1. Artisan and Small Batch Liquors
2. Recchiuti Boxed Chocolates
These are my favorite chocolates, hands-down. Handmade and beautifully packaged, I can't imagine a more elegant (and, yes, extravagant) gift than these delicate and perfectly balanced creations.10-piece box of perfectly refreshing Peppermint Thins $8, Cherries Two Ways (you've never had chocolate covered cherries like this before) $12, 8-piece box of Recchiuti's famous burnt caramel chocolates $19, 16-piece fleur de sel caramels $23, the Platinum Collection (88 pieces!) $160 and plenty in between
3. Capt'n Mike's Smoked Salmon
Capt'n Mike smokes more than just salmon. Salmon varieties – including Alderwood-smoked King salmon and hot-smoked white salmon – are on offer, as are sablefish, trout, and hard-to-find sturgeon (all sustainably farmed or fished). Possible gift packs even include a fish of the month club.Gift packs start at $89 ("Sailor's Special") and run up to $750 ("The Entire Ship")
4. Cowgirl Creamery Cheeses
Cowgirl Creamery, the stellar cheesemaker and reknowned cheesemonger, offers plenty of tempting cheeses and gift packages (including artisan cheese clubs). Try out a very localized collection with a selection of five cheeses from the Tomales Bay area in Marin County, California.Assortments/collections start at $48 and run to $275 for The Entertainer, which includes cheese, salami, and flatbread for a whole party.
5. Boccalone Salumeria
These are a definite step-up from the Hickory Farms gift boxes so prevalent during the holidays. Boccalone makes "tasty salted pig parts" and they make them good. Not all of their products are available for shipping, but the "gifts" section has plenty for the salami lover on your list.Small gift box $4o, large gift box $52, salami sampler $49
6. Savannah Bee Co. Honeycomb
A perfect square of honeycomb from bees in coastal Georgia who feed on the blossoms of tupelo trees is good enough to eat in melt-in-your-mouth chunks. It also makes an excellent accompaniment to a fine cheese board.$24 for a 12 oz. honeycomb
7. Bacon of the Month Club
Each month a pound of artisan bacon will open the recipient’s eyes to the wonders of pork belly and its many permutations – from garlic-flavored to corn-cob smoked.From $190 for 6 months
8. Earthy Delights White Oregon Truffles
Some claim they're better than Italian white truffles; they're certainly more intensely flavored. For the foodie on your list, these may be the perfect gift they didn't even know they wanted.$60 for 3 oz.
9. Lillie Belle Farms Chocolates & Bon Bons
Lillie Belle Farms makes cunning little chocolate butterflies and chocolate-covered liquid-centered spicy caramels that I crave in my sleep (and in my wake, come to think of it). They also churn out Smoky Blue Truffles made with Oregon blue cheese, which are a love-them or hate-them kind of creation, but certainly a fun gift for anyone with an adventurous palate.Chocolate bars are $8, a container of the Cayenne Caramels is $10, and beautiful ribbon-wrapped gift boxes start at $22
10. Tsar Nicouli California Estate Osetra
Tsar Nicouli sustainably farms sturgeon in the Central Valley of California and sources imported caviar from sustainable sources abroad. Their California Estate Osetra comes with a mother-of-pearl spoon and makes a nice introduction to domestic caviar. They also carry a wide range of fun, flavored whitefish roe (wasabi is my favorite for both flavor and crazy bright green color!).Gift selections start at $123; flavored roe starts at $22 for 2 oz.
