor.
Spread ’em: Oils, vinegars, spreads, and sauces
Rochester is home to many culinary creations, especially when
you consider the number of condiments it brings to the table. Maybe some of
these locally made products can spice up a stocking. Availability differs for
each product, so check the websites for retail locations.
Geulah’s Spicy Tomato
Spread (geulahs.com) is sweet and fresh with a kick – but not too spicy.
The blend of red garlic, salt, and cumin enhance the tomato taste, while the
added cayenne pepper helps boost metabolism. It’s a good alternative to the
typical sandwich spreads, especially when mixed with hummus.
Zweigle’s Hot Dog Sauce (zweigles.com) is a good alternative to putting the famous local sausages under
the tree. At least you can deliver the Rochester flavor in the form of the
company’s nearly as-famous sauce, which blends ketchup, relish, onions, and
garlic with a hit of cayenne pepper. It’s also gluten free.
For your Jewish friends, the kosher Boss Sauce (bosssauce.com)
has been a Rochester legend since
the 80’s. It leaves any kind of meat, poultry, or veggie with a spicy sweet
finish and touch of vinegar flavor.
For a savory treat, try Nunda Mustard (nundamustard.com).
You’d think you were shopping for beer with the amount of obscure-flavored
mustards this local company offers. Honey brew, smoky maple, and cracked
peppercorn are just a few of the varieties. These unexpected flavors definitely
gives the mustard a reason to leave the sandwich and morph into dipping sauces,
spreads, and marinades. Great for dipping pretzels.
For something a little more upscale, check out the Cosimano
e Ferrari Olive Oil Company (cfoliveoil.vpweb.com). This fairly new vendor
at the Rochester Public Market sells oils and vinegars infused with different
fruits or herbs, like the peach vinegar or basil-infused olive oil. They can be
used in cooking, as salad dressings, or bread dips, and can enhance any
foodie’s pantry.
Home sweet home: chocolate and candy
Candy or chocolate is a fool-proof gift – everybody has a
sweet tooth around the holidays – but a Whitman’s Sampler can be a little
clichรฉd. But no worries – many local candy shops around Rochester have thrown
imaginative twists on even the most basic sweets.
Stever’s (623
Park Ave; 473-2098; steverscandy.com) has been a Rochester
classic for more than 60 years. The shop is known for its best-selling sleeves
of non pareils (those thin chocolate wafers covered in tiny candy sprinkles),
but for a bit of fun throw some “black coal” into stockings. And since not
everyone likes or can eat chocolate, check out Stever’s creamy, fruity sherbet
squares, peanut brittle, or caramels.
Hedonist Artisan Chocolates (674
South Ave; 461-2815; hedonistchocolates.com)
offers an unusual goat-cheese chocolate collection, but the shop’s holiday
sampler might make a more appropriate gift. Truffles in flavors like champagne
pomegranate, egg nog, fig, ginger molasses, and orange clove come packed in five,
10, or 20 per box.
Affaire de Chocolat(1769
Penfield Road in Penfield; 387-9111) specializes
in chocolates that come in a plethora of comical, classic, and personal shapes.
Pick up house-made chocolates cast to look like fingers, rats, a tool kit, high
heels, snowmobiles, golf clubs, or cell phones; whatever matches the
personality of the person on your list. And don’t forget the chocolate-covered
Twinkies.
Besides the huge chocolate platters and gift baskets created
by Encore Chocolates (147 Pattonwood Dr.;
266-2970; encorechocolates.com) the signature “Lotus Bowl” stands apart. The
bowl – a thin chocolate shell hand rolled on location — looks like it is made
out of feathers. It comes in four sizes, and can be filled with smaller
chocolates. Definitely beats out most thanks-for-cooking-Christmas-dinner
gifts.
The Nut House (1520 Monroe
Ave.; 244-9510; thenuthouseonline.com) is popular
for its in-house roasted cashews and sweet but balanced praline pecans –
perfect for a post-turkey meal, especially for non-chocolate fans. The dark
chocolate cordials are a holiday favorite, and kosher too. If someone you know
loves sweets and practical jokes, check out the “turkey joints,” a candy that
looks like something you’d pull out of your holiday bird.
Create your own
Whether it’s a grilling gift basket for your man, or a jumble
of spices for your friends with adventurous taste buds, putting something
together for someone shows a lot of thought. Reserve your time and pack a
basket tailored to the most special foodies. Niblack Foods (900
Jefferson Road; 292-0790; niblackfoods.com) is an ingredient warehouse, and possibly
one of the best-kept secrets in town. Although it often sells in bulk for
restaurants, the store carries a surplus of spices from all around the world,
as well as a large collection of locally produced name-brand sauces.
This article appears in Nov 17-23, 2010.
