All of the authentic baked goods at Maison Richard Café & French Bakery are made fresh on the premises

 
  Imperial Special Reserve Ossetra caviar is just one of the brands carried by Petrossian

The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills
True to its name, this gourmet grocery (open since 1967) carries the city’s finest cheese selections. Other assorted fancy foods such as caviar, truffles, cured meats, and exotic jams also abound, making it easy to mix and match for your next party tray or gift basket. 419 N. Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-278-2855; cheesestorebh.com

Clementine
Brighten up the next holiday party you attend by bringing your host one of Clementine’s beautifully wrapped pumpkin breads with walnuts and raisins. It’ll end the evening on a sweet note (and give you a dose of vitamin A!). 1751 Ensley Ave., LA, 310-552-1080

Cube
This small epicurean emporium stocks all the delights needed for a great party (or to supplement your host’s table), including rare spices, savory spreads, artisanal extra-virgin olive oils, Italian Sant’ Eustachio coffee, luscious chocolates, cobblers and cookies. 550 Ceres Ave., LA, 213-542- 3337; cubemarketplace.com

Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits & Cheese
We usually drop into this diminutive store before parties to purchase an extra bottle of wine, but it’s tough to leave without snagging some extra goodies such as caviar, cane-sugar sodas, and imported olive oils and vinegars. 223 N. Larchmont Blvd., LA, 323-856-8699; larchmontvillagewine.com

L’Épicerie Market
Make a get-together that much more elegant with a selection of charcuterie or freshly made terrines of pâté from L’Épicerie Market. The divine macarons and fancy French candies help as well. 9900 Culver Blvd., Culver City, 310-815-1600

Maison Richard Café & French Bakery
Nothing says Noël like a traditional French croquembouche—a towering cake made of cream-filled profiteroles piled as high as possible and glazed with caramelized sugar. One of these impressive pastries lends a dose of old-world culture to any gathering. 707 N. Stanley Ave., LA, 323-655-7777; maisonrichard.com

Norcino Salumeria Cheese Bar
Though we always adore ordering panini to eat in Piero Selvaggio and Cesare Casella’s Italian butchery shop at The Market at Santa Monica Place, we also love to request a salumiere platter of assorted meats to savor in the privacy of our own home. Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica, 888-530-5202; norcinosalumeria.com

Petrossian
When you need caviar, there’s only one place to go in Los Angeles: Petrossian. The fabled gourmet importer on Robertson carries an exceptional selection, as well as an array of other savories, including smoked fish, pâté, and foie gras, along with sugary snacks (madeleine cookies and financier tea cakes) and chocolate-fondue pots. 321 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood, 310-271-6300

Santa Monica Seafood
Have a holiday brunch to attend? Bring along the decadent smokedsalmon platter from Santa Monica Seafood, heaped with fresh, coldsmoked Scottish salmon, cream cheese, red onions, and capers. 1000 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, 310-393-5244

Teuscher
They might be fighting words, but we’ll still utter them: Swiss chocolate is the best, and the place to get it in LA is the flagship Teuscher store in Beverly Hills. Beribboned two-piece boxes of the Champagne truffles make the perfect party favor. 9548 Brighton Way, Beverly Hills, 888-443-8992