Need to send a really nice food gift--what's the Russ and Daughters of LA?

[asl3y]

We will be staying with family for a few days and would like to send a really nice food gift as a thank you. If it were the east coast, we would do a delivery from Russ and Daughters.

What are some west coast options? Something luxurious and special....

Thanks!

[coffeebrownies]

If your family are typical westsiders, they would probably be more inclined to appreciate a big farm/fruit basket from Farmer's Market, Whole Foods, etc. Most of my local friends would really groan at getting a huge basket of brownies or other sweets. (We would eat it, but silently curse you.....)

[asl3y]

Thanks for all of the suggestions so far.

One other idea: Sweets. Chocolate baked goods, in particular. My cousin will be having a birthday right after we leave, so I'd love to have an amazing cake or cupcakes or similar delivered to them. Ideas?

[wienermobile]

For sweets I love LittleJohn's handmade English toffee in the Farmers Market since the 1920's. The best in Los Angeles and maybe the best period.
http://www.littlejohnscandies.com/

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Farmers Market
6333 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90036

[Emme]

i was going to rec Little John's even before the OP asked about sweets as well.

[kevin]

LittleJohn's is damn good, and those boxes the candies come in are pretty damn cool.

[perk]

I'm not really a sweets person (leaves more room for cheese!) but even I can't resist the things at Jin Patisserie. She does the most beautiful designs of chocolate...and they taste as good as they look. She's in Venice, but she has a website. There are boxed selections. I'm sure she could do something fabulous for you!

[ebethsdad]

It used to be Mrs. Beasely's was the place to go for this. They have been absorbed by Cheryl's which I know nothing about. Nevertheless here is the website. Good luck. http://www.cheryls.com/product/mrs-be...

[Burger Boy]

Sweets for the Soul for some amazing Valrhona Brownies.

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Sweets for the Soul
3169 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

[ebethsdad]

If you're having it delivered anyway you might try Zingermans, http://www.zingermans.com/. Granted its neither west coast (Michigan), nor Russ and Daughters, but its excellent. Saveur magazine named it best sandwich bread in America last year.

[rnp0123]

Corn Maiden

http://cornmaidenfoods.com/

[Peripatetic]

Maybe not luxurious, but this is the most LA-centric suggestion so far. I love Corn Maiden, and will remember this for when I need to send gifts to my family in Boston.

[Clyde]

i WISH there was a russ and daughters type place. unfortunately there isn't anything like it here. i order from josephsons smokehouse in astoria oregon when i need a fish gift or just for myself.

[Servorg]

You can take a look at: http://cheesestorebh.com/ and see how it strikes you.

[Professor Salt]

There's no appetizing store in L.A. remotely close to Russ & Daughters. If that's the level of quality you're looking for, I'd just mail order from Russ & Daughters.

[Das Ubergeek]

Second this. I just brought back a bunch of appy from Russ and Daughters because it's just plain impossible to get here. If you were looking for something similar but Angeleno-centric, I'd suggest Jin Patisserie.

[asl3y]

OK, I'm convinced. I'm going to send them something from Russ and Daughters. They are originally East Coasters, and they love the smoked fish. Sounds like this is the best bet.

But I definitely learned about some great LA sweets. Think I'll hit Little John's in the Farmer's Market during my visit!