143567 Thu Dec 05 14:54:11 -0800 2002 7 12 Boston Area 0 768511 If you were giving someone a food basket, or better yet if you were to recieve one, what would you want in it? High or low price, gourmet or comfort, isn't the issue--just whether it's good. I often drool over jarred sauces and other specialty goodies, but when I occasionally buy them, I'm often disappointed. Anyone have any tips on things available in Boston? to start things off, I'd get: *Milka chocolate bars (showing up at more and more stores, but always at Cardullo's though overpriced) *pickling spices from the Sampler in Sugar Hill, NH *Wel-Pac organic soba noodles (at Japanese groceries) *wasabi peas " " *fresh lychees from Chinatown *Republic of Tea ginger peach tea (most groceries) *Annies Mac n' Cheese " " *Apples from U-Pick Phil's Apples in Lincoln *good Clementines *Ginger Chews (always eat these at a friends house--not sure where sold) Thu Dec 05 14:54:11 -0800 2002 0 munchabunch 1 768514 Multiple sampler from Maine's Ducktrap River smoked seafood products. Thu Dec 05 15:07:57 -0800 2002 768511 0 GinaT 1 768516 A mess of really really good cookies and brownies, and a bag of Burdicks "make at home" hot chocolate. Thu Dec 05 15:22:25 -0800 2002 768511 0 chilibug 2 768524 Okay, to clarify--Burdick's is a chocolatier in Cambridge and in NH. And let's say I want to have cookies from Lakota Bakery in Arlington and brownies from Carberry's in Somerville. Thu Dec 05 16:42:58 -0800 2002 768516 0 chilibug 1 768517 First off - Ginger chews are available (I believe) at Trader Joes. But as far as the dream basket... Few bottles of nice champagne, few french (or italian!) cheeses, milka bar or two (being a copy cat!), cashew nuts, spicey wontons from Mary Chung's, several good pates, crusty french bread, bottle of Chambord, giant caperberries, fresh mozzarella, plump sun ripened tomates, Piccolo extra virgen olive oil. the list could go on and on! Thu Dec 05 15:33:42 -0800 2002 768511 0 blondie 1 768518 Please move this discussion to the General Topics message board, where hounds from all over can chime in with their "dream foods". This board is for Boston food only. You can link to this discussion, or post a pointer here that the topic has moved. Please let's keep this board specific to food that may be found in the Boston area. Thanks! Thu Dec 05 15:34:11 -0800 2002 768511 2 The Chowhound Team 2 768519 Well, let's be fair, the original request asked "Anyone have any tips on things available in Boston?" and listed many local foods on her list (to which I would add cider from Brooksby Farm.) Thu Dec 05 15:51:03 -0800 2002 768518 0 Chris VR 3 768520 Absolutely, Chris. If the discussion sticks to food that's found in the Boston area, no problem. Thu Dec 05 15:58:20 -0800 2002 768519 2 The Chowhound Team