(Photo: Mitchell Feinberg)

The Best Bet
With import bans pushing Caspian beluga-caviar prices into gold territory, other sources are emerging for the traditional champagne accompaniment. The four flavors of Tsar Nicoulai’s domestically raised caviar (truffled tiger eye, wasabi, ginger, and beet and saffron) might not go over with a hard-core purist, but they’re surprisingly delicious, alone or atop a toast point (the wasabi cries out for crème fraîche). And the beautiful colors will certainly brighten the holiday buffet ($20 for a two-ounce jar at Dean & DeLuca, 560 Broadway, at Prince St.; 212-226-6800; and 1150 Madison Ave., at 85th St.; 212-717-0800).