We just did Mother’s Day – now let’s do Father’s Day! (FYI: On Mother’s Day this year, Nick took Holden to a four-hour chess tournament downtown and I stayed in bed watching Suits and eating Payday and drinking wine. It was heaven. Everyone, regardless of whether they’re a parent or not, should enjoy days like that. No *thinking* required.)
Anyway: If you have someone you’d like to shop for (doesn’t need to be a dad!), we’ve got some recommendations, below. Hope you find them useful, and let us know (members@bittmanproject.com, or in the comments) if there’s something you’ve been enjoying lately, too.
Note: If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. But please know that we will only ever recommend products that we actually like.
Consciously-made shoes: We featured Cariuma sneakers in our Mother’s Day guide too; they’re well-known for their excellent sustainability efforts, and their sneakers are simple, comfy, and chic, so they’re a really good choice. Try the Oca Low Canvas (pictured above), Oca Low Premium Leather, or the Salvas White Leather.
Portable griddle system: I went camping this past weekend and OH, how I wished I’d had Made In’s super portable, small griddle system. (It would also be lovely for a backyard, if you happen to have one.) The grill griddle – which can be used inside on the stovetop, too – is fully perforated, which optimizes flame-to-food contact; and the system is naturally nonstick.
Another grilling option, because it’s grilling season: Made In’s special high-heat grill frying pan is also fully perforated and nonstick, and is rugged enough for an open flame. Stick it on your grill and you won’t lose any food through the grates.
You don’t have a Thermapen yet?! Speaking of grilling – our favorite thermometer is a must-have for every kitchen or backyard.
MEAT knives: To cut your steak with. Very traditional for Father’s Day, to be sure, but they’re Made In, so you know they’re nice.
A knife sharpener to go with: This is small, doesn’t require electricity or batteries, and it works. I loathe dull knives, and I love this sharpener.
Fancy shmancy headphones: Sonos – makers of the speakers that both Mark and I love so – now has headphones (in black or white). They seem like an excellent rival to the Apple AirPods Max, and they’re freakin’ Sonos, so you know they’re good. Plus, they come out on Wednesday (you can pre-order now), so if you get them, you’ll seem like you’re deeply in the know.
A curated food basket: Some favorites here: Gustiamo’s grilled artichokes in extra virgin olive oil, small artichokes in extra virgin olive oil, and pistachio spread (use code GUSTILOVESBITTMAN for 10% off your order); Fishwife’s smoked rainbow trout, smoked salmon, or spicy hot trio; any whole dried chiles (or powder, or flakes) from Boonville Barn Collective (women-owned); nut butters from Big Spoon Roasters (newest flavor: Lum Lum Thai Curry Peanut & Cashew Butter; I love the Sweet Heat); the best dates (scoop the nut butters into them for an unbelievable snack); an awesome Graza drizzle and sizzle olive oil set (Mark and I use, Mark and I love; use code BITTMAN for $5 off); and a Burlap & Barrel spice collection.
For the environment-passionate pops: Everyone, I’ll admit it: Mill sent me one of their food recyclers to test out, and I am in love. I’m going to write more about it soon, but for now, just know this: You put in all your food scraps and the machine turns them into odorless grounds. The bin takes forever to fill up, it never smells (as long as you run it), and when it does fill up, there are multiple options for how to get your grinds back to the earth. (Mill will pick up and turn them into chicken food, they team up with local farms, you can use them for your own compost, etc.). The company has a rental option, too, if you want to test it out before you buy.
A simple but good-looking bag: State makes the cutest bags for kids; I’m happy they’ve added more adult items to their array of offerings. The Wellington and Franklin weekender bags are both really nice, and the Grove rucksack offers just a lil pop of color.
The gift of sleep: I wrote about this overpriced sleep mask in our Mother’s Day guide, and then I got it for myself – I found a sale, honestly – and now I can’t imagine not having it. If you know someone who likes wearing a sleep mask to bed, this is the best of the best. It feels like a weighted blanket on my face – not because it feels heavy, but because it feels comforting. (Some colors on sale here!)
And then COFFEEEEE: You know we love Mr. Espresso. Did you know they have a subscription program? We recommend the Neapolitan espresso (can be used in a regular coffee maker, too) – you choose the grind and subscription length. A personalized mug would be a nice addition – with one like this, you can choose your own message (use your imagination; I don’t love the one that’s featured) and photo.
Personalized sneakers: Holden and I customized some Nikes for Nick last year. (Okay, it was Holden alone; I let him have free rein, and now Nick has Spiderman-themed sneakers) Holden loved doing it, and Nick loves wearing sneakers that say “HOL” on the left back and “DEN” on the right back. Here’s the full range of shoes you can customize.
Supremely extravagant, but supreme: Regent is Mark’s favorite cruise line and he’s done a bunch of cruises lately – and is going on yet another one later this year. If you feel like booking a secret vacation, I can’t see why cruising from Rio de Janeiro to Santiago — visiting Montevideo, the Drake Passage, and the Chilean Fjords along the way — would be a bad idea. Use code Bittman2024 when you book for a $100 shipboard credit.
On the other end, a tiny and beautiful trinket: I want Holden, my 8-year-old, to make me one of these shrinky dink keychains. It’ll remind me of my childhood and of him, every time I unlock the door. So sweet.
Three wonderful books: I’ve probably mentioned it before, but Andre Agassi’s memoir, Open, is one of the best books I’ve ever read – and you don’t need to be an Agassi fan or care about tennis to absolutely love it. The writing is phenomenal (J.R. Moehringer). Alain Ducasse’s memoir (I interviewed him about it on the podcast), Good Taste, is also lovely. AND, for grilling season, How to Grill Everything! Because: Carne Asada Fries, Smoked Mac and Cheese, Green Chile Cheeseburgers, Grilled Potato Skins, and Chocolate Zucchini Bread.
Cast iron is a MANLY material, right? Seriously – if you want cast iron, get it from Lodge. Mark’s loved cast iron for as long as I can remember, and this skillet is all I’ll use for roasting a chicken or making steak or charring brussels sprouts. The silicone holders slip right onto the handle and eliminate the need for potholders. And, finally, because I can’t not, A DOLLY PARTON SKILLET and an awesome-looking trucker cap.
US!!! Gift a subscription to the Bittman Project. We’re going to reach a thousand recipes in the near future, and you don’t want to miss that glorious day. Plus you won’t ever miss a travelog or a rant from Mark, thoughtful and creative recipes from Kerri Conan and Erika Houle and Holly Haines (and more), and access to giveaways and discounts and special gifts. (Like our awesome tote, which comes with an annual subscription.)
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