Charles & Marie

As I remember, James Bond always drank martinis, “shaken not stirred.” Still, that salient fact hasn’t stopped champagne maker Bollinger from creating a bullet-shaped Champagne bottle that has Bollinger 007 inscribed on the exterior. Naturally, it’s to promote the latest Bond flick, “Quantum of Solace”. When empty, the advert suggests you use it to “store your essentials” in as it comes with a silver key . Only 207 numbered bottles will be produced, so it comes with a hefty price tag –$5765.00. For that price, we expect a date with Daniel Craig.

Despite its popularity, Oakland’s Bellanico retains a neighborly feel with comforting rustic California Italian cuisine and tiny interiors accented with blown glass pendants. Husband and wife owners Chris Shepherd and Elizabeth Frumusa (the duo behind Aperto in San Francisco’s Potrero Hill) named Bellancio for their two daughters, nicknamed Bella and Nico, and they recruited Chef de Cuisine Jonathan Luce, formerly of Pearl’s Oyster Bar. Expect such decadent dishes as risotto with black mission figs and gorgonzola, as well as wild-caught albacore.

Salon Teas makes a slightly sweet, caffeine-free tea with chamomile flowers and lavender buds to promote a restful night (we suspect you deserve it). The scent is strong and fresh with plenty of body. You see, chamomile was used by the Egyptians for its power to cure a variety of ailments, to induce sleep and to aid digestion. Sip it before you slip into a hot bath and get the winks you crave.

Life’s a peach (always sweet, sometimes fuzzy): embrace it with something cold and tangy. Fuzzy Peach Gourmet Lemonade is made for those of us who love to lounge poolside. For each glass of lemonade you crave, add 8 ounces of chilled water to two tablespoons of this mix, then stir with gusto. You’ll get five utterly satisfying glasses of gourmet lemonade out of one tiny box. The stuff is more invigorating that Gatorade.

As vegan pastries go, this tomato and goat cheese tart is tops. The filling is made from tomato, organic stone-ground English flour, free-range eggs, goat cheese, Greek yoghurt, basil, baking powder, salt and pepper. It’s kind of like a quiche, but it seems a lot lighter. Slice up some generous portions and serve them with a fresh green salad for a savory summer lunch that will impress your peers.

We’ve got spoiling dinner down to an art, what with all of the snack foods we’re constantly nibbling. Potato chips without trans fat, preservatives and artificial gunk are especially difficult to resist around 5 pm (we like to snack healthy). The process of “popping” allows the creators of all-natural Pop Chips to maintain all of the addictive flavors of regular po-po chips with half the fat. One bite inspires love. Without the handles.

Wander down a serene path, nestled just off Sacramento Street in Pac Heights and you’ll stumble upon Sociale, where the darling patio transports you to Italy by way of meticulously prepared food. Luglio, or “lunch,” is a treat that’s not to be wasted on work days when you only have an hour to burn. Though menus change often, a recent visit unearthed tuna salad made with poached olive oil tuna, seared scallops with strawberry, asparagus, fava bean salad, and candied fennel seed. Start with either, then progress to the Asparagus ravioli, braised duck penne or brick chicken. When you meander back down the path and into the world (buttons undone, no doubt) you’ll feel a bit more centered.

After 20 years in the premium beverage business, watersmiths at TalkingRain Beverage Company wanted to give H2O a sexy makeover. With fruit juices, pure essences and crisp Artesian water, they came up with Twist. The bottles are perfectly sized for those of you on the go. Flavors include lemon, mandarin white tea, mango acai, pomegranate blueberry, west indies lime and juicy orchard peach. Organic agave nectar imparts a hint of sweetness that makes each sip better than the last.

Truth: Nearly 1.2 billion individuals (that’s 1 in 6 people) lack access to safe drinking water on this planet. In observance of World Water Day last March, we purchased a few bottles of Charity Water and the good cause is still going strong. All donations fund the 250 wells that are being built to serve 150,000 people worldwide. But that’s just the beginning, of course. If you’re feeling really generous, you can forgo the plastic bottle in favor of the “virtual” water. It’s just another way to earn those angel wings.

Feeling bluer than blue? We have a temporary fix: hot, soothing tea. Strengthen The Spirit Tea is an oolong from a Fujian province in China. Known for its fresh, orchid flavor and clean finish, the iron-hued leaves can be infused many times over. You know how we’re fervent recyclers (except when it comes to ex lovers).