GIFTS: Fine Chocolate For Your Valentine

There’s a lot of Valentine chocolate out there. Where to begin? Here are two of our favorites artisan chocolatiers, with wares just waiting for you to take a bite.     JOHN & KIRA’S John and Kira’s boutique chocolate company launched in 2002; from the beginning it has generated raves for its artisan bonbons (photos…
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VALENTINE GIFT: A Peppercorn Plant (Piper Nigrum)

Many people grow herbs at home. How about peppercorns? If your Valentine has a green thumb, a peppercorn plant is a different kind of gift. You can grow one as a houseplant (photo #1); or if you live in a semi-tropical climate, you can grow it outdoors (here’s what you need to know to grow…
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TOP PICK OF THE WEEK: Sekt, Sparkling German Wine

Whenever the topic of Champagne comes up, for special occasions, gifting or fizzy cocktails, we like to remind everyone that there are delicious—and less costly—alternatives to Champagne. Consider these more affordable bubblies at half the price or less: Asti Spumante, Moscato d’Asti‡, and Prosecco from Italy. Cava from Spain. Crémant from France. Espumante from Portugal.…
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GIFT: Meal Delivery Gift Card

A great gift for any occasion—and especially for a last-minute holiday gift—is a subscription to a meal delivery service. You can send it anytime, in the sum of your choice. The recipient gets an email with instructions on how to select and order his/her meals. We recently received a gift of a week of prepared…
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RECIPE: Holiday Meringue Drops

Austin, Texas has become a hot city to visit and move to, abetted by its ever-expanding food scene. One place of interest is Fluff Meringues & More is a modern patisserie that proffers European treats in a market full of cupcakes and Southern pecan pie. A meringue cookie is the opposite of these latter favorites.…
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