Manhattan Fruitier

Profile

From exotic and organic fruit baskets to assemblages of artisanal cheeses and baked goods, this highly edited gift emporium sources outstanding products, and packages them in baskets that recipients will actually want to keep. Inspired by nineteenth-century luxury gifts that were delivered by horse-drawn carriage, the baskets are hand-filled with care. Patrons can shop by occasion or by price, selecting a modest but delectable gift of L.A. Burdick chocolates or an elaborate “epicurean hamper” that includes caviar, smoked salmon, chocolate-dipped dried fruits, and English poached pears. But there's little need for a visit to the bricks-and-mortar shop. Although the workroom is wide open, the treats that fill the baskets aren't on display. Instead, the catalog and website do an excellent job of portraying the high-quality wares on offer. — Nancy Davidson

Service and speed are mainstays here; orders placed by 11 a.m. will be delivered that day within twenty-five miles of Manhattan; for same-day shipping, orders must be placed by 2:00 p.m.