Q: I’ve been looking for stracciatella all over Charlotte. Where can I find it?
Tom: Stracciatella is a traditional Italian cheese made from pulled mozzarella curds mixed with fresh cream, basically what you find inside burrata. Getting fresh stracciatella in Charlotte currently is difficult, but not impossible. The good news is, it may be easier to get soon. Charlotte-based Siano lists it on their website, but a check of the company’s typical retail outlets had us coming up empty. You may be able to order it from them. Also, Mano Bella Artisan Foods will make it for you as a special order with 24 hours notice (after the upcoming holidays). However, UP Food Arrisan of the Year, Raffaele Patrizi tells us he’s planning to have it as a regular in-store item when Mano Bella opens its new SouthPark grocery/restaurant, currently slated for late January.

Q: Ever since Price’s closed, I’ve been searching for a new fried chicken home. Got one?

Gas station chicken with potato wedges and hot sauce. TM Petaccia/UP

Tom: A few, actually. Personally, I’m a huge fan of the “gas station chicken” available at the Shell stations on East Boulevard and Eastway Drive (Kristen, not so much). If you want more than grab-and-go, Haberdish fries a mighty fine bird with the benefit of expertly made cocktails. Kristen loves the fried chicken Sweet Lew’s BBQ  puts out, but it’s only available on Sundays. Also, check out our review of Original Chicken ‘n Ribs in West Charlotte.

Q: Yes, I’m that person. I’m running to the ABC store for last-minute Christmas gifts. What are some not-so-standard bottles I should consider gifting?
Tom: Show some Carolina pride! For gin lovers, take a look at Durham Distillery’s Conniption Kinship gin with its deep purple-blue color from butterfly pea flowers. There’s also a slight peppery note I just love. Also, Sutler’s out of Winston-Salem is an excellent gin in a really cool gold-on-black bottle for maximum gift impact. Made in Belmont, the Muddy River Basil Carolina Rum is as flavorful as it is unique. For something really different, from out in Bogue, N.C., John APC Carolina Peanut Butter Flavored Whiskey might sound off-putting to some, but as a slow sipper, it’s pretty nice. Also makes for some fun cocktails. Throw some vanilla ice cream in a blender, add one sliced banana, a splash of milk and about 2oz of the PB whiskey — whir whir — boom, you’re drinking like Elvis!