Where to get the good stuff for Christmas

Well Christmas isn't far away.  You're all probably much more organised than I am, and have your Christmas lunch planned down to what shade of orange your prawns will be.  As for me, I haven't even thought about what's going on the table.  If (like me) you have no idea, then it's time to start making plans.

To give you a head start, here are a few of my favourite suppliers of Christmas goodies:

Black Pearl Epicure

To be honest, if I could only buy my Christmas supplies from one shop, this would be it.  You name it, they've got it.  I love their massive cheese selection, but if you need more than cheese to celebrate Christmas (not me), the Black Pearl Epicure range includes Duchy Originals, Simon Johnson products, Osietra caviar, Almond Grove free range turkeys, specialty hams, Barossa chickens, Tetsuya's smoked ocean trout, Joseph olive oil, a terrific selection of chocolate etc etc etc.  On top of that, Emma and all the staff are incredibly helpful & friendly.  Make sure you pick up a special Christmas treat from Black Pearl - Christmas orders close on 4 December 2011.

36 Baxter Street
Fortitude Valley
P - 07 3257 2144
E - showroom@blackpearl.com.au
W - http://www.blackpearl.com.au/

Loria Continental Delicatessen

If you live within driving distance of Stafford Heights, pop over to Loria Deli one weekend.  It's a fantastic, family run deli, tucked in the shopping centre on Rode Road.  The strengths here are Italian goodies, including a great range of smallgoods, cheese, olives and cannoli, together with Italian cooking staples.  The prosciutto di San Daniele is the nirvana of pork (if you ask me), and wouldn't be out of place on anyone's Christmas table.  Again, the ladies at Loria Deli are always helpful, and prices here are some of the best you'll find in Brisbane for premium deli supplies.

Shop 21, 734 Rode Road
Stafford Heights
P - 07 3359 6087
E - loriacontinental@gmail.com

Bittersweet

Every Christmas meal needs to finish with good chocolate, and for my money Bittersweet makes the best chocolate in Brisbane.  Their chocolate is handmade and incredibly delicious, with 60 flavours to tempt you.  My all time favourites are the white chocolate macadamia clusters and the champagne truffles.  If you're anything like me, you'll walk out with way more than you meant to buy, and then eat most of them in the car on the way home (and then have to go back again the next day for more).

Shop 8, The Barracks
61 Petrie Terrace
Paddington
P - 07 3367 3323
E - info@bittersweetchocolate.com.au
W - http://www.bittersweetchocolate.com.au/

The Meat-ting Place

The Meat-ting Place specialises in organic meat, and is my favourite butcher in Brisbane.  Whether it's grass fed beef you're after, or a free range Christmas ham, the Meat-ting Place will have you covered.  The Meat-ting Place is taking Christmas orders for hams, turkey, ducks, pork, chicken & spatchcock.  This butcher should definitely be on your list if you're aiming for an organic Christmas this year.

Shop 3B Paddington Central
107 Latrobe Terrace
Paddington
P - 07 3369 9522
W - http://www.themeat-tingplace.com.au/

Shop 6/7 North West Plaza
97 Flockton Street
McDowall
P - 07 3353 8541
W - http://www.themeat-tingplace.com.au/

The Wine Emporium

The Wine Emporium is my favourite Brisbane wine store.  Sure, it may not be the cheapest, but their range is terrific, and staff are always helpful - don't be afraid to ask.  If you're looking for a special bottle of Champagne, Chablis or Chambertin to enjoy with Christmas lunch, pop into the Wine Emporium, and they'll steer you in the right direction.  Bernadette O'Shea has just sent around  their Champagne list for Christmas, which includes some very, very tempting bubbles.

Shop 47, Emporium
1000 Ann Street
Fortitude Valley 4006
P - 07 3252 1117
E - thevalley@thewineemporium.com.au
W - http://www.thewineemporium.com.au/

Sourced Grocer

Sourced Grocer is the new kid on the block in the Brisbane food scene, but it's quickly become one of my favourites.  It sells food that you just want to eat all the time - great stuff like Bangalow cheese, Gundowring ice cream, Mirool Creek lamb, Fever Tree tonic, Stella May terrines, Bangalow pork, Maleny Dairies milk and the list goes on & on.  Again, the guys & girls here are so friendly, they'll happily have a chat to you while you fill up your basket with everything that takes your fancy.  Plus they make a great coffee.

11 Florence Street
Teneriffe  4006
P - 07 3852 6734
E - hello@sourcedgrocer.com.au
W - http://www.sourcedgrocer.com.au/

The Wine Experience

If you haven't already guessed, wine is a big part of my life.  So I really enjoy visiting wine shops that are independent, and stock wines that you don't see every day of the week.  The Wine Experience at Rosalie fits the bill perfectly.  It may not be the biggest wine shop in the world, but real thought has gone into its range.  The Wine Experience has a terrific range of Australian drops, but also covers wine from Spain, France, Italy, South Africa, USA, Germany & Chile.  Not only does it have a great range, but prices are very reasonable and you're likely to walk out with a few extra bottles (just in case).

150 Baroona Road

Paddington  4064
P - 07 3368 1572
E - sales@wineexperience.com.au
W - http://www.wineexperience.com.au/

Rosalie Gourmet Market

Rosalie Gourmet Market looks like a normal suburban deli from the street.  But when you walk inside, it's like a Tardis.  Everywhere you look, the place is crammed with food.  There's fresh fruit & vegies, a great range of oils & vinegars, a cheese cabinet to die for, smallgoods, a bakery, Bendele Farm duck, Christmas hams, Christmas puddings and the list goes on....  I love wandering in here on the weekend and tasting a few cheeses from the cabinet, before going home to gobble up something delicious for lunch.  Christmas orders close on 14 December.

Corner of Nash Street and Baroona Road

Rosalie Village, Paddington
P - 07 3876 6222
E - admin@rosaliegourmet.com.au
W - http://www.rosaliegourmet.com.au/

The Food Store

Yes, I know the Food Store is at the Gold Coast.  But I went there recently, and was so impressed with their range that I had to include it in this list.  The thing that stood out to me about the Food Store is that they sell stuff you just can't buy anywhere else.  The main attraction for me is their range of Salumi products.  If you've never tried any of the Salumi range, jump in your car to the coast, park it out the front of the Hilton and order a platter for lunch/afternoon tea/dinner.  They'll slice it to order for you as well - you won't regret it.  If you're not a meat fiend like me, then there's plenty to grab your attention - a great range of Australian & imported cheese, Sweetness rocky road & mallows, Gundowring ice cream, Stella May terrines, in house baked bread and a fantastic range of wine (including a good range from Queensland).  Best of all, prices here are very reasonable, and not what you'd normally expect to pay at an international hotel chain.

Hilton Surfers Paradise
6 Orchid Avenue
Surfers Paradise 4217
T - 07-56808000
W - http://www.hiltonsurfersparadise.com.au/restaurant-the-food-store