Kick that Amazon habit to the curb and pull up on some local-loving gifts this year. Brilliant small shop and wee boutiques like Rare Device, Park Life, Earthen, and Foggy Notion, plus Green Apple Books, queer-focused Sour Cherry Comics, and Upper Playground Clothing always save my holiday, ticking off everyone on my list—with some cute grabs for myself, of course. (Pro-tip: Cove in Lower Haight has terrific artisanal wrapping paper and cards, as well as adorable oddities.)
1. Red Bean Sesame Babka from Mamahuhu + Loquat
($20 at Mamahuhu locations around the city)
Hip Chinese eatery and cute Jewish bakery join forces for a holiday treat that’s a perfect party/ dinner/ personal treat for any denomination. First of all, this thing is absolutely gorgeous; secondly, it’s equally delicious—sweet and fluffy with just the right notes of umami and spice. Mamahuhu cofounder Brandon Jew tells us the collaborative delight, which originally came out of local bagel-wranglers Wise Sons’ dinners feeding Jewish people at Christmas, has been reborn from his wife’s love of Loquat’s babkas—and his continuing twist on tradition. “Red bean in Chinese pastries is pretty common. Sesame is another ingredient that can ride the line between sweet and savory the same way red bean can. It took a couple trials to really dial in the balance, but once we got there, we were all happy with it.” So are we.
2. House of Nanking Cookbook by Peter and Kathy Fang with Emily Timberlake
(Available to Omnivore Books and local indie bookstores throughout the Bay Area.)
After 37 years of incredible popularity as “SF’s favorite Chinese restaurant” (no small title, that), we finally get a peek into House of Nanking’s delicious secrets—and they’re surprisingly replicable. Plus, the stories behind them, and the Fang family’s journey, are fascinatingly universal. 48 Hills Food Editor Tamara Palmer interviewed Kathy Fang earlier this year, who said, “The Chinese culture of cooking food, even from my family, is that no one writes anything down… it’s all by memory and by feel. I also feel there are a lot of people from my generation that want to cook all these dishes that their family used to make, and have no idea how to do it. Now it just feels so good to be able to finally put something together… It’s also an ode to all immigrants who have come here and basically done what we have been doing. Our story’s not extraordinary, it’s very common.” PS: Hit up Tamara’s Dec. 21 cookbook swap at Studio Aurora for other tasty tomes, and check out more of her gift recommendations.
3. San Francisco Everywhere Mug by Ayca Kilicoglu
($42 at SFMOMA store, more info here.)
Museum stores have been lifesavers for me in terms of last-minute holiday dashes—although unfortunately there seem to be fewer and fewer of them. SFMOMA has really upped its game lately by carrying design works by local artists in the shop, and there’s tons of items in there that appeals to a wide range of giftees (even teenage boys, that impossible gift demographic). I adore Ayca Kilicoglu’s whimsical graphics that celebrate the city, and who doesn’t need a mug of steaming hot tea tight now? Her colorful scarves and tees are also available, as well as more mugs and goods by other awesome SF-based designers—and goodies from the museum’s stellar Ruth Asawa show, too.
4. Get ’em something vintage + unique
(Goods via SF Vintage Maps)
Whenever I’m stuck for ideas, I peep at lifelong treasure-hunter Krystyl Baldwin’s SF Vintage Maps site, which pinpoints every must-visit spot for unique goods. From high fashion consignment stores (shoutout perennial best of the Bay winner Sui Generis) and antiques wonderlands to quirky jewelry shops and vintage gay nudie mag repositories, Baldwin leads you to something perfect for those people who seem to have everything. With easy filters for category and neighborhood, you can plan your last-minute dash in impeccable style, with time out from hauling for a cup of hot coca and some fortifying dim sum too, why not.
5. Brilliant ornaments and plants from Flora Grubb
(1634 Jerrold Ave, SF. More info here.)
The 21st century indoor plant craze has blossomed from Millennials to Alphas, and we love that for the ease with which we can gift some little green fellas to friends and relatives of all ages now. You can pick up some terrific ones at Flora Grubb in the Bayview, a gorgeous showcase in which someday I aim to live. But their seasonal ornaments, many based on plants they love, are a real score this time of year and make excellent party gifts or stocking stuffers. Grab them while you can, as well as some new leafy amigos. And while you’re down there, pop by the great All Good Pizza truck for a stellar pie (I adore the kale or mushroom) and a Mexican coke. Pizza Navidad!
