THE RESOURCES
Even the most energetic host can lose steam when faced with a long shopping list. What’s the fun of giving a tropical-theme cocktail party when you have to spend weeks hunting down coral branches for centerpieces? Or roaming from store to store in search of an imported Thai spice? We’ve included a range of shortcuts here to make entertaining as effortless as possible. For your reference, these pages include an insider’s list, including purveyors of some of the most delicious food and the chicest décor resources from across the country. Everything here is available online or, in many instances, via phone order. These reputable companies offer everything from invitations to tableware to gourmet hors d’oeuvres and desserts, as well as hard-to-find ingredients and whimsical decorations. Just search by category, and let the fun begin.
INVITATIONS
BERNARD MAISNER
212-477-6776
Tabletop stationery, from hand-painted place cards and menu cards to divine invitations, all created by the internationally renowned New York calligrapher.
BRUSH & NIB STUDIO
Find exquisite hand-painted and hand-lettered custom invitations, announcements, menus, and more for any special occasion.
CRANE & CO.
800-268-2281
This classic stationery source offers stylish blank invitations, as well as ones that come printed when you type in your information. (You can also use their online templates to print them at home.)
MINTED
888-828-6468
A one-stop resource for invitations, thank you cards, announcements, party decorations, even home décor. It operates by offering crowd-sourced designs from independent artists around the world.
PAPER SOURCE
888-727-3711
The company’s do-it-yourself resources provide all the ingredients for creating a lovely invitation: paper, colorful backings, patterned paper sashes, and envelopes. Or leave the printing to the experts and receive the results by mail in about a week. (Rush service available.)
PAPERLESS POST
Brilliantly customizable online invitations that reflect a full range of styles and options.
PARCEL
973-744-7700
Gilt embossed and gilded place cards and stationery with glittering warmth, as well as charming flat paper goods.
PETITE ALMA
212-675-1610
Petite Alma’s selection of birth announcements and baby shower invitations may be small, but the simple designs are irresistibly sweet.
SMYTHSON OF BOND STREET
877-769-8476
The invitations and blank note cards from this British stationery company come in fashionable colors (red, cornflower blue, hot pink) and convey understated glamour.
SUGAR PAPER
310-451-7870
This Los Angeles maker specializes in customized invitations with a hip, energetic vibe and also sells fantastically chic place cards.
THE BAR
CRATE & BARREL
800-967-6696
This Web site is an easy source for all-purpose glassware, including two best-of-class offerings: the elegant Viv martini glass, $5 each, and the long-stemmed Camille wineglasses, around $13 each, an excellent universal wineglass.
FISHS EDDY
212-420-9020
Affordable glasses and bar accessories with a retro feel (much of the inventory consists of vintage pieces from old restaurants across the country), and good-looking, basic serving pieces include simple white olive boats for bar snacks.
IKEA
800-434-4532
Ikea has a wide selection of cocktail glasses and napkins. In addition, the great-looking wineglasses are so inexpensive ($4 each) you can buy them in bulk.
THE PANTRY
AMERICAN SPOON
888-735-6700
Try artisanal preserves in flavors such as blueberry lime, strawberry rhubarb, and wild thimbleberry, and fruit butters infused with ginger pear, pumpkin, and apricot.
ANSON MILLS
803-467-4122
Artisanal organic heirloom grains, produced with care at this South Carolina site; includes slow-roasted farro, and an exquisite selection of aromatic rices and polentas.
BONNIE’S JAMS
617-714-5380
Wonderfully intense real jams (apricot-orange, coconut-mango), jellies (peach-pepper and fig), and preserves, all made from fresh fruits by this Boston-area jam maker.
DESERT PEPPER TRADING COMPANY
888-472-5727
Bean dips, hot sauces, and salsas with extra Texas heat. Try the Peach Mango Salsa or the XXX Habanero Salsa.
EATALY
212-539-0833
Olive oils from Italy, Greece, and Spain, and dozens of authentic Italian pasta sauces, such as porcini and white truffles sauce, Ligurian pesto, and traditional marinara.
ILĀ
718-388-2510
This vendor sells globally curated home and kitchen goods from Brooklyn-based food and design community, Sunday Suppers.
THE OLD MILL
865-428-0771
This Tennessee institution specializes in American heritage ingredients such as sorghum, grits, blackberry syrup, and pancakes.
PEANUT SHOP OF WILLIAMSBURG
800-637-3268
Stock up on fresh, crunchy savories such as Indian cashews, Marcona almonds, and wasabi peanuts. For dessert, bring out the peanut brittle.
STONEWALL KITCHEN
800-826-1752
Purchase delicious jams, jellies, condiments, baking mixes, and other staples—including award-winning Wild Maine Blueberry Jam—from this acclaimed purveyor.
TRADER VIC’S
925-675-6400
Their famous hot-buttered-rum batter makes a decadent old-fashioned cold-weather drink.
TRŪBEE HONEY
615-656-3174
Tiny jars of raw honey, like the ones used as sweet party favors in the Best Friends’ Brunch.
UNIQUE PRETZEL BAKERY
888-477-5487
Keep these classic Pennsylvania hard pretzels on hand for impromptu parties. The company’s most popular item, the six-pound variety pack, comes with jars of mustard for dipping.
HORS D’OEUVRES
DUFOUR PASTRY KITCHENS
800-439-1282
For gourmet bites, fill your freezer with these handmade, ready-to-bake appetizers, including wild mushroom phyllo triangles and Roquefort mascarpone puffs.
MACKENZIE LIMITED
800-858-7100
This British food purveyor offers lobster palmiers, olives in puff pastry, and two kinds of rich, flaky Brie en croûte: mushroom garlic and apple pecan.
NANCY’S
Fancy, high-quality frozen hors d’oeuvres such as mini quiches, crab cakes, plus more.
CHEESE
ARTISANAL PREMIUM CHEESE
855-895-9255
The site lets you search dozens of artisanal cheeses by milk type, country of origin, or type of cheese. Also order gourmet cheese platters.
BEECHER’S HANDMADE CHEESE
877-907-1644
Find more than one dozen cheeses made with premium milk and no artificial preservatives, as well as cheesy side dishes, including gluten-free options, that ship frozen.
COWGIRL CREAMERY
866-433-7834
The gold standard in new wave American cheesemaking, this California purveyor sells some of the most modern and delectable cheeses. Order the classic collection online, which includes all their rich and creamy delights.
FORMAGGIO KITCHEN
888-212-3224
This Boston company specializes in rare cheeses from small farms around the world.
877-446-8763
Find hundreds of international cheeses and in-depth descriptions of each, including history, flavor, texture, and ideal food pairings.
MURRAY’S CHEESE
888-692-4339
Browse more than 250 domestic and imported cheeses sold by this Greenwich Village institution.
ZINGERMAN’S
888-636-8162
This well-edited selection includes Zingerman’s own handmade fresh cheeses as well as delicious, undiscovered artisanal varieties.
FRESH AND PREPARED MEATS
800-596-0885
This gourmet site is known for its incredibly moist, organic smoked whole turkeys, which are free of chemicals and artificial plumpers. Just warm in the oven and serve.
HAM I AM!
800-742-6426
These flavorful, not-too-salty hams (available with or without a pepper coating) have been smoked for 22 hours with real hickory wood. One ham serves 20 to 25 people.
JAMISON FARM
800-237-5262
The tender, low-fat lamb from this farm in Appalachia is free of antibiotics, herbicides, hormones, and pesticides.
KINGS RESTAURANT
800-332-6465
This company specializes in Eastern North Carolina’s vinegar-based chopped pork barbecue (no heavy, gooey sauces), which it ships frozen. Order hush puppies and collard greens on the side.
LOBEL’S OF NEW YORK
877-783-4512
Famous for its vast selection of hand-cut, never-frozen, dry-aged beef; all-natural lamb and veal; and rich, juicy, marbled Kurobuta pork (produced on small Midwestern farms).
NIMAN RANCH
In addition to selling the beef from its ranch in Marin County, California, in stores across the country, the company works with more than 600 independent farmers who produce beef, pork, and lamb from humanely raised animals.
NODINE’S SMOKEHOUSE
800-222-2059
A reliable source for flavorful bacon, hams, and beef jerky, but most famous for its ready-to-eat apple-smoked pork loin.
NUESKE’S
800-392-2266
The applewood-smoked ham is lean, meaty, and not too salty, and the homemade sausages (spicy chicken and Cheddar bratwurst are just two varieties) are perfect to throw on the grill.
THE SALT LICK
512-829-5285
Slow-cooked pork ribs, beef brisket, sausage, and smoked turkey breast shipped straight from the Hill Country of Texas.
SALUMI ARTISAN CURED MEATS
206-621-8772
Armandino Batali (father of chef Mario) uses old-fashioned Italian curing techniques to produce authentic salamis like spicy paprika and hot sopressata, and cured meats (coppa and lamb “prosciutto”).
SMITHFIELD HAMS
888-741-2221
Home of the famously salty and pungent Smithfield ham, which is dry-salt cured, slowly hickory smoked, and aged for six months to one year. For a traditional Southern treat, slice it paper thin and serve on biscuits.
SNAKE RIVER FARMS
877-736-0193
Buttery, tender American-style Kobe beef, available in tenderloin, rib eye, and strip loin cuts, as well as boneless short ribs and hamburgers.
WILLIE BIRD TURKEYS
877-494-5592
This operation has been producing its famous fresh and smoked free-range organic turkeys for more than 50 years.
SEAFOOD
CHEF JOHN FOLSE & COMPANY
225-644-6000
This Louisiana company ships fresh, seasonal seafood (crawfish tails, lump crab) but is best known for its tasty regional soups like Acadiana seafood gumbo and Creole corn-and-shrimp soup.
THE FRESH LOBSTER COMPANY
508-451-2467
Live lobsters, Rockport lobster bisque, and clambake gift baskets with the works: lobsters, clams, corn on the cob, lemon, butter, lobster crackers, bibs, and wipes.
HANCOCK GOURMET LOBSTER CO.
800-552-0142 This Maine-based lobster specialist is famous for its Lobster Mac and Cheese and also offers other dishes made with its namesake food (and other seafoods), from fondue and stew to fresh sliders and beyond.
HARBOUR HOUSE CRABS
888-458-8272
This company ships succulent Maryland blue crabs—live or steamed and coated in secret seasoning—overnight. Order by the dozen, half bushel (three dozen) or bushel (six dozen).
JOE’S STONE CRAB
800-780-2722
Shipped overnight, this Miami restaurant’s huge stone crab claws arrive cooked, chilled, and ready to be cracked open. Dip them in the company’s signature creamy mustard sauce.
KELLEY’S KATCH CAVIAR
888-681-8565
For more than 30 years, this Tennessee company has harvested plump, briny, fresh (unpasteurized) domestic paddlefish caviar.
THE ORIGINAL CRABCAKE EXPRESS
844-616-0575
These crab cakes are made from sweet blue crabs, contain no breadcrumbs or other fillers, and have never been cooked or frozen. They’re sold and served at The Fenwick Crab House in Delaware.
RUSS & DAUGHTERS
212-475-4880
This New York classic stocks many varieties of impeccably smoked and cured salmon and seven kinds of imported and domestic caviar.
STERLING CAVIAR
800-525-0333
This farm produces American sturgeon caviar that’s as firm and flavorful as imported caviar.
SPECIALTY FOODS
CORN MAIDEN FOODS
310-784-0400
Handmade lard-free tamales from this company come in vegan, cheese, seafood, poultry, and meat varieties.
EARTHY DELIGHTS
855-328-8732
Exotic wild mushrooms (shiitake, wood ear, enoki), dried mushrooms (morel, chanterelle, porcini), and truffles delivered overnight.
JOHNNY’S FINE FOODS
800-962-1462
Varieties of seasoning salts and savory salad dressings are this company’s claim to fame.
KALUSTYAN’S
800-352-3451
This New York City specialty food store sells 100-plus flavors of chutney, including coconut, mango, ginger, and lime chili.
LUCY’S GRANOLA
207-374-2251
Made in Maine, this granola is baked with local honey and maple syrup.
MEX GROCER.COM
877-463-9476
Order everything from tortillas to specialty sauces and achiote paste through this online purveyor.
MUSTAPHA’S MEDITERRANEAN
Here are gourmet products imported from Morocco, including green olives in cinnamon, preserved lemons, and beautiful jars of harissa.
PENZEYS SPICES
800-741-7787
The site sells more than 250 herbs, spices, and seasonings from around the world—scan the online index for detailed descriptions and recipe suggestions for each.
ZEE TEQUILA
A full array of the most iconic—and lesser known—tequilas and mescals.
DESSERTS
BLUE BELL CREAMERIES
979-836-7977
Texas ice cream famous for its fresh, homemade flavor—the company packs it in dry ice in a Styrofoam cooler and ships it overnight anywhere in the continental U.S.
CAPOGIRO GELATO ARTISANS
215-897-9999
The site sells 250 rotating flavors produced every morning in small batches using only local, seasonal, or organic ingredients. A recent sampling: Champagne mango, salted bitter almond, and bananas Foster.
COCO SAVVY
Sparkling and delicate crystal-glazed edible flowers, including sugar-coated violas and pansies, can be pressed onto any iced treat. Similarly, dainty chocolates never looked so divine as when they come topped with a stunning combination of fresh herbs and petals.
DI CAMILLO BAKERY
800-634-4363
This 97-year-old company makes the best mail-order biscotti available (in eight signature varieties), and a bevy of other traditional Italian cookies and confections.
DIVINE DELIGHTS
800-443-2836
These beautiful iced petits fours and the addictive fresh apple tea cakes are perfect for any kind of shower or afternoon tea.
ELENI’S NEW YORK
888-435-3647
Picture-perfect iced cookies custom ordered to work with any theme or palette. Eleni’s shortbread, crisp and buttery, is a New York standard.
GEORGETOWN CUPCAKE
888-502-7447
Classic perfection, these baked cupcakes are made with all the right stuff—such as Madagascar vanilla and Valrhona chocolate with decadent frostings to match, and flavors that change each month.
GOLD BELY
Order signature desserts from New York’s top pastry chefs, including Christina Tosi of Milk Bar, who sells her famously playful cakes, irresistible cornflake cookies, and home-baking mixes here.
LETTE MACARONS
310-846-8029
L.A.’s stylish macaron makers create innovative, delicious flavor combinations to suit every taste, while their conical party tower, made with an assortment of 60 cookies, brings a bright, cheery touch to the dessert table.
LITTLE PIE COMPANY
877-872-7437
This New York City bakery makes old-fashioned apple, cherry, and Key lime pies, plus over-the-top treats such as New York cheesecake with graham cracker crust and sour-cream apple-walnut pie.
MILES OF CHOCOLATE
512-632-3323
These dense, fudgy brownies are as buttery and smooth as dark chocolate truffles and come in prebaked frozen blocks.
PAYARD
212-995-0888
The Parisian-style, pastel macarons, made from ground almonds, sugar, and egg whites are crunchy on the outside and soft in the center and come in four flavors: vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and coffee.
THREE TARTS
This company’s jam-filled petits fours have been known to send fans swooning. Check out the full range of bite-sized masterworks, from tarts and marshmallows to cookies.
CONFECTIONS
ALEXIS BONBONS
707-754-4018
These Napa Valley truffles, infused with dark chocolate and red wine, are the result of a collaboration between Swanson Vineyards and Vosges Haut-Chocolat.
CANDY WAREHOUSE
310-343-4099
Shop by color for candy to match your party palette, including black-and-white hard candy twists.
DYLAN’S CANDY BAR
866-939-5267
All sorts of classic and novelty confections, including M&Ms and Jelly Belly Candy (in dozens of colors) sold in bulk.
FINE & RAW CHOCOLATE
718-366-3633
Incredible chunky chocolate bars, some made with hazelnut butter or studded with habanero salt, and packaged in stylish paper wrappers.
MAST BROTHERS
Ultra-fashionable confections from New York’s famous chocolatiers. The online shop sells 12-bar collections of favorite flavors, as well as of-the-moment creations such as Rose & Sea Salt Caramels.
OLIVE & SINCLAIR
615-262-3007
Tennessee’s best artisanal chocolates have a sweet Southern accent, including some made with cacao beans aged in bourbon barrels or smoked in a smokehouse, or blended with buttermilk.
RECCHIUTI CONFECTIONS
800-500-3396
The couture confections from this San Francisco company include fleur de sel caramels, pâtes de fruits, and gorgeously imprinted fine chocolates.
VALERIE CONFECTIONS
888-706-1408
Next-level toffees, petits fours, and divine chocolates—some already prewrapped as party favors—made in Los Angeles.
WOODHOUSE CHOCOLATE
800-966-3468
Gorgeous chocolates filled with exotic ingredients (Thai ginger, fresh mint, nutmeg, cloves), packaged in pretty pale-blue round boxes.
COFFEE, TEA, AND COCOA
BELLOCQ TEA ATELIER
347-463-9231
Over 50 types of pure teas in various herbal offerings from around the world as well as in-house blends.
BLUE BOTTLE COFFEE
(510) 653-3394
Committed to freshness and peak flavor, this coffee company sells brews and beans from their brick-and-mortar shops as well as online and also offers subscription plans to have your favorite coffees shipped to your door.
COMPARTÉS CHOCOLATIER
310-826-3380
This hip chocolate company founded in Los Angeles in 1950 has a celebrity cult following and is known for its chocolates’ artful designs and delicious flavor. The products are customizable and ship throughout the world.
IN PURSUIT OF TEA
866-878-3832
Many of the loose-leaf teas on this site come from small farms and collectives around the world and contain no added flavors, perfumes, or sweeteners.
LA COLOMBE
800-563-0860
Some of the country’s pickiest chefs serve the five coffee blends from this company (including a rich, full-bodied decaf) in their restaurants.
MARIE BELLE
718-599-5515
Stock up on the best-selling Aztec Original hot chocolate, made from highly concentrated Venezuelan cocoa. Just stir in hot water or milk.
RISHI TEA
877-552-7977
A well-edited selection of black, green, white, oolong, chai, and yerba maté teas, as well as more than 30 caffeine-free botanical blends (including chrysanthemum, jasmine, and hibiscus).
STUMPTOWN COFFEE ROASTERS
855-711-3385
Purchase on site, order online, or subscribe to receive delicious coffees from this purveyor dedicated to harvesting the best beans from the best producers and to a meticulous roasting process.
UPTON TEA IMPORTS
800-234-8327
Connoisseurs can scan the Web site for detailed flavor descriptions, then choose from more than 300 varieties of loose tea.
THE TABLETOP
ABC CARPET & HOME
646-602-3101
Some of the most exquisite table settings and linens come from this legendary and luxurious Manhattan design emporium.
CANVAS HOME
212-461-1496
A vast colorful and creative shop full of modern designs adapted for the table, and including serving bowls and cake stands, vases, and carafes.
CROW CANYON HOME
800-777-0747
Known for its collection of spatterware, including both vintage and new items that work so well for eating outdoors.
FARM HOUSE POTTERY
802-774-8373
Gorgeously rustic American style for the table, including milk-glazed pottery, soft-washed table linens, and beechwood serving bowls.
IRONWOOD
This company’s cutting boards make a simple, stylish serving tray, handmade in walnut and bright with graphic wedges of colorful paint.
LIBECO
This Belgian firm’s hand-woven linens are the essence of good taste.
MERI MERI
650-508-2300
Playful swizzle sticks, as well as paper straws, party napkins, coasters, and popcorn boxes, all in bright, fun prints and patterns.
MUD AUSTRALIA
646-590-1964
Handmade porcelain bowls, plates, platters, vases, carafes, and more with a modern, streamlined design and smooth, stone-like finish.
PARIS HOTEL BOUTIQUE
415-305-7846
Unique heavy silver-plated pieces (platters, trays, tureens, pitchers, serving bowls, and teapots) from places like the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York and the Hotel Fontainebleau in Miami.
SUR LA TABLE
800-243-0852
This site specializes in bright tablewares and linens with a cozy, French country touch.
THE DÉCOR
CB2
800-606-6252
Our go-to source for so many wonderful timeless, modernist tablewares featured in this book, from glasses and bar accessories to serving pieces and vases.
JAMALI GARDEN
212-244-4025
An incredible resource for floral design, offering a brilliant range of vases and vessels as well as tabletop topiaries, sheet moss, miniature orchids, glass cloches, and decorative faux mushrooms.
LEHMANNS
Browse the enormous selection of natural-looking silk flowers. Even the silk roses come in 10 shades.
THE MONOGRAM SHOP
631-329-3379
Have your name, initials, or address printed (with crisp, preppy flair) on colorful matchbooks, bags, cocktail napkins, and more.
NEUE GALERIE DESIGN SHOP
212-628-6200
This retailer that sells everything from furniture to lighting to serving pieces is located inside the Ronald S. Lauder museum in New York City.
607-754-5336
Miles of high-quality ribbons (both plain and wire-edge) in every color and pattern imaginable.
WORLD MARKET
877-967-5362
Candles galore—in every shape, style, and color, both in wax and LED. Also, find candleholders here to perfectly suit any look.
THEME ELEMENTS
FANCY FLOURS
406-587-0118
These baking and decorating products allow you to easily create stunning cakes, cookies, or candies.
KNOT & BOW
718-855-5393
Smart party supplies from balloons and butcher’s twine to confetti and ombre beeswax candles.
LULU DK
212-223-4234
Pretty, painterly temporary tattoos designed to look like filigree jewelry.
M&J TRIMMING
800-965-8746
An extensive selection of decorative trimmings, including imported items, from buttons and accessories to a variety of high-quality ribbons.
TOPS MALIBU
808-828-0071
Party-perfect accessories, including star-shaped sparklers to top a cake, or gold-embossed crowns and tiaras to top your guests.
32° NORTH
760-487-8580
Source Dresden foils and trims for New Year’s Eve Cocktails and spun-cotton mushrooms for the Woodland Baby Shower.