Small Bites

Little Vittles

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Published: Sep 18, 2007

Bambu Rum founder David Kanbar, formerly of SKYY Vodka, claims his wife grumbled each time a rum-based drink like a mojito came up during their drinking rounds — turns out pirate's mouthwash was just a bit too severe for his lady's tastebuds. So that's why Kanbar developed the white-and-light Bambu, a polished rum made from quadruple-distilled and triple-filtered hand-picked sugar cane. With a pink bottle that screams premium-label chic, the female-friendly sip compares nicely to a good-textured vodka, but it really gets it legs when mixed with any number of fruit juices, including pineapple, cranberry and orange. Sample Bambu and you may consider saying "forget you" to Malibu. Available at www.bamburum.com. —Amy Strauss

Just because you dominate the candy market in one season does not mean you can slip effortlessly into another. It's like when John Updike tried to write a children's book. Or when Tyra announced she was hosting her own talk show. Now, Peeps, those famously chewy freewheeling marshmallow Easter candies, have crossed into the uncharted realm of Christmastime sweets. But after trying them, it's our opinion that the pink and purple chicks of yore do not translate well into a nine-pack of red-flecked, peppermint-flavored gelatinous stars. The result tastes something like a Listerine-injected sponge. The good news? You can still stick two of them in the microwave for 30 seconds and have a good old-fashioned Peep War (first one to explode loses). You could also freeze them, string them up with some popcorn and cranberries to add a festive garland to your Christmas tree or Hanukkah bush. But we'd probably avoid stuffing any stockings with these things. Unless, of course, your pesky child or sibling is on the Naughty List. —Luke Sirinides

Tell Jeeves he can have the morning off — you don't need your own butler to enjoy toast complete with elegant English accoutrement. Even the most Starbucks-slurping, Lucky Charms-munching Yank can appreciate Sur La Table's nickel-plated toast rack — it even has a tray to catch all the crumbs you bloody well won't. For those of you wondering about the purpose of the toast rack, a time-honored staple of the English breakfast table, we'll explain, all while avoiding acknowledgment of your ignorance and silently judging you (like a good Brit should). If you want to put your faux-cultured friends in their place, whip out this silvery beaut and dress your face in a smug grin as they snort into their Minute Maid mimosas. "Where, oh where, does one acquire such a useless and pretentious kitchenware item?" they'll ask. "And what sort of strange vanity prompted you to buy an entirely separate ornament that does nothing more than perform the job of a simple plate?" A ridiculous question undoubtedly fueled by jealousy. From here, simply smile and grab another golden wedge of crusty bread while your cohorts choke down their cold, stale, clearly unracked Pepperidge Farm nonsense. So not posh. Available online at www.surlatable.com. —L S

Being selected as a bridesmaid to a blushing bride doesn't necessarily entitle you to offer her your preferred picks on gowns, cakes and bachelorette party activities — unless, of course, you're packing the savviest of recommendations. Make sure, then, that you at least suggest Cutie Pie Cookie Co., a New York-based couture cookie maker that specializes in gourmet goodies. Appropriately named, Cutie Pie's homemade vanilla sugar cookies are swirled with real butter, adoringly decorated to order andideal for tabletop wedding favors. Whether you prefer their collection of four delicate designs of floral patterns and hearts crafted by designer Joy Cho, or the cutesy customizable option that lets you print cookies with everything from monograms to your own photographs, the bride's big day will be addictively delicious. At $3.25 each, these darn adorable handfuls may even prompt the lady to dub you her maid of honor. Available at www.cutiepiecookies.com. —AS

 

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