462107 Mon Nov 19 11:58:52 -0800 2007 5 2 Los Angeles Area 0 3139184 Trying to be green here and avoid all the shipping for awesome mail order foodie gifts. There must be local finds for unique holiday gifts - things found only in LA that I can pick up locally and drive up to Northern California for the holidays. I've been looking for something unique and found lots of chocolates and what-not from the east coast etc. But I don't know about local places like that. Ideas? Mon Nov 19 11:58:52 -0800 2007 101835 krez 1 3139379 I just saw this at the Taste of Los Feliz a couple of months ago, they where very good. All she does is Brownies! Very F&^%@#G Good Brownies! http://www.sweetsforthesoul.com/ Mon Nov 19 12:51:35 -0800 2007 3139184 11279 Burger Boy 1 3139481 Off of the top of my head (websites provided so you can look around online before you decide): http://www.valerieconfections.com/ http://www.enstrom.com/ http://www.jinpatisserie.com/ http://boulela.com/ http://www.op-stjoseph.org/nuns/angels/gift-shop.htm http://susinabakery.com http://www.lartisanduchocolat.com/ I know there are plenty more places, but that'll give you somewhere to start looking. I often bring either the Italian cookie assortments from Susina or the chocolates by the weight from l'Artisan du Chocolat (it's fun to go to the store and pick a selection) as hostess presents, and they both go over well. I think this year I might do the toffees from Valerie, since that's a little different. Mon Nov 19 13:20:53 -0800 2007 3139184 10604 jacinthe 2 3139989 Oops, when I put in Enstrom's, I really meant Littlejohn's. Mon Nov 19 15:41:07 -0800 2007 3139481 10604 jacinthe 1 3139653 Two of my favorites are the absolutely kick ass English toffee at Little John's in the Fairfax Farmers' Market (http://www.littlejohnscandies.com/ ), and the wonderful pumpkin bread at the Monastery of the Angels in Hollywood (http://www.op-stjoseph.org/nuns/angels/gift-shop.htm ). The champagne truffles at Teuscher in Beverly Hills (http://www.teuscher-beverlyhills.com/ ) are pretty damn good too, but if you're trying to avoid shipping, that probably doesn't work. (They're flown in fresh from Zürich every week.) Mon Nov 19 14:01:54 -0800 2007 3139184 10134 David Kahn 1 3139758 Wow thanks there are some great links here! I have to say I was thinking of testing out Leda's for a Thanksgiving run (pumpkin cupcakes), but.... "Thanksgiving Schedule We will be closed the week of Thanksgiving from Sunday, November 18 thru Monday, November 26. We will open again on November 27. " What up with that? Mon Nov 19 14:29:21 -0800 2007 3139184 101835 krez