Jam Session

When you walk into Little Next Door on West Third Street, a wall full of gorgeous jarred jams greets you. But what we thought were decorations are actually anything but: They're specialties of chef T. Nicolas Peter for you to take home.

Peter learned to make jams and preserves as a child growing up in Belgium. When he helped open the French café and marketplace in 2006, making his "sweet jars," as he calls them, was a given.

Bursting with the taste of summer fruit, the strawberry jam, a house staple, is perfect on a buttery croissant. But it's Peter's seasonal creations that really fly off the shelves.

The pectin-free selection changes almost every day (don't get too attached to any one flavor, as the chef regularly tweaks the recipes). Right now you'll find quince with rose geraniums and Adriatic fig with orange and rosemary--both make great accompaniments for your next cheese platter.

Soon you'll find Meyer lemon marmalade spiced with cardamom and cinnamon, and delicious blends made with kumquats and Seville oranges as they come into season.

The jams come in 8-ounce ($12), 12-ounce ($14) and 16-ounce ($18) jars. And when you bring back an empty jar, you'll receive $2 off your next one.

Little Next Door, 8142 W. 3rd St., Mid-City; 323-951-1010 or thelittledoor.com