Christmas in NYC!

Merry Christmas! It has come somewhat of a tradition for us to trudge to the city during December to see the famous Rockefeller Center tree.

This weekend we did just that.  It was a beautiful sunny day and I think everyone had the same idea.  It was packed down there.

We didn't dare brave the area again at night.  It is about 100 million times worst at night. Either way you could still feel the magic in the air.

After all of that excited me a break was in order as well as a bit of a snack.  Bouchon Bakery recently opened and I couldn't wait to check it out.  Mr. J and I got treats from here back when we were wine to wine touring in Napa last spring.

There were so many options it was tough making a decision.  We ended up with quite the variety of treasures.

Macaroons, brownies, and holiday hohos oh my!

And no visit to NYC is complete without seeing completely strange.  At Barney's this year there is a portion of the store dedicated to Lady Gaga's Workshop.  They had chocolate shoes that were $95. Everything was complete ridiculous and very, very expensive.  Something I will never understand.

Friday's Five: Best Places for Food Gifts

I have a bit of a skewed idea of what is priority in our household expenses.  Things that I actually need...car expenses and utilities, I don't really like paying for.  In fact I get in a bad mood whenever it is time to pay the bill.  If one of our month utilities increases unexpectedly I  become frustrated.  I know these are important but I really just don't like to pay for them.  On the other hand, I have no problem going online to find special food treats for myself and love ones.  Click, click, click and soon you will have 4 new varieties of peanut butter.  It is a marvelous thing.  Today I am posting my favorite favorite places to find specialty foods online.  Proceed with caution.

1. Foodzie

This website find small independent food vendors and links them up with you.  You can find unique artisan foods from across the country and have them shipped right to your door.  They also have great gift boxes with all sorts of samples.  Needless to say if  something from here was under my tree I would be one happy camper Christmas morning.  Just be careful if you have a dog.

2. OpenSky

Again this is a place where celebrities and experts list products they use and love.  You can find all sorts of interesting things here from home goods to food products.  What I love most is when a product is featured you can get a great deal on something that is really hard to find to begin with...peanut butter, honey, teas....you name it they have it.

3. Harry & David

I know you have heard of Harry and David.  I am so intrigued by their fruit of the month club.  Can you imagine getting a delivery of fresh fruit each month.  Gives me chills thinking about it.

4. Stonewall Kitchen

I dream of gift baskets from here.  All the jams, jellies, salsas, and relishes you can think of can me found here.  Pair a few of these with some yummy scones and bread and you are good to go.  And certainly don't forget about the dessert sauces...hot fudge and caramel anyone?

4. William Sonoma 

I wouldn't normally promote a store like this for food but every Christmas I find myself salivating over the pastries available.  Dozens of frozen chocolate croissants can be ship to your front door. Pretty good Christmas morning breakfast if you ask me.

The Most Wonderful Thing

I am a big fan of cookies.  In my little lifetime I would say I have sampled more than my fair share.  I make a batch at least once a week.  I worked in two different bakeries and always did quality control.  I make it a point to pick one up whenever I am near a bakery.  My nose does the shopping.  I might go so far as to confess I have a cookie addiction.

Now rewind to early October when Mr. J and I headed down to NYC to the Food and Wine festival.  We always have a blast with all of the wonderful food samples.  Mr. J gravitates to the savory while I cannot resist the sweets.  One of the first booths of the day was Salt of the Earth Bakery.  They had four gourmet desserts that all incorporated sea salt. I immediately reached for the cookies and had a few pieces.  Clearly I was not good at pacing myself this day.  The cookies are so tender and moist.  The salt really enhances the butter flavor and pairs nicely with the rich chocolate.  Seriously one of the best cookies I have ever had.  All day I kept thinking about the damn cookies and why I didn't bother to try out the brownies that were also on the table.  Needless to say we headed back to check out the other goodies and sneak another taste of the cookies.

Salt of the Earth Bakery is based out of New York City and careful picks out the perfect sea salts from around the world to add and enhance the flavors of their baked goods.

"Our philosophy is pretty simple. Salt makes things taste better. High quality sea salt makes things taste EVEN better. From our signature cookie to our brownies, caramels and mud pies, each treat is paired with a unique sea salt that brings out the pop in the flavor and makes the snacking experience all the better.  All of our products are all natural and certified OK-Kosher-Dairy."

Do I have you drooling yet?  The Salt of the Earth Bakery has gracious offered to send one of you the "Bento Box" a sampling of their scrumptious treats.  Basically I am beyond jealous of whomever wins this giveaway.

If you don't win you can also check out the various locations around New York City that sell their products.

Here is how to enter:
1. You must be a resident of the United States. Sorry baked goods do not do well with international shipping times.You must be a follower of Life on Food. Now head on over to the Salt of the Earth Bakery website and tell me which baked treat you would most like to sample.

Additional Entries:
1.  Like Salt of the Earth Bakery on Facebook.  Leave a separate comment letting me know.

2.  Tweet about this giveaway and @Life_on_Food. Leave a separate comment letting me know.

A total of three entries per person.  The winner will be chosen at random on December 7th at 8pm.   Make sure you come back and check to see if you won.  I will need your email for contact information.  Salt of the Earth will send out the treats December 14th.  Good luck! And remember I will be extremely jealous of you!