Christmas Guide: Food & drink

Arte & Vino
While its Romanian-language-only website makes Art & Vino a little less foreigner friendly, this is another business run by proper wine people. The bottles stocked come from Romania, Eastern Europe, the traditional wine-making nations of Western Europe and the New World.
B-dul Marasesti 2 (Carol Parc Residence). www.artevino.ro. Mon-Sun 09.00-19.00.

Bacania La Tache
It simply wouldn’t be Christmas without the traditional dishes. If you are keen to sample a taste of local products such as Plescoi sausages, smoked cheeses or hearth bread, then Bacania La Tache is a good place to go shopping. If the schedule doesn’t suit you, there is also the option of ordering online, but it would be a shame to miss out on the experience of indulging in the mouthwatering flavors in the store.
Nicolae G. Caranfil 48. www.bacanialatache.ro. Mon-Fri 09.00-15.00, Sat 09.00-18.00, Sun 09.00-14.00.

Bacania Veche
Bacania Veche is a grocery store which, its owner says, aims to offer food with a story. The shop sells traditional Romanian meat, dairy products, wines, all sorts of preserves, in-season fruit and vegetables, unconventional kitchen implements, baked goods, as well as international products – all under the motto “no preservatives, no colorings or other chemical additives”.
Strada Barbu Vacarescu 49. www.bacaniaveche.ro. Tues-Sun 09.00-20.00, Wed 09.00-23.00.

Crama Murfatlar
Crama Murfatlar (Murfatlar Winery) stores can be found in almost all the neighborhoods in Bucharest as well as in a large number of shopping centers. You can choose from all the producer’s varieties and, if you’re not sure what to pick, tasting is
free and the vendors are there to offer
advice.
35 stores in Bucharest. About 09.00-20.00, varies depending on location.

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Boutique Comtesse du Barry Ateneu
Upmarket delicatessen that brings a little French gastronomic savoir faire to Bucharest. All manner of edible and drinkable treats await, including smoked salmon, caviar and posh chocolates, not to mention a range of wines. If you have foodie friends and money to spend, you could do all your Christmas shopping here. Another outlet can be found in Baneasa Shopping City.
Strada Episcopiei 2-4. www.lemanoir.ro. Mon-Fri 10:30-20.00, Sat & Sun 10.30-17.00.

Delicateria Traiteur
Serving up gastronomic goodies from a delectable range of chocolates to sauces, condiments and oils, not forgetting soft and harder drinks, plus accessories such as coffee makers. For those aiming to be more virtuous over the traditional season of indulgence, there is also a selection of organic products. Orders are taken online with delivery promised between 24 and 48 hours.
Strada Putul lui Zamfir 22-24. www.delicateria.com. Mon-Sat 09.00-21.00, Sun 09.30-16.00.

Ethic Wine
With an ethos of bringing quality wines to local consumers at sensible prices, Ethic has some bargain bottles (it also sells spirits and olive oil). The owners boast of having “the largest selection of Romanian wines in Bucharest”, but the rest of Europe and the New World are also covered.
Banu Antonache 55, Piata Floreasca. www.ethicwine.ro. Mon 15.00-21.00, Tues-Fri 13.00- 21.00, Sat 10.00-16.00.

Lizar Tobacco & Liquor Store
Wines, liquors, cigars, cigarettes, pipe or narghile tobacco and other accessories are good options to consider as a gift for a gentleman if you have run out of ideas. And for Zippo collectors, the stores sells the entire range of the famous American wind-proof lighters.
Pipera Tunari Road 34 and Radu Beller
3-5, www.lizar.ro.

Targul Domnesc
If you find yourself strolling through Kiseleff Park than a stop at the nearby Targul Domnesc grocery is worth your while. The store offers a large variety of organic foods from producers such as Rapunzel and Probios, as well as traditional Romanian products. And if
you’re worried about all the candy the kids are going to eat this Christmas, you can pick some organic sweets for them.
Strada Arh. Ion Mincu 5. www.targuldomnesc.ro, daily, 09.00-21.00.

Van Gogh wine shop
The Netherlands might not be the main country you’d associate with fine wines, but the people behind Van Gogh café know their onions when it comes to quality food and drink. The expat
hangout du jour sells a selection of bottles, which can be tasted on site along with some cheese, or delivered to your home.
Strada Smardan 9. www.vangogh.ro. Mon-Fri 17.00-24.00, Sat & Sun 12.00-24.00.

Vinexpert
Started by a group of oenophiles, the Vinexpert network stocks a range of top European wines and spirits, along with other high-end goods such as teas, coffees, chocolates and Cuban cigars. If you’re stuck for inspiration, the website has a list of Christmas gift ideas. It also has mall outlets.
Octavian Goga 24. www.evinoteca.ro.
eu. Mon-Fri 09.30-21.00, Sat 10.00-19.00.

Wine & Company
Classily decorated wine outlet whose bright lights tempt Lipscani revelers as they make their way home. No online ordering system seems yet to be up and running, but the convenient Old City location makes it ideal for a post-drinks pop-in. The company also has a mall presence.
Strada Lipscani 28.

The Winery Outlet
If you’re unsure what tipple to give someone this Christmas, The Winery, part of the British company Halewood, is doing RON 50 and RON 100 gift vouchers. There are also special deals on bubbly – ideal with the party season coming up – and other products. You can order online, and there’s free delivery for orders worth over RON 450. The store stocks the entire range of wines produced by Romanian Halewood and another 179 imported wines – from Uruguayan Pisano and South African Simonsig to famous French producers like Hugel & Fils, Lupé Cholet and Gerard Bertrand. In addition to wines, the store also offers beer and liquors – for some Christmas flavor, you can choose ginger beer or cider.