412347 Sun Jun 17 16:33:44 -0700 2007 9 15 Pennsylvania 0 2668856 Hi, all! I am searching for a birthday gift for a friend. I thought I would create a basket of both foods and gift certs from local restaurants and/or stores. My friend is a vegetarian (but does eat fish on occasion) and is currently on a dairy and soy free diet due to her newborn's intolerance. She's been pretty frustrated about her lack of options, so I thought I'd try to find some variety. She loves Capogiro, so I thought I'd include that is some way, but not sure what to do about the rest. I want to stay under $50.00 for the total. I thought of this a little late, so I can't get anything shipped and will need to get everything in one afternoon (so I need to stick with Center City). Sweet or savory... any ideas would be greatly appreciated! Sun Jun 17 16:33:45 -0700 2007 12007 lbmsw 1 2668910 Go to Trader Joe's. You can make a really fun basket with goodies from there ranging from candy to olive oil, balsamic vinegar and sea salt grinder. They will have some great snacks that will fall into above category. I love the feta and olive oil soy crisps from there. Sun Jun 17 16:59:38 -0700 2007 2668856 24700 lillotis 1 2673859 I love Bauman's fruit butters (apple and pumpkin are my favorites) and have given them as gifts. Two or three places in Reading Terminal carry this brand, including the General Store and one of the meat stands adjacent to the big produce place. In fact, the General Store would probably have some other wonderful things for a basket for your friend. Tue Jun 19 10:01:37 -0700 2007 2668856 11236 vicarious 2 2674244 I think one of my stops will be RTM. I love the idea of fruit butters (she's currently putting mayo on her bagels...ick), but is this completely dairy free? She has been very strict about absolutely no dairy or soy intake. Tue Jun 19 11:36:21 -0700 2007 2673859 12007 lbmsw 3 2675176 Looking at the labels: the apple butter is made from apples and apple cider; the pumpkin from pumpkin, white grape juice concentrate , oranges, lemons, and spice. I like the plum too but don't have any on hand. Tue Jun 19 15:08:13 -0700 2007 2674244 11236 vicarious 1 2673916 you can also get Reading Terminal Market gift certificates that will allow her to buy from any store/restaurant in the Market - go to the office to purchase. The usual vegetarian favs for restaurant gift certs - Horizons being the top of the list. Gianna's grill which has vegan pizzas, etc also apparently has cakes - they were just featured on the Food Network on Paula Dean's sons' show - that are dairy free. They are on South at 8th I think Tue Jun 19 10:15:50 -0700 2007 2668856 76938 Bigley9 2 2674255 Thanks for the Gianna's idea. This is very close to my apt (but it's on 6th, not 8th). I was going to stop in there, but I think that because they don't use dairy in their vegan desserts, they may use soy...not sure. Tue Jun 19 11:38:35 -0700 2007 2673916 12007 lbmsw 1 2673970 This may be obvious, but I didn't realize until dining out with a vegan is that most of Capogiro's product (gelato) is milk-based. They do have sorbets which are really delicious as well. Tue Jun 19 10:28:58 -0700 2007 2668856 12726 Dib 2 2674266 Gelato is also very heavy on eggs. Tue Jun 19 11:40:28 -0700 2007 2673970 29811 Buckethead 1 2674821 Maybe one of those arrangements in which fresh fruit is cut to look like flowers? Incredibly Edible Delights is just one company in the area that does this. Tue Jun 19 13:46:03 -0700 2007 2668856 15530 Elaine