Holiday Foodie Gift Guide 2021

Happy Holidays fellow foodies!

This year we’re kicking off our favorite food lover picks from kitchen gadgets, items for food babies and kiddos, to women-owned food businesses and more.

Some of our top food gadgets and wish lists can easily be shopped on our WWB Amazon store front here.

Hope this inspires you to shop local this holiday season or even spoil yourself with some food gifts. And please let us know in the comments any business business, gadgets or products your eyeing this year that we might have missed so we can include them next year!

xoxo,

Nicole

Kitchen Gadgets:

  • Ember Mug - Heated Coffee Mug - Keeps your beverages at the perfect temperature from the first sip to the last drop.

  • Food Huggers: Designed to reduce waste at home. Food Huggers help keep your produce fresh for longer and save you money. I can’t tell you how well these have been working on my avocados, lemons, onion and any other fruits and vegetables I save half of in recipes.

  • Milk Coffee Frother: Love my morning coffee with some frothy milk on top, this Milk Boss Amazon frother does the trick.

  • Bitters Glass Bottles: Found these gorgeous glass bitter bottles on Amazon, perfect addition to your home bar cart.

  • Dash Mini Waffle Maker: Fun and kid-friendly. My favorite ones are the holiday themed ones like the snowman and snowflake.

  • Souper Cubes: Best way to freeze and store your soup, stock, broth or sauce in perfect portions. Has also been a lifesaver for my postpartum freezer meals this year.


Women Owned Food Gifts:

  • Rockerbox Spice Co. : Garlic powders, onion powders, spice blends, and pickled garlics.

  • Tache Artisan Chocolate: Tache Artisan Chocolate serves chocolates with the vision of pastry chef Aditi Malhotra, drawing inspiration from around the world.

  • Dam Good English Muffins: Women owned and local out of Peekskill, New York.

  • Brooklyn Delhi: Premium Indian condiments developed by chef and cookbook author Chitra Agrawal.

  • Overseasoned: Feminist merchandise and apparel for food lovers.

  • Yes Bar: Snack bar that’s women owned, Plant Based Protein, Vegan, Paleo, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Low Sugar.

  • Legally Addictive: Salty & sweet things in NYC. Woman owned and founded.


Women Who Brunch - Foodie Gift Guide Splurge Gifts

Splurge “Treat Your Self” Food Gifts:


Foodie Baby & Kids:



  • Piccoliny: Boutique baby and children's gifts perfect for your foodie baby and home of the original Hotdog Pretzel NY tee.

  • Lalo: Baby High Chair play chair built to grow with your child.

  • The Dough Project: All natural play dough is made from organic, food-grade ingredients & 100% plant-based colors.

  • Ezpz - Food Mats: Mat-based products that promotes safe and independent eating.

  • Kiwico Yummy Crate: This crate unlocks the science of cooking and help kids gain confidence in the kitchen. Family-friendly, kid-tested recipes, now your kiddos can experience the joy of preparing and sharing a meal. All while taking a bite out of big scientific ideas like biology and chemistry in the kitchen.

  • Loulou Lollipop: Baby brand for eco-friendly silicone suction plates and bowls, silicone bibs, silicone teethers and pacifier clips. I can’t handle this Sushi teether.


Best Fall & Halloween Events to Do in New York

Between my love of events and fall in New York, we’re back with another guide focused on the best fall and Halloween events in the state. From experience, here’s my top picks of thing you have to check out for the season.


Lyndhurst Mansion - Tarrytown, NY

Lyndhurst Mansion was designed in 1838 by architect Alexander Jackson Davis for William Paulding Jr. in a romantic Gothic Revival style.

During fall (about late September to late October), you can enjoy their Fall Classic Mansion Tour.

This one-hour tour covers two floors and treats visitors to a rare glimpse of the lavish decorative arts and furniture left to Lyndhurst by previous owners all while decorated with the splendor of the Fall Season.

The tour, which lasts an hour, visits approximately 16 rooms and involves climbing one staircase. You’ll visit the first floor of the Mansion; including the parlor, filled with furniture designed by architect A.J. Davis, and the sumptuous Civil War-era dining room. The second-floor centers around the opulent Grand Picture Gallery hung with an original collection of European paintings. Impressive Tiffany stained glass windows adorn the gallery and adjacent bedrooms.


The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze

Part of Historic Hudson Valley at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson, NY. This spooky display of more than 7,000 illuminated jack o’ lanterns—all designed and hand-carved on site by their team of pumpkin craving artisans. Starting from mid September to about mid November every year you won’t want to miss Halloween inspired walk through all the unique pumpkin creations.

They also have a gift shop section and light bites like hot cider, beer, hot dogs/hamburgers.


Sleepy Hollow, NY

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Sleepy Hollow, NY is possibly most famous for The Headless Horseman.

"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is a gothic story by American author Washington Irving, contained in his collection of 34 essays and short stories titled The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. The character known as the Headless Horseman is believed to be a Hessian soldier who was decapitated by a cannonball in battle.


Not only that here’s few other activities that happen each year in this cute town next to Tarrytown (also a train ride via Grand Central Station from the city.)

Activities in Sleepy Hallow:

Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses

Named “#1 Haunted Attraction in America”. New theme each season. The event includes a haunted walking trail, corn maze, 8 haunted attractions, gift shops and eateries. Operates September 25th and October weekends.

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Founded in 1849, this private cemetery is non-profit and non-sectarian. There are over 45,000 interments in its 90 acres.

Famous burials include Washington Irving, Andrew Carnegie, Walter Chrysler, Samuel Gompers, Elizabeth Arden, Leona Helmsley, Brooke Astor, and William Rockefeller. Walk or drive the grounds on your own or try an afternoon or evening guided tour here.


Apple Picking - Maskers Orchard, Warwick, NY

I’ve been to a fair amount of apple orchards and I still keep coming back to Masker’s Orchard. I love that they have a printed map of each apple type and section. Have a wide variety of apples. They have a farm store where you can get everything from pumpkins, to cider, to apple donuts, hayrides and corn mazes. It’s always a good time here.

Pro tip: Peak season in my experience is September to about first two weeks in October, late October not many apples are left and it gets to be pretty cold and wet.


Cider Tastings by the Fire - Angry Orchard - Walden, NY


At Angry Orchard’s in Walden, NY you can tour the orchard, do cider tasting flights, and they have a Treehouse Tour as well. It’s a really nice and relaxing spot to have a drink and sit by one of their fire pits on a chilly fall day.


New York City Wine & Food Festival

From brunches, burger bashes, to the Grand Tasting Hall. This food lovers event occurs every October in NYC with Food Network and the Cooking Channel. Not only that they help raise millions of dollars for the Food Bank For New York City.

More info on NYCWFF here.


Finger Lakes , NY

Wine Tasting, Hiking, WaterFalls and Watching the fall Foliage

Up for a drive? If you’re ready for some beautiful fall foliage, hiking, and wine tastings take a long weekend and drive up to the Finger Lakes.

Here’s my short list of favorites to check out:

Favorite Waterfalls:

Ithaca Falls

Taughannock Falls

Favorite Wineries:

Buttonwood Grove Winery

Thirsty Owl Winery

Other Top Picks:

Ithaca Farmers Market

It’s a Wonderful Life Museum /Seneca Falls

Women’s Right National Historic Park


Hope you get out there and explore the best of what New York has to offer this fall.

We’re always looking for more event inspiration. Tell us in the comments what your favorite events or things to are in New York!

Happy Fall Y’all!

Best Brunch Spots in New York City - Manhattan

It’s Brunch Time Baby! Inevitably, the question we get asked all the time is… “What is our top recommended brunch restaurants in the city?”

To be fair there’s a ton of great spots in the city and would ultimately we’d like to break these brunch guides down by borough (because Queens & Brooklyn brunches are a whole other level.) To start, we’re kicking off this list in Manhattan. Here we have lots of pancakes, coffee, and avocado toasts to cover. As well as everything from southern brunches, mediterranean brunches, to new American. We’ll continue to add to this list as we visit new spot but these restaurant never fail to disappoint…. And we should know since we’re in the brunch business.


Alice’s Tea Cup

One of my all time favorite brunch spots in NYC. It’s like stepping into Alice’s Wonderland. Perfect for brunch or events like a bachelorette party, bridal shower, or a kids birthday party. It is wonderful for that high tea experience. Best pro tip is don’t you dare leave this place without a scone for the road.

Chapter l:

102 W 73rd St,
New York, NY 10023

Chapter ll:

156 E 64th St,
New York, NY 10065

212-486-9200


Rosies

29 E 2nd St, New York, NY 10003

Looking for an authentic Mexican brunch, look no further. Rosie’s is such a bright and colorful fun vibe and has my favorites on the menu chilaquiles and huevos rancheros.


Dudley’s

85 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

An aussie-american cafe in the heart of the Lower East Side. You literally can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, food or drink wise. Food is delicious as it is beautiful, staff is wonderful. One of my favorite spots. Period.


Two Hands

Locations in Tribeca, Williamsburg, and NoHo locations.

Each cafe is bright and airy and includes juices & espresso drinks plus light fare like pastries, salads & sandwiches. I mean look at this avocado toast and egg swirl action here.


Jack’s Wife Frieda

Locations in Soho, Chelsea, and West Village

Best mediterranean brunch around town. The food is delicious, plus the details that go into everything from the sugar packets to the menu makes it so special… and dare I say Instagramable?!?


Citizens Of… (Chelsea, Bleeker, Gramercy, Soho)

Australian breakfast and lunch spot, paired with beautiful coffee. They always bring such a lovely pop of bright color to all of their dishes.


Freemans

Freeman’s Alley is really unique ‘hidden’ brunch spot in the city off of Rivington Street between Chrystie and the Bowery on the Lower East Side. It’s literally down an alleyway.

It serves American fare, craft cocktails & has this wonderful Colonial tavern decor. Down the alley to the restaurant has some fun graffiti. It’s so out there and a great NYC experience.


Sweet Chicks

For a great southern brunch, Sweet Chick is your go to spot. Cocktails and chicken and waffles are amazing.

Locations are in LES, two spots in Brooklyn - Williamsburg and Prospect Heights, and even LA for the west coaster.


Cafeteria

119 7th Ave, New York, NY 10010 - Chelsea

A classic NY brunch spot in Chelsea, best known for its appearance and hype from the oh so famous Sex and the City series. A must get menu item is the mac and cheese as an appetizer.


Clinton Street Baking Co.

4 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002 - Lower East Side

Opened in 2001, Clinton St Baking Co. is a classic American restaurant with bakery located on NYC’s Lower East Side. They’ve maintained their mom & pop roots by using the highest quality ingredients from local purveyors like sustainable coffee, all natural milk, cage free poultry & eggs, premium ice cream, and heritage farm-raised pork.

Come here for the pancakes. Clinton St. is best known for their February Pancake Month.


Cookshop

A great brunch spot next to the High Line serving American fare. Personally, I find this to be my go-to summer outdoor, people watching type of brunch spot, but I mean honestly any time is good because their food is wonderful. Ultimately, love the location because you can combine brunch and tourism in one place and go to Chelsea Market or the High Line before or after brunch.

Happy Brunch Day Friends!