Discovering the Gift of Good Taste

Whether you are looking for a special addition to your holiday menu or want to give mouth-watering gifts, North County has an abundance of foodstuffs to choose from. There are cognac sugarplums, gourmet meats and other treats with which to demonstrate your good taste.

Here is some of what’s available:

Traditional English Christmas cakes covered in white icing are just one of the British Christmas specialties at the Vineyard Bakery, (1511 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido. 489-6458). British-born baker Joan Peet and her husband, Eric, have spent years perfecting their craft, and they will ship their Christmas cake all over the country. If you need a super-special dessert this holiday season, they will also fill your party bowl with their own multilayered trifle. Open 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday.

Visions of cognac sugarplums do indeed come true at Bobb’s Sweet Surrender (175 Bostick Blvd., No. 103, San Marcos, 92069. 598-9378). Owner Bobbi Cannon also deals in traditional fruitcakes--a dense and rich chocolate, citron-free Christmas fruitcake adapted from her mother-in-law’s recipe. The fruitcake has won raves from food critics nationwide. You will also find Bobbi’s unusual, all-natural lemon drop, butter pecan and coconut crunch cookies at gourmet establishments such as Harvest Ranch, Jonathan’s in La Jolla and Daniel’s in Del Mar, in pretty mini-bags or in 1- or 2-pound cans. Fruitcakes can only be purchased direct from the factory during the holiday season. Open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Archer’s Confectionary (355 Elm Avenue, Carlsbad, 434-1105) is a division of ARC (Assn. for Retarded Citizens) in Carlsbad and an “employment training facility for developmentally disabled adults, leading to job placement,” said workshop manager Gale Phillips. Archer’s manufactures fruit marzipan and a variety of molded Christmas chocolates. “We also make any kind of nutty clusters you could think of,” said manager Faith Wrucke. The shop also makes creams in dark, white and milk chocolate and assorted truffles and candies sold by the piece or by the pound. Each gift pack is assembled to order. Although Archer’s prefers the walk-in trade, they will ship UPS. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

For a holiday dessert with a French twist, you can order a traditional French chocolate Yule log from Jacques Pautrat, owner of Champagne Bakery (162 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road, Encinitas, 944-9446, and 202 15th St., Del Mar, 792-8171). In addition to his trademark oversize pastries, Pautrat makes his own chocolates and traditional chocolate Pere Noel (Santa Claus) and packages them in gift boxes. Pautrat and his crew will also roast your holiday turkey or ham in their brick ovens and provide the trimmings for you, with two days’ notice. Open 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

If the flavors of Italy are more to your liking, then Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana (Del Mar Plaza, Camino Del Mar, 755-8876) is the place to do your ordering. Il Fornaio is now packaging biscotti, extra-virgin olive oil from Tuscany and balsamic vinegar. Its large selection of Italian holiday takeout foods, sold through its Un Poco di Tutto retail store on the premises, includes panettone egg bread and Italian coffees. Gift packs must be ordered by Dec. 2. Open 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

The Vista Certified Farmer’s Market (P.O. Box 2690, Vista, 92085; 630-1015) has just set up its own version of fruit or vegetable of the month gift packs. “All the fruit and vegetables are supplied by our own farmers,” said Margo Baughman, who manages the market along with her husband, Dick. Several “commodities managers” are responsible for contacting individual growers to obtain the freshest products available----be they freshly picked citrus or seasonal subtropical fruit, avocados or specialty greens. Gift packs are shipped by UPS or second-day air, depending on the destination. Special orders are welcomed. A quarterly newsletter will keep customers updated on the products available.

Nuts are an indispensable ingredients for holiday baking, and Bates Nut Farms (15954 Woods Valley Road, Valley Center, 425-5777) in operation since the mid-1920s, sells shelled and unshelled nuts of all kinds. Its gift packs, which include Bates’ own roasted nuts and California-grown dried fruits, are shipped all over the United States and overseas. Open 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Along with an ocean view, Daniel’s Market (Del Mar Plaza, Camino del Mar, 481-8191) has gorgeous food displays and hard-to-find specialty items. This year, Daniel’s service deli will cook to order spit-roasted turkeys and hams to be taken home and finished in the oven (cutoff date for Christmas is Dec. 22). Trimmings include an herb stuffing, a yam souffle, gravy and a choice of pumpkin pudding or pumpkin pie. Daniel’s beautiful gift baskets start at $20 for a basic fruit basket, although Epicurean supervisor Dan Napier says he has one for $400. All products are fresh, and the fruits and vegetables are locally grown. The store’s special fresh-baked bread pudding will be available daily throughout the holiday season. Open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Sunday.

Gregory’s Market (River Village Shopping Center, California 76 and Mission Road, Bonsall, 630-9900) is worth the detour for its wonderful bakery goods and superb meats alone, but anyone who hasn’t yet discovered the Mediterranean-flavored River Village Shopping Center is in for a treat. Gregory’s will assemble party platters and cater a full holiday meal. It also offers a home delivery service in Pauma Valley, Bonsall, Valley Center, Fallbrook and Vista. Should you tire of browsing through the gourmet produce and specialty items, stop at the small coffee bar for a break of coffee and fresh Danish. Gregory’s will let you assemble your own gift basket or will assemble it for you. Holiday baked goods include Christmas cakes and cookies, all made on the premises. Hours are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Two varieties of holiday dressings, fresh cranberry relish, pies and gravy will be available for takeout at Harvest Ranch Market (162 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road, Encinitas, 944-6898), although you will have to cook your own turkey. Harvest Ranch will also provide holiday bakery goods, along with its wonderful muffins and cookies. Decorated party trays, such as platters of hors d’oeuvres or imported pates and cheeses with fresh fruit, start at $3.50 per person. Order two days ahead. Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Along with a large meat counter, oversize sandwiches and inexpensive home-cooked meals are the trademark of Tip Top Meats (611 Paseo Del Norte, off Palomar Airport Road in Carlsbad, 438-2620). This local institution features preservative-free turkeys, prime rib, pork, geese and ducks, which owner John Haedrich cooks at no charge to customers. Tip Top also sells more than a dozen varieties of homemade sausages, including apple sausage, a Cajun andouille and a Swedish potato sausage. Country-smoked hams, cold cuts and luncheon meats are “95% fat-free, low sodium, and no water is added,” said Haedrich. Tip Top’s ovens can hold up to 80 turkeys--and there is still space for German stollen and freshly baked breads. In addition, Tip Top’s carries a full-line of Kosher meats and other Kosher products. Party trays are also available. Open every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Ramona Meats (2330 Main St., Ramona, 789-3044; 1-800--538-MEAT) is “probably the only one in Southern California specializing in exotic meats,” according to Robby Bertheola, who has owned the business for the past five years. If you need alligator, buffalo or other out-of-the-ordinary meat, this is the place. “We have anything and everything you would want,” said the affable Bertheola. The venison and buffalo meat come from animals raised on game farms in Texas, and the country ribs, barbecued beef and chicken are smoked on the premises. All products are kept in stock year-round and can be shipped anywhere in the United States. Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Seafood lovers can call on Pelly’s Fish Market and Cafe in Carlsbad (7117 Avenida Encinas, Suite 101, next to Ralphs, 431-8454). Pelly’s will poach-to-order a farm-grown Atlantic salmon with two days’ notice. It will also let you design your own seafood platter. Rick Underwood, one of Pelly’s managers, recommends the cioppino for a party, using Pelly’s cioppino stock as a base. Customers then pick out seafood from the large display case to complete the dish. The Italian stew runs about $8 a head for a good portion and includes sourdough bread. “It’s a pretty elegant thing. I do it every year for my family,” Underwood said. The staff will also peel and devein shrimp, shuck oysters and clams at no cost. Phone in your order, or visit in person and sample one of Pelly’s terrific fish tacos. Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.

Should you feel like relinquishing all party planning, as well as at-home entertaining, the Rancho Santa Fe Polo Club offers a novel idea: its 7,200-square-foot decorated Festivities Holiday Chalet, overlooking the polo grounds. The chalet was created just for the holiday season and offers full-service catering and a bar, as well as a raised stage and a dance floor. It is available for evenings or afternoons. Call 587-2121 for details.

Finally, what better way to top off a holiday meal than with a bottle of wine--or sherry, or port--all available from Bernardo Winery (13330 Paseo del Vernao Norte, Rancho Bernardo, 487-1866.) The winery, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest continuously operating wineries in the state, said owner and master vintner Ross Rizzo, whose family has owned the winery since 1928.

Bottles with individualized labels make popular holiday gifts, Rizzo said. (They must be ordered by Dec. 15, and there is a $15 setup fee and an additional 25 cents charge per label, in addition to the cost of the wine.) Rizzo also produces a few gallons of cold-pressed, extra-virgin olive oil made from olives planted on the property, as well as fragrant vinegars. All products are available at the winery gift shop. A dozen small boutiques on the winery grounds are also stocked with unusual holiday merchandise. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.