Knock-knock. Who’s there? Marmalade. Okay, so that’s not really how the world’s most annoying joke goes, but we certainly love it when the delivery man comes a knockin’ at our door with this orange delight. Marmalade is an integral part of the American Sunday brunch tradition (and, of course, the Sunday comics). Frog Hollow’s navel orange marmalade (a limited addition, mind you) offers all the sweetness of traditional marmalade without the bitterness. It’s lovely slathered on English muffins or scones.

Technorati Tags: Charles & Marie, Epicurean delight, food, gourmet

Design trends have reflected an interest in Willy Wonka-esque flourishes: candy cane rods, pastel colors that summon up images of Everlasting Gobstoppers, and explosions of shapes and textures that could inspire a toothache. Villeroy & Boch’s NewWaveCaffe Chocol.Drops fine china goes a little bit easy on the sweetness, but keeps the richness coming—it’s a combination of saucers, trays, and espresso cups with stripes and circles in rich shades of chocolate, beige, and espresso. A swirly hand grip on the cups brings to mind the silken feel of chocolate running down your mouth; same deal with the saucers and trays, shiny ribbon-like plates that’ll make you crave a serving of mousse. Delish!

Technorati Tags: Charles & Marie, Epicurean delight, glassware, tableware

Sometimes you need to look beyond the obvious and the flashy to find a real gem. That was definitely the case with Beny Glaser’s absolutely gorgeous design for a set of stacking plates. We must have walked past her little booth a dozen times and only then realized how precious and unique the design for the plates is. All the plates have a similar shape but vary in proportion and angle, creating a very playful and flexible set. Still in prototype, Beny is evaluating different manufacturing possibilities at the moment and we can only hope that she is successful and soon finds the right manufacturing partner. Simply amazing.

Technorati Tags: Charles & Marie, Epicurean Delight, gourmet, tableware, talents

Read the rest of this entry »

When it comes to French-inspired food, quality takes precedence but quantity is surely welcomed. This jar bears 14 ounces of whole foie gras de canard (duck) from the Sud Ouest. It’s a fairly average size, but it bears big flavor and the packaging is far from pretentious. Spread the foie gras on crackers to make delicious “quackers” and serve with a demi of sauternes and some homemade quince jelly.

Technorati Tags: Charles & Marie, Epicurean delight, food, gourmet, ingredients

Arnolfo di Cambio’s mouth-blown, fine crystal water and wine glasses are more like delicate abstract sculptures than tchotchkes from your local watering hole. The swirly curves of the glass make them perfect for wrapping your fingers around, and offer the delightful illusion of looking at your hands through a pane of water.
Design: Ettore Sottsass, 1999

Technorati Tags: Charles & Marie, contraptions, Epicurean delight, glassware

Puff pastries are traditionally considered breakfast goodies, but they can also be served in lieu of cookies for dessert. Frog Hollow Farm serves up a handmade puff stuffed with organic peach conserve and cream cheese. They’ll arrive at your door frozen and ready to bake at 400 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. With such simple preparation, you can’t go wrong. If your proverbial tooth is extra sweet, try drizzling them with caramel sauce.

Technorati Tags: Charles & Marie, Epicurean delight, food, gourmet, pastry, Sweets

RabLabs is a company founded by industrial designer Anna Rabinowicz, who decided that she was bored with the typical run-of-the-mill housewares and wanted to experiment, instead, with natural materials and forms. Rabinowicz’s agate plate is the crème de la crème of such inspiration. Approximately nine inches in diameter, and created from Brazilian agate from the Rio Grande do Sul, these plates are like exotic sea debris in impossibly luminous shades of blue, purple, pink, and natural. Best of all, each plate is unique in color, shade, and approximate size. Definitely a great starting point for conversation during your next cheese and wine social.

Technorati Tags: accessories, Charles & Marie, contraptions, Epicurean delight, tableware

The finest Kashmiri Gold deserves to be displayed for all to see. This transparent case has absolutely nothing to hide. Saffron strands - harvested from the stigmas of the Crocus flower - are said to be the world’s most expensive spice, rivaling the price of pure gold, so you need only a pinch to flavor the appropriate dish. The delightful flavor, fragrance and color are esteemed by the culinary elite. Oh and by the way - the stains left by the potent dye - can be removed with a scissor, so be careful when using it…

Technorati Tags: Charles & Marie, Epicurean delight, food, gourmet, ingredients

If you like your martinis stirred and not shaken, a pair of Christofle silver martini glasses, designed by Adam D. Tihany and Thomas Keller, are lovely accessories for posh refreshments. If you want to take your libations up a notch, try pairing them with Christofle’s silver straws.

Technorati Tags: Charles & Marie, Epicurean delight, glassware, tableware

If Claire MacDonald had a farm, surely it would be rife with all things wildly sweet. Her bite-sized vanilla fudge squares are a traditional blend of butter, sugar, vanilla and a splash of her magic. The beautifully wrapped gift box is ideal for gift-giving, so consider a package the next time you need a gift for an acquaintance.

Technorati Tags: Charles & Marie, Epicurean delight, food, gourmet, Sweets