Philadelphia is a city for foodies.
No matter what your taste is, what you look for in a cuisine or what you’re looking for when trying to find the perfect gift this holiday season, Philly has what you need. We’ve rounded up a few local gift ideas that are perfect for any food-focused friend or family member that you may have — all you have to do is choose what you’re craving.
Home Appétit
For those who love to eat but might not have ample time to prepare and cook, you can now give the gift of a week’s worth (or more) of customized, fully-prepared meals, made locally, by award-winning chefs — delivered right to your door. The brand was launched in 2014 and skyrocketed during the pandemic as a leading, local meal delivery service which now provides wholesome, seasonal and fresh meals to Philadelphia, South Jersey, Delaware and the surrounding suburbs, including towns in Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware, and Chester counties — and it continues to grow. To indulge in some of Chef Lee Wallach and pals’ meals, Philadelphians can buy gift cards to Home Appétit and you’re in luck, because right now they’re running a promotion. Purchase a $250 gift card and get a $25 bonus card or buy $500 and get a $50 bonus card this holiday season. More information can be found online.
Ocean Prime Philly
Why not gift a whole experience for your foodie friends or family? Ocean Prime Philly is known around the city for its atmosphere and menu offerings, and over the years the establishment has received the reputation of being one of the best restaurants in all of Philadelphia. The delectable seafood and steakhouse not only offers exquisite food and drinks, but also offers an atmosphere so comfortable yet refined. Every meal is crafted like a work of art, and every last bite leaves you wanting more. Indulging in the experience at this Center City establishment is also easier than ever — now through Dec. 30, for every $100 gift card purchased, you receive an additional $25. From its award-winning steaks and seafoods, eye-catching signature “Berries & Bubbles” cocktail, happy hour and decadent desserts, Ocean Prime Philly can give anyone on your holiday list a special night out. For those still less comfortable dining out, the gift cards can also be used for takeout dining. Gift cards can be purchased online and are offered as traditional gift cards that can be mailed or picked up at one of their restaurants or an e-card that can be downloaded or emailed to the recipient.
124 S. 15th St., ocean-prime.com
Rastelli’s
As a release states, you can BYOB (Be Your Own Butcher) with Rastelli’s new collection of 100% grass-fed primals. Each one is wet-aged, hand trimmed and block ready — and you can gift the experience of cutting your own steaks, each to your own preferred thickness. Only want a few? You can cut and freeze the rest, or roast what you don’t cut in the oven. They make the perfect gift for an at-home cook, or maybe a little treat for yourself. The new line includes: grass-fed tenderloin primal ($149), grass-fed ribeye primal ($149), grass-fed striploin primal ($149) and grass-fed sirloin primal ($49). Primals can be purchased with a professional grade 8-inch chef knife for an additional fee. Rastelli’s also ships nationwide.
The Cocktail Workshop Book
Know an amateur mixologist or maybe just someone who loves to enjoy a libation? With “The Cocktail Workshop: An Essential Guide to Classic Drinks and How to Make Them Your Own” now available online and at Art in the Age, you can give the gift of knowledge in liquid form. The new book comes from Steven Grasse and Adam Erace and runs for $27.50 at the Old City shop’s site. The official description for the book reads: Inside you’ll find the history and recipes for 20 classic cocktails, from the mint julep to the margarita, along with riffs (to make the drinks your own) and a workshop (to really up the ante) – a liquid curriculum meant to nail what makes an iconic cocktail and explore how to change it up through unusual ingredients, varied techniques, and at-home projects (like flaming garnishes and DIY bitters) that will lift your home mixology to a rarefied level. The book offers insider tips that will make anyone an expert almost immediately.
