Monthly Extra

In recent years, Dallas has come a long way in making available all the wonderful food that gourmands could ever want.  A better-educated clientele and major health issues have added emphasis to the local food movement, especially in fine restaurants.  Dallas has always had some of the best seasonal food, inexpensively available at the Farmers Market.  When it comes to Gulf shrimp and fish, we vie with the Northeast and the Northern Pacific areas for fabulous seafood.  And, after all, Texas beef is among the best.  Paralleling the interest in fresh and unique food, we have had an influx of markets, such as Central Market and Whole Foods, that have brought unbelievable quality and availability of fresh produce, meats, fish and cheeses to our neighborhoods.  Smaller specialty shops, such as Scardello's and Molto Formaggio for cheese, Vega's Butcher Shoppe and Kuby's for meats, and TJ's Fresh Fishmarket and Rex's Seafood for seafood add to the food availability in Dallas. 

Of course, the internet has also made considerable change in the availability of fine foods. We have gone far beyond the pioneering Harry & David and others who provided superior gifts of food.  Now, in addition to those who buy as gifts to send to friends for the holidays and as thanks for a weekend stay, there is a whole new game of superior food being marketed to those who have become very interested in food and who are looking for the new and the unusual.  With new buying habits on the internet, there is an unprecedented availability of new foods and the convenience to those who shop from their armchairs.

We have excellent local choices on our Source section on Food, as well as what we have selected as the best of the web, not all of which are represented below.  How prescient we were to have already chosen the best of the web, perhaps with the exception of the newest sites, which differ in their approach to presenting food on the web.  Both Gilt Taste and OpenSky have  new approaches with artisanal foods and daily specials, along with informative articles and recipes by celebrities. Please visit our Source section on Food with suggestions on the web, since we were not able to include all those who deserve to be listed. With so much to cover, we will leave Sweets and Wines until other times.

Gilt Taste
Gilt Taste is the new kid on the block with internet food.  It is  a showcase for the artisanal products that talented bakers, butchers, candy and cheese-makers are now crafting all over the country. It is a "celebration of food," according to well-known Gilt Taste advisor Ruth Reichl.  It is labeled as a new concept for an epicurean e-magazine populated with top food writers, plus the awesome selection of artisanal foods.  For Bastille Week, for example, guest "curator" Daniel Boulud offered first edition French cookbooks for sale.  French gourmet items such as snails and cream puffs were also among his recommended sale items.  Gilt Taste has offerings in various categories, and we spied morel mushrooms in produce, Japanese knives in equipment and sausages and foie gras in meats.  What we may like the best on the site are the articles with accompanying recipes, such as How to Party Like It's 1789 or Reinventing the Whoopie Pie and the daily food specials that draw the audience in.  (www.gilttaste.com)

OpenSky
Interestingly enough, another major site has come on board in a close timeframe. OpenSky brings together a passionate and growing community of “curators”—celebrities, authors, stylists, chefs and other trendsetters all with distinctive perspective, expertise and passion that is unique to their individual personalities—who provide the ultimate suggestions on the best of what they eat, buy, wear, use every day.  By following your choice of Curators who share their passions, members of the site can customize their shopping experience based on their individual interests.  We chose Tom Colecchio, Bobbie Flay, Dorie Greenspan and event-specialist Preston Bailey as part of our personal team of celebrity experts. How can we go wrong with their recommendations? OpenSky is more product-oriented with ongoing suggestions and daily specials.  (www.opensky.com)

Williams Sonoma
We've always enjoyed purchasing the condiments and jams as for Christmas gifts (think Partners' Card).  Their web pantry has grown considerably and now the web offerings extend from hors d’oeuvre to desserts.  We understand from those who have purchased from their vast selection that the foods are top notch and make great send-aways to the ranch or summer home where gourmet foods are not available.  (www.williamssonoma.com)

Dean & DeLuca
Best on-line food through the recent years, Dean & DeLuca, founded in 1977 by Joel Dean and Georgio DeLuca, became the benchmark for a sumptuous celebration of food, including artisanal and unique products, many previously unknown in the U.S.  Now, a virtual catalogue offers many of the non-perishables and even a new wine club of California wines.  While we are not being offered daily specials and emails, there is always an assured panache when one opens a gift of food from Dean & DeLuca.  In terms of reputation, it may take the new sites a while to catch up.   (www.deananddeluca.com)

igourmet.com
Consistently voted a "best of the web," igourmet's gift baskets are special for any occasion.  Meant for the connoisseur, their beautiful gift baskets are unique in offering appeal to both the eye and the palate.  Another popular choice is an igourmet.com Gift Of-the-Month Club - the gift that keeps on giving!  (www.igourmet.com)

Zabar's
Buying from Zabar's is like buying a piece of New York.  Starting with the sale of smoked fish 70 years ago, the Zabar family's emporium has evolved into an unbelievable destination for New York food lovers and website shoppers.  The company’s website offers an array of their specialties -- coffee, cheeses and fish.  It also has a large selection of cookware, kitchen gadgets and other must-have items, from rice cookers to coffee grinders and espresso makers.  (www.zabars.com)

Cheeses and Meats on the Web

D'Artagnan, Inc.
"A company of, by and for "foodies."  Founded in 1985, D'Artagnan is the leading purveyor of foie gras, pates, sausages, smoked delicacies, organic game, truffles and poultry in the U.S. and the first to market domestically-produced foie gras. D'Artagnan currently provides a range of over 300 items to the world's top restaurants, hotels, retailers and consumer chefs. There is nothing like shaving some of their fresh truffles over a plate of hand-made pasta! (www.dartagnan.com)

Formaggio Kitchen
Worth a trip to Boston!  Formaggio Kitchen is a unique gourmet shop specializing in small artisan cheeses, shop-made charcuterie and handmade sweets.  Their shelves overflow with gourmet treasures.  The Boston institution just opened a Lower East Side shop in New York, and for those who cannot get there or to Boston, their impressive website  does not disappoint.  (www.formaggiokitchen.com)

Murray's Cheese
New York's oldest and best cheese shop, Murray's is the wholesaler for many businesses throughout the country.  Zagat's  Guide to New York City Gourmet Shopping & Entertaining declared Murray's the "gold standard of cheese in NY."  Forbes.com declares Murray's the "world's best cheese shop." Lucky for Dallasites, there's Murray's by Mail and, as an update, a few of the Dallas Kroger shops will be handling a selection of Murray's cheeses. (www.murrayscheese.com)

Fish and Caviar on the Web

Caviarteria
A 50 year old institution, Caviarteria offers luxury at competitive prices.  Caviarteria is one of the largest distributors of caviar in the United States.  The company’s mail order division ships caviar, smoked salmon, foie gras and other gourmet foods and gifts anywhere in the U.S.  One of their current specialties is  Kaluga Caviar as the next best thing to now banned Beluga.  Caviarteria also has two tasting bars for those visiting in New York City—one on Park Avenue at 59th Street and the other on West Broadway in SoHo.  (www.caviarteria.com)

Mackenzie Limited
Founded by an Englishman with a passion for Scottish smoked salmon. Mackenzie's online shop has expanded its offerings, in addition to its outstanding salmon and fish products.  Mackenzie Limited now features more than 350 items available online including decadent desserts, premium seafood such as Maine lobster and traditional aged balsamic vinegar from Italy. Their online product offering includes seasonal and sale items. You can also find recipes for everything from Finnan Haddie to Maryland crab.  MacKenzie Limited also owns another outstanding site, The Chesapeake Crab Company.  (www.mackenzieltd.com)

Marky's Caviar & Gourmet Food Store
Marky's fame is attributed to caviar and has one of the more complete selections available.  Its offerings have expanded to fois gras, truffles and other luxurious food items. (www.markys.com)

Petrossian
Founded in 1984 by the Petrossian family, the restaurant serves a French-influenced contemporary menu that features the caviar, smoked fish and foie gras delicacies for which Petrossian is known throughout the world. The Petrossian name is synonymous with the finest caviar, especially Russian caviar, and  is universally recognized as the ne plus ultra of caviar purveyors.  The good news is that all their delicacies are available on the web. (www.petrossian.com)

 

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