FOREST HILLS — With the holidays coming up, Forest Hills gourmet food stores offer plenty of options for people who want to please their foodie friends and family members.
From hard-to-find craft beers and rare cheeses, to artisanal sweets and baked goods, check out our suggestions below, which all come from local shops.
► More: See DNAinfo Partners' Neighborhood Picks in the 2016 Holiday Guide
Italian Sweets
For those who have a sweet tooth, Cipollina Gourmet Italian Market, at 116-09 Queens Blvd. has a variety of imported Italian treats. Panettone, a soft sweet bread with raisins and citrus peels, can be purchased in all shapes and sizes, from a mini loaf which costs $3 to a large one featuring chocolate and nougat Nativity figurines for $120. Soft handmade amaretti cookies with figs and walnuts ($9.99) and Torrone nougat bars ($5.25 to $16) are also available. The store offers custom gift baskets.
Rare Cheeses and Foie Gras
For cheese-loving friends, shoppers are sure to pick something tasty from a wide range of items at Cheese of the World, at 71-48 Austin St. Epoisses, a rare pungent soft cow's milk cheese from Burgundy is priced at $16.99. Other unique gourmet items include Moliterno al Tartufo, an Italian aged cheese with intense truffle flavor for $27.99 per pound and Midnight Moon, a sharp, nutty and sweet aged goat milk cheese produced in the Netherlands for $24.99 per pound. The store offers other delicacies too, including foie gras, one of the most sough after meat products, which can be purchased for $29.99.
Hard-to-Find Craft Beers
Know an avid craft beer enthusiast? Mr. Vino’s Cucina, at 71-03 Austin St. offers dozens of craft beers, including several hard-to-find brews, like Callipygian, a barrel-aged imperial stout. Avery Brewing Co. in Boulder, Colorado, produced only 1,174 cases of this 17.4 percent ABV beer which can be purchased for $16.99 a bottle. The selection also includes Oude Quetsche Tilquin à l'Ancienne, a rare Lambic plum beer ($16.99), Emile, an ale aged in wine barrels from Allagash Brewing Co. in Portland, Maine ($15.99) and Collaboration No. 6 from Boulevard Breweing Co. in Kansas City, Missouri, a barrel aged blend of four different beers ($16.99). For those who like to pair their beer with fine cured meats, the store also offers Jamon Iberico for $75.95 per pound.
Artisanal Bread, Sandwiches, Coffee and More
French bakery La Boulangerie, at 109-01 72nd Road, offers a variety of breads, croissants, and tartes that could easily be served along the Champs-Elysee. The bakery offers gift cards in any amount, which can also pay for other sweet and savory treats, such as coffee, quiche Lorraine, onion soup or one of the sandwiches, like Croque-Monsieur or Jambon de Bayonne.