1-800-Baskets.com has become the go-to online store for quick and dependable gift ideas, partnering with companies like Cheryl’s and The Popcorn Factory to bring their goods to a larger audience. But while the site contains the usual items tailored for special occasions – such as flowers, fruit bouquets and tasty treats – its newest addition will have even the most macho men excited about the prospect of receiving a gift basket, although technically it comes in a Styrofoam ice box. We’re talking about meat, and not some dainty summer sausage that’s served with crackers and cheese, but USDA Prime and Choice steaks, pork, lamb and veal from Stock Yards, who have been providing quality meat to some of America’s finest restaurants for over 100 years.
Stock Yards isn’t the first company to offer meat delivery direct to your home, but the fact that they’ve joined the 1-800-Baskets family shows that they mean business about expanding their brand. And with a variety of products available – from steak burgers and BBQ pork ribs, to seafood and steaks – there’s something for just about everyone, provided they fancy themselves a carnivore.
We recently had the chance to sample the King & Queens Collection, and while we weren’t too impressed with the 10 oz. Center Cut New York Strip steaks that were included (more on that below), the 6 oz. Complete Trim Filet Mignon steaks came off the grill tasting almost as good as what you’d get at a major steakhouse. We prepared the filet mignon a little rarer than the New York strip after discovering that the steaks had a tendency to toughen up when served at a medium-well doneness, and combined with the provided Epicure seasoning, they were the best home-cooked steaks we’ve ever had – tender and flavorful with a melt-in-your-mouth center.
Whether or not they’re worth the price depends on how much you like steak. The King & Queens Steak Collection costs $84.95 (plus a shipping charge that varies between $4.99 and $12.99 depending on the day you want them delivered), which averages out to about $23 a steak. That’s a lot more than you’d pay at a typical restaurant, and not much less than at a quality steakhouse, especially when you consider that you still have to prepare the food yourself. But for anyone that loves to grill out or just wants a special meal in the convenience of their home every now and again, Stock Yards is a great way to treat yourself or a friend, regardless of the occasion.
Many people have been talking about Costa Rica since their impressive showing in the World Cup, which generated a lot of attention here in the States. Costa Rica has always been known for beautiful beaches and scenery, but now we can add soccer to the list. We’ve had the good fortune to visit Costa Rica many times, often in search of beautiful models. We’ve also attended a number of great events out there, and in the photo here you see lovely Lindsey enjoying the zipline near Jaco.
