Here are a few cool gift ideas to use as stocking stuffers your foodie:

Bag of Coal - $7.95
Whether your foodie has been naughty or nice, he or she will get a kick out of finding this bag of licorice candy in their stocking.  Contains molasses, corn syrup, wheat flour, sugar, corn starch, palm oil, licorice extract, natural flavors, salt and other ingredients. Comes is a this cool stitched felt bag. Made in USA
The iPad Wall Mount and Chef Sleeves - $11

What good are those bajillion recipe apps if you can't easily look at them while you're cooking? The iPad Wall Mount and Chef Sleeves is an inexpensive, practical gift for your foodie. Includes a set of 25 sleeves to protect from ingredients and sticky fingers--but it's still 100 percent touch sensitive.

True Fabrications Double Hinged Corkscrew - $7.99
Keeping it simple: If you desire convenience and style in one package, this product was made just for you. This double hinged corkscrew is constructed from fine wood and stainless steel, making it not your ordinary hinged wine bottle opener. The Teflon coated worm reduces friction when uncorking, thereby improving its efficacy. A unique design on a functional classic

Orrefors Carat New York Wine Stopper- $51.69
A super sexy stocking stuffer, Orrefors Carat Wine Stoppers fit all types of bottles and their modern design language is perfect for any elegant table.
Happy Holidays!

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Our first post in this series - Finding the perfect holiday gifts for your Foodie- Presentation is Everything, features creative gift ideas that will provide for striking presentations such as serving trays, food molds, presentation rings and super sexy napkin holders. Next we will present a few gift ideas that are essential tools of the trade.

Foodie Truth #2: Nothing makes our lives easier then having the right tools in the kitchen.

Wusthof Gourmet 7-Piece Knife Set with Block - $129.95
Everyone knows that a true foodie will always need, love and cherish their knife set. This handsome set contains just about every kitchen knife you'll ever need.

This set includes an 8-inch cook's knife, a 3-1/2-inch parer, an 8-inch serrated bread knife, and a 4-1/2-inch utility knife, which is an efficient slicer for a wide range of cutting tasks. In addition, the set comes with shears, a 9-inch steel for sharpening, and a nine-slot solid oak block for storage.

Wusthof 8pcsteak 8-Piece Stainless-Steel Steak Knife Set with Wooden Gift Box - $79.95

For steak lovers everywhere, having the right knife to indulge in your favorite meal is essential. As beautiful as they are functional, the steak knives in this eight-piece set beg for an elegant dinner of tenderloin steak or grilled lamb chops.

Mauviel® Copper 8-Piece Cookware Set - $939

After the perfect knife collection has been amassed, having professional-quality pots and pans are essential for your favorite foodie. Here we have a beautiful collection created my Mauviel.  Recognized as the leader in fine French copper cookware since 1830, Mauviel is prized by professional chefs for its even heating and fast response to temperature changes.

This beautiful, professional-quality set bonds a thick, extremely conductive layer of the highest-quality copper to a layer of non-reactive stainless steel for the ideal cooking surface. The copper eliminates hotspots and provides precise temperature control; the stainless steel is safe for acidic foods and easy to clean. Riveted stainless handles stay cool and comfortable in the hand without need for hot pads.

13.5" La Tienda Paella Pan - $95 & Essential Paella Ingredients - $65

Is your foodie a specialist? There are dumpling divas, gluten-free advocates, Mexican masters and baking goddesses. If your foodie loves Spanish fare, they will love laTienda.com. Here is one of my favorites found on the site--everything you need to perfect the art of whipping up a paella fiesta. The ideal paella has a crispy, caramelized, toasted bottom (socorat). Flavors are formed at the bottom of the pan, so the paella pan is designed so that a thin layer of the rice is cooked close to the surface. The large cooking surface allows the rice to cook evenly maximizing flavor.
This copper paella pan is gorgeous - on your table, or displayed on your kitchen wall. With brass-plated handles, it adds a touch of elegance when serving paella. However, more than elegance, copper produces the finest paellas.

Add a gift of the Essential Paella Ingredients for 2 or 3 perfect paellas.  Here are the premium ingredients to create the perfect paella! They really do make a difference - from flavor absorbing Bomba rice, to smoky paprika from La Vera, these ingredients elevate a normal paella to a remarkably authentic one. And there is enough here to make two or three paellas, depending on how big they are of course! (Pan Not Included)

Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 7-1/4-Quart Round French Ovens by Le Creuset - $274.28

Beautiful enough for the table yet durable enough to outlive its lifetime limited warranty, this 7-1/4-quart round French oven blends a large capacity with a stovetop-friendly size that makes it easier to work among crowded burners while preparing classics like coq au vin or beef bourguignon, and everyday favorites like pot roast.

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Don't fret about what to get your loved one this holiday season if they are what is known as a "foodie". You already know they live for the latest and greatest experiences in the world of food. We put together a list of gift ideas sure to please. But first, what exactly is a foodie and how do they differ from gourmets?

According to Wikipedia: Foodie is an informal term for a particular class of aficionado of food and drink. The word was coined in 1981 by Paul Levy and Ann Barr, who used it in the title of their 1984 book The Official Foodie Handbook.

Although the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, foodies differ from gourmets in that gourmets are epicures of refined taste, whereas foodies are amateurs who simply love food for consumption, study, preparation, and news-- and in many cases have become bloggers. Gourmets simply want to eat the best food, whereas foodies want to learn everything about food, both the best and the ordinary, and about the science, industry, and personalities surrounding food.

So with that in mind, here is the first of a three part series of GREAT GIFT IDEAS FOR YOUR FOODIE. Let's start with a foodies devotion to PRESENTATION.

FOODIE TRUTH #1: PRESENTATION IS EVERYTHING
You know how your foodie loves to show his or her creative side with a perfectly plated dish. Let's face it, presentation "IS" everything. We are treated to the most creative presentations in our favorite restaurants and a foodie brings that inspiration to their home-cooked meals. Here are three wonderful gift ideas to keep that passion alive:

A 17 Piece Hors D'Oevres Set / $55.00
For a sensual dining experience this gift boasts everything you need for elegant appetizer service,  and this 17-piece set is affordable and chic. Featuring spoons, trays and shooters, the uses are endless. The carrying tray is 15.25" x 11.25" and the kit includes: 4 ceramic spoons, 4 square glass tidbit trays, 4 glass shooters, 4 stainless steel spoons, 1 slate tray with handles.

Presentation Rings by Curtis Stone - $49.99
Curtis Stone graciously shares a big trick of the trade! Did you know that you can take super, simple ingredients and turn them into a dish that looks like it had a team of chefs working on it for hours simply by using a stacking technique? The 'Showtime' set includes four stainless steel rings and a chrome tamper to hold the stack firmly in place. Use them to turn something simple into something that looks amazing. They can also be used to set desserts or as pastry cutters.


Diane Von Furstenberg "Powerstone" Round Tray / $70, will dress any table setting in fashionable style.  The singular style of DVF is captured in these unique handmade trays. Stamped on metal, the faceted Powerstone form easily shares the table with similarly strong shapes. Size: 11.75" x 11.75" x 0.75" made by hand of brass with oil rubbed finish.



Your foodie will have napkins ready for your special meal, so here are two stylish gift ideas to enhance our lovable foodies' table setting: Michael Aram "Lemonwood" Cocktail Napkin Holder / $59.00.
The Lemonwood Collection takes its inspiration from the intricacies of form and texture found in foliage from around the world. By interpreting plant forms in cast metal, Aram presents work, which is evocative of a natural environment transformed and redefined. And what is more romantic than a rose?

And we also have the Nambé "Pebble" Napkin Holder for $85.00

This ingenious and elegant Pebble Napkin Holder cradles napkins on a gently curved metal alloy bed, while the accompanying polished pebble reins in errant napkins and keeps the aesthetic sleek.

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Let's put a spotlight on this gorgeous, beautifully designed cookware line by iiitala Tools! iittala likes BIG. Everything about them is larger than life, including their handles. This sturdy cooking set feature a 3-ply construction, lids with a steam-vent edge and an interior measuring scale. 

You can find this stylish line at Bluecashew Kitchen Pharmacy located in the historic hamlet of Rhinebeck in the Hudson Valley, approximately 2-Hours north from New York City, at 6423 Montgomery Street on Rt 9.

Designed by Bjorn Dahistrom, all Iittala steel cookware is made of 18/ 10 stainless steel that is 18% chromium and 10% nickel. Safe for use on gas, electric, glass ceramic, induction and dishwasher safe. Made in Finland by Iittala.

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A great gift is always personal; something that truly connects to the person receiving it. When you give a gift that helps make a difference in someone's life, it makes you feel just as special as the person who receives it.  I know things are really tough this year, but if you can; think about helping those in need with a donation to help feed the poor and needy. Anything that you can afford will make a difference. 

While there are many to choose from, here are five Organizations with a mission to help end hunger in our nation and around the world.

Blessings in a Backpack: Hunger Doesn't Take Off the Weekend

I've had the pleasure of meeting Stan Curtis, founder of Blessings In a Backpack. A charming man with a large personality and an incredible amount of energy; you know he's the type of person that will get the job done. His organization, Blessings in a Backpack, is a unique program that is designed to feed elementary school children whose families qualify for the federal free and reduced meal program, and may not have any or enough food on the weekends.

How it Works: "Every Friday, kids in schools that participate in the Blessings in a Backpack program get a backpacks filled with easy-to-prepare and ready-to-eat food. $80 feeds a child in the program for an entire school year. Following a donation, a school is chosen and a local grocer partners with the program to provide food for meals in the backpacks. Every Friday, students receive their backpacks with staples that require little to no preparation.  On Monday, the kids return the backpacks, ready to learn. Then the cycle begins the next Friday."

Better test scores, improved reading skills, positive behavior, improved health and increased attendance have all been attributed to the success of this program. To Learn More and/or Donate: Visit the Web Site

Charity Water: Holiday Gifts that Bring Clean Water to People in Need

"Most of us have never really been thirsty. We've never had to leave our houses and walk 5 miles to fetch water. We simply turn on the tap, and water comes out. Clean."
"Right now, almost a billion people on the planet don't have access to clean, safe drinking water. That's one in eight of us.  charity: water is a non-profit organization bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations. 100% of public donations to directly fund sustainable water solutions in areas of greatest need. Just $20 can give one person clean water for 20 years.  In four years, charity: water has raised more than $20 million and funded 3,196 water projects.": To leaner more and/or to donate: Visit the Web site.

Food Bank New York City

"There are 3.3 million New Yorkers who experience difficulty affording food -- an astounding number and one that continues to increase as the donated food supply drops to an all-time low and food costs skyrocket. To address this issue, the Food Bank procures and distributes food to a network of approximately 1,000 community-based member programs citywide, helping to provide 400,000 free meals a day for New Yorkers in need."

"Food Bank For New York City recognizes 27 years as the city's major hunger-relief organization working to end food poverty throughout the five boroughs. As one of the country's largest food banks, our mission is to end hunger in New York City by organizing food, information and support for community survival and dignity. As the city's hub for integrated food poverty assistance, the Food Bank tackles the hunger issue on three fronts -- food distribution, income support  and nutrition education.": To learn more Visit the web site.

Feeding America

"Feeding America consists of a nation-wide network of more than 200 food banks and food rescue organizations that serve virtually every county in the United States as well as Puerto Rico.  As the nation's leading hunger-relief charity, Feeding America's mission is to feed America's hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and engage our country in the fight to end hunger." 

"Each year, the Feeding America network provides food assistance to more than 25 million low-income people facing hunger in the United States, including more than nine million children and nearly three million seniors. The Feeding America network secures and distributes more than two billion pounds of donated food and grocery products annually" : To Learn More and/or Donate: Visit Their Website

Project Angel Food (LA)

"Project Angel Food's mission is to nourish the body and spirit of men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other life-threatening illnesses. Volunteers and staff cook and deliver free and nutritious meals prepared with love throughout Los Angeles County, acting out of a sense of urgency because hunger and illness do not wait."

"Meals are prepared by professional chefs and volunteer assistants, are nutritiously-appropriate, attractive and always made with the freshest ingredients. Registered dietitians provide clients with individual, nutritional counseling. There is no charge to clients for these services": To Learn More and/or Donate: Visit Their Website

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If you want her to feel incredibly special, select a gift that lets her know you spent time thinking about what will make her smile. If she is creative - find something special and unique. If she loves a sense of adventure - do something daring. If she loves music - enhance her sound experience. If she is a romantic - do something that will sweep her off her feet and even better, something you can both share together.  Here are some of our favorites this year.

A Home Cooked Romantic Meal for Two: Lobster Newburg
What better way to show your appreciation for your loved one that by showering her with a specially prepared romantic rendezvous at home. There are many recipes and tips on SeductionMeals.com, just explore you will find many options. But wait! You say you don't cook - Fret not. Williams-Sonoma offers delicious dishes that can be shipped right to your door. Just pop them in the oven and serve in no time- like this luscious Lobster Newburg. Check out their site for options to curate a romantic meal for two like no other.

Romatic Get-a-Ways: Rangali Island / The Maldives
If you really want to sweep her off her feet, take a look at some of the World's Most Romantic Island get-aways as presented by Travel & Leisure. Who wouldn't appreciate time in the sun with their significant other, walking on the beach at sunset or sunrise, dining on local delicacies and lounging on a tropical island?

iPAD - $499
This is still one of the "hottest" gifts desired by many. I know I want one! A magical and revolutionary product for true Tech Luv.  The best way to experience the web, email, photos and video. Hands Down!

Agate Napkin Ring Set of 2 - $65
Vivre: Make a bold statement when setting your table. "Inspired by the patterns that naturally exist in the ancient semi-precious stone agate, this set of two napkin rings is truly unique. Crafted of hand-polished glass that's topped with azure-hued agate, these pieces will add elegance and a natural sparkle to your tabletop".
Denon N7 Receiver and Speakers - Just under $800
It doesn't get sexier than this! Amazon.com: "The RCD-N7 is a music listener's dream system. This compact AM/FM CD receiver with built in iPod/iPhone dock and networking capability allow you to enjoy music from virtually any source. Connecting the system to the internet via Ethernet cable or wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) opens up a new world of content from Internet Radio, Napster, Rhapsody and Pandora (subscription fees may apply). Set up is extremely easy since the "N7" supports Wi-Fi Protected Setup. The N7 is one of the first audio components to support Apple AirPlay, which allows direct streaming of music files from an iTunes library on a Mac, PC, iPod Touch and iPhone. Purchase the Receiver and Speakers".

Trudeau Electric 3-in-1 Fondue Set - $68.97
Feed your loved one chocolate dipped fruits, cheese covered morsels and more. This is definitely an intimate, sexy way to dine. Amazon.com: "The Trudeau electric fondue pot makes the inconvenience of sterno a distant memory! The 11 piece set is a space saver offering the choice of either hot broth or oil based fondue for meat and seafood or just pop in the stoneware bowl for cheese or chocolate fondue. The mirror finish 18/10 stainless steel pot rests on a modular warming base that has a non-stick warming plate with a variable temperature control."

The Fondue Cookbook - $15,34
Amazon.com: "Fondue has enjoyed a rebirth of popularity among culinary trendsetters. This cookbook goes beyond the traditional bread-and-cheese routine--its 80 recipes feature fresh flavors from around the world, beautifully presented in mouthwatering color photos. The Fondue Cookbook is the perfect gift for hosts and hostesses, gourmet cooks, and even novice cooks".


David Burke Gift Certificate
Blazing across distinctions between chef, artist, entrepreneur, and inventor, David Burke is one of the leading pioneers in American cooking today. So who wouldn't be thrilled with a gift certificate to dine at one of his many outstanding restaurants. Purchase a David Burke Restaurant gift card online or in any restaurant! With restaurants in New York, Chicago, New Jersey, and Connecticut, there's no better gift than a gift card to one of our critically acclaimed locations!

And as a special holiday bonus, purchase gift cards online or at any David Burke restaurant and receive an additional $25 gift card for every $100 purchased.  Now through the Holidays...

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The special man in your life deserves to be delighted with carefully selected holiday gifts that will make his heart glow! We selected a few of our favorites below. Happy Shopping!

Piper Heidsieck Brut Rose Sauvage Champagne & Le Chocolat en Rose Truffles - $116
Vosges Chocolates: "Remove a truffle carefully from the box taking care to preserve the coveted rose bud-layered surface. Close your eyes, take three deep breaths and center your mind. Bring your nose to the facade of the truffle as you inhale. Do you sense the lush, aromatics of rose masking rich cacao? Take a small bite, let the texture of the rose buds coat your tongue. A touch of pink Champagne appears, with notes of cherry and plum. Take another breath, allowing the scent to permeate your palate through the back of your throat. Let the quiet seduction of the rose guide your sensory experience"
Chef's Knife Pendant - $50
Amazon.com: "Debbie Howe's jewels are meticulously handmade of sterling silver to reflect the vocation or avocation of their new owner. This pendant subtly shows the world that you're a chef - aspiring, amateur or actual - and adds a delightful touch to your outfit".

Curtis Stone's Flipper Cutting Board - $49.95
The flipper cutting board by Curtis Stone: "As a chef, even when I cook at home, in the back of my mind I am always thinking about cross contamination. So I decided to design a board that makes it virtually impossible. With my new 'Flipper', you can prepare raw meat and seafood on one side then simply flip the board over to prepare your vegetables on the other side. The cutting board sits snugly inside a sturdy frame that won't slip on the kitchen bench and keeps the board off the surface of the bench acting as a further safeguard against contamination."

Reasons I Love You Stones - $29.95
Amazon.com: "The reasons are infinite, and now nine of them are etched in stone. One side of each brushed-nickel token says "I love you..." and the other bears a compelling reason, from "because you're an inspiration" to "because I just do!" and "for always getting my jokes." Comes in a red faux-suede pouch

Twist Handheld Espresso Maker - $149
Amazon.com: If your man loves Espresso this stylish hand-held gadget is perfect for home, office, or outdoors. Twist portable espresso maker requires no external power, levers, dials, or power cords and it uses the same 100-percent recyclable and affordable 8g pressure cartridges used in whipped cream dispensers and soda makers. Each cartridge has sufficient pressure to make up to 4 double shots and 8 single shots of espresso/ High temp stability ensures espresso is extracted at perfect temp; pressure engine ensures soft pre-infusion and build up for ultimate in smooth-tasting coffee.

Vivre: Tree of Life Bowl - $595
"Adorned with brilliant 22k gold glaze, a trio of turquoise, and delicate line work, this handmade ceramic collectible is part of the debut collection of authentic re-editions from prolific sculptor Waylande Gregory, which came to life when Gregory's great nephew, Bryan Downey, discovered a treasure trove of forgotten pieces in the basement of his uncle's estate. Matte finish. Measures 12" x 4".
The Denon 100th Anniversary Turntable In Black - DPA100 - $2500
He has a record collection he is crazy about. He is a purest and loves vinyl. And he's an amazing cook who loves spending time in the kitchen. For the man who loves to rock out while he's cooking and later plays sexy tunes as you dine on delicious home cooked meals together, this gift will blow him away. 

Amazon.com: "Denon Electronics has been manufacturing home entertainment gear for 100 years, and to celebrate, the company has released a Special Edition product line that is available in limited quantities. The Denon 100th Anniversary Turntable In Black - DPA100/ Quartz Lock Servo Control Direct Drive System/ 33-1/3, 45 rpm Speed/ 0.002% Or Less Speed Deviation/ 0.1% Or Less (wrms) Wow And Flutter/ 0.3 sec. or Less To Reach Normal Speed/ 331 mm Aluminum Diecast/ Black Finish."

Sanctuary Charging Station - $129.95
Amazon.com: "The Sanctuary charging station's simple and compact design brings order to his world of gadgets. Compatible with over 1,500 devices from most major brands--including Apple®, BlackBerry®, Motorola® and Samsung®--the universal charger allows him to charge up to 12 devices at the same time. Reversible inner tray insert turns this into the ultimate catchall"

Jawbone JamBox Speaker - $199.99
Amazon.com: "Aliph-the maker of those stylish, noise-reducing Jawbone headsets-is announcing its first product that isn't a headset. It is, however, something with close technological ties to its other products: a small stereo speaker system which connects via Bluetooth to phones, computers, and other devices, and which doubles as a speakerphone. It's called the Jawbone Jambox, and it's a really interesting alternative to the tinny speakers that are built into gadgets"

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For this holiday gift guide we honor the foodies in your life; those enamored with food & wine, the fun (and disasters) of cooking, the latest and greatest gadgets & must-have accessories, and the admirable art of fine dining. The team at Seduction Meals has put together some of our favorite holiday gift ideas for 2010.

You can create captivating dishes such as this Crab Tower Recipe by DailyFoodgasm.com

MOMA Voile Spaghetti Measure - $26
MoMA Site: "For pasta lovers, Voile measures spaghetti for one, two, or five portions. Its fluid form makes it a beautiful and useful kitchen accessory. Made by Alessi of 18/10 stainless steel. Hand-wash only."

Squash Blossoms - $81 for 100 Blossoms
Perfect for someone who enjoys cooking/entertaining for large groups over the holidays. Stuffed Squash Blossoms are a delicacy loved my many. "Tender, fresh, and ephemeral, squash blossoms (aka squash flowers, zucchini blossoms) bring bright color to your dishes. Their natural flavor is very mild, and they have a feathery, crisp and juicy texture. Because they're often stuffed, squash blossoms must be harvested from zucchini plants at night or in the very early morning so their buds are still closed. To ensure optimum freshness, all our squash blossoms are picked the same day they ship to you"--MarxFoods.
Artisinal White Cheese Platter - $69
"Artisanal Premium Cheese began in the dining room of the two-star Michelin restaurant, Picholine in New York City. Everything about Artisanal is rooted in culinary excellence. With a mission to curate the world's finest cheeses, Artisanal selects from thousands worldwide to offer 200 remarkable, unique, and handcrafted cheeses.

A truly successful wine and cheese pairing is a match made in heaven, heightening the experience of both the wine and the cheese. Finding great matches of cheese and wine can be tricky, with flavors often competing, negating, or just plain spoiling one another. To take the guesswork out of pairing and enhance your favorite bottle of white, our Maître Fromager, Max McCalman has assembled our White Wine Cheese Collection" -- Artisinal WebStie. The White Wine Collection includes the following cheeses:

    * Brillat-Savarin Petite, Natural Rind
    * Hoja Santa
    * Comte, Artisanal Fort des Rousses


Breville Pie Maker- $79.95
Williams-Sonoma: "Create up to four individual-sized pies full of your favorite fillings with this simple-to-operate pie maker. Whether its savory meat pies, vegetable pies, quiches or sweet fruit pies or tarts, most pies take just 8 minutes to cook".

D'artagnon Organic Wild Mushroom Collection - $37.49
"This wonderful set includes one 1-ounce jar each of dried chanterelles, morels, porcini, black trumpet, forest mix and porcini powder. All are great for use in soups, stews, sauces, pasta dishes and more.

To use: reconstitute dried mushrooms in hot water 30 minutes before use. Use the leftover water to add flavor to sauces and stocks, or when cooking pasta or risotto". D'artagnonWebSite

Top Shelf Oil & Vinegar Gift Box - $89.99
From Di Bruno Bros "The "Top Self" kitchen gift is an unforgettable pairing of extra virgin olive oil and beautiful aged balsamic vinegar. A 34 oz. bottle of Frantoia Extra Virgin unfiltered olive oil paired with an 8.8 oz. bottle of the beautiful Campari Aged Balsamic to give you the ultimate "Top Shelf" kitchen gift.  Grown in fertile volcanic soil in Palermo, Sicily, and heated by the ancient lava, the cold-pressed olives used to make Frantoia's oil add an extra spicy flavor to the fruitiness of this oil.  Also included in this package is the famed Campari Aged Balsamic vinegar. Aged 15 years to perfection, this balsamic vinegar is sweet, syrupy and turns all dishes into a gourmet work of art. This is truly a top shelf gift that will adorn kitchens and create memorable dining experiences for any occasion."

Oyster Sampler - $115 for 4 Dozen Oysters
Oysters--a perfect choice for a Seduction Meal. Line 'em up and slurp 'em down. Compare the different flavors, textures, and experiences of each of these oysters: Contains 4 dozen oysters.  2 dozen Pacific Oysters and 2 dozen Kumamoto Oysters.

Oil Pouring Can/ Curtis Stone - $59.95
Curtis Stone: "There is nothing more important than pouring the right amount of oil into a hot pan, a dressing or even over your favorite salad. So I've designed this stunning stainless steel oil can that features an elongated spout to help control the perfect pour each time. The oil can will pour your oils to perfection and look elegant on any dining table or kitchen bench".
Truffle Sampler - $68
This Truffle Sampler will make a wonderful gift for your favorite foodie (or yourself!). Here is the information straight from the MarxFoods website. 
 
White Truffle Oil is simply a fine olive oil infused with the flavor and aroma of white truffles. White truffles have a magnificent first impression with their intense aroma.
 
Truffle Honey is made with Acacia Honey and white truffles. It's a fun and fancy addition to your pantry and it can be used, much like regular honey, but adds a remarkably potent truffle flavor to whatever food the honey is drizzled over. Or, of course you can simply spoon it for a decadent indulgence straight from the pantry.
 
Truffle Sea Salt is made with Italian black summer truffles for a distinct flavor that can be used in a plethora of different dishes.

Sweet Basics Spice Set - $32
From TSP Spices "Sweet Basics contains one can each of organic allspice, organic anise seed, organic cardamom, organic Korintje cinnamon, organic cloves and organic nutmeg. Each spice can contains 12 one-teaspoon packets. For baking sweets or blending chai, reach for tsp spices' Sweet Basics. This set offers the perfect combination for all your sweetly spicy needs."

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For cooking enthusiast who love to create gourmet meals at home, experiment with new recipes, or prepare ethnic foods that include exotic ingredients that your local grocer may not carry, there are many online resource that ship the finest foods and ingredients. And best of all, there are many resources below that offer prepared foods that require only a thoughtful, creative presentation. With just a few clicks your pantry will be filled with all you need to create memorable romantic meals for two. Here is a list of ten that should be bookmarked right away.


Dean & DeLuca / www.deandeluca.com
Purveyors of Fine Food, Wine and Kitchenware

DEAN & DELUCA offers the very best in service, quality and of course, selection. Epicurean treats for cooking, eating and entertaining abound such as caviar, shellfish, Foie gras, tapas, high-quality steak, designer cakes, a must-have spice collection, and signature cheese, and an outstanding oil and vinegar collection. DEAN & DELUCA has a team of International food experts who search for the best and newest food products from around the globe. They also have launched a new wine division and can recommend the best food and wine pairings for your specially prepared Seduction Meals.

D'Artagnon / http://www.dartagnan.com/
A company of,by and for Foodies

Celebrating 25 years of delivering the world's finest natural and organic meats to four-star chefs and home gourmets alike. Simply put, D'Artagnan is a company dedicated to putting the finest foie gras, meat, game, truffles, and mushrooms on the tables of American gastronomes whether at home or in restaurants. "We are the leading purveyor of foie gras, pates, sausages, smoked delicacies, organic game and poultry in the nation. All of New York's four-star restaurants, for example, have D'Artagnan products on their menus. " From free-range organic and heritage meats to preservative free charcuterie, D'Artagnan continues to set the trend. In addition to being a group of "foodies" -- many of whom are former professional chefs -- dedicated to fine cuisine, the D'Artagnan team is equally dedicated to the quality and value of sustainable, responsible farming. They are also a frequent supporter of charity organizations such as Share Our Strength, March of Dimes, and City Harvest


Marx Foods / http://www.marxfoods.com
Fine Bulk Food & Delicacies

Marx Foods (a best kept secret) is the place to go when you prefer to order in bulk, the most economical way to shop, however this is bulk GOURMET shopping. This is an online food store with gourmet foods for sale at wholesale prices. Here you can find everything from exotic meats, wild mushrooms, grass-fed beef, free-range veal, designer pasta, and extraordinary salts, oils and sweetner A foodie haven, they also have a great blog with unlimited recipes--all worthy of your next Seduction Meal.

Murray's Cheese Shop / http://www.murrayscheese.com

When you think cheese, think Murray's. Since 1940, Murray's Cheese in New York City has been slicing up farmstead, cloth-bound, stinky, runny, artisanal, handmade, local, organic, and, of course, perfectly ripe cheese. Pay a visit to one of one of their NY stores to find familiar cheeses like English Cheddar, French Brie and Emmentaler  and, courtesy of their  taste-anything policy, experiment with new and exotic cheeses such as cave-aged Italian, French, Dutch, Spanish and Portuguese specialty cheese. Their selection of seasonal and artisanal American cheese is unparalleled, as farms from Vermont to Virginia and Connecticut to California are making some of the finest cheeses ever tasted. Take a virtual tour of their cheese shop. Order online and they will ship your cheese anywhere in the United States the next business day.

 
Petrossian / http://www.petrossian.com

Known for caviar and smoked salmon, this web site is packed with the very best selections of cavair, salmon, specialty smoked fish, foie gras, pate, truffles, chocolate, champagne and wine. Everything that would make your Seduction Meal a memorable, extraordinary  experience!

Chef Shop / http://chefshop.com

 
Espera / http://www.esperya.com
The Italian Food Experience

Esperya is the most well-known on line shop which sells high quality food in all Europe.Founded in 1998, Esperya receives the most hits of any online European gourmet shop. On its site, visited daily by over 4,000 individuals, Esperya offers its 25,000 clients a unique array of over eight hundred Italian food products. Esperya transforms the daily routine of eating into a special event--exactly what a Seduction Meal should be. Food which not only satisfies a basic need, but provides an enjoyable, exciting and "multi-sensory" experience, with an added cultural and social dimension - this, in short, is the ideal behind the creation of Esperya.

La Tienda / http://www.tienda.com
The Best of Spain in America

La Tienda.com was founded in 1996 in Williamsburg, Virginia with the goal of sharing with neighbors a taste of Spain -- as well as her grace, warmth and traditions. With over 700 fine products the broadest selection of quality Spanish food and related products available anywhere. Here you will find everything you need for a perfect paella - paella pans, burners, ingredients, recipes and kits, Jamon Serrano ham, saffron, chorizo, paella, and turron candy. The perfect destination for a Spanish Seduction Meal.

Zabars / http://www.zabars.com

New York Upper West Side gourmet epicurian emporium, specializing in the finest smoked fish, caviar, coffee, cheese, kitchen equipment and housewares. they have excellent gift baskets. I love their bagels and think this is the place to go for a Weekend Breakfast Seduction Meal in Bed. Founded by Louis Zabar. It is one of the best known commercial landmarks of the neighborhood, and is known for its selection of bagels, smoked fish, olives, and cheeses (see appetizing store). Zabar's is frequently referenced in popular culture; it is mentioned in the 1998 film You've Got Mail, the 2009 TV series V and episodes of Will & Grace, Dream On, Mad About You, Sex and the City, The Nanny, Seinfeld, The West Wing, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, 30 Rock, and Castle.

igourmet / http://www.igourmet.com
Specialty Cheeses, Fine Foods and Exquisite Gifts

igourmet.com is an online source for gourmet gifts, imported cheeses  and specialty foods. Since the launch of their website in 1997, igourmet.com has been dedicated to providing customers access to hard-to-find culinary treasures and gourmet gifts and unmatched customer service and affordable prices. The site offers easy-to-follow recipes, abundant serving suggestions, and informative product descriptions.

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Consider yourself a foodie? Then confiture de groseilles is something you should know about. This fine French delicacy hails from the villiage of Bar-le-duc where time seems to be of of no consequence. Configure de groseilles, or current preserves, is produced by a group of women dedicated to removing each and every seed, there are about eight per current,  from each pea-sized currant with a goose quill and making jam from the intact, seeded fruit.  Intrigued?  Sometimes referred to as "French caviar" (the fruit looks very similar to salmon fish eggs), this fine delicacy comes at a price.

Besides enjoying confiture de groseilles on French bread with sweet cream butter you can also create a tantilizing dessert called Duchesse-le-Duc. Place a mound of vanilla ice cream in the center of a bowl and ladle the red preserves over the ice cream, serve with creme Chantilly and sugar violets.

You can find Bar-le-Duc currant preserves at gourmet food shops such as Dean & Deluca, Fraser Morris, and Maison Glass. A three-ounce jar costs $8.70 at Dean & Deluca.

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If you are not the kind of person satisfied with giving flowers and chocolate on Valentine's Day, here is a hot gift tip to explore. SurpriseIndustries.com crafts surprise experiences that allow you to give thoroughly unique gifts that are ideal for your loved one. And, if you prefer you can experience your "surprise" as a couple or a group. A surprise could be anything from a fire massage to a candy-making workshop, but you won't know for sure till you get there. It could be one hour, one day, or a full vacation adventure easily tailored to any budget.

Get Creative in planning your Surprise Gift. If you can imagine it--they can create it!

Here's how it works:

1. Set up a conversation with a Surprise Team Member by emailing hey@surpriseindustries.com.  They're experts in asking all the questions necessary to figure out the surprise of your dreams.
2. Receive a series of mysterious clues and, finally, an address.
3. Show up and dive into your adventure.

Couples have the opportunity to connect deeply by overcoming their nervousness together and encouraging one another to take positive risks. The anticipation and excitement releases dopamine, leading to the delicious "butterflies in the stomach" effect that fuels the flames of love and attraction.

Neurochemical loveliness aside, participating in a Surprise experience together can lead to an important mental shift. After trying out a Surprise, couples are often inspired to live life more fully and take more risks together (even if it's just trying a new restaurant or blurting out something they've been too shy to say). That extra little boost of courage and spontaneity can build a strong foundation for a new relationship and create the burst of sparks that an older relationship has been craving.

Some Surprise Highlights:

Lauren and Adam had been dating for a little over a year, and Lauren had never been able to outdo her boyfriend's creative gift giving. Enter Surprise Industries. Surprise Expert, Becky Stella uncovered that the couple is full of energy but rarely gets to express it because they're constantly confined to their NYC apartment. She learned that they also both have a mild fear of heights that they've always wanted to conquer. Becky designed a day-long Adventure that enabled the couple to get out (and up) without having to take any time off their hectic work schedules.

Throughout the week prior to their Surprise, the couple received a series of mysterious clues and phone calls, but they had no idea what was in store. Their adventure began with a stilt-walking lesson. They took their first steps in a studio and quickly stilted out of the building to strut their stuff all over Times Square.

After lunch, the couple found themselves at an aerial arts and trapeze lesson. Their instructor, Michael, wrote: "they seemed to be so excited from the moment they walked into the tent until they left. I remember seeing their faces and there was a combination of shock, nervousness and excitement - that is hard to beat!"

Last but not least, the two adventurers took a scenic drive to what they soon discovered was a flight school. Here, Lauren and Adam got to take their final step off the ground and experience flying a Cessna 172 airplane over the Hudson river.

Total cost: $400 per person

Kelsey and Christian felt like their relationship had slipped into a rut after six years of marriage, two kids, and constant work. They decided it was finally time for a vacation on their own even though they only had a few days to spare. They consulted Surprise Expert, Kat Dudina to figure out a way to use this away time together to rekindle their bond. Kat found out that the couple loved nature, but while Kelsey was partial to all things water-related, Christian was much more of a land mammal. They were also torn about whether they wanted their vacation to feel relaxing or exciting. Kat's solution: a three day Surf and Turf Maui getaway.

The couple received detailed instructions on what to pack and how to prepare, but they didn't find out their destination until they arrived at the airport. When they landed, their transportation and hotel accommodations were all taken care of according to their preferences.

The next morning, after enjoying a private outdoor breakfast, their Surf themed adventure began. They took a snorkeling and wild dolphin watching expedition (complete with underwater cameras), rested at lunch, and then completed their day with a surfing lesson and, finally, an exhilarating kite boarding surprise.

The next morning, their Turf adventure began with a scenic horseback ride along the beach, pineapple picking, and a zip lining experience through Hawaii's greenest valleys in the afternoon. At sunset and throughout their last evening in Maui, Kelsey and Christian joined a traditional Luau, including dinner, dancing, and fire spinning lessons. They returned home the next day feeling refreshed and deeply connected.

Total cost (all inclusive from NYC for 3 to 6 day stays): $3,000 - $6,000 per person
Total cost of Surprises and Meals (excluding travel and hotel): $700 per person

OK, your turn. Get Creative. Think big or small. Either way, this is a pretty great gift to give during your Valentine's Day dinner--one that is sure to create a lasting impression.

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The act of gifting can be fun, exciting and extremely satisfying especially when the person receiving the gift is blown away with delight. This Valentine's Day, celebrate the joy of knowing each other with gifts that makes him feel special and adored.

Gotham Dream Cars - starts at $499 a day
Give the gift of driving around for a day (or longer) in a Ferrari, Lamborghini, or other high-end super sports car. There's nothing more thrilling than the speed and power of an exotic car, and what better way to enjoy Valentine's Day as a couple than in one of the world's most sought after and exclusive vehicles? Gotham Dream Cars is the country's leading source for exotic and luxury vehicles, and has a fleet of more than 18 top-of-the-line cars to choose from, such as the Lamborghini Murcielago LP 640 Roadster, the Ferrari F430 Spider, Aston Martin DB9 and Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren. 


Golf Lesson with a PGA Pro - $150
Take your golf game to the next level with a private lesson from a PGA® Professional Instructor! After receiving this golf lesson certificate, the recipient may select a course location and lesson date most convenient for them. Private lesson customized to your skill level and will focus on areas of your game you want improve. Perfect gift for the golf lover!

Coco Luxe Nuts For You - $75.50
The perfect combination. Our 10" suitcase with a box each of our Country Fair Peanuts, Block Party Almonds and a fabulous eighteen-piece box of truffles or caramels.

Sweet for you - $45.50
Our 8" suitcase stuffed with a delicious bunch of bars paired with a nine-piece box - please select from the listed collections. Includes one each of our three chocolate bars, Monkeyin' Around, Good Fortune and Happy Trails.
Christopher Elbow Drinking Chocolate - $16
These European-style drinking chocolates blend pure dark chocolate with two unique flavors for an unforgettable cup of real hot cocoa. Choose from Venezuelan Spiced Drinking Chocolate, Peppermint Drinking Chocolate, Mocha Drinking Chocolate, and Cocoa Noir Dark Drinking Chocolate.

Knipschildt White Chocolate with Butterscotch & Whiskey - $4
Why settle for ordinary coffee when you can have something extraordinary? For an instant chocolate experience, simply stir the pyramid into a small cup of hot milk or coffee. A white chocolate shell is filled with butterscotch and whiskey. This stick is a "modern version of Irish Coffee" - just stir into your coffee and add a little bit of whipped cream.

Better Together Brownies          
Better Together Brownies make an ideal Valentine's Day gift.  These delicious brownies are made by a husband-wife team using organic ingredients and fair trade chocolate.  Not only are the brownies scrumptious but you can feel good about giving these treats.  Brownies can be ordered online and come packages in B.T. Baking's signature box.

Barneys New York Faux Crocodile Domino Set - $395.00
Handcrafted embossed crocodile leather box houses 28 white domino pieces embellished with white Swarovski Crystals. 9.5" x 5.5" x 2". Available in White. Handcrafted in Italy.

Kama Sutra Lover's Paintbox - $39.95
A chocolate lover's wildest fantasy come true, these silky, sultry body chocolates are made to brush on and lick off. The ultimate in sweet indulgence, they make a sinfully sensual midnight snack. One each of Milk, Dark and White Chocolate, plus a paintbrush to inspire creativity, all artfully presented in a clever paintbox. Treat both of you to a sweet feast for the senses!
JBL Creature III - $129.95
Brand new re-design of cult-favorite sci-fi speakers. Perfectly sized for dorm room desks and small spaces with uniquely designed sub-woofer and satellite speakers. Compatible with all desktops, laptops, MP3 players, and gaming systems. Available in white or black

Pin-Up Girl Chocolate Bars - $16 per bar
These delicious chocolate bars are wrapped with a selection of Classic Calendar Girl Pin-Up images. Each timeless, sexy, and fun photo complements the dark or milk chocolate bar perfectly. Unwrapping the treat reveals an embossed bar with our signature logo, and each nibble yields delightfully rich yet smooth chocolate. These bars make a wonderful gift idea for any vintage pin- up fan.

Hand-Dipped Football Berries - 1/2 Dozen: $24.99
What food could be better for a football party than gourmet dipped strawberries decorated like footballs? Each sweet strawberry is hand dipped and decorated with white stitches simulating the gridiron pigskin. Send these to your favorite football enthusiast or order them to arrive for your football halftime party. Either way they will be remembered like a famous touchdown.

Garmin 755T GPS, nuvi  - Sale $399.99
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=424081&CategoryID=49538
Stop for food. Stop for gas. But never stop for directions again. The Garmin nuvi 750 leads the way with advanced GPS technology, offering turn-by-turn voice directions, live traffic alerts and points of interest by the millions... and that's just the beginning of your journey!

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When you want to truly express your gift giving flair; let your imagination soar with ideas that are anything but ordinary. Imagine giving a gift that will be remembered long after the wrapping paper has been thrown away and talked about for years to come. Whether it's watching the sun rise from a hot air balloon, learning to sail, or feeling the adrenaline rush of driving a sprint cup style stock car, the recipient of an extraordinary gift will be on cloud nine. I will never forget my first hot air balloon experience gliding of the magical moonscape of Cappadocia, Turkey.

Private DJ Lessons - $135
Show off your rhythm and hone your DJ skills in this private DJ lesson package. Whether you have never stepped in front of a turntable, or are an aspiring music enthusiast, you will learn tricks, styles and formulas from the best in the business. The school was founded by Jam Master Jay, legendary DJ of Run DMC.

Private Balloon Ride for 2 - $590
A romantic day that you'll remember for a lifetime. Experience the tranquility and romance of your very own private hot air balloon ride over the magnificent Virginia countryside.  Enjoy stunning views of the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains, Shenandoah River and much more. Embrace the serenity as you float effortlessly 1,500 - 3,000 feet above the ground

Personal Chef for an Evening - $465
Host a lavish four course Dinner Party in your own home without lifting a finger! Your personal Chef has been featured in the New York Times, USA Today and the Wall Street Journal. Discuss with your chef food preferences, dietary concerns & menu options during an initial consultation. Relax and entertain in style with exceptional cuisine & personal attention all in the comfort of your own home. And to top of your glorious night...your chef will clean up too!

Chocolate Making 101 - Gift for Two $425
http://www.cloud9living.com/experience-gifts/new-york/chocolate-making-101-for-2
Whether chocolate is a hobby or an obsession, you will love this lesson from a 3rd generation chocolate maker on how to create this ancient indulgence. Private, 3 hour, step-by-step introduction to chocolate making with your instructor and his 33 years of experience. Learn how to buy, taste, temper, coat and decorate with chocolate. Following a demonstration, go hands-on to temper and hand dip your own chocolate creations

Stock Car Ride Along - $139
Experience  real life racing thrills by riding as a passenger with a professional driver at top speeds of 180 MPH, in a meticulously prepared 600 horse power Sprint Cup style stock car. Full size, Sprint Cup stock cars that have been raced by the likes of Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards and Dale JR.

Be a Model for a Day - $1680
A two day experience perfect for both aspiring models and those wanting to be immersed in the fashion industry. Initial consultation uncovers exactly who you are and who you want to be. Rejuvenate with an inspirational fashion road map customized to your personality and style. Visit the salon for a beautifying revamp, your closet for an overhaul, and a makeup boutique for a consultation. Finish with a photo shoot to capture the new you

Tandem Skydiving - $270 
Experience  the thrill of Sky Diving over the beautiful Virginia countryside. 13,000 feet, 60 seconds of free fall, 120mph! After your parachute has been deployed, enjoy the stunning views of the Virginia countryside for 4-5 minutes before returning safely to Earth

Couples Massage - $205
Experience the pleasure with the one you love in our signature couples massage! Enjoy the relaxation of a Swedish massage in your own private couples massage suite. Create sensual memories as two expert therapists pamper you and your partner. Soothing strokes are applied to increase circulation and improve skin and muscle tone. Enjoy ; )

Elegant Dinner for Two - $400
Enjoy the wonderful experience of having a professional chef prepare a gourmet 5-course dinner for you in the comfort of your own home.. Custom 5-course menu paired with wines from your cellar or chef's suggestions. The menu is inspired by classic French and regional Italian recipes. Tastefully prepared, Elegantly presented, Effortlessly enjoyed

Private Sushi Lessons for Two - $380
Featured in the LA Times, Trump Magazine and Variety, your private Sushi Lesson for Two will bring the art of sushi making to your home and create a truly memorable night. Great date night learning more than just how to make sushi, but also learning history, vocabulary and etiquette. Learn how to purchase the best fish, how to slice it, cook the rice and roll your favorite dishes.

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And now for the ladies. Holiday gifts that will melt her heart including a few cute stocking stuffers. Gifts include a beautifully packaged  bottle of Champagne and artisan Chocolates,  bejeweled wine stoppers to decant yet oh-so-tempting gourmet hot chocolates. A real heart stopper--show her how much you care by framing the month and day of your first date, the night you laid eyes on her, or the day you got engaged--even it that day comes along with this special gift ; )   We hope you find something special that she will truly love.

AeroGarden with Gourmet Herb Seed Kit - $120
Enjoy fresh greens at every meal no matter what the season. With AeroGrow's AeroGarden garden kit, it's easy to cultivate lettuce, cherry tomatoes, herbs, chili peppers, and more in an energy-efficient, organic-based environment right in the kitchen. This compact chef's tool includes everything the indoor farmer needs

Vosges: Champagne & Exotic Truffle Collection - $111
Pour a little pink bubbly to start a celebration! This dry Champagne pours a rich, deep crimson. Lively effervescence is punctuated by notes of plum, cherry and blood orange and finishes with a touch of cinnamon.



BOHO Plates & Mugs: $55 for the plates and $50 for the mugs
Get inspired to bring out the Bohemian Chic in you this season! These Boho Holiday plates and mugs bring together different patterns from branches to damask, floral, verdant green or toile, dressing up that table in the oh-so hip Flea market style is easy. Comes in a decorative gift box.
 


VIVRE:  Raw Amethyst Bottle Stopper: $55.00
Designed by Anna Rabinowicz for RabLabs. A glittering option for topping off  bottles: a stopper crafted of natural raw amethyst. Approximately 2 1/2" long.

VIVRE: Dahlia Rocks Glasses:  $85.00
Set of four lovely hand-drawn glasses in bright hues and 22K gold make these tumblers a stunning gift and entertaining essential. Hand wash.


Luxurious Lunch tote- $39.
Sass up those tasty left-overs from last night's Seduction Meal and make any brown bag toting co-worker jealous. The larger of our two lunch bags, this smart option features an extra interior pocket for an ice pack or snack, a zip top closure, an adjustable handle strap, a flat bottom for easy packing, and enough room for just about every size food storage container. Machine washable and water resistant -- available in 11 fun colors

Frame the Date: Prices vary
Melt her heart with a gift of love. Remember the first day you laid eyes on each other? Or how about that first weekend get-away that was the most romantic time of your life? Turn your cherished event into a giftable work of art that will spark memories of love.


Silver Moon Artisan Ligueuer Infused Ice-Cream & Sorbet Gift Set - $48 for 5 different pints
Silver Moon combines two after-dinner favorites: ice cream and liqueur, to create chic adults-only desserts made from fresh, natural ingredients, real California Milk, and sophisticated liqueurs. Flavors include Praline Irish Cream, Crème de Mint Chip, Coffee with Brownie Bits, Orange Creamsicle, Mango Mimosa, Strawberry Daiquiri, Mojito Ice, Pomegranate Martini. Silver Moon Desserts are available at several Bay Area restaurants, hotels, country clubs and specialty food markets such as Gene's Fine Foods, Zanotto's Family Markets, The Real Food Company, The Milk Pail Market and Oakville Grocery.

Fornasetti Plate - $185
Decorative porcelain wall plate from the Fornasetti Theme and Variations series. "Winking." 10.25" in diameter. Hand made in Italy.

Kaki Stoneware Tea Set
Designed and hand-crafted in the south of France, the stoneware tea set is made of high quality, natural raw materials and is chip-resistant as well as microwave and dishwasher-safe. 


Smoked Salmon Trio - $99.95
Ideal for entertaining, this salmon assortment showcases the art of the smoke master with three delectable varieties of smoked salmon. The sampler comes in a wooden gift box and includes three 1/2-pound salmon fillets: Scotch-Cured Salmon, cold-smoked with sweet fruitwoods and offering a subtle hint of whiskey flavor; Maine Sea Spice Salmon, rubbed with paprika, garlic and herbs, then smoked to a peppery, complex finish; and Lemon & Dill Salmon, with a bright dill-laced flavor reminiscent of traditional gravlax.

MojaMix Gift Certificates: $5 - $15
This year, give something perfectly customizable that is guaranteed to please your lovely foodie. A mix and match cereal blend of your favorite ingredients. Simply "Start Mixing" with a cereal base such as  granola, whole grains, flakes, etc.  Next, add your favorite dried fruits, from raisins to goldenberry and everything in-between (goji, blueberry, mango, banana chips).  You can then add almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, and even chocolate.  Finally, pick a fun name for your personal blend and add an inspiring quote if you like.  And best of all, unlike most grocery store brands, the first ingredient on MojaMix is not sugar.  Prices vary depending on number of ingredients but most blends come in under $15 including shipping

Cocoon Fruit Bowl - $158
This award winning design created by Eakkapod of Germany was selected for for the Design Exhibition Form 2006! The polished stainless steel bowl is 12" in diameter and the ultimate in modern design.

Twist Fruit Tray - $132
Another beauty, this fruit tray is made of stainless steel polished and design by Prof. Andreas Ostwald

NOTE: Seduction Meals fans will receive a discount until January 8th of 20% discount on any purchase in the Prestige Identity website, including both fruit bowls, using the coupon code as follows; WEB20.


The Beatles Stereo Box Set - $170
Bring romance to your music play list with this extraordinary music collection by the one and only, Beatles.

Vosges Peanut butter bonbons - $27
Each tempting bonbon is filled with creamy organic peanut butter infused with pink Himalayan salt and enrobed in rich chocolate for a velvety smooth finish, topped with a crunch of Maldon salt to bring out the beautiful organic peanut butter parfum. Our very first certified organic product...with many more to come!


Maristar StripTeas - $12.95
A sexy stocking stuffer: Maristar Strip Teas. Did you know that the majority of tea bags on the shelf contain "dust and fannings," the leftover byproduct from the processing of fine teas that includes burnt twigs, stems, and the least desirable parts of the plant? Did you know that they contain virtually no nutritional value? Not our teas! We use only the good stuff - real whole tea leaves. Delicate marigold petals offset by sweet anise blended with top quality Nilgiri whole leaves. An excellent mid-day treat that pairs nicely with both savory snacks as well as tea-time sweets.

Cream Puff Candle in Gold - $15.50
Another sweet stocking stuffer, cream puff candles are just the right recipe for a perfect holiday celebration! Comes in a decorative gift box with gold ribbon. From Bougies la Francaise.  13 hours of burn time



VIVRE: Five Piece Horn Place Setting: $225 now $135!
Add a little drama to your romantic soiree with this alluring flatware made of Natural bovine horn. Comes as a five-piece place setting.

La Maison du Chocolat Coffret Craquants - $79.95
From the legendary La Maison du Chocolat, founded in Paris in 1977, comes a gift to make your favorite chocolate lover swoon. This three-compartment box is filled with an assortment of crisp little chocolate bites. Included is a trio of treats: milk and dark chocolate-covered almonds; dark chocolate beads that can be eaten on their own or used to make hot chocolate; and Rochers Suisses, roasted caramelized almond slivers covered in milk and dark chocolate

Vosges: Couture Cocoa Gift Box - $55
Can't choose just one? Give the gift of all three unique Couture Cocoa experiences. We've created 3-ounce sample sizes of La Parisienne, Aztec Elixir and Bianca together in one package. Sit back, relax and sip away.

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Now is the time to shower your man with deliciously seductive gifts of love.  We've put together a collection of ideas that range for gourmet food treats to sweet stocking stuffers, spy cameras to Love baseballs, gourmet popcorn to bacon-chocolate pancakes, and cooking accessories and gadgets he will love adding to his kitchen. Happy shopping!


Vosges: Holiday Truffle Collection with Jonathan Adler Ornament: $6
Give our new, limited edition Holiday Truffle Collection adorned with a keepsake Jonathan Adler ornament. This truffle collection pays homage to Victorian holiday traditions that brought family and friends together after months of preparation to celebrate the most precious holiday. The limited edition ornament depicts the peace sign inside a circle.

John & Kira's Drunken Chocolate Figs - $36
We love this combination! Noted for their extremely thin skins and sweet, almost candy-like taste, our Spanish figs are filled by hand with a silky dark 64% Valrhona ganache flavored with Whiskey and enrobed in a thin layer of dark 54% chocolate. The Calabacita variety of fig is grown by a family owned company in "Los Llanillos" in the village of Almoharin located in the Extremadura region of Spain.

VIVRE: Love Baseball by Bergino - $25.00
For the sports fanatic in your life we present: The baseball--cornerstone of America's favorite pastime. We give it a cool makeover to remind us of some timely priorities sure to hit home. Handmade to professional standards. White graphics on red suede.

VIVRE: Digital Spy Camera by Minox - $249.00
Go ahead, have a little fun. With a resolution of five million pixels, this minimalist masterpiece features a bright viewfinder for fast shots in the worst-lit conditions, and an integrated flash that switches on at twilight automatically. Includes an additional external flash that can be connected to its side. Image data can be saved on micro SD memory cards of up to 16 GB in addition to the internal memory. Measures 86 x 29 x 20 mm.
 

Riedel O Trio Red & Wite Wine Glasses - $36
Pick him up Riedel's TriO Red+White ($36) - a laid-back glass that  is a multi-purpose workhorse--from water to ice tea to mixed drinks, from your favorite rosso (or rouge) to a quaffable bianco or crisp blanc. Thin, perfectly balanced and a pleasure to drink from, it is an every day, go-to glass that can take whatever you pour.Set includes 3 Riedel glasses cleverly packaged in a triangle- shaped box.

Buonissimo! Cookbook - $13.57
Tasty and easy italian Food for Every Occassion by Gino D'Acampo is filled with tempting dishes sure to please. The book has five sections, beginning with Romantico, elegant recipes for two. "This was the easiest chapter for me to write," says D'Acampo, "as Italians are born with a natural romantic style."

Tusk Handle Corkscrew: $135
Vintage inspired and crafted with an authentic tusk from a warthog for a handle, this corkscrew also features a custom-made, knife-edge cork thread made from stainless steel. Exquisite, unique and the perfect gift for your favorite oenophile

Dean & DeLuca: Duck Foie Gras Au Torchon: $60
A gfit for the true gourmand in your life. Dean & DeLuca's duck liver is prepared in the classic torchon style, in which the foie gras is seasoned with port wine, wrapped in a kitchen towel or torchon, and cooked sous-vide in order to achieve optimal flavor and texture. It is at its best when served chilled in 1/4" slices with crusty French bread, cracked pepper and a little sea salt.



Black River Caviar - Price Varies
A favorite among top chefs including Laurent Torondel (BLT), Scott Conant (Scarpetta), Alexandra Guarnaschelli (Butter), David Chang (Momofuku) and Mario Batali (Babbo & Otto), to name a few, Black River Caviar is the first "wild-raised," caviar on the market, a term coined to describe the company's sustainable practices and ideal birthing environments. Black River Caviar comes in specially wrapped, custom-packed tins, available in sizes ranging from 30 grams ($102) up to 500 grams ($1,575).  Deliveries are made within 24 hours via FedEx.

Vosges: Caramel Marshmallows and Beer - $55
Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout is in the style of the Russian imperial stout which was originally brewed in Great Britain to satisfy the tastes of the Czar's court; the great connoisseurs of Champagne, caviar and the art of the table. Need we say more? This beer is a rich, flavorful, deep chocolate color and scented with a roasted barley nose. The complexity of malt, hops, alcohol and yeast, compliment our sweet Madagascar vanilla bean marshmallow and caramel nuttiness. Some Restrictions on Delivery

Vosges:Mo's Bacon Chocolate Chip Pancake Mix - $12
The newest member of the bacon + chocolate family combines the Mo's Bacon Bar with fluffy flapjacks. These buttermilk pancakes are spotted with chunks of our most popular Exotic Candy Bar, which combines applewood smoked bacon and Alder sea salt with deep milk chocolate. Treat your lover to these unbelievable pancakes for a holiday breakfast in bed treat.




Spice up your holidays with the perfect stocking stuffer--gourmet flavored salt and pepper from Beyond the Shaker.

Bolivian Rose Salt - $10.99
The glistening crystals of Bolivian Rose will bring salty-dazzle to almost any dish.  Bolivian Rose is harvested by hand in the pristine Andes Mountains, and its color evokes the peaceful calm of pink quartz. This salt is perfect on seared red snapper filets, fresh mozzarella, or the rim of a strawberry margarita.

Fumee De Sel - $13.99
Fumee de Sel marries two culinary delights, salt and wine, in a taste-forward union.  Our sumptuous Fumee de Sel is slow-smoked over chardonnay oak barrels imparting a subtle sweet tone to this balanced salt.  A sprinkle of  this gourmet salt adds complex flavor and smokiness to root vegetables, on chopped salad with blue cheese, or in a poultry marinade or brine. 

Polished Pewter Fortune Cookie - $26
Slip your lover a flirtatiously naughty note in Artist Herbert Hoover polished pewter fortune cookie. Choose from one of twelve pre-printed time-honored fortunes (You will step on the lands of many counties) - or add your own custom fortune to give the present a personal touch

Cheese of the month: $495
Cheese is, in our humble opinion, one of the most wonderful foods in existence, and Dean & DeLuca has been fortunate to travel the world looking for the finest varietals available. Of course, when they find something truly fabulous they can't wait to share it with you, which is why we present this three-month, six-month and nine-month gourmet gift idea. 

KitchenCue DVD Cooking Tutorials - $29.95 per DVD
Learn the basics of cooking and your kitchen will be limited only by your imagination. Kitchencue's technique-based interactive DVDs empower you like none other, elevating your cooking skills to the next level. A gift for anyone interested in cooking....and for yourself if you are the recipient of these meals!

Fissler Magic Vegetable / Noodle Colander - $95
Surprise your lover with the finest in European cookware. The Fissler colander is a beautifully designed, high-quality and professional-grade kitchen accessories. Click on the link above for retailers in your area. 


Candy Cane Brownies  - $19.95
Another cool stocking stuffer for your sweetheart. These Candy Cane Brownies are made with deep, dark chocolate laced with just the right hint of peppermint. Yummy!

Dean & DeLuca: Chocolate Covered Caramel Apples  - $48
There is nothing like a crisp apple dipped in butter-rich caramel to bring you back that childhood holiday spirit. An  American tradition dating from the 1950s, these apples up the ante with a final flourish of dark or milk Belgian chocolate. Made exclusively with tart Granny Smiths, a treat for even the most discerning ghosts and goblins.

Gourmet Popcorn for Foodies - $34.99
He will love finding these treats in his holiday gift stocking or basket: Luscious flavored popcorn:  Just imagine the tantalizing flavors of Fleur de Sel Caramel, Ginger Sesame Caramel, Black Truffle + Aged White Cheddar, Madras Coconut Curry + Cashew, and Chiplote Caramel + Almonds. Just Divine! 




DEAN & DELUCA Spice Tin Candles - $55
This "Spice Tin" is filled with some of our favorite scented candles. Fill your surroundings with the fragrance of Lavender Flowers, Thyme, Tarragon, Basil, Rosemary, Black Pepper, Clove, Coriander and Shiso Leaf. Each box comes with nine 2-oz. candles that each yield 20 hours of exquisite illumination.

Dean & DeLuca: Truffle Lovers- $135
White Truffle Oil to anoint whatever inspires you. Rich truffled egg Tagliatelle Pasta to toss with butter and Parmesan. A mince of tuber aestivum, mushrooms and olives to spread on grilled meats. Acaccia Honey flecked with truffle to drizzle on cheese and a unique cream that blends truffle and artichoke.

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It's that time of the year again, and Seduction Meals is happy to present an array of enticing gift options for the foodie in your life with culinary delights that are sure to please. So hang the mistletoe and let the romance begin.


Dean & DeLuca Whitefish Roe Sampler - $85
Tsar Nicoulai's un-pasteurized whitefish roes are naturally colored and flavored for bejeweled hors d'oeuvres, canapés and sushi. Green wasabi, beet and saffron, ginger, and brown tiger eye scented with white truffle.

Mother of Pearl Caviar Spoons - $65
The caviar connoisseur's choice. Sleek to the touch and non-reactive. Pure luxe.

Glass Caviar Server - $35
This glass caviar server rests on a bed of ice and embraces two ounces of caviar. Perfect presentation for your next romantic rendezvous.

Charity Water: The Little Black Box and other Gifts: $24 - $80
Each year, Americans spend about $450 billion celebrating the holidays. That's enough to solve the water crisis several times over. This holiday, we're giving you some alternatives to the fuzzy slippers and warm sweaters. These gifts give people around the world clean, safe water.This small box makes a big impact. This gives clean water to one person in a developing nation for 20 years. Each bracelet is a reminder of the person your gift will help.
 

Olivia Kita Holiday Collection - $40
The NEW Sustainable Holiday Collection of organic goodness from Oliver Kita Chocolates. Oliver is an artisan chocolatier creating small batch, hand made tantalizing chocolate morsels for our delight.

Chateau Orleans Champagne Flute Glasses - $32
Toast your special time together in sophisticated style with festive Chateau Orleans Flute glasses. The artfully sleek stem gives way to a sophisticated flute standing 11" high and 3" across. This set of six trumpet-shaped flute glasses is ideal for romantic entertaining that includes Champagne or sparkling wine. 

Marx Foods Dried Wild Mushroom Mix - $29 for 4 oz
A wild mix of the most delicious Pacific Northwest mushrooms: wild morel, lobster, chanterelle, porcini and black trumpet mushrooms.

Dean & DeLuca Antico Frantoio Muraglia 'Intenso' Extra Virgin Olive Oil: $48
This high-quality oil is obtained exclusively from prestigious Coratina olives, which are classically cold-pressed using granite grindstones and state-of-the-art processing equipment. Part of the Orci collection, it comes in a traditional Puglian jar, made by the expert hands of skilled master ceramists and covered with rainbow stripes.

Dean & DeLuca Torrone Gift Box:  - $32
Known since antiquity throughout the Mediterranean, Torrone Morbido (soft) reaches its apotheosis in the hands of Sicilian confectioners. Confected simply of whisked egg whites, honey and Sicily's exceptional fragrant citrus, almonds and the prized pistachios of Bronte. Set of four.

VIVRE: black Small Phoenix Bowl - $125.00
As if it's soaring through a dramatic black sky, the mythical phoenix bird spreads its wonderful wings revealing brilliant details painted with 22k gold glaze. Part of  the debut collection of authentic re-editions from prolific sculptor Waylande Gregory, this handmade ceramic collectible came to life when Gregory's great  nephew, Bryan Downey, discovered a treasure trove of forgotten pieces in the basement of his uncle's estate. Matte finish.

VIVRE: Ice Bucket with Gold Plated Bamboo Handles - $275.00
Undeniably elegant, this nickel-plated ice bucket flaunts unique bamboo handles plated with 24kt gold. Soldered with sterling silver.

Culinary Institute of America (CIA)
The ulitimate gift for the foodie in your life: A gift certificate for a diverse array of cooking classes (for the non-professional) at the highly acclaimed Culinary Institute. Choose from culinary immersion Boot Camps or weekend classes in their Food Enthusiast program. These classes take place at Hyde Park, NY,  Napa Valley, CA and the new campus at San Antonio, Texas. Gift certificates can also be used for dinners at our award-winning on-campus restaurants, including The Escoffier Room, Caterina d' Medici, American Bounty and St. Andrew's Cafe. 


William Sonoma Smoked Salmon Trio - $99.95
Ideal for entertaining, this salmon assortment showcases the art of the smoke master with three delectable varieties of smoked salmon. Farm-raised in Scotland, the salmon is brined and smoked for us by the Browne Trading Co., a family-run smokehouse on the Maine coast, using techniques passed down through generations of fishermen. The sampler comes in a wooden gift box and includes three 1/2-pound salmon fillets: Scotch-Cured Salmon, cold-smoked with sweet fruitwoods and offering a subtle hint of whiskey flavor; Maine Sea Spice Salmon, rubbed with paprika, garlic and herbs, then smoked to a peppery, complex finish; and Lemon & Dill Salmon, with a bright dill-laced flavor reminiscent of traditional gravlax.  

Beekman1802 Blaak  - $45
Beekman 1802 Blaak is the first artisanal cheese produced from the goats at Beekman Farm. Blaak is an Italian-style semi-hard cheese made from a 60:40 mix of unpasteurized goat and cow milk giving the cheese a mild but distinctive flavor. In keeping with traditional cheesemaking practices, this rare cheese is aged for 4 months in our caves and is coated with ash at each turning to promote the ripening of the wheel. The resulting edible black rind gives the cheese its name and makes it a true conversation piece on your table.  Each wheel is approximately 2 lbs, perfect for dividing up and sharing.


Mother In Law's Kimchi - $20 for 2 Jars
Special Gift Pack for the Holidays -- Seoul Express includes two pint size jars of this popular kimchi - Napa cabbage (House Style) in one gift pack for the kimchi connoisseur..or future kimchi connoisseur.

Dean & DeLuca Salt Essentials Collection - $60
We're fascinated by the subtle differences in flavor and texture found in the world's salt varieties. Dean & DeLuca has chosen four of the most distinctive, each of which lends its own special character to whatever you're cooking: Pyramid-shaped Cyprus Flake Salt, Murray River Salt from Australia, Fleur de Sel from France, and coarse Himalayan Pink Salt.
 
Dolce Nonna Marinated Vegetables -  $45
Dolce Nonna is a line of delicious hand-packed, Italian-style marinated vegetables. There are three ready-to-serve varieties to choose from: Marinated Eggplant, Marinated String Beans and Agri-Dolce Peppers. Spoon them onto an antipasto platter or use as toppings for bruschetta, grilled fish or pasta.This gift set includes: 3 products, one of each variety, a unique, reusable, three-compartment gourmet bag with window and compartment separator made from natural handmade paper, a dishtowel, wooden spoon and 3 corresponding recipe cards.

 
Dean & DeLuca Food & Wine Cookbook Gift - $37.50
This original Dean & DeLuca Food & Wine cookbook is an invaluable resource for pairing food with wine. Includes wood spoon.

The Frugal Foodie Cookbook: Waste-Not Recipes for the Wise Cook - $15.95
The Frugal Foodie Cookbook by Lara Starr with Lynette Shirk is a book of stories, recipes and essential advice for anyone seeking delicious meals on a dime. Starr and Shirk are gourmet chefs with a recessionista attitude and provide tips on shopping smartly and cooking deliciously, and entertaining on a budget for the holidays!

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Take your Valentines Day celebration to another level. Here are some creative ideas for seductive games and gifts for Valentine's Day beyond chocolate and roses. Gifts range from cute to sassy to over-the-top.

hidden message collar stays - $39.95
Why settle for tucking love notes in his briefcase when you can deliver a message of love from much closer range? Both the PG-version and the more racy collar stays are made from stainless steel and feature 12 different messages of love and lust.

• PG version includes messages such as "You're so handsome" and "You make me laugh"
• racy version includes messages such as "I might if you ask me" and "That tie will be useful"

undrest cami and girl short set $49.95 - $119.90
How very alluring--lingerie that's as delightful to put on as it is to take off. Maria Paz Navales designs her Undrest collection for a flattering fit and seductive comfort, tailoring the racer-back chemise and ruffled girl shorts from petal-pink Supima® --America's finest, silkiest cotton. Black silk ribbons, lace, and decorative over-stitching trace your shape.


 i love you candles -$29.95
If you're on fire to say those three little words, this clever candle set will do the talking for you. The unmistakable message of "I Love You" is spelled out in three separate, sensually-scented candle canisters, filled with long-burning, 100% soy wax.

heart measuring spoons - $44.95
A dash of humor, a pinch of kindness, a spoonful of fun and a heap of happiness. These spoons will provide a good measure of love in any recipe.


assorted hand-dipped strawberries - $39.99
These incredible, mouthwatering fruits are sure to have the crowds oohing and ahhing. Each succulent strawberry is artfully hand-dipped then coated in goodies for a unique flavor combination in every bite.

kama sutra treasure trove kit - $39.95
In a word: yum! This sensual kit invites a tasty twist on romance. Includes edible Honey Dust Body Powder complete with feather applicator, warming Oil of Love and tingly Pleasure Balm to arouse and enhance the senses.

chocoholics body frosting - $29.95
If subtle is what you want, keep looking. But if you're seeking something sinful, this is it. Includes a paint brush and body frosting in three delicious flavors: Wild Cherry Chocolate, Chocolate and Espresso Dream Chocolate. Set of three jars is packaged in a wooden crate and tied with a red ribbon.

speak love, make love romantic game - $24.95
It's one thing to talk the talk. But can they play the game? Give those communication skills a higher purpose with this board game. This unique two-sided board allows couples to play a romantic game of giving and receiving that artfully melds thought and feeling with sensual pleasure. And while it's all fun and games, "Speak Love, Make Love" is also designed to foster better communication.


romantic fortune cookies- $29.95
"Your love life is about to take a turn for the interesting." Confucius couldn't have said it better. Each of these crispy chocolate-covered cookies comes with a romantic version of the traditional fortunes.

cashmere robe - $299.95
No other material feels as warm, comfortable and luxurious as cashmere. Falling generously to mid-calf, our 100% cashmere robe drapes elegantly around the neck and shoulders. Exclusively from RedEnvelope.
 

And for those who seem to have everything, let's get real creative: 

.dream car tour - $1000
Ladies. Men. Name your dream car. Is it the Ferrari F430? Or the Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder? Perhaps it's an Aston Martin DB9 or a Maserati Granturismo? Maybe, it's the 605 hp Mercedes Benz SL65 or Bentley Continental GT? Quite possibly it could be all of the above! No need to choose, the Dream Car Tour experience puts you in the driver's seat of up to six exotic sports cars - all in the same day. Push your foot to the pedal and go! Enjoy up to 30 minutes on the open road in each vehicle. Experience the performance and handling, relish the fit and finish, and delight in the adrenaline rush that each of these vehicles deliver. At the end of the day share your experiences with the other drivers and determine which vehicle is your favorite. Choose from a coveted collection of prized models.

skipper for a year - $1,645.00
If it's the sailor's life for you, then climb aboard and enjoy unlimited use of a sailing yacht for one year. Cruise on the Long Island Sound whenever you choose. Compete in the races if you want. It's "anchor's away" whenever you wish, without the responsibilities of ownership. Simply book your time online and show up on the days you choose. Your boat will be ready and waiting to set sail.

• Be your own captain of a 23 foot Ensign sailing yacht
• Twelve month membership begins whenever you wish
• Includes member privileges at an exclusive local boating club
• No additional mooring fees, maintenance requirements, or repair bills

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True chocoholics understand that one truffle, one flavor, one tiny box, is never enough. Feed each other lusciously delicious artisinal chocolates served with Champagne or Prosecco.  Here are some of my favorites--all gracious gifts for your loved one on Valentine's Day.



Knipschildt Chocolatier Rose Truffle Box - $32
These beautiful red handmade paper boxes are filled with rich dark chocolate truffles with a rose water infused dark chocolate ganachce center tpped with an edible rose petal.

Ricchiuti Sesame Nougat Box (8pc) - $19
Sesame Nougat...creamy chocolate ganache atop a crispy layer of sesame nougat. A January exclusive!...Order Now!

Oliver Kita - Studio Collection - $40
For the loves of your life Oliver has created spectacular Valentines gifts, each a unique collection and design.

Pierre Marcolini's Round Heart Box - $45
This Black Round Box beautifully presents 15 Coeur Framboise chocolates. The hearts contain raspberry-chocolate ganache centers, coated with a white chocolate house blend.  The red coloring, Rouge Cochenille, is sprayed onto the finished chocolates, making this collection a favorite romantic gift.

Romanico's Truffles - $72.00
True chocoholics understand that one truffle, one flavor, one tiny box, is never enough. We have taken our inspiration from these chocolate lovers and created this giant gift box of decadent truffles. 24 truffles

Jacques Torres Bon Bons - $50
What is Jacques famous for? Fresh, high-quality chocolates attractively packaged in his signature box and affordably priced. 50 bon bons. 

Knipschildt Chocolatier Heart Box - $45
Full of Love! These hand made artisan chocolates are especially designed for that "someone special" in your life. Packaged in a beautiful heart shaped handmade paper box, these decadent flavor pairings are matches made in heaven.

Pierre Marcolini's Petit Truffles  (9 pieces) - $25.75
Pierre Marcolini's famous truffles are created in three distinct flavors ranging from a traditional dark chocolate truffle to the exotic Tonka bean infusion.

Hotel Chocolat - Secrets & Desires - $75
Inhibitions melt away as you slip the blindfold over your lover's eyes. And with heightened senses, let the tantalising journey in chocolate seduction begin. You'll experience the gentle creaminess of white chocolate and fruit of The Beginner, the deep sensual notes of The Curious and then the racy tingle of The Spicy... all with the meltin-the-mouth seduction of luscious champagne truffles. Where will it end? That's for you to find out...

Richart Chocolate Little Gourmet Collection with Chocolate Card - $32
The best way to taste both solid and filled chocolates at the same time...it is sure to please chocolate lovers of all ages. For a unique touch add a pure chocolate card with special message. 9 pieces of chocolate and a chocolate message.

Martine's Chocolates - Heart Covered Chocolate with Marzipan Roses
This is currently a special order item. Please contact the shop

Christopher Elbow Chocolate Collection- $40
Our flagship assortment that includes all 21 flavors that we are currently producing. Flavors rotate throughout the seasons so there will always be something new and exciting. 21-Piece Collection

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Hi everyone. I am pleased to announce Seduction Meals, with the help of The Laura Baddish Group, is participating in the 5th annual fundraiser- Menu for Hope.

What's Menu For Hope? It's an annual fundraising campaign hosted by Chez Pim and food bloggers from around the world. "Five years ago, the devastating tsunami in Southeast Asia inspired me to find a way to help, and the very first Menu for Hope was born", says Pim Techamuanvivit. "The campaign has since become a yearly affair, raising funds to support worthy causes worldwide. In 2007, Menu for Hope raised nearly $100K to help the UN World Food Program feed the hungry."

Now in its fifth year, food bloggers from all over the world have join the campaign by offering an array of prizes for the Menu for Hope raffle. Anyone can buy raffle tickets to bid on these prizes. For every $10 donated, you earn one virtual raffle ticket to bid on a prize of your choice. At the end of the two-week campaign, the raffle tickets are drawn and the results announced on Chez Pim.

Last year's efforts raised nearly $100,000 through the online food community and that money went to supporting the school lunch and farming program for children in Lesotho. So find your inner philanthropist and check out the great array of prizes. I know this year is tough, but if you can find it in your heart to give $10, $20 or more, it will go to a really great cause; together we are doing what we can to help fight World hunger.

Here is the prize brought to you by Seduction Meals and The Baddish Group. The Hotel Costes CD Collection, a $230 value, to play during your next romantic soiree for two.

Prize Code UE41:   The Hotel Costes CD Collection


Absolutely stunning 10 CD Anniversary box set featuring the complete Hotel Costes series pressed on gold discs and stored in a beautiful red velvet-like cloth-covered mini cabinet with ten drawers that hold each disc separately. Includes all the Hotel Costes classics from Pink Martini, Gotan Project, Shirley Bassey, Thievery Corporation, Yves Montant, Grace Jones, Rouge Rouge, Variety Lab, DJ Cam, De Phazz, Dublex Inc, Cesaria Evora, Femi Kuti, Slow Train, Louie Austen and many more!

Let's Get Started...
Visit these sites to review the prizes you want to bid on. Take down the code numbers and prize titles. Then go to Firstgiving.com to purchase tickets and apply the cost to your selected prizes. For detailed directions see below. Good luck!

View Prizes:
Go to the Master List of Prizes to see all the prizes for bidding, or go to each regional host blog:

Europe *including* the UK
Sara of Ms.Adventures in Italy

US: West Coast
Matt Armendariz of Matt Bites

US: East Coast
Jaden Hair of Steamy Kitchen
In addition to Seduction Meals, check out all of the other great prizes from fellow East Coast Bloggers

Canada
Meena Agarwal of Hooked on Heat

Asia Pacific, Australia, New Zealand
Ed Charles of Tomato.

How to Start Bidding for Prizes and Donate to this worthy cause.

Step 1: Select Your Prize(s)

• Choose a prize or prizes of your choice from our Menu for Hope at Chez Pim or any regional of the regional hosts listed above.
• Write down the prize code numbers and prize title

Step 2: Purchase Raffle Tickets

• Go to the donation site at FirstGiving.com and make a donation.
• Each $10 you donate will give you one virtual raffle ticket toward the prize(s) of your choice. Every $10 donation, gets you one entry. Bid on as many prizes as you like. If you really want a prize, increase your chances of winning by putting as many $10 tickets as you want towards it.
• Please specify which prize you'd like in the 'Personal Message' section in the donation form when confirming your donation. You must write how many $10 tickets per prize--please use the prize code.
• For example, a donation of $50 can be 2 tickets for EU01 and 3 tickets for EU02. Please write 2xEU01, 3xEU02
• If your company matches your charity donation, please check the box and fill in the information so we could claim the corporate match.
• Note: Please allow us to see your email address so that we could contact you in case you win.  Your email address will not be shared with anyone

Good luck. We all thank you for your generous support!

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For those that are not affected by the woes of our current economy, here are a collection of seductive gifts that will bring a smile to your truly pampered lover. For the rest of us... it's fun to dream.



Dom Perignon & Godiva Truffles - $175
Dom Pérignon and Godiva are legendary brands that have set the standard for combining luxury with heavenly taste. Known for their artful approach to perfecting vintage Champagne, Dom Pérignon is the ideal pairing for Godiva's decadent 18-piece signature truffles.

Saks 5th Avenue: Petrossian Royal Ossetra Caviar 30grams - $189
Wild Russian caviar has a distinctive nutty flavor and is delectably fresh.

Takashimaya: Caviar Plate and Spoon - $45 and $12
Caviar companions.  A natural mother-of-pearl plate and spoon from the Indo-Pacific Ocean, hand-cut and polished, to enhance your festivities.

Vosges Haute Chocolat: Chocolate Sensory Collection - $375
Our extensive Sensory Collection is both a connoisseur's guide to chocolate tasting and an intricate game of smell and taste to be enjoyed by children and adults alike. Designed to develop your sense of smell and your ability to recognize and articulate the aromas of varietal chocolate, the experience of uncapping vials, inhaling essences and nibbling chocolate will engage and intrigue any crowd. Have a party, gather with friends or family and unlock the mysteries of Mother Earth's magical cacao.

Saks 5th Avenue: 18 Bottle Wine Cellar - $219
Store your best in this silent 18 bottle wine refrigerator with an elegant black cabinet and stainless steel trim door

Saks 5th Avenue: Peter Luger, The Ultimate Steak Gift Set - $299
What The New York Times calls "the best steaks in America." Packaged just for saks.com, this fabulous gift box is sure to please.

Marx Foods: Live Oyster Sampler - $114.50
The ultimate aphrodisiac? This Live Oyster Sampler includes 1 dozen of each of the following: Pacifics, Kumamotos, Virginicas, and Olympias.  Compare the different flavors, textures, and experiences of each of our oysters.Line 'em up and slurp 'em down. $75.50 for 4 doz & $39.00 for overnight Fedex

Veuve Clicquot Demi-Sec & 19 Godiva - $100
Demi-Sec, a slightly sweet style of Champagne, is at its best when served with desserts. Veuve Clicquot Demi-Sec, marked by fresh peach, nectarine and orange blossom, pairs beautifully with Godiva's assorted deep dark chocolates, smooth milks, velvety ganaches, classic truffles and pralines. An impressive gift for any celebration.

Vosges Haute Chocolat: Gourmet Cheese & Chocolate Collection - $295
A curious contemplation of fermentation through the lustful study of cheese and chocolate...
A collection for the foodies of the world, the die-hard cheese and chocolate addicts or those who are just looking for a little adventure in the office break room. Each branded, sustainable bamboo box.

Saks 5th Avenue: Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin iPod Speaker - $600
Set the mood right with music and sound to capture the moment. The embodiment of more than 40 years of experience and know-how in speaker design, Zeppelin uses the same technologies developed for dedicated high-end speakers. A full stereo system in one unit, it releases all of the detail and atmosphere that standard iPod/MP3 speaker systems miss.

Takashimaya: Spice Cups and Ebony Tray - Cups $48 each, Ebony Tray $75
Serving safari. Spice cups hand-crafted of horn in Africa . Giraffe or cheetah inspired patterns, both with condiment spoons, sitting on a hand-carved ebony tray. Hand wash only.

Barneys: Armand Diradourian Cashmere Pillows - Make Love Not War $295, LOVE Pillow, $265
Handmade cashmere pillow with embroidered red and orange "Make love not war" or "Love" phrase and red trim. 16" x 16". Cashmere, down fill. Dry clean.

Saks 5th Avenue: Wine Tasting & Aroma Kit - $200
This comprehensive kit will help you identify wine tastes and aromas like a true connoisseur! Develop an extensive wine vocabulary and be well-educated when selecting wines at restaurants and stores.

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We all have moments of being naughty and nice--let's celebrate both with seductive gift ideas to keep the balance of life going. Happy Holidays, Terry



Naughty: Erotic Lounge, Various Artists - $74
This volume of Erotic Lounge has two CDs, one cd labeled "Soft and Lazy" and the other "Quick and Dirty". The overall sound of the songs mainly focus on acid jazz, break beat, trip hop, and whatever is in between.

Nice: Hotel Costes, The Collector's Box -  $230
Absolutely stunning 10 CD Anniversary box set featuring the complete Hotel Costes series pressed on gold discs and stored in a beautiful red velvet-like cloth-covered mini cabinet with ten drawers that hold each disc separately.
 
Naughty: Sexy Slang - $22.45
The Sexy Slang board game is an adult party game that mixes charades & drawings with a naughty twist.

Nice: Foodie Fight, $19
Calling all food lovers! This addictive trivia game allows players to strut their culinary stuff and prove who is the smartest foodie of them all. With over 1,000 questions on topics ranging from culinary science and celebrity chefs to food history and exotic cuisine, each player is bound to get a full serving of food knowledge. But think fast, because the first player or team to fill in their game board wins!

Naughty: Kama Sutra Loving Oils Collection Set - $22.99
Delight your lover with a variety of irresistible sensations. Each of these water-based treats reveals a gentle scent and a warming glow. The set contains sampler sizes of: The Original, Chocolate Mint, Cherry Almond, Raspberry Kiss and Vanilla Crème. Invite a lover's lips to name them all.

Nice: Temecula Olive Oil Sampler - $23.99
A tremendous sampler pack of handcrafted olive oils. Olivum, a rich buttery blend of several varietals is the perfect enhancement to any recipe instead of vegetable oils or butter. Citrus Reserve will enhance your salads, poultry, seafood or baking with the essence of Blood oranges. Roasted Garlic Reserve is a must-have for that pasta or grilled meat lover.

Naughty: Jacques Torres, Wicket Hot Chocolate - $18
Feeling daring?Try the Wicked Hot Chocolate that features allspice, cinnamon, ground, sweet ancho chili peppers, and smoked, ground chipotle chili peppers!

Nice:Chocolat Modern, Hot Chocolates - $18
With a choice of aromas spanning the Mediterranean and Orient, you'll be whisked away in new directions of hot chocolate enjoyment.

Naughty: Will Cook for Sex - $16.50
Women were once taught that the way to a man's heart was through his stomach. In reality, fewer women cook, or really want to. Making reservations or ordering in has become one of the multiminded abilities of today's more progressive woman. Therein is the problem. Men must learn to navigate their way around the kitchens, galleys and cucinas of the world. In fact, to every man's advantage, the women can be very generous to men who know a spoon from a spatula. All men need is some beautiful inspiration and a few words of simple instruction from Rocky Fino. Step-by-step pictorials include menus and recipes for important occasions like The Date, The Stacked Deck, The Closer, the Morning After and The Weekend Pass.

Nice: Digital Recipe Reader - $299
Neiman Marcus touch-screen digital recipe file holds up to 2,500 recipes and arrives pre-loaded with hundreds of recipes, including some exclusive Neiman Marcus  recipes. You can upload your favorite recipes and photos to the online database and sync with the device to create your personal, portable digital recipe file.

Naughty: Kama Sutra Chocolate Body Paint Set - $34.21
For those who think chocolate is better than sex, here's a way to indulge in your two favorite passions at once. Open the lid of this beautiful box and behold three generous jars of delicious chocolate body paints. Brush this incredibly rich treat onto someone you love to love, then create a delicious masterpiece on any part of the body. Set contains: 2 oz Dark body paint 2 oz Milk body paint 2 oz White chocolate body paint Body paintbrush to create your masterpiece.

Nice: Chocolate Firecracker Bar Set - $18
Get fired up with Chuao's latest sensation--the Firecracker Candy Bar made with caramel fudge, chipotle, salt & popping candy!  Dark chocolate bar with chipotle, salt and popping candy. Comes in packages of three bars.

Naughty: Strip Chocolate Game - $29.99
Strip Chocolate is the ultimate game of sensual pleasure. You will laugh, you will strip and you will eat chocolate in new and different ways. Strip Chocolate comes complete with 2 Chocolate Body Frostings, 2 brushes, dice, and "Dare" cards?this game is hours of fun! Perfect for Valentine's Day, honeymoon or any other romantic occasion. Play by the rules and everybody wins! It's fun, sexy and of course tasty.

Nice: The Sweet Spot - $21.27
Finding a compilation of Asian-inspired desserts isn't always an easy task, as baking sections tend to be chockfull of Italian and French influenced titles. The good news is Ong (owner of NYC's P*ong) presents more than 100 accessible, top-notch recipes inspired from such countries as Japan (Honey Castella, or kasutera), China (Peanut Turnovers) and India (Pistachio Rose Thumbprint Cookies). Popular desserts from New York's famed Spice Market (where Ong has consulted)-- Chocolate and Vietnamese Coffee Tart and Jasmine Rice Pudding--lend themselves to frequent repetition.

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He will relish these gifts...Seductive gourmet food, music and music players that will help set a romantic ambiance for your next Seduction Meal. Happy Holidays!



Saks 5th Avenue: Peter Lugar Steak Set - $299
The Ultimate Steak gift set, exclusively online at Saks. What The New York Times calls "the best steaks in America."

Saks 5th Avenue: The Wine Enthusiast - $40
Pocket-size electronic talking wine master features a sleek, slim design, easy control panel and over 10,000 wine and spirit reviews, ratings and suggested retail prices.

Amazon: Jazz Icons- $108
Jazz Icons represents the new millennium's most welcome shot in the arm for the music's soul. This DVD contains unique performances by John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, Dave Brubeck and Sarah Vaughan only available in this boxed set.

Red Envelope: Assorted Dipped Strawberries - $39.95
These incredible, mouthwatering fruits are sure to have the crowds oohing and ahhing. Each succulent strawberry is artfully hand-dipped then coated in goodies for a unique flavor combination in every bite.

Victoria Taylor Gourmet: The Tail Gate Party Pack - $19.95
Inspired by sports fans and grill masters across America, Victoria Gourmet introduces The Tailgating Party Pack. Whether you're grilling in the backyard or tailgating before the big game, these blends will add flavor and excitement to your foods. The most delicious barbecued steak, Southwestern spicy chili, Cajun jambalaya or fresh onion and herb dip await you as our most macho blends deliver a culinary experience bursting with robust taste. Anyone who enjoys sporting events and the festivities surrounding them will look for excuses to incorporate these seasoning blends in the foods they prepare.

Saks 5th Avenue: Bowers & Wilken Zepplin Ipod Speakers - $600
Turn up the tunes for romance. The embodiment of more than 40 years of experience and know-how in speaker design, Zeppelin uses the same technologies developed for dedicated high-end speakers. A full stereo system in one unit, it releases all of the detail and atmosphere that standard iPod/MP3 speaker systems miss.

Barneys: Gift Card - $100 - $500
Picky people love the Barneys New York Gift Card!

Barneys: 16 Bottle Wine Cellar - $180
Store your best in this silent 16 bottle wine refrigerator with an elegant black cabinet and stainless steel trim door.

Barneys: Kim Seybert four piece Bar Set - $40
Set of four stainless steel utensils: strainer, bar knife, bottle opener, jigger. Each finished with giraffe pattern dyed on pressed raffia. Available in black/natural.

Red Envelope: Wine Tasting Party - $60
Wine buff or wine bluff, it's up to you. Slip wine bottles into numbered wine bags. After tasting each wine, guests take a guess. Even if no one correctly identifies the wine, engaging conversation is guaranteed.

Vosage: Fire Red Pecans - $26
Red Fire Pecans: Georgian and New Mexican pecans + ancho chillies + organic sugar + dark cocoa *Mild Piquancy.

Red Envelope: Monogrammed Grand Pilsner Beer Glasses - $49.95
Like wine, beer should be served in a glass designed to enhance its particular flavor and aroma. Our classic Pilsner glass has a tapered shape that brings out the best in the brew.

Grill Charms: Steak Collection - $19.95
Similar in concept to wine charms, these dime-sized solid stainless steel Grill Charms are intended to help distinguish spices and flavors, meat temperatures and other concerns to avoid health and allergy issues. Placed in your food before grilling, the serrated stems hold each charm securely in place while the item - meat or veggie - is moved and flipped about while cooking. When done, the grill master will avoid the troublesome guesswork - he or she will know exactly which item goes to which individual. And, the company offers a multitude of designs, each in sets of 6, for various purposes, including the Steak Collection indicating temperatures ("MR" for Medium Rare, for example), the Spicy Collection and others that are lifestyle-driven such as The Charmed Life Collection. Grill Charms are perfect for any cooking enthusiast, whether in your own home or another

Saks 5th Avenue: Wine Tasting Aroma Kit - $200
This comprehensive kit will help  identify wine tastes and aromas like a true connoisseur! Develop an extensive wine vocabulary and be well-educated when selecting wines at restaurants and stores

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It's that time of year again and shopping for your cherished foodie lover shouldn't be a task. Here are some delicious ideas that will do the trick. Seductive, affordable, and ready for delivery. Happy Shopping, Terry






Vosges Haute Chocolate: Couture Cocoa Gift Box - $55
A signature line of Couture Cocoas, packaged in a rich purple gift set box and tied with a grosgrain ribbon

Red Envelope: Personalized Modern Ginger Bread House - $70
Every bit as edible as the original, this isn't your grandma's gingerbread house. We gave the classic holiday treat a mid-century makeover, complete with garage and rock garden. A unique gift and sure-fire conversation piece, it comes assembled and ready to enjoy.

Saks 5th Avenue: Wine Enthusiast: Wine Master 2008 - $40
Pocket-size electronic talking wine master features a sleek, slim design, easy control panel and over 10,000 wine and spirit reviews, ratings and suggested retail prices.
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Saks 5th Avenue: Peter Luger Steak Gift Set - $299
The ultimate steak gift set, exclusively at Saks.  What The New York Times calls "the best steaks in America."

Victoria Taylor Gourmet: Australian Flake Sea Salt 4-Pack - $48.20
An all time favorite, this salt is a beautiful light pink color and has a delicate texture that comes from the fluffy crystals that are reminiscent of snowflakes. The taste is clean and light.

Marx Foods: Ritrovo's Balsamic Collection, 3 bottles - $108.25
This collection of fine balsamic vinegar includes aged balsamic, spicy aged balsamic, and balsamic apple vinegar.

Marx Foods: Lobster Herb and Creme Shaped Ravioli - $121
As fun as they are delicious, heart shaped ravioli are perfect for Valentine's Day, romantic dinners or just as a way to spice up a meal on an ordinary day. Only sold in bulk $18.45 per lb. x 5 lbs. Visit the site for a complete list of artisinal pastas.

La Cense: Prime Rib Roast - $99
Roasts that Rock! There's only one thing better than the aroma of a slow-cooked or grilled roast: the first bite. Indulge in the true beef flavor of grass-fed La Cense roasts and make every dinner special. It's bursting with the full, mellow flavor that makes our grass-fed Prime Rib a favorite among beef aficionados.

Gourmet Food Store: Winter Black French Truffles - $106 1oz
Winter Black truffles are harvested in the wintertime in the forests of the Perigord and Lot regions of France. French black truffles are wildly popular, nicknamed "the black diamond" for their rarity and dazzling flavor. They are designated "brushed" which literally means they have been carefully cleaned and brushed, and are ready to use. Shave over pastas; aromatize chicken and meat dishes, winter soup or even scrambled eggs. They are preserved in their own brine or juice, which can be used for sauces or broths.

Saks 5th Avenue: Nambe Kissing Salt & Pepper Shakers - $79
Created by famous designer Karim Rashid, these award-winning shakers are a museum piece for your dinner table.

Crate & Barrel: Margarita Rimming Salt -$7
A combination like no other, this sensational seasoning mixes coarse salt and the kick of natural citrus. Our margarita salt is the perfect tangy blend for the ultimate in cocktail refreshment.

Saks 5th Avenue: Sweet Spice Kit - $42
Easy-to-use pre-measured packets of organic spices essential for making sweets or chai, including allspice, anise seed, cardamom, korintje cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. There are other variation on the Spice Kit if you are all set with Sweetness.

Vosges Haute Chocolate: Exotic Caramel Collection - $74
Now this is the collection for the thrill seeker locked inside the purist's soul, the pragmatically adventurous if you will. For inside, pure and butter-soft-classic caramel, trustworthy and reliable, flirts with its inner wild child.

Crate & Barrel: Tupelo Honey Spoons - $10
Stir the sweet, nutritious goodness of Tupelo honey into your tea or other hot beverage with these hand-made lollipop "spoons."

Chocolat Moderne: Exotic Hot Chocolate: Come to the Cocoa Casbah - $18
With a choice of aromas spanning the Mediterranean and Orient, you'll be whisked away in new directions of hot chocolate enjoyment.

Intentional Chocolate; Chocolate Caramel - $16
English caramel covered with pure Hawaiian dark chocolate infused with the spiritual energy of experienced meditators, personally trained with the Dalai Lama. Call it a thought, a prayer, or a blessing, intention is the expression of purpose and the direction of source energy within all of us. Six scrumptious squares of English caramel and Hawaiian chocolate delight make a meaningful -- and much appreciated gift.

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Welcome to the first SeductionMeals.com Free Gift Give-Away where you can win the two CD's below from Hotel Costes. I am delighted to announce that we are joining Esculon.com, the host of Gift Fest 2008. Be sure to check out Esculon.com for a list of the other blogs participating in this event to see a variety of free prizes that are being offered.


HOW TO WIN:

All you have to do to win is share the details of the very best Valentine's Day you've ever had.

Did you host this romantic rendezvous? If so, what did you do? Or maybe someone orchestrated the most memorable Valentines Day for you; showering you with praise, tasty morsels, and adoration all day long. Send us the details. What was the Seduction Meal served? What was the setting? What music was played? Were caviar, chocolates, or champagne involved? Best of all, should you win, you will have the hottest, sultry music to play for this years Valentines Day. Good Luck!

1. Click on "Post a Comment" below with the details about the best Valentine's Day you've ever experienced.

2. Be sure to title the Comment: Valentines Day Carnivale and add the following information within the comment box:

• Your Name
• Email Address
• Mailing Address (should you win)

3. Entries will be accepted until December 15, 2008 midnight EST. Winners will be selected by a random drawing.

4. One winner will be notified by email or phone. If the winner does not respond within 4 weeks to claim their prize a runner up will receive the prize.

5.  All contestants will be automatically entered to receive the Seduction Meals bi-monthly newsletter

Please Note: While personal information submitted in your comments/response will remain private, all Valentine's Day stories including a first name and state, will be posted on SeductionMeals.com, on partner sites, and can be used for other marketing/promotional efforts during the month of February; and any other publishing endeavors.

Hotel Costes Vol. 8
The 2005 edition of the King of lounge compilations encores it's well established tradition of bringing the ultimate music of Parisian luxury and sophistication to the rest of the world. Stephane Pompougnac has curated yet another outstanding showcase of the most interesting tracks heard in the city's most sought out venue for relaxation and libation. The lineup for this volume includes sultry tracks from Brasilian electronica technicians Zuco 103, Soulstice, Mark Farina (featuring Sean Hayes), Mr. V, Michael Mayer, Pschent's own Flying Pops, Visti & Meyland and many more.

Hotel Costes Vol. 2
The Second Volume of Music Mixed by Stephane Pompougnac, that Launched the Successful Costes Mix Disc Series. Pompougnac Effectively Captures the Hip Feel of the Parisian Landmark, Translatable to Any Place in the World. His Skills have Made Him the Favorite Mixmaster of Thousands Round the Globe. Oustanding Artists Mixed Here Include Pink Martini, Cesaria Evora Vs. Joe Clausell, Femi Kuti, Another Level, Lovetronic and Many More.

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The bottle is mysterious and provocative--the drink is distinguished and luminous. Chocolate is a sumptuous aphrodisiac, between the two how could you go wrong? For a new sensation, end your Seduction Meal on a high note with a burst of electricity that is sure to heat up the night: A glass of Cointreau Noir paired with Chuao's Firecracker Truffles.

Chuao Firecracker!

Arouse your senses with Chuao's unusual, tantalizing confection. Hand your partner a piece of chocolate and watch their expression as they experience the unexpected. Exquisite Venezuelan premium dark chocolate slowly melts on your tongue, as sensual explosions of tiny champagne bubbles snap away in your mouth, ending in playful popping sensations and a spicy kick!


Cointreau Noir
By blending the perfect balance of sweet and bitter orange with Rémy Martin, the world's finest cognac--Cointreau Noir is born. A luminous golden color, Cointreau Noir has beautiful, broad legs that flow gracefully down the inside of a glass, and its taste is as smooth as its pour. Ever so gentle sweet notes (such as vanilla, honey and caramel) linger on the palate just enough to enhance the spirit's romantic nose and flawless finish. Cointreau Noir can be appreciated neat or simply on the rocks - there is nothing to add.

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Serve up a little bit of drama with collectible dinnerware from Fornasetti. Indulge in the allure of a sexy glance, a flirtatious smile, or the playful gesture of one's hand. How wonderful to serve an exquisite meal on a plate only to slowly reveal a sensuous image alluding to your desires.

Fornasetti spent his life in Milan and created over 11,000 items and graphic images, many of them featuring the face of an opera singer of the day, Lina Cavalieri. To explore the magical world of Fornasetti all you have to do is place the key into the keyhole and step inside. For the collector in you, try this link for dinner plates, accessories, glassware, trays, pillows, folding screens and more.

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While perusing recipes for your special seduction meal, often there are exotic ingredients and special equipment that might encourage you to turn the page and continue looking.  Fret no more. You can find the same high quality ingredients used by top chefs across the country with L'epicerie.com. Bookmark this website for on-demand access to the finest specialty food products, kitchenware, gifts and hard-to-find items for the home cook and food enthusiast.


Take a look at this slide show to see the wonderful items you can order for quick delivery including pastries like macroons and madeleines, gourmet food products such as caviar, truffle juice, and premium olive oil. Here hard-to-find items are a cinch: guava, lychee and many other purees and sauces, edible gold dust and a gold dust sprinkler, marzipan, gelatin sheets, Griottines, cocoa nibs, chocolate powders, and so much more.

All of the products and ingredients are of the highest quality, and most are made with careful care by small producers not distributed in large retail operations. Boiron, Mauviel, Peugeot, Cipriani, Pillivuyt, Rabasse, Staud's, Terre Bormane, and Valrhona, are some of the brands you will become intimate with. Enjoy your visit.

Need a great gift idea for the foodie in your life? Try a gift certificate from L'Epicerie--I am sure they will be thrilled..

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Spice up your Valetine's Day with provocative, sensual games for a little extra fun...


Truth, Dare, or Chocolate Gotta Have It!
From the makers of the wildly popular Strip Chocolate, comes a new and revealingly delicious adult dessert game Truth, Dare or Chocolate. Chocoholics has given the age-old game of Spin the Bottle a new chocolate twist. If you are hungry for dessert and some very seductive action, turn the lights on low, spread out a comforter by a cozy fire and get ready for some embarrassing, but titillating fun. You will earn points for telling Truths, taking Dares and tattooing your partner with delicious Chocoholics Body Frosting.

An Enchanting Evening Game-- A game of Laughter and Romance  Gotta Have It!
Use the playful spirit of a great game to bring more passion to your partnership. Designed to help you grow closer together, this game is full of unique suggestions and delightful ideas. Roll the dice and travel around the game board drawing cards that correspond to the space you land on. The cards may ask you to express a thought (What is it about your partners body that you find alluring?) or perform an activity. To win the game, you'll make an exact roll to land on the finish space. But of course, there are no losers in this game! For 2 players

Sex Smarts Gotta Have It!
Fun, frisky facts that will make you laugh, and learn. Play SexSmarts and open new worlds about the culture, practice and history of sex. 100 titillating, brightly illustrated question and answer cards ask: Which sexual positions are the most popular? Where are the body's hidden erotic spots? You'll find pleasure in every card. Play SexSmarts with your friends, a partner, or at a party and enjoy how your conversations develop. If you want to show off how sex smart you are, play competitively with the score sheet enclosed in the game.

Strip Chocolate Gotta Have it!
Tempting more than your taste buds, Strip Chocolate can be exciting in every sense of the word. You will laugh, you will strip, and you will eat delicious chocolate in new and different ways! Only one thing is certain in a game of Strip Chocolate, everybody wins. Just play by the rules and anything can (and usually does) happen. Complete with Chocolate Body Frosting, dice, and 'Dare' cards, this gift will provide hours of fun. Perfect for a honeymoon or other romantic occasion.

Chocolate Body Talk Tatoo Set Gotta Have It!
Chocoholics Body Talk Chocolate Tattoo Set! Adorn your body with a tantalizing chocolate tattoo. Comes with a jar of delicious Chocoholics Body Frosting, paint brush, and stencils to help you craft a provocative design. Say it with chocolate! Then eat your words!

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This Valentine's day enchant your lover with exotic gifts of chocolate. A luscious gift and alluring aphrodisiac, you can send a box of chocolates with a romantic invitation for a fiery HOT Seduction Meal at your place, or if you prefer, you can save this gift to share for your seduction dessert. Just be sure to order in time for delivery on the Valentine's Day.



Oliver Kita's line of artisan fine chocolates are sure to please leaving the recipient of this gift begging for more. For the love of your life, Oliver has created a spectacular Valentine's gift with this 4 Tiered box filled with exotic chocolates such as Fig and Pistachio, Tibetan Tiger Heart, Loveletter Hearts, Vermillion Fruit Heart, and Japanese Berry Truffle. Gotta Have It! $110

Romanicos truly understands the art of presentation with beautifully handcrafted exotic chocolate and stunning designs. I have included a few of the many wonderful boxed chocolates from this master artisan such as the Aphrodite Collection: The goddess of love, Aphrodite, now comes in the shape of luscious, sensual chocolates. This collection has been designed to inspire passion, spark desire, and provoke an ecstasy of pleasure in those who taste it. There are delicious truffles collections inside beautifully packaged presentations, and the unique 1-lb. Art Bar, with chocolate at the bottom and white chocolate on the top; decorated with dried cranberries, pistachios, sesame seeds and dark chocolate is like none other. Each bar is a unique work of art, made one by one. A perfect gift on any occasion.  Gotta Have It!

Jaques Torres: Why not surprise your lover with champagne and chocolate - together in one sweet little package, or grab your Valentine and pucker up but not before handing him/her Jacques's custom-designed heart-shaped box filled with 35 of his favorite assorted bon-bons. And we love the "kisses" chocolates. Gotta Have It!

Vosges Haute Chocolat  is a treasure chest of pure pleasure. Check out their web site for all your options. There are luxurious collections of chocolate packaged in a purple gift box filled with dark, milk and white chocolate truffles infused with exotic and traditional spices, herbs and flowers from around the world. You can select chocolate gifts paired with a bottle of Krug Champagne Brut Grand Cuvee or Joseph Perrier Brut Rose. Try Vosges' exotic truffle collection. And to spice things up--the Aztec Collection comes with a bottle of Clos de Los Siete, Argentina, 2005 a flashy, violet red wine that pairs well with this South American inspired Aztec Collection of chocolates. And I have to mention their Groove Collection: Chocolate paired with the perfect CD. 
Gotta Have it! $91 - $325

Chocolate Modern will unlock the Mysteries of Love and other enticements for Valentine's Day. "Mysteries of Love" are passionately painted hearts filled with their darkest ganache and most luscious caramels: The Lover (passion fruit caramel), Madame 'X'tasy (salted Illy espresso caramel),  and Caramel Caresse (pear caramel) Amarena Mon Amor are discrete object of desire: Chocolate covered cherries taken to new heights-- Big, tart, juicy Italian Amarena cherries finished with a sophisticated vodka-infused syrup. Irresistible... addictive... a far cry from merely cordial!   Gotta Have It! $32 - $60

Martine's Chocolates has created a beautiful heart made of Marzipan roses--a unique gift indeed. Martine's chocolates are upscale confections handmade fresh daily, right in front of customers, by Martine's own chefs chocolatiers, at Martine's Chocolates shops in Manhattan. This gift must be ordered 3 weeks in advance so do it right away! Gotta Have It!

Knipschildt Chocolates. What do your presents say about you? Especially when you send the most expensive chocolate in the world - a $250 truffle. Each hand-crafted Knipschildt chocolate is an artistic handmade jewel; and to prove the point, there is Knipschildt's La Madeline au Truffle which was recognized by Forbes Magazine as the most expensive chocolate in the world.  La Madeline au Truffle starts with a decadent 70% Valrhona dark chocolate, heavy cream, sugar, truffle oil and vanilla as the base for the rich decadent ganache. A rare French Perigord truffle (a rare mushroom) is then surrounded by this rich decadent ganache; it is enrobed in Valrhona dark chocolate and then rolled in fine cocoa powder. The result is pure extravagance! Lying on a bed of sugar pearls in a silver box tied with a ribbon.This product is made to order and ships within 14 days of order date.
Gotta Have it! $250

NEWTREE Belgian chocolate is about having FUN and eating it too. With playful names and a medley of flavors to tempt any mood, this gift is sure to put a smile on your lover's face. Be sure to try SEXY: SEXY is chocolate in stilettos. Spice up your day with dark chocolate, warmed by the taste of ginger. Naturally stimulating guarana extract adds an extra perk for a seductive treat, or BLUSH: Dark chocolate kissed by sumptuous cherries, a taste so sinful it will make you BLUSH. I wish they bundled their bars for the ultimate lover's package made up of Vigor, Sexy, Blush, Renew, Forgiveness, and Crave. Gotta Have It! Just under $5 a bar, mix and match your prefect blend. 

Red Envelope, one of my favorite online places for gifts has a few special treats:

Romantic fortune cookies: Confucius meets Cupid. These crispy fortune cookies are cloaked in luscious chocolate, but the real treat awaits inside. You get 1 dozen cookies, each scripted for romance: "You are difficult for others to resist," "Naughtiness is a virtue" and "Distance and time may test your heart, but true love will always find you." Gotta Have It! $30

Theo aphrodisiac chocolates:  Arouse the senses. This limited edition Aphrodisiac Collection features chocolates combined with herbs and spices known for their aphrodisiac qualities. These small masterpieces will give way to the heat of your mouth and linger on your tongue. From sensual rose and aromatic lavender to spicy jalapeño and Ceylon cinnamon, these unique flavor combinations are designed to warm every heart.
Gotta Have It! $42

Bloomsberry Chocolate Bars: Deliciously saucy, these sweet sets give chocolate lovers some spicy food for thought with clever messages for both the single set (pick up bar, oral pleasures, eat me, and instant gratification) and those who have engaged in matrimony( "things are more exciting in the dark," "marital bliss," "lusty" and "dark secrets"  Gotta Have It! $25

Heart Shaped Fondue Set from Amazon.com: An extra sweet way to enjoy Valentine's Day, anniversaries, birthdays and more! This adorable fondue set is the perfect way to create a romantic yet delicious after-dinner treat. This set includes: Red Heart-Shaped Pot Black metal Stand Tea Candle Holder 2 Dipping Forks with heart-shaped handles.  Gotta Have It! $22

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Holiday Gift Idea: Do you know someone with a sweet tooth? This season why not do a double-good deed. Shower your sweetheart with a special delivered beautifully packaged cake. And as if that is not enough, you will feel extra special knowing that Bake Me A Wish!™ will donate 5% of each sale to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America to help grant the wishes of seriously ill children.

Bake Me A Wish! gourmet cakes are made with the finest, freshest ingredients by an award-winning family run New York bakery. Each cake is adorned with a decorative chocolate plaque imported from Belgium and is packaged in a decorative gift box. You can personalize your gift with one of several stylish gift cards. Price:
$19.99 to $39.99, plus postage and handling.

"The support of Bake Me A Wish! is a wonderful gift for the Make-A-Wish Foundation," said David Williams, president and chief executive officer of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. "Project Wish Cake's financial support will help us grant more magical wishes this year, and the cakes will help us make those wish experiences a little bit sweeter."

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope,strength and joy. Born in 1980 when a group of caring individuals helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 71 chapters in the U.S. and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants more than 12,500 wishes a year and has granted more than 135,000 wishes in the U.S. since inception.

For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit www.wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish.

On a last note, here is the perfect example of a company giving back to the community. Bake Me A Wish! officially launched Operation Birthday Cake which was recently featured on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360. They now send birthday cakes to U.S. soldiers overseas.

U.S. soldiers serving overseas don't have the luxury of celebrating their birthday for a variety of reasons. There isn't time, it's not a priority, and they are focused on taking care of others instead of themselves. Josh Kaye, president of Bakemeawish.com, began sending birthday cakes to the troops overseas because he wanted them to still have that experience, to still feel remembered and special, despite their difficult circumstances.

"The response of heartfelt gratitude from the families who have received cakes has been overwhelming, and it just felt right to keep going in this direction," observed Kaye. "What began as helping one soldier's wife has now transformed into a formal program that is helping more and more soldiers each day. People can now purchase birthday cakes for soldiers, suggest a soldier with an impending birthday, or donate to the program. My goal is for as many U.S. soldiers as possible to receive cakes on their birthdays, regardless of where they are serving." Donations help support the Operation Birthday Cake campaign. A gourmet birthday cake costs approximately $75.00 to send to a soldier serving overseas. Currently, Bakemeawish.com is seeking to recruit program sponsors to help defray some of the costs. Please visit Bakemeawish.com to learn more about how to support Operation Birthday Cake.

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Holiday Gift Ideas: Get playful with the wine and food lover in your life. Set up a candle lit table with your favorite wine glasses, serve up an assortment of tasty tapas, break out that special bottle of wine (or two),  and play your favorite sultry, cool tunes to set the mood. And  just in case you'll be traveling to meet your date with a few bottles of vintage wine, there is the stylish CaddyO wine carrier. Tis the season for fun, love and laughter.


Foodie Fight Gotta Have It!
Calling all food lovers! This addictive trivia game allows players to strut their culinary stuff and prove who is the smartest foodie of them all. With over 1,000 questions on topics ranging from culinary science and celebrity chefs to food history and exotic cuisine, each player is bound to get a full serving of food knowledge. But think fast, because the first player or team to fill in their game board wins!

CaddyO wine Chiller and Carrier Gotta Have It! $40
A stylish gift the CaddyO is both a carrier and cooler. Place the sleeve in your freezer and 1/2 hour before you start your travels, place your chilled wine in the sleeve, the sleeve in the carrier. Better yet, if your wine isn't yet chilled, it can chill a bottle of wine in 30 minutes and keeps it cool for hours and the sleeve can be placed on the table or picnic blanket to hold the wine. There is a also a dual tote carrier that allows you to carry up to four bottles of wine.

Karafe Wine Tasting Game Gotta Have It! $40
You'll love this exciting new game about wine. It combines some of the features of Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit and Life all in one. You become a winemaker - raise capital, buy your vineyard, harvest your grapes, bottle your wine and sell it. Navigate the gameboard successfully by answering questions about wine or correctly identifying wine taste tests. Questions are divided into two categories - Sippers and Connoisseurs - so you can handicap the players..

Oenophilia Bouquet: The Wine Game Gotta Have It! $40
Have fun with friends while increasing your knowledge of wine, Beautiful board is decorated with wine labels, Makes a great gift for wine buffs. Oenophilia is a world of fun as well A world of fun as well as a source of information and inspiration. A game on the world of wines and spirits for novices and experts alike... Bouquet® is a unique fun parlor game with questions on wines and spirits.

Winerd Gotta Have It!
Looking to entertain some friends and learn about different types of wine in a fun way at the same time? Then you're going to love Winerd! Whether you are hosting a wine tasting party or just a friendly get together with a few close friends, this Winerd Wine Tasting Party Game is to be a hit with your party guests. This is perfect gift for the novice or wine connoisseur alike. Winerd includes over 300 question and answer cards, 12 bonus/challenge cards, four game pieces and a Blind Taste Test Notepad that guides you through all the steps of wine evaluation. Now that you've got the perfect game, just add wine and friends and you're set for a fun filled evening! winerdgame.com

Food Lover's Trivia Game Gotta Have It! $35
 Are you a food lover who likes trivia games or a trivia game lover who likes food? Whichever you are you'll love The Original Food Lover's Trivia game! This is the first game of its kind dedicated solely to food trivia. The game features 1,800 questions in the categories of Beverages, Geography and Culture, Ingredients, Recipes, Food People and Food Arts & Science. Get ready, Get set, Get comfortable! Game play is not confined to a game board, players gather their game pieces and get comfortable wherever they want to play! Teams of chefs are challenged by opposing teams of guests with trivia questions all about food. Players start with full plates and the winners are the first ones to Clean Your Plate The Original Food Lover's Trivia can be played in a variety of ways from the basic game Dinnertime to the added challenges offered in Care For Seconds? game play. Got Food? Get Game! Over 40 recipes and party ideas are included so that the game can be played with edible game pieces in the game options; Play With Your Food, Potlucky, The Diet Plate Special and The Blue Plate Special.

Eat It! Gotta Have It! $30
Eat It is the snacks and sweets trivia game. This exciting board game is all about the fun foods that everyone loves to eat. Players test their knowledge by answering fun and clever trivia questions across five tasty categories: Chocolate, Candy, Cookies, Snack Attack, and Ice Cream and Desserts. The types of Eat It trivia questions range from nostalgia and general knowledge to marketing, jingles, product description, and tidbits. Eat It is a fun game to play with friends and family. The questions are diverse, encompassing today's treats as well as the ones that you grew up with. On your way to becoming the Eat It, you will relive childhood memories and even munch on a few of your favorite snacks.

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Holiday Gift Idea: Some gifts are meant to be remembered. With names like Madame "X"tasy, Karma Sutra, Hazelnut Hysterie,  Sesame Samba, The Player, and Havana Heat--you know you are in for something extraordinary. For the discerning gourmand I share with you the exotic elixirs of Chocolat Moderne. Below are a few examples of truly seductive Holiday gifts with a choice of aromas spanning the Mediterranean and Orient. You and your loved one will be whisked away in bold, daring directions of delight.

Amarena Mon Amour (Gotta Have It!)
Discrete object of desire, Chocolate covered cherries are taken to new heights. Big, tart, juicy Italian Amarena cherries finished with a sophisticated vodka-infused syrup. Irresistible... addictive... a far cry from merely cordial! A sexy red crocodile box opens to reveal 27 bonbons presented as ruby and gold hand-painted dark chocolate gemstones tucked into cascading gold tiers ($64.00). Also available in a four tier box - with 36 bonbons. ($84.00)


The Kimono Collection (Gotta Have It!)
An elegant theme inspired by Japan, THE KIMONO COLLECTION chocolates are beautifully designed. Cherry blossoms grace vintage kimono patterns and are echoed in the form of chocolate shapes. Rounding out the artistry of this sophisticated collection is the 19th century woodblock print (ukiyo-e) of two ladies in kimono by the Master Eishi Hosoda ("Chobunsai"). The six flavors in the collection include three made with traditional Japanese ingredients: Shiso (Japanese mint), tamari soy and sesame, and three of our own favorites: strawberry, apricot and pecan which believe it or not are really popular in Japan as well!


Ganaches:    
Shiso Soft: dark ganache with Japanese mint and lime
Strawberry Float: white ganache with strawberry

Caramels:    
Soy Salt: caramel salted with tamari soy sauce
Apricote Bask: caramel with apricots and armagnac

Pralines:   
Sesame Samba: crunchy sesame praline
Pampered Pecan: maple pecan praline

And my all time favorites...the "Bistro Bar" (Gotta Have It!)
The bars are covered in fine dark chocolate and filled with truffle, caramel and praliné flavors from artisanal chocolate assortments. The square shape is unusually elegant. Deep sections provide ample repositories for our luscious fillings and are easy to separate for relishing one by one. Go for the "Bistro Bar Bundle"--stacked together and tied with a bow, five bistro bars make an excellent gift.

The Bistro Bar is available in the following flavors at $7.00 each:

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Holiday Gift Idea: What better way to jump start the Holidays than to send a beautiful wreath with an seductive message attached inviting the girl/guy of your dreams to an enchanting holiday Seduction Meal. Include your menu in your message and the words of your choice to set the tone of the magical evening to come. Lobster Thermador, Caviar and Champagne, or perhaps Steak Au Poivre followed by or a molten chocolate cake or fruit fondue. Whatever you choose, make it special and don't forget to hang the mistletoe under the bedroom doorway.

Here a few unique wreaths that are made with aromatic herbs and fruits such as the splendid Lavender Wreath from Jackson and Perkins. Red Envelope has three wonderful designs including the contemporary Bay and Olive Square Wreath, the eye-catching Eucalyptus and Canella Berry Wreath and the aromatic Fresh Rosemary Wreath. And Sur La Table presents the Natural Multi-Herb Wreath made of fresh bay, sage, purple oregano, Santa Cruz oregano, lavender and chile de arbol that are 100% suitable for cooking.

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Holiday Gift Idea: A good marriage of wine and cheese brings out the best in each partner.

Red Envelope has assembled a selection of artisanal cheese that pairs perfectly with either red or white wines and Neiman Marcus has put together a collection for a "monthly celebration of cheese" selected by Artisanal's renowned Chef Terrance Brennan. For a memorable gift to win over the gourmand in your life, pair this gift with a bottle or two of a truly exceptional wine and you will bring out the best in YOUR partner.

While shopping online is helpful for those with super busy schedules, you can easily assemble this gift yourself by shopping locally for the cheese, wine and freshly baked bread.

Artisanal Cheese for White Wines  ($65 Gotta Have It!)
The bright flavors of white wine are best offset with either slightly tangy or "buttery' cheeses. This trio of exquisite artisanal cheeses was specifically selected to be paired with white wines. Net weight 1.5lbs

Bonne Bouche goat's milk cheese is made in Vermont and has a bright and lemony flavor with a runny texture

Comte St. Antoine is made in France of raw cow's milk and is aged more than 15 months for a rich buttery flavor

Fontina Val D'aosta is made in Italy and has an earthy, woody flavor that brings out the best in floral whites.

Artisanal Cheese for Red Wines  ($65 Gotta Have It!)
This exquisite trio was selected to accompany red wine pairings. Net weight 1.5lbs.

The Camembert hails from a US-based maker of fine French cheeses and has a mild, well-balanced flavor with a creamy texture.

Abbaye de Belloc, a sheep's milk cheese made in France, has a fine, dense texture with a distinctly Basque character.
 
Valdeon goat's and cow's milk blue cheese was named best blue cheese in Spain's 2003 national competition.

Neiman Marcus Cheese of the Month ($240 - $800 Gotta Have It!)
Neiman Marcus has assembled an international collection of cheese from Artisanal's renowned Chef Terrance Brennan. Selections for 2008 arrive at peak ripeness. You can choose a three, six, or twelve month plan. Six-month plan, delivered January to June. Three-month plan, January to March.  Weights, approximately 7 1/2 to 8 ounces unless otherwise noted. Handcrafted maple serving board with the first delivery. Orders must be placed by January 1, 2008.

• January: Bonne Bouche (5 ounces)/Manchego/Fontina Val D'Aosta/Maple Wood Serving Board.
• February: Pont l'Eveque/Fromage de Meaux/Valdeón.
• March: Chabichou du Poitou (6 ounces)/Double Gloucester/Morbier.
• April: Pavé d'Auge/Constant Bliss (6 ounces)/ Fourme d'Ambert.
• May: Selles sur Cher (5 ounces)/Wensleydale/Mahon.
• June: Fog Light/Zamorano/Laguiole.
• July: Hudson Valley Camembert (4 ounces)/Fiscalini Cheddar/Great Hill Blue.
• August: Cave-Aged Crottin (4 ounces)/Bra Tenero/ Ossau Iraty Piment d'Espelette.
• September: Hoja Santa (5 ounces)/Pecorino Toscano/ Le Moulis.
• October: Langres/U.S. Camembert/Colston Bassett Stilton
• November: Robiola Bosina (8.5 ounces)/Comté St. Antoine/ Bayley Hazen Blue.
• December: Chaource/Tome Fermiere d'Alsace/ Quicke's Cheddar.

cave aged artisanal cheese ($68 Gotta Have It!)
A wine connoisseur knows that the best accompaniment is an exquisitely crafted cheese. This trio of artisanal cheeses offers subtle and complex flavors with goat's milk, cheddar, and sheep's milk selections that complement both reds and whites. Exclusively from RedEnvelope.

Hoja Santa is a soft, young goat's milk cheese that arrives wrapped in a heart-shaped leaf from a local Texas plant

Quicke's Cheddar is crafted in England in the traditional style of English farmhouse cheddars

Bleu des Basques is a French sheep's milk cheese with subtle and complex flavors

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Romantic Gift Idea: I love hand-written letters, love notes left on my pillow, lipstick messages on the mirror, and opening a hand-written envelope from a lover or a friend. For some, the hand written love letter is a thing of the past; how sad. Why not treat yourself to a great holiday gift this season with custom designed personalized note cards. 

I spoke to Debra Riggs, owner or Park City Paper and Press to hear her thoughts and share a few samples to inspire your custom designed cards.

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth
And height my soul can reach....Elizabeth Barrett Browning

There is nothing better than the written word for pouring out your heart to a loved one, leaving a sweet message in reference to an evening's passion or memories of a special time together. In our age of emails and instant messages, we sometimes forget the relevance of a personal touch. Can you imagine Ms. Browning closing her missives with a smiley face emoticon?  Never! And neither will you should you wish to delight, enchant and captivate that someone special.

For those who wish to make an endearing impression (and you know that you do!), there is no better gift than your own hand-written words. And you can raise that impact tremendously by your choice of stationery.  Fine papers provide a canvas for your message and together, the whole is greater than the sum of parts. Now, I'm not talking about etiquette here though, certainly, there are reasons and experts for that. This is about self expression. Be it serious for business, whimsical for friends, or saucy for lovers.

Having a little coterie of personalized notes hints at your style. Mistakenly, some consider fine stationery to be relegated to nice holiday cards, wedding invitations, and baby announcements.  So wrong!  There are designs and price points to meet any taste and budget. Take a look at this wonderful display to inspire your shopping experience.



Treat yourself this Holiday and bring back the seductive art of hand writing letters of love. Shower your loved one with billets doux to express your passion and unique style. Make this your canvas--a real representation of you, even before you say one word or blow a kiss!

Call Park City Paper & Press or visit their site
www.paperandpress.com  
(888) 579-8635
Mention Seduction Meals and receive a 15% discount.

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Holiday Gift Idea: This holiday season why not satisfy your chocolate loving amour with homemade chocolate dipped fruits such as strawberries, apples, figs, raspberries or pears. It is easy to prepare and a delicious gourmet treat that is sensual to eat and easy to gift wrap. Feeding someone a chocolate dipped strawberry is a great way to end your Seduction Meal before moving on the the real main course.

If you are pressed for time I have included links to wonderfully prepared and packaged gifts that can be served up for your next romantic rendezvous; or you can impress your loved one with a special delivery in time for the holidays.


Home Made Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
12 extra-large perfectly ripened strawberries, green caps attached, preferably with 1 inch stem
1 tablespoon of shortening
2 cups of dark or milk chocolate bars, coarsely chopped
(option) 1/8 cup of finely chopped hazelnuts (you can use peanuts, pecans or walnuts)

Line a cooking sheet with wax paper and set aside

Melting the Chocolate
In the top of a double boiler over simmering water, melt the chocolate stirring until the chocolate smoothens out. Be sure the chocolate stays hot otherwise it may clump when you are dipping the fruit.

Dipping the Fruit
Holding the top of the strawberry, slowly dip 2/3's of the way into the melted chocolate. Quickly remove the fruit with a clockwise swirling motion to spin the dripping chocolate off, resulting in a smooth, even coating.  Invert your hand to point the strawberry towards the ceiling--this will allow the chocolate to settle and briefly air dry. (Option) Dip the tip of the strawberry in to the ground hazelnuts, gently rolling in a circular motion to cover the tip all around.

Place the strawberry, gently resting on one side to cool down/dry. Hand feed each other one strawberry at a time. If you are sending this as a gift, you can store strawberries in the refrigerator in an airtight container between layers of waxed paper. Try to find a box that has sections to place a strawberry in chamber.

Don't have time for home-made gifts, here are a few delicious gifts to satisfy any gourmet sweet tooth.

John and Kiras Chocolate Covered Figs ($47Gotta Have It!)
We love this combination! Noted for their extremely thin skins and sweet, almost candy-like taste, these Spanish figs are filled by hand with a silky dark 64% Valrhona ganache and enrobed in a thin layer of dark 54% chocolate. The Calabacita variety of fig is grown by a family owned company in "Los Llanillos" in the village of Almoharin located in the Extremadura region of Spain. The delights are paired with a 15-pc Every Flavor box of our Signature chocolates. To ensure freshness, please enjoy our chocolate figs within two weeks

Red Envelope: Chocolate Covered Strawberries ($55-$110 Gotta Have It!)
A dozen luscious berries are dipped in chocolate and delivered overnight to ensure freshness. Six white and six dark chocolate strawberries are drizzled with premium dark chocolate.

Red Envelope: Chocolate Covered Raspberries  ($25 Gotta Have It!)
An extra decadent take on the venerable traditions of chocolate fondue and chocolate-dipped strawberries--these raspberry truffles each contain a whole hand-picked, farm-fresh raspberry at their centers. Rich dark chocolate is poured around them and they are finished with a raspberry swirl on top. Twelve truffles arrive nestled into individual fluted paper cups and tucked into a box.

Red Envelope: Chocolate Covered Pear ($22: Gotta Have It!)
A more perfect pair of juicy fruit and rich confectionary would be difficult to find. This fresh bosc pear gets the full sweet-and-crunchy treatment--it's enrobed in caramel, coated with walnuts and drizzled in gourmet chocolate. Pure Seduction!

Red Envelope: Chocolate Caramel Apples ($25 Gotta Have It!)
These caramel apples are innovative and decadent versions of the traditional harvest favorite. You can choose between an apple that is drenched in caramel and gourmet chocolates then rolled in walnuts and dried cranberries; or try the giant Fuji apple is dipped in chocolate and then coated with crushed butter finger candy. Each apple arrives wrapped in cellophane and tied up with a big, red grosgrain bow.

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For the rest of December Seduction Meals will feature holiday gift ideas for your lover and the foodies in your life. We hope you enjoy the collection of gifts we've put together. We set up quick links to make your shopping fast and easy. Tis the Season...may it sparkle with love.

Holiday Gift Ideas:  This holiday season push those boring romance novels and sports books off your bookshelf and step in the real world of romance by starting a collection of books that will truly deliver the goods: cooking to hook up. A few of my favorites include: Intercourses: An Aphrodisiac Cookbook, Booty Food, and you have to love the directness of the titles such as Cooking to Hook Up and Will Cook for Sex.







The New Intercourses: An Aphrodisiac Cookbook (gotta have it!)
Forget Spanish fly or powdered rhino horn; if you want to get your lover in the mood, look no farther than your local supermarket. Strawberries, chocolate, caviar and asparagus have long been considered stimulants for the romantic appetite. For centuries, folk wisdom held that foods either rare or resembling a sexual organ had tremendous power over the libido. Modern science has since debunked that theory, but there's no denying that a meal lovingly prepared and properly presented with just the right ambience can precipitate the most passionate encounters. In Intercourses: An Aphrodisiac Cookbook, Martha Hopkins and Randall Lockridge appeal to all the senses as they offer up 85 heart-melting, temperature-raising dishes, along with an array of sensuous photographs that will make you look at food in a whole new light.

Cooking to Hook Up (gotta have it!)
Cooking to Hook Up: The Bachelor's Date-Night Cookbook is really two books--a relationship guide and a cookbook--presented together in a hysterically funny, yet sophisticated voice. The authors carefully instruct their male readers to determine the type of girl his date is. They offer ten distinct types and clear profiles of each type. The book offers five complete menus per girl, as well as numerous other tips on how to get the girl. This is real information and these are real recipes.

Win her With Dinner (gotta have it!)
"Talk about being upfront on the hardcover. "This book's premise is based upon the simple truth that women like to see a guy put forth a little effort." Hallelujah. And hello to the intriguing blurbs on the acknowledgements page by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Ladies, if all this doesn't get your attention, the back of the book will: "Any schmo can take a woman to a swanky restaurant and slap down his credit card. Cooking for a woman, however, shows her you've put a dash of initiative, a smidgen of energy, and a pinch of thought into the date." Kitchen novices are walked through an entire meal and evening, including recommendations for wine and music, tips on etiquette and how to create a comfy setting. -- USA Today"

Booty Food (gotta have it!)
A date by date, nibble by nibble, course by course guide to cultivating love and passion through food. If Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw cooked, and wrote a cookbook, this might be it. It's a sassy collection of recipes and menus for the occasions and stages of relationships (from flings to marriage), with dating advice, sex sidebars and a dash of etiquette-a primer on "caviar for newbies"; a key to the pronunciation of wines and international foods; suggestions for successful key exchange0thrown in for good measure. Jacqui Malouf, co-host of Hot off the Grill with Bobby Flay and host of the WE network's Full Frontal Fashion, offers stories from her own dating life along with simple-chic recipes such as Funky Mimosas for the morning-after breakfast; Pan-Roasted Chicken with Rosemary-Lemon Butter, Blue Cheese Arugula Salad with Honeyed Walnuts, and Grilled Asparagus with Balsamic Vinaigrette for the first home-cooked meal; and Chicken Ramani, Cucumber Raita, and Minty Cuban Mojitos for keeping things "hot."

Seduction and Spice (gotta have it!)
130 recipes for romance. "In Seduction and Spice, Rudi Sodamin will intoxicate you with delectable aphrodisiacs that will have you scurrying from the kitchen to the bedroom...do, rejoice and indulge in the world of Aphrodite and gastronomy."--Jacques Pépin, chef, book author, and host of Jacques Pépin's Kitchen: Encore with Claudine on PBS. Need I say more?

The Seduction Cookbook (gotta have it!)
"The Seduction Cookbook" is probably one of the most exciting cookbooks you will ever buy. Not only does it contain many secrets of seduction, the recipes are exotic and divinely delicious. Your lover will think you are a cooking god or goddess who has arrived to give them a tantalizing gourmet feast. They will worship you later in appreciation. "Cooking and seduction are delicious arts that involve head, hand and heart. Great lovers are inspired by passion, as are great chefs." ~Diane Brown

Great Food Great Sex (gotta have it!)
If you are concerned about eating well and enjoying great sex, this book is for you. Written by two health psychologists with both clinical and academic experience in nutrition and sexual function, and backed by the latest nutritional and medical research, Great Food, Great Sex is the first food book designed to fire up sexual vitality in both men and women. The simple-to-implement program-including recipes from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health-serves up a dazzling array of sumptuous foods packed with the key nutrients that provide an ample supply of nitric oxide, the proven "miracle molecule" for optimal sexual function.

Will Cook for Sex (gotta have it!)
Women were once taught that the way to a man's heart was through his stomach. In reality, fewer women cook, or really want to. Making reservations or ordering in has become one of the multiminded abilities of today's more progressive woman. Therein is the problem. Men must learn to navigate their way around the kitchens, galleys and cucinas of the world. In fact, to every man's advantage, the women can be very generous to men who know a spoon from a spatula. All men need is some beautiful inspiration and a few words of simple instruction from Rocky Fino. Step-by-step pictorials include menus and recipes for important occasions like The Date, The Stacked Deck, The Closer, the Morning After and The Weekend Pass.

Will Mix for Sex (gotta have it!)
As if cooking for sex was not enough!...Ready to Mix it Up? Just in time for the holidays, Rocky Fino presents Will Mix for Sex: Twenty-One Classic Cocktails to Set the Mood - the perfect compliment to Rocky's first book, Will Cook for Sex. Whether you are a woman looking to give a few hints to the man in your life or a man hoping to impress that special someone this is the book for you. Following the format of Will Cook for Sex, author Rocky Fino details all the needed elements to make any man a master mixologist.

Find the perfect match for your date with chapters such as Sweet Girls, Tart Girls, Classy Girls, Sunny Girls or Guy's Girl.

Dishing with Style (gotta have it!)
Trovato worked in just about every part of the cooking world before she became a food stylist, and her experiences all taught her one important lesson: "flavor and balance are the most important aspects of a dish; but without beautiful presentation, they're essentially lost." It's surprising then, she says, that cookbooks rarely give any advice about plating a dish. In her guide, she teaches readers to "style outside the box," encouraging them to serve hot chocolate in fancy brandy snifters and goat cheese hors d'oeuvres on curly lettuce leaves. Each of her delicious recipes is followed by two style ideas (one formal, one casual) to help readers understand how the same dish can be served in multiple ways.  .

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There are many varieties of gourmet salts to aid in your culinary seduction. The best salts are mined from seawater and evaporated in the sun, imparting more flavor and enhancement to your gourmet creations.

On a recent shopping excursion I discovered the beautifully designed packaging of Victoria Taylor's Seasonings and decided to experiment with a few different salts. The three salts I carried home include: Australian Flake Salt, Celtic Sea Salt and Anglesey Sea Salt. I absolutely LOVE the Australian Flake Salt.

When I got home I ventured over to Victoria's web site to learn some more. You can purchase sea salt and other exotic seasoning as well as sampling kits such as the Culinary Salts of the World Gift Set on her site. I recommend experimenting with salts and moving away from common table salt as soon as you dare for a more exotic cooking experience. I learned that most gourmet salts are best used as finishing salts at the end of cooking. Here is the information I found. 

 

 

 

Australian Flake Salt - The brine that is the source of this salt comes from the Murray River, fed by the Australian Alps. When harvested in their natural form, the salt flakes retain trace minerals giving them a pinkish color. This salt has a delicate texture that comes from the fluffy crystals that are reminiscent of snowflakes. Use this to "finish" a recipe by crumbling the delicate crystals between your fingers to provide a finishing touch that will add a wonderful dimension to any dish.

Celtic Sea Salt - Praised by culinary professionals for its flavor and quality and by health professionals for its unrefined purity and naturally occurring minerals. Celtic Sea Salt is a product of natural crystallization of the ocean waters near Brittany, France. Use Celtic Sea Salt for finishing and baking.

Anglesey Sea Salt--The saltiest of the three, this crystallized salt from the Isle of Anglesey is a gourmet finishing salt from the cleanest ocean water off the west coast of Wales, UK. Anglesey Sea Salt has a soft, flaky texture and retains many trace minerals and elements important for good health. 

I will use these salts in upcoming recipes and hope to learn the delicate intricacies and characteristics of each. I've already tried the Australian Flake Salt--I poured some olive oil on plate, sprinkled some Australian Flake Salt and Crushed Red Pepper Flakes over the oil, brought out a fresh baguette to dip into the oil. There were four of us--we tore small pieces from the loaf of bread and dipped right in. Everyone loved it!

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