The Luxist Awards for Best in Food
Do you know of a gourmet grocer or food hall with a selection that is superior to all others? Is there an online gourmet goods purveyor that offers the best products to choose from? Do you have a favorite cheese shop with an array of gourmet products, from artisanal to farmstead and everything in between, that you believe is the best of the best? Which retailer has the most fabulous caviar in the world? Which bakery offers the finest bread? If you are a foodie who knows where to go for the best in food around the globe, we want to hear from you!
The Luxist Readers' Choice Awards for Best in Food will be based on your nominations and voting. We're currently seeking nominations for the best-of-breed in the following categories:
Best Gourmet Grocer or Food Hall
Best Online Gourmet Goods Purveyor
Best Cheese Shop
Best Caviar Retailer
Best Bread (Bakery)
Submit your nominations below about your favorite gourmet food resources and we will compile a list of those that are the most popular, along with related articles. One nomination per category, please. Submissions can be filed until November 15th, 2009.
Nominations have been received and vetted for the best-of-breed in lighting, furniture, antiques resource, dishware and glassware. Vote now for what you believe is the best of breed for each of these categories. Readers' Choice Awards for Decor will be announced on October 31st.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jordan Oct 21st 2009 1:27PM
The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills
pyrrhusmj Oct 21st 2009 2:21PM
Central Market in Texas. It's a chain owned by HEB, but the selection and choices of all things gourmet is incredible.
rhbjorn Oct 21st 2009 5:17PM
Considering the number of food outlets worldwide, this makes no sense. Can anyone claim to know the best bakery, there must be literally millions to choose from.
Jay Sartain Nov 10th 2009 2:00PM
Bakinstoss bakery in Tracy City,Tn. he best bread on earth...
beanspants Oct 21st 2009 5:26PM
Actually agree with pyrrhusmj about Central Market. It's a great place to purchase gourment food, but it also makes it acceptable to newbies with many tasting stations, events, and even cooking classes.
For cheese, I'd say there are usually 3-5 booths open where you can sample for free. Imagine that counter above, but with better labling, so you know where the cheese came from and what it's called. And it's all out, so you can touch it and smell the wheels.
For bread, usually 10-20 different flavors.
Great place to shop.
Ashley Oct 22nd 2009 12:50PM
I'm lovingggg Village Tea Co. from Dallas. The Sweet Vanilla Grace is super sweet- it's almost like you're not drinking tea! Hot or cold- this is my fav ( decaf) treat :)
Liz Fulton Oct 22nd 2009 6:59PM
There is a new gourmet doughnut shop in the Seattle area called FROST. In just 3 months of being open they're taking the doughnut world by storm. They have an adorable boutique-style shop and have flavors such as salted caramel, red velvet, bourbon caramel pecan, pear & caramel fritters... so many more. REALLY incredible! Their website at http://www.frostology.com is still under construction, but you should see their facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/frostology - over 2500 fans and growing!
Karla Bayler Oct 28th 2009 8:01PM
I'm a new Reader, but my vote is on CHOCOLATE!!! My absolute favorite obsession!!! The very best Chocolatier in my area is Derry Church Artisan Chocolates in Mechanicsburg, PA. My Mother got me some online for a special occasion, and I haven't been able to stop eaing it since! I can't remember exactly what the physical street address is, but I just get mine online at:
http://DerryChurchArtisanChocolates.com
carlthinks Oct 30th 2009 1:56PM
Sorry, everyone, this is only local for folks in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
The Long Lake Market here squeezes fresh orange juice every day.
Fabulous. No processing, no pastuerization. Just fresh, pure orange juice. One of the best beverages I ever tasted.
Jack Nov 3rd 2009 2:15PM
No category for coffee, the nectar of the gods?
mdenviron Nov 6th 2009 12:31PM
The best cheese is the one shared among good friends with a bottle of wine at the winery!
fairradynt Nov 6th 2009 6:22PM
Borne in bklyn ny great food got married moved to la calif in 1958 when i saw a jar of guldens mustard on the table in a chinese restaurant i knew i was in trouble , but after 32 years things got a lot better then we moved to palmyra va in 1991
here we go again very rural again things are getting better so this survey will be very interesting the best store for gourmet foods is trader joes also foods of all nations makes life better haveing them to shop for all the things that are hard to find
Steven Nov 8th 2009 2:03PM
Having grown up on caviar, I am always looking for the best places to buy it fresh for family gatherings and dinner parties. The best place to buy it when I was growing up was of course, Brighton Beach in Brooklyn (If anyone knows about caviar and the Russian community, you immediately think Brighton Beach).
When Brighton is not around the corner, I get all my caviar and caviar gift sets for gathering from Black Star Gourmet. The caviar is always fresh and is always delivered next day. Their selection is pretty extensive and has the less expensive, but delicious American caviars as well as the traditional, but more expensive Russian caviar from the Caspian Sea.
Here is their online store:
http://www.blackstargourmet.com
sensualimages Nov 10th 2009 12:50PM
For farradynt you might want to check out www.nyfcheesecake.com i'm a New Yorker as well. These cheesecakes are stillmade in NY and flown all over the country. They aso make any of their cakes 100% sugar free shipped to your home or office
Roberta Nov 10th 2009 9:36PM
for the reader who said he coulod not find gourmet food in LA - I guess he never discovered Bristol Farms before he left for the wilds of VA.
The cheeses are unbelievable.......
areniartenisweet Nov 10th 2009 10:16PM
You have to go to Mexico. The name called Barcelo Riviera Maya Palace. It is all inclusive hotell. Every night we use to reserve the diferent restaurants to go, such as French, Italian and Brazilian. The best of all with services or food, you can not immagin that you might be feeling like a celebrity in Bevery Hill. Each table they have 2 full servers that they stand 6 feet away from you for your needs.
The food is spectacular. The best of all, we found that the bread is hevenly fresh and taist heavenly. The best bread we found was in first at Brazilian restaurant, and second in Italian restaurant. There is no extra service charge for that reastaurants. Its all inclusive that goes with your hotell reservation. Perhaps, you like to live a tip for the servers. But, I tell you that for 4 of us at the table or more people at the table, however each service would cost at least $200 or more.You sould try it. Its a nice place to take a vacation at the summer.
Sommer Nov 10th 2009 10:35PM
I enjoy the Safeway close to me in Anderson, California. They
always have fresh french breads ( all kinds ) , bagels, and wheat
breads.....they are awesome!
John Nov 12th 2009 5:59PM
The Best Cheese - STATERS BROS. MARKET!!! Without a dought!!!
Sedonacrownjewel Nov 15th 2009 1:47AM
MY CREATIVE HOME COOKED GOURMET FOOD IS THE BEST! I HAVE A DINNER PARTY ABOUT ONCE A WEEK! ALL MY FRIENDS GET TO TASTE MY DELICIOUS MEALS! ISN'T THAT HOW RACHEAL RAY AND BOBBIE FAYE GOT STARTED?