Food for grieving friends

[Science Chick]

Hello hounds,
We have some dear friends who are mourning the loss of their mother, and we'd like to send them some nice food. They live in downtown Boston, near the Common.

Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

Much thanks.....

[D.Bernstein]

Capones food. great pasta 's, cheeses and prepared meals. They have a web page. Capne Foods .com They are located in Union Sq, Sommeville and deliever in the Boston area. They service many restaurants and specialty shops in the Boston area. I use them often for
situations like your's. Not only is they're product excellent, the people there are delight to work with. Ask for Al, yes Al Capone or his daughter Jenifer. I am sure you will pleased.

[Maxinella]

Rubin's is meat, Milk Street is dairy. It depends on what you want. Our temple has recently begun getting food from the Butcherie, and the quality is excellent. I've heard mixed things about Rubin's. Since kosher caterers are used to traveling all over New England to deliver, I don't think it matters that Milk Street is a mile closer. Pick what you think your friends will like best.

[BackBayGirl]

I don't know if they would do platters, but how about Zaftig's in Coolidge Corner?

[Bluebell]

If they aren't kosher, I'd would suggest calling Savenor's--they could probably put something together for you.

If they are kosher, go for Milk Street. The Butcherie can also easily do platters, but Milk Street is closer, and their food is delicious.

[galleygirl]

When my father died, this time, last year, he came to my mother in a dream (shades of "Fiddler on the Roof") and told her forget dairy, get the meat platter. Turns out, everyone had the appetite for a corned beef sandwich. call Sam Lagrassa's, right nearby, and have them send a platter...

[kallis33]

I'm sorry to hear of your friend's loss. If they keep Kosher then I'd contact Rubin's Kosher Restaurant and Deli in Brookline. They provide Kosher catering to the Boston area. All food is prepared under Glatt Kosher supervision. On their website there is a section entitled condolence menu. Here's the website: http://www.rubinskosher.com/

I have no connection to this place, I just know that the Harvard Club gets their Kosher meals from Rubin's. My friend who works in event plannning has had good dealings with them as well.

[Chris VR]

When I worked in the event biz, we used Milk Street Cafe for kosher meals.

http://www.milkstreetcafe.com/

[kallis33]

I didn't know they're kosher. I'll pass the info along. Also good to know if my friend from college who keeps kosher comes to visit.

[AnnieP]

I have sent Edible Arrangements in two such situations (one Jewish, one not), as mentioned by a previous poster-people raved about them- so much easier than a traditional fruit basket with giant pears that need 2 weeks before being ripe enough to eat. When we had a death in the family, someone sent us a gift basket from Nana's kitchen in Winthrop, which we really liked. I don't have the info, but they're on the web. Baked goods, but homemade and enjoyable. Last, to echo MC Slim's suggestion, a tray of Italian bakery pizza is always good- some Italian friends brought this when my mother died; since it's eaten at room temp, you can just leave it out for nibbling. Depends on whether you need to send something or can bring it. I recently got a tray for a neighborhood potluck holiday party, which was at a rented hall. I got mine at Framingham Bakery- a great little old-fashioned place. For an extra $1, they cut each piece into thirds, since there were a lot of little kids, gave it to me on the tray, and wrapped it in plastic! It was a huge hit. Medford/Somerville has similar bakeries that sell this.

[MC Slim JB]

In these situations, I tend to bring over or have delivered things that can sit around all day and can be eaten cold or after a quick microwaving: a tray of lasagna or ziti, cold cuts, meat loaf, smoked salmon, a spiral ham, good bread/rolls/bagels, preserves, cheese, good coffee (sorry, some of these are no good if they keep kosher).

Supermarkets like Whole Foods, services like Peapod, or a deli like Pace's (there's one Downtown) are handy for these kinds of foods.

Grief often doesn't leave you with much appetite, but you have to have sustenance, and simple things that don't require a lot of thought are often welcome. My sympathies.

[Maxinella]

You can call any Kosher caterer in the area and ask them to send a Shiva Tray. The Butcherie does a good job. You may even ask the caterer to find out when the mourners would like food delivered.

They may really appreciate food in a few weeks.

I'm so sorry for your friends' loss.

[ahipoke]

I've enjoyed Zingermans mail order and have had many of the items in this box (as part of a different gift box). They have a bereavement box:

http://www.zingermans.com/Product.pas...

[bee]

I'm guessing you aren't nearby, but if you are ... one of the things a friend did when my mom died was leave a bag on my porch when she visited that she told me about as she was leaving. After she was gone, I took a look and found a packed grocery bag and a note that her family had collected some of their favorite comfort foods, from Trader Joe's soup to spicy tea, to cookie dough, etc. It wasjust such a personal touch that I'll never forget it.

[talkoftomatoes]

My good friend just underwent surgery and we are signing up to deliver dinners for the next two weeks (drive over the food day-of with heating instructions). Another bunch of friends got together and purchased a $200 gift certificate to Pagliaccis Pizza, so the family can order it numerous times, as needed. I thought that was pretty cool. You could order from www.madaboutfood.net. I haven't used them, but they provided food for the actors in a performance I just attended/my brother directed. And the food was really great---I plan to use them.

Sorry for their loss.

[hotoynoodle]

formaggio kitchen has on-line ordering and is one of the finest purveyors for cured meats and cheeses in the city. this would allow them to pick and graze, rather than being confronted by big platters of stuff, for which they may not have an appetite right now.

[eamcd]

I don't know if it's an option where they are, but when a good friend of my mother lost a son, there was a nearby kosher restaurant and they set up an "account" there -- so friends and family could contribute and the family could order food as needed. It allowed them to choose what they wanted and avoided the otherwise inevitable pile of too much food at once that gets thrown out later. It may be available in one version or another at other restaurants -- even as regular gift certificates.

[unicorn633]

I have given arrangements from Edible Arrangements before and the recipients love them. They are a healthy alternative for snacking and are also beautiful.

You can also try Rumas Gift Baskets. Their gift baskets tend to be more substantial than just junk food.

[Bostonbob3]

Which side of the Common?

[Scott the Poet]

This may not be the type of response you're looking for, but in Judaism it is traditional to bring/send food which is round (eggs, cake) as a symbol of the circle of life.

[Science Chick]

We ARE jewish, and this is a very helpful thing too. I never knew that....thanks so much!

[finlero]

I've sent Burdick chocolates in a few similar situations, which seemed to go over pretty well. I decided that the chocolate mice might have seemed a bit too cute and festive, so I just went with chocolate assortments.

[kparke30]

How about something nice from DeLuca's?

P.S. You can get a lot of info & order via their website

[BobB]

Nice idea. DeLuca's roast their own turkeys and do an excellent deli platter.