Gifts To Eat + Drink

With the holidays rapidly approaching, why frantically scurry around New York for gifts when Western Queens boasts some of the most unique specialty stores in the city? Besides, what’s not to love about a gift that also gives back to local businesses? Peruse these creative edible and drinkable gift options – including food to take with you to parties – offered just around the block.

Astoria Bier & Cheese's custom-designed basket of goodies.

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Astoria Bier & Cheese
34-14 Broadway, Astoria
718-545-9463

Astoria’s newest dine-in specialty market features an impressive kaleidoscope of craft beers, cheese from around the country and locally sourced pickled produce, crackers and candies.

1. Pumpkin Village Vermont Maple Syrup & Raw Honey ($13-$16)
2. Custom-designed basket of cheeses, cured meats, specialty beer and chocolates (price varies with selection)
3. McClure’s pickles and relish or Brooklyn Brine Co.’s fennel beets and chipotle carrots (approximately $6 a jar)

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Astoria Wine & Spirits
34-12 Broadway, Astoria
718-545-9463
www.astoriawines.com

The sister store to Astoria Bier & Cheese and a longtime neighborhood favorite.

Recommended gift wines include Roagna Barolo ($97.99), Martinez Lacuesta ($43.99), Gloria & Julien ($89.99) and Clos du Val Cabernet ($29.99).

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Astoria Park Wine & Spirits
28-07 24^th Ave, Astoria
718-606-1142
www.astoriaparkwineandspirits.com

Just give the experts here a bottle count and price range, and they’ll create beautifully arranged custom wine or spirits gift baskets (with additional accessories available) to fit your needs and budget. Free delivery in Astoria!

1. Wine Around the World (Includes wines from Argentina, Germany, Italy, California, France and New Zealand. $150 for all six bottles)
2. Whiskey Lovers Basket (Irish whiskey, bourbon, scotch, rye, bitters, flask gift set and whiskey stones. Price varies with individual selections)
3. California Dreamin’ (A representative sampling of the best of California, ranging from $52 for a two-bottle basket to $225 for all six bottles)

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Malu
12-09 Jackson Ave, LIC
718-729-MALU
www.amomandpopshop.com

A mom-and-pop ice cream and chocolate shop, serving homemade frozen treats and freshly prepared sweets.

1. A variety of goodies, including favorites like chocolate-dipped Fritos; ideal for Secret Santa gifts and also available in custom gift baskets ($2-$10 per item)
2. Assorted holiday cake pops, including several shaped like miniature Santa hats ($2-$3)
3. Mini cupcakes inspired by Malu’s unique ice cream flavors ($1.50 each; also available by the dozen)

Malu's mini cupcakes inspired by their unique ice cream flavors.

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Sorriso Italian Salumeria
44-16 30^th Ave, Astoria
718-728-4392

This family-run market specializes in hard-to-find Italian products, house-prepared entrees and pastas, homemade cheese and their famous loaded hero sandwiches.

1. Selection of over 80 imported cheeses and homemade mozzarella ($35 for assorted 3 lbs. trays)
2. Platter of homemade fried ravioli with marinara sauce ($35 for 48 pieces)
3. Italian treats like orange blossom honey, rare olive oils, chocolate-dipped figs or panettone (Italian Christmas cakes) (prices vary)

Varieties of Panettone Italian Christmas Cakes Are Available

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Blue Streak Wines & Spirits
47-20 Center Blvd, LIC
718-706-WINE
www.bluestreakwine.com

Set in the street level of the luxurious new 4720 Center Blvd tower near Gantry Plaza and staffed with super-friendly “wine geeks” eager to share the story behind each bottle.

1. Els Jelipins Spanish wine from the Penedes made by a mother-daughter winemaking team from rare Sumoll grapes; only 100 cases of this hand-painted bottle are available worldwide ($98.99)
2. WhistlePig 100% Rye Whiskey, the magnum opus of the former Makers Mark Master Distiller, and considered the single malt of rye whiskey ($75.99)
3. Dirty & Rowdy Semillon, fermented in a ceramic egg using indigenous yeasts, unfiltered and extremely rare; only 25 cases sold in NYC ($39.99)

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Jazz Up a Gift Card

Everybody loves a gift card, but why not add a little something extra? Instead of just sticking a gift card in an envelope, attach it to one of the many products sold at your favorite local restaurants: beer growlers from The Queens Kickshaw and MexiBBQ, house-made spice rub and BBQ sauces from Butcher Bar and even cow-shaped dairy creamers from SugarFreak, just to suggest a few!

Beer Growlers From The Queens Kickshaw