It’s party and travel season. If you’ve been invited to a party or holiday visit, your host probably isn’t expecting a gift, but I can almost guarantee that he, she, or they won’t turn down a thoughtful local gift like one of these.
This adorable strawberry cake box ($6.25) tastes as good as it looks. A custom-sized portion of the cake consists of two layers of super soft vanilla sponge cake and a layer of light strawberry cream. The cake is slightly springy, and the diced strawberry filling adds a fruity sweetness. I love the simple, savory taste of cake and whipped cream, but not too sweet either. This is just a great strawberry creamy dessert.
This mini cake is packaged and sealed in a sturdy plastic box with a heart design, making it a perfect gift. While you’re at BakeLab, indulge in my favorite coffees: Oatmeal Cookie Latte and Jess’s favorite strawberry mascarpone croissant.
This premium extra virgin olive oil ($45) is made from two premium varieties of Greek olives, Aguromanako and Koroneiki, and tastes expensive. I’m personally a big fan of olive oil for fried onions, but as a gift, plain oil is perfect. This extra virgin olive oil is also available in smaller (less expensive) bottles and bread dipping kits. Grovestone also sells premium balsamic vinegar, spices, condiments, wine, and kitchen souvenirs. I love that the store always puts my purchases in pretty cloth-wrapped bags so I don’t have to worry about gift wrapping.
My true love gave me two turtledoves, but two turtle candies from Kaori’s Oven ($3 each) are better. Japanese baker Kaori Ishibashi is only open two days a week, preparing a variety of pastries in the space she shares with her husband’s restaurant, ISHI. Cute Animal Candies are delicious yeast buns with a sweet filling. My favorite animal rolls are turtles covered in sugar crystals and filled with melted chocolate. Panda has a delicious cream cheese filling while Porcupine Sweet has cranberries and white chocolate. Follow Kaori’s Oven on Instagram to keep up to date with what she bakes, or visit her for yourself.
If your host likes cheese, Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery has awesome cheese gifts. If your host likes cheese, Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery has awesome cheese gifts. Если ваш хозяин любит сыр, у Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery есть потрясающие сырные подарки. If your host loves cheese, Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery has amazing cheese gifts.如果您的主人喜欢奶酪，Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery 会提供很棒的奶酪礼物。如果您的主人喜欢奶酪，Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery Если ваш хозяин любит сыр, Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery сделает отличные сырные подарки. If your host loves cheese, Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery makes great cheese gifts. The sample box ($35) offers nine different cheeses, including two award-winning farm cheeses. I love all nine types of goat cheese, but my favorite is feta and any other cheese. In the online store you can find cheese gift boxes, festive cheese plates and even kitchen towels with goat cooked on them. If you place your order before 9am on Saturday, you can pick up the cheese as a gift from the farm this weekend. Delivery is also available.
Finally, I couldn’t help but mention the most classic host gift choice: wine. Instead of just picking something off the grocery store shelf, grab a local drink. There are some great breweries in Champaign-Urbana: 25 O’Clock Brewing, Blind Pig, Triptych Brewing and Riggs where you can buy local beer. If you know your host loves wine, stop by the Art Mart and talk to Todd or Roizen, they can both recommend great wines at any price point. Another place to buy wine is the new Ladro Enoteca bottle store and wine bar in downtown Champaign. The owner, Thad Morrow, stocks natural wines from various small wineries and can recommend one to try. In Urbana, check out the Analog Wine Bar, which also has a great selection of wines to buy. If your host likes to drink, give a bottle of Hamilton Walker Illinois Corn Vodka, which you can order online for $25 or buy at a steakhouse.
Looking for a great place to have lunch? Want to know where to find the best cocktails? Want to stay up to date with the latest news about the opening of restaurants and bars? Our Food & Drink Section should always be your first place to look. Our Food & Drink Section should always be your first place to look. Our Food & Drink section should always be your first place to look. Our food and drink area should always be your first choice.
Post time: Dec-17-2022