What I love most about gastropubs is that they are equal parts pub, lounge, and eatery, so you don’t have to sacrifice food quality in favour of an extensive cocktail list, or ambience in favour of a full menu. Instead, you get the best of all worlds, and that’s why some of my favourite après work haunts are the many gastropubs here in Vancouver. If you happen to have a fellow gastropub lover on your Christmas shopping list this year, never fear, for I’ve put together a list of gift ideas that are sure to please.
A cheeseboard is a must have for any gastropub lover
In the vast majority of gastropubs I’ve been to, charcuterie is a menu staple. And I mean, you really can’t go wrong with meats, cheeses, and bread paired with a nice glass of wine, can you? So, consider a nice cheeseboard and knife set for your gastropub lover, like this one from Dansk Vienna. It is made of acacia wood and its matching steel knife is great for slicing and serving all kinds of cheese.
An airfryer can help you recreate your favourite gastropub dishes
In my experience, most gastropubs have both healthy and not-so-healthy menu items, and unfortunately I tend to lean towards the not-so-healthy fried variety of snacks, like fish tacos, or mussels (healthy) and fries (not-so-healthy). However, with an airfryer like the Philips Viva Collection Airfryer you can recreate your favourite gastropub fare using far less oil than traditional fryers–like as little as a tablespoon of oil. For fish tacos, you simple need to cut your filets into long 2-ounce strips, season with salt and pepper, and bread them according to any recipe for deep fried fish fillets. But instead of frying them in all that unnecessary oil, pop them in the Airfryer for healthier results. You can also use the Airfryer to broil, bake and steam, so can make delicious mussels to go along with your air-fried fries.
Barware is a great gift for any gastropub lover
Barware is a sure way to please any gastropub lover. If beer is their beverage of choice, then look no further than a nice set of beer glasses like these fabulous Pilsner glasses from Spiegelau. Each set comes with two glasses that are specifically designed so that when tipped back, the extra air increases the clove or banana aromas that usually characterize wheat beers. Another option that is ideal for ales or fruity beers is this set of 6 beer glasses from Oberglas. They can also serve doubt duty and act as brandy or cognac glasses as well.
If your gastropub lover is more of a wine drinker, consider a set of high-quality red and
white wine glasses, like this set from Riedel. Riedel is the go-to brand for my sommelier friends, and having recently purchased a set for myself, I can tell you their great for non-sommeliers as well. Alternatively, gift your wine loving friend or family member with a wine accessory kit like this one from Haier so they have everything they need to open, store and serve wine, including a rechargeable bottle opener, a wine bucket, a wine thermometer, and a bottle stopper that prevents oxidation.
For those on your list who might enjoy the occasional martini, a set of stemless martini glasses is an easy go-to gift. This Rona Drinkmaster set of four glasses is ideal for sipping cosmos or even a classic gin martini in style. Some people don’t like stemless glasses, but I promise you, stemless lessens the possibility of spillage.
Any of these gifts would be ideal for a gastropub lover, a foodie in general, or someone who just likes to enjoy their cocktails in glassware made specifically for the drink in question. And if you are a gastropub lover yourself, why not host a gastropub themed party with some great snacks and a few classic cocktails before the holidays? I know I will!
Main image courtesy of Vancity Buzz.
