Tasty gift ideas for the foodies in your life
Give the gift of local eats this holiday season — whether it’s a ready-to-eat meal, a cooking class certificate, or a specialty box of sweets, there’s something that’s sure to please every palate.
Make a meal out of it
A certificate or subscription to a local meal delivery service or caterer makes a great gift for those who just don’t have that time in their schedule to cook during the week. Here are a few weekly meal companies based in southern New Hampshire offering gift-giving opportunities.
• All Real Meal (87 Elm St., Manchester, 782-3014, allrealmeal.com) is a weekly meal delivery service offering fully prepared meals you can readily reheat and eat in minutes. Ordering is done online for a weekly Tuesday delivery to up to more than 50 New Hampshire and Massachusetts towns (minimum orders of $49 for free delivery), as well as at the kitchen from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All Real Meal also offers several unique gift giving options, from customizable gift cards to special monthly cooler bag deliveries for the holidays that can be purchased for a period of up to three, six or 12 months. Each bag is stuffed with eight portioned meals, two savory sides and two desserts, and deliveries will begin the first Tuesday of January.
• Caroline’s Fine Food (132 Bedford Center Road, Bedford, 637-1615, carolinesfood.com) offers individual to-go options, as well as family-style prepared meals that can feed up to six people, with at least a 24-hour advance ordering notice requested. Gift cards can be purchased through the website for redeemable amounts of up to $100.
• Ding Dong Deliver (dingdongdeliver.com) is a ghost kitchen powered by Great New Hampshire Restaurants, the parent company of T-Bones Great American Eatery, CJ’s Great West Grill and the Copper Door. The service offers ready-to-heat and ready-to-cook meal packages delivered to Manchester and Bedford, as well as restaurant pickup at each location. Meal orders must be placed by noon on Wednesday for delivery on Thursday, Friday or Saturday of that week, and can be sent to a friend or family member as a gift.
• Local Baskit (10 Ferry St., Concord, 219-0882, localbaskit.com) offers online gift cards that are specially designed for gifting a meal to a friend or family member. Each card is redeemable for one prepared meal or a meal kit listed on the “Cook Tonight” section of the website — see shop.localbaskit.com/collections/cook-tonight. Selections vary each week but will always include both meat and vegetarian options for main courses and sides, sourced primarily from local farms and businesses. Local Baskit is also partnering once again with the Cherry Bomb Cookie Co. of Exeter, offering platters of hand-decorated cookies in the shapes of Christmas trees and poinsettias, as well as paint-your-own cookie kits.
• New Roots Meals (Manchester, newrootsmeals.com) is a plant-based meal prep and delivery company launched last year. Weekly deliveries are made within a 30-mile radius of Manchester, as well as on the Seacoast — the menu changes every other week but is always 100 percent plant-based, with both breakfast and lunch items available. Gift certificates can be purchased for meals, and New Roots is also offering a special “gift bundle” for the holidays, featuring two entrees, two breakfasts, smaller snacks, a simmer pot jar and a peppermint mocha coffee kit with oat milk, coconut whipped cream, peppermint and mocha syrups and crushed candy cane and cacao nibs. Gift bundles are $85 each and must be placed by 8 p.m. on Fridays to be delivered the following Monday.
For the chocoholics
From customizable boxes of treats to more unique items like flavored hot cocoa bombs and chocolate “charcuterie boards,” these gift ideas will make anyone with a sweet tooth happy.
• Candy Kingdom (235 Harvard St., Manchester, 641-8470, candykingdom.shop) has a wide variety of holiday-themed sweets and treats available now, like decorative chocolate Christmas trees, chocolate molded Santas, assorted fudges, and milk, white or dark chocolate solid Christmas tree pops decorated with rainbow nonpareils.
• Dancing Lion Chocolate (917 Elm St., Manchester, 625-4043, dancinglion.us) has gift-giving opportunities that include a “chocolate tasting experience” featuring samples of eight of its bars, and a drinking chocolate set complete with a ceramic drinking bowl and a wooden device used to froth the chocolate called a molinillo. You can also purchase six-month or one-year “cacao connoisseur’s club” subscriptions, featuring one new custom bar each month (local pickups only); and cacao tree gift sets, which come with bonbon sharing boxes and a one-year heirloom cacao tree adoption helping to improve the lives of cacao farmers.
• Granite State Candy Shoppe (13 Warren St., Concord, 225-2591; 832 Elm St., Manchester; granitestatecandyshoppe.com) offers all kinds of homemade holiday-themed sweets and treats available for purchase now online and in both retail stores. Selections include white peppermint bark, milk, dark and chocolate Santa Claus molds, peppermint or wintergreen candy canes, and hot cocoa bombs in flavors like candy cane and salted toffee.
• Loon Chocolate (Manchester, loonchocolate.com) is a small-batch producer of bean-to-bar chocolate. In addition to multiple types of handcrafted bars, the company offers hot cocoa mixes, four-packs of hot cocoa bombs, bagged organic cacao nibs that are great for yogurt or smoothies, and do-it-yourself chocolate-infused elixir kits for your favorite spirits.
• Nelson’s Candy and Music (65 Main St., Wilton, 654-5030, nelsonscandymusic.com) offers all kinds of holiday-themed sweets and goodies, like cocoa bombs, handmade candy canes, and sleigh-shaped gift baskets filled with fine chocolates and other treats.
• Sweet Boutique (21 Kilton Road, Bedford, 222-1521, visitsweetboutique.com) offers customizable boxes and baskets, in addition to novelty items like chocolate sleighs, holiday peppermint bark and foiled chocolate Santas. Co-owner Lynn MacKenna has also begun offering chocolate “charcuterie boards” in various sizes, featuring assorted chocolates, nuts, gummy candies, dipped fruits and more. Special ordering by Dec. 18 is recommended.
• Sweet Treats by Emilee (Milford, [email protected], and on Facebook and Instagram) is taking orders for handmade hot cocoa bombs for the holidays, available in more than a dozen flavors, from milk, dark and white to egg nog, gingerbread, milk chocolate peppermint, salted caramel and more. They’re available as single orders or in packs of four and make great stocking stuffers. Order by Dec. 20.
• Van Otis Chocolates (341 Elm St., Manchester, 627-1611, vanotis.com) has several themed gift boxes and baskets available for purchase, like a Swiss fudge gift set, a maple-themed gift set with treats from Ben’s Sugar Shack, and an “ultimate snacker” gift set featuring chocolate bars, chocolate-dipped pretzels, and the shop’s own line of Evangeline’s caramel corn. Other seasonal offerings include white chocolate candy cane dipped pretzels, candy cane and orange-flavored Swiss fudges, milk, dark or chocolate molded Santa pops, and now flurry gummies.
Things are cooking
Certificates for cooking classes make great gifts not only for those who are adventurous eaters, but also for those who may want to learn a thing or two in the kitchen or get back into the activity altogether.
• The Culinary Playground (16 Manning St., Derry, 339-1664, culinary-playground.com) has a year-round schedule of cooking classes for kids and adults of all ages. Gift certificates can be purchased online and are redeemable to any of the available programs, which also include special adult and child team cooking classes and date night classes for couples.
• LaBelle Winery (345 Route 101, Amherst, 672-9898; 14 Route 111, Derry; labellewinery.com) has an ongoing schedule of cooking classes at both locations, often featuring wines paired with each item and recipe cards participants can take home with them.
• Tuscan Kitchen (67 Main St., Salem, 952-4875, tuscanbrands.com) offers the Scuola Culinaria program, featuring an ongoing schedule of cooking classes dabbling in different areas of artisan Italian cuisine. Each class is designed to appeal to all backgrounds and experience levels and can be booked online. Private culinary classes can be booked too.
Order your holiday dinners and desserts
While you’re finishing up that Christmas shopping, it’s not too late to think about what you’ll be serving at the table. Check out this list of local restaurants, bakeries and other businesses offering specialty eats from entrees and sides to pies, cakes and other desserts.
• The Bakeshop on Kelley Street (171 Kelley St., Manchester, 624-3500, thebakeshoponkelleystreet.com) is taking orders for layered cookies and cream tarts, mini Bundt cakes, Yule logs, cheesecakes, pies, assorted holiday cookies and more. Order by Dec. 17. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Dec. 22, Thursday, Dec. 23, and Friday, Dec. 24.
• Bearded Baking Co. (819 Union St., Manchester, 647-7150, beardedbaking.com) is taking orders for pies (apple crumb, Key lime, chocolate cream or coconut cream), cakes (holiday spice cake or vanilla lamington cake with raspberry filling and coating of chocolate ganache), cupcakes (red velvet, chocolate peppermint, lamington, chocolate, vanilla, eggnog and spice cake), vegan cupcakes (cookie butter or Snickerdoodle), cheesecakes (plain, blueberry, strawberry, cherry or raspberry), and cocoa bombs in packs of six (classic, peppermint or salted caramel). Order by Dec. 18. Pickups will be on Thursday, Dec. 23, or Friday, Dec. 24.
• Benson’s Bakery & Cafe (203 Central St., Hudson, 718-8683, bensonsbakeryandcafe.com) is taking orders for cakes, pies, holiday cookies and cookie kits, miniature gingerbread houses, gingerbread house decorating kits, cocoa bombs, holiday drinks and more. Order by Dec. 20.
• Bite Me Kupcakez (4 Mound Court, Merrimack, 674-4459, bitemekupcakez.com) is taking orders for a variety of specialty items for the holidays, including chocolate flourless torte, strawberry shortcake, chocolate whipped cream cake and six-inch cheesecakes available in several flavors, plus dairy-free options, like double-layer red velvet cake, cookies and cream cake, vanilla cake, chocolate cake and Boston cream pie. Other options include pies (with flavors like apple, triple berry and Samoa with toasted coconut, caramel and whipped cream); and assorted platters, like brunch platters with coffee cakes, muffins and doughnuts; Santa cookie platters; or dessert platters with cupcakes, brownies, cookies and whoopie pies. Orders must be in by Dec. 13, with pickup times to be arranged during the week of Christmas.
• The Black Forest Cafe & Bakery (212 Route 101, Amherst, 672-0500, theblackforestcafe.com) is taking orders for pies (apple, Dutch apple, apple cranberry, pecan, pumpkin, summer berry and chocolate cream); cakes (coconut, carrot, chocolate mousse, Black Forest gateaux or Frangelico mousse cake); and assorted holiday cookies, as well as savory items like baked pastas, cheese trays, scratch-made dips and spreads, and a la carte sides, like sausage focaccia stuffing, maple Dijon glazed carrots and parsnips, turkey-sage gravy, cranberry orange sauce, and cream of curried butternut squash soup. Order by Dec. 20. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Dec. 22, Thursday, Dec. 23, or Friday, Dec. 24.
• Brothers Butcher (8 Spit Brook Road, Nashua, 809-4180; 142 Lowell Road, Hudson, 577-1130; brothers-butcher.com) is taking orders for specialty roasted meats like spiral ham, boneless prime rib and stuffed pork loin with traditional bread stuffing. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Dec. 22, Thursday, Dec. 23, and Friday, Dec. 24, until 1 p.m.
• Buckley’s Bakery & Cafe (436 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 262-5929; 9 Market Place, Hollis, 465-5522; buckleysbakerycafe.com) is taking orders for specialty holiday cakes, including Yule logs, gingerbread spice cakes and dark chocolate peppermint cheesecakes, as well as 8-inch pies (Key lime, chocolate cream or apple), Parker House rolls, Dresden stollen rolls, and assorted breakfast, dessert pastry or cookie trays. Order by Dec. 19.
• The Cannoli Stop at The Candy Shop (239 Loudon Road, Concord, 224-9706, thecannolistop.com) is taking orders for all kinds of items for the holidays, from cannolis with dozens of available handmade fillings to cannoli cream pies, whoopie pies, macarons, tiramisu, mini eclairs and cheesecakes, chocolate-dipped Oreos, Italian cookies and assorted dessert platters. Order by Dec. 15. Pickups will be available through Friday, Dec. 24, at 6 p.m.
• Carter Hill Orchard (73 Carter Hill Road, Concord, 225-2625, carterhillapples.com) is taking orders for homemade pies in a variety of flavors, like apple, apple crumb, pumpkin, blueberry, strawberry rhubarb and pecan. Order by Dec. 12. Pickups will be available through Sunday, Dec. 19, at 5 p.m., when the orchard closes for the season.
• Chez Vachon (136 Kelley St., Manchester, 625-9660, find them on Facebook) is taking orders for more than a dozen flavors of dessert pies and cakes, in addition to some savory items, for the holidays. Order by Dec. 21.
• The Common Man (25 Water St., Concord, 228-3463; 304 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 429-3463; 88 Range Road, Windham, 898-0088; 21 Water St., Claremont, 542-6171; 10 Pollard Road, Lincoln, 745-3463; 60 Main St., Ashland, 968-7030; Foster’s Boiler Room, 231 Main St., Plymouth, 536-2764; Lago, 1 Route 25, Meredith, 279-2253; Camp, 298 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith, 279-3003; Lakehouse Grille, 281 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith, 279-5221; Italian Farmhouse, 337 Daniel Webster Hwy., Plymouth, 536-4536; Airport Diner, 2280 Brown Ave., Manchester, 623-5040; 61 Laconia Road, Tilton, 286-2204; Route 104 Diner, 752 Route 104, New Hampton, 744-0120; thecman.com) is taking orders for holiday feasts to go, featuring herb-roasted prime rib dinners with mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, garlicky green beans, maple-roasted Brussels sprouts, horseradish cream, demi sauce, Parmesan-crusted dinner rolls, sweet bread and cheesecake with berry compote for dessert. Meals serving one or four people, as well as additional optional a la carte items like spinach-artichoke dip and crackers and peel-and-eat shrimp cocktails, are available. Order by Dec. 17. Pickups will be on Thursday, Dec. 23, or on Friday, Dec. 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Concord Food Co-op (24 S. Main St., Concord, 225-6840, concordfoodcoop.coop) offers all kinds of items on its catering menu, from hors d’oeuvres and soups to half- or full-tray entrees, like house lasagna, grilled flank steak, grilled chicken breast, and tofu stir-fry, as well as assorted breakfast and dessert platters, from scones, croissants and muffins to cookies, bars and brownies. Orders should be placed as soon as possible.
• Copper Kettle To Go (39 Main St., Wilton, 654-2631, copperkettletogo.com) is taking orders for Christmas dinners, featuring ham, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, green beans and dinner rolls. Two sizes are available (feeding two to four people or four to six people), with additional a la carte options, like sausage gravy and biscuits, cinnamon rolls, assorted muffins, and pies like pecan, gingerbread cream, eggnog and Nutella. Order by Dec. 20. Pickups will be on Friday, Dec. 24, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Crémeux French Patisserie (707 Milford Road, Merrimack, 320-4702, cremeuxfrenchpatisserie.com) is taking orders for several specialty French desserts and delicacies for the holidays, including cherry and pistachio or winter spice tea, caramel and clementine bûche (Yule log), as well as bûche tiramisu, and croquembouche, featuring multiple choux pastries filled with Tahitian vanilla bean crème pâtissière assembled into the shape of a Christmas tree. Order by Dec. 19 at noon. Pickups are on Friday, Dec. 24, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Crosby Bakery (51 E. Pearl St., Nashua, 882-1851, crosbybakerynh.com) is taking orders for dessert pies (apple, apple crumb, blueberry, banana cream, chocolate cream, pumpkin and pecan); as well as savory specialties like salmon pie and meat pie with hamburger and pork; assorted cakes, cookies, party platters and more. Order by Dec. 20. Pickups will be available through Friday, Dec. 24, at 5 p.m.
• The Crust & Crumb Baking Co. (126 N. Main St., Concord, 219-0763, thecrustandcrumb.com) is taking orders for a variety of scratch-made items for the holiday season, including dinner rolls (Shaker squash or butter), cinnamon buns (pecan sticky or vanilla glazed), and pies and cakes, like chocolate raspberry layer cake and maple bourbon pecan pie. Savory offerings include a local pork pie with sweet potato, rosemary and apple, and quiches in several flavors, like bacon and cheddar, spinach, marinated tomato and feta, and broccoli and pepper jack. Orders must be placed by Dec. 17. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Dec. 22, Thursday, Dec. 23, or Friday, Dec. 24, at a pre-arranged time (the bakery will be closing early at 4 p.m. on Dec. 24).
• Ding Dong Deliver (dingdongdeliver.com) is a ghost kitchen powered by Great New Hampshire Restaurants, the parent company of T-Bones Great American Eatery, CJ’s Great West Grill and the Copper Door. They’re taking orders for holiday roasts and freshly baked homemade cakes and pies in several flavors. Online ordering will be available from Wednesday, Dec. 15, through Friday, Dec. 17, at noon, for deliveries to Manchester and Bedford only on Wednesday, Dec. 22, as well as local pickups at each restaurant.
• Earl’s Steak Sandwiches (99 Oak St., Dover, 834-9659, find them on Facebook @earlssteaksandwiches) is taking orders for ready to heat and serve dinners for four, featuring your choice of either brined and smoked whole chicken with gravy or house cured and smoked holiday ham with a brown sugar glaze. Each dinner also comes with your choice of two signature sides (roasted garlic mashed potatoes, creamy white cheddar macaroni and cheese, fresh green beans with shallots and almonds, brown butter sage roasted carrots, or cornbread with honey butter). Order by Dec. 15.
• Frederick’s Pastries (109 Route 101A, Amherst, 882-7725; 25 S. River Road, Bedford, 647-2253; pastry.net) is taking orders for all kinds of holiday-themed sweets, treats and goodies, like dark chocolate Christmas Yule log cakes filled with light chocolate orange mousse, gingerbread cupcakes made from scratch with molasses, cinnamon and sugar, and moist gold eggnog cakes laced with Myers’s dark rum. New offerings this year include gingerbread pyramid tree kits that come with 10 shaped gingerbread cookies, green and white buttercream frosting and candy to decorate. See pastry.net/category/christmas for a complete list of holiday items. Orders are strongly encouraged by Dec. 18. Pickups will be available through Friday, Dec. 24, at 4 p.m.
• Giorgio’s Ristorante & Bar (270 Granite St., Manchester, 232-3323; 707 Milford Road, Merrimack, 883-7333; 524 Nashua St., Milford, 673-3939; giorgios.com) is taking orders from its catering menu now ahead of the holiday season, featuring everything from appetizers, sandwiches and wraps to pasta trays, meats sold by the pound, a la carte sides and desserts. Visit giorgios.com/catering to view the full menu. Place your holiday catering order by Dec. 22.
• Hart’s Turkey Farm Restaurant (233 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith, 279-6212, hartsturkeyfarm.com) is taking orders for individual and family-sized meals to go, featuring your choice of whole roasted turkey, prime rib au jus or baked ham, all of which come with sides like whipped potatoes, butternut squash, green beans, dinner rolls and your choice of dessert pie. Order by Dec. 20. Pickups will be on Friday, Dec. 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For any last-minute needs, the eatery’s grab-and-go store will also be open that day, featuring a la carte items like sliced turkey by the pound, gravy, stuffing, butternut squash, soups, chili, rolls and more.
• Harvey’s Bakery & Coffee Shop (376 Central Ave., Dover, 742-6029, harveysbakery.com) is taking orders for Christmas cookies, pork and chicken pies, maple cakes and doughnuts, fruit cakes, and eight- or 10-inch pies in all kinds of flavors, from apple, pecan and pumpkin to chocolate cream, coconut cream, lemon meringue and more. Order by Dec. 17.
• Just Like Mom’s Pastries (353 Riverdale Road, Weare, 529-6667, justlikemomspastries.com) is taking orders for specialty holiday cakes, like raspberry mousse-filled Yule logs and cranberry orange white chocolate vanilla cakes, as well as pies (Kahlua black bottom, apple butterscotch pecan, chocolate pecan or savory pork), quiches (tomato, pepper and onion, spinach and feta, bacon, tomato and onion, or meat lover’s), assorted flavors of dinner rolls, cupcakes and cheesecakes, and holiday cookie, whoopie pie or finger pastry platters. Order by Dec. 18. Pickups will be through Friday, Dec. 24, at noon.
• Klemm’s Bakery (29 Indian Rock Road, Windham, 437-8810, klemmsbakery.com) is taking orders for all kinds of sweet treats for the holidays, from pies and cakes to mini pastries, cookies and more. Order by Dec. 20. Pickups will be available through Friday, Dec. 24, at 5 p.m.
• LaBelle Winery (345 Route 101, Amherst, 672-9898; 14 Route 111, Derry; labellewinery.com) is taking orders for a variety of items for Christmas at both locations, including a la carte items, like artisan cheese boards, shrimp cocktail, spiced cranberry sauce, red wine gravy, brown sugar ham glaze, maple sweet potatoes, honey glazed carrots, and cinnamon maple bread pudding. Items can also be ordered as packages, serving either six to eight people or 12 to 14 people. LaBelle is also taking orders for cocktail kits in several flavors, with wine, natural ingredients and instructions (liquor is not provided and must be purchased separately). Order by Dec. 17. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Dec. 22, and Thursday, Dec. 23, at your location of choice.
• Morrissey’s Porch & Pub (286 S. Main St., Wolfeboro, 569-3662, morrisseysfrontporch.com) is taking orders for holiday meals to go, featuring your choice of an entree (slow-roasted Angus prime rib au jus, roast chateaubriand, seafood pie, roast leg of lamb, roast stuffed pork loin, honey Dijon baked ham, roast turkey, or surf and turf). All meals are served with your choice of vegetable (broccoli gratin, broccoli and carrots, green bean almondine, or roast butternut squash); a potato (colcannon potatoes, O’Brien potatoes, scalloped potato casserole, baked potatoes or mashed potatoes); and a dessert (tiramisu, cheesecake, white chocolate bread pudding, apple strudel, or fruit of the forest pie). Order by Dec. 18. Pickups will be on Thursday, Dec. 23, or Friday, Dec. 24, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Mr. Mac’s Macaroni & Cheese (497 Hooksett Road, Manchester, 606-1760, mr-macs.com) is taking orders for macaroni and cheese trays, available in any type of regular menu flavor in small, medium or large, as well as macaroni salads, assorted green salads and desserts. An advance ordering notice of at least 24 hours is encouraged. As of last month Mr. Mac’s is now also offering nationwide shipping of about a dozen of its take-and-bake options, according to a statement from founder Patrick Cain. Orders submitted on Thursdays and Fridays will be shipped the following Monday and should arrive at their destination in two to three business days. Each order is packed fresh with cool packs to keep it at a safe temperature.
• New England’s Tap House Grille (1292 Hooksett Road, Hooksett, 782-5137, taphousenh.com) is taking orders for savory French-Canadian meat pies for the holidays, freshly made with pork, beef, potatoes, celery, garlic and seasonings. Order by Dec. 16. Pickups will be on Thursdays or Fridays, Dec. 23 and 24, or Dec. 30 and 31.
• Pinard Street Bakery at Charlie’s (1 Pinard St., Goffstown, 606-1835, find them on Facebook @pinardstreetbakery) is taking orders for savory pork pies or chocolate cream pies, as well as assorted home-baked cookies by the half-dozen or dozen. Cookie flavors include snickerdoodle, gingerbread, molasses, chocolate chip or sugar. Order by Dec. 18. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Dec. 22, or Thursday, Dec. 23, from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Presto Craft Kitchen (168 Amory St., Manchester, 606-1252, prestocraftkitchen.com) is taking orders for several specialty holiday menu offerings, like lasagna, a roast beef tip dinner with mashed potatoes, green beans and fresh bread, a stuffed chicken dinner with stuffing and gravy, glazed carrots and fresh bread, and a bourbon-glazed ham dinner with country macaroni and cheese, garlic green beans and fresh bread (dinners feed six people). Other featured a la carte items include charcuterie boards available in several sizes, butternut squash ravioli in a brown butter sage cream sauce, and “elf on the shelf” holiday-themed cocoa bombs. Order by Dec. 18. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Dec. 22, and Thursday, Dec. 23, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day.
• The Red Arrow Diner (61 Lowell St., Manchester, 626-1118; 137 Rockingham Road, Londonderry, 552-3091; 112 Loudon Road, Concord, 415-0444; 149 Daniel Webster Hwy., Nashua, 204-5088; redarrowdiner.com) is taking orders for homemade double-layer cakes and 10-inch pies, which must be placed at least 24 hours in advance. Pie flavors include banana cream, coconut cream, chocolate cream, brownie cream, cherry, blueberry, pecan and more. Cake flavors include carrot, chocolate peppermint, almond raspberry, pumpkin spice and more.
• Red Beard’s Kitchen (Manchester, [email protected], red-beards-kitchen.square.site) is taking orders for a variety of specialty items for Christmas, including honey-roasted ham dinners featuring country mashed potatoes, roasted root vegetables, buttermilk biscuits with honey butter, pineapple raisin relish and sausage cornbread stuffing. Each of the sides can also be ordered a la carte (serving four to five people), in addition to gravy, macaroni and cheese, and loaded twice baked potatoes, as well as seasoned oven-ready prime rib (serves four to five people) and pork pies with gravy and bread and butter pickles. Pickups will be on Thursday, Dec. 23, from noon to 4 p.m. at Noodz (968 Elm St., Manchester).
• The Red Blazer Restaurant & Pub (72 Manchester St., Concord, 224-4101, theredblazer.com) is taking pie orders for the holidays, available in several flavors from apple, pecan or pumpkin to chocolate cream, coconut cream and more. Order by Dec. 19.
• Roundabout Diner & Lounge (580 U.S. Highway 1 Bypass, Portsmouth, 431-1440, roundaboutdiner.com) is taking orders for family-sized Christmas dinners that feed five to six people, featuring slow-smoked prime rib or seasoned pork loin smoked with sugar-cured bacon. Both also come with red bliss mashed potatoes and roasted Brussels sprouts. A la carte items include appetizers like shrimp cocktail, Italian meatballs and bacon-wrapped smoked chicken or scallops; and desserts, like double chocolate Black Forest cake. Pie orders and half-sheets of cornbread are available too. Pickups will be on Friday, Dec. 24, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Smoke Shack Cafe (226 Rockingham Road, Londonderry, 404-2178, smokeshackcafe.com) is taking orders for Christmas dinners featuring smoked ham with sides like mashed potatoes, butternut squash, brown sugar carrots, green beans, macaroni and cheese and cornbread. Other a la carte items include bacon-wrapped turkey breast with jalapeno and sausage stuffing, smoked prime rib, a breakfast casserole and dessert pies. Order by Dec. 19. Pickups will be on Friday, Dec. 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Sweet Caroline (28 Homestead Place, Alton, 875-0263, find them on Facebook @sweetcarolinenh) is taking orders for 10-inch pies in several flavors (apple, blueberry, pecan, chocolate cream, pumpkin, ricotta or lemon meringue), as well as traditional Yule log cakes, eggnog cheesecakes, and assorted mini pastry or cookie platters. Order by Dec. 18.
• Tammaro’s Cucina (469 Charles Bancroft Hwy., Litchfield, 377-7312, tammaroscucina.com) is taking orders for several homemade pasta trays, with options like cheese or meat lasagna, stuffed shells, spaghetti and meatballs, chicken broccoli penne alfredo and more. Half-sized trays (feeding six to eight people) and full-sized trays (feeding 12 to 16 people) are available, and each comes with a loaf of garlic bread. Order by Dec. 22, for pickup on Friday, Dec. 24, at the latest.
Featured photo: Cocoa bombs and gingerbread from Benson’s Bakery & Cafe in Hudson. Courtesy photo.
