Good Taste helps you eat well in the Bay Area. This week, we’ve got some gift recommendations that should get you re-invited to the holiday parties next year. Shop local!
The Memory of Taste by Tu David Phu and Soleil Ho
I got sent A LOT of cookbooks for editorial coverage consideration this year, and the one that stood out the most that is both educational and is getting actual use in my kitchen is The Memory of Taste: Vietnamese American Recipes from Phú Quoc, Oakland, and the Spaces Between by Chef Tu David Phu and Soleil Ho (opinion columnist and cultural critic at San Francisco Chronicle) which was published by Bay Area author Bryant Terry’s 4 Color Books on September 10. (Even newer is GiGi’s Wine Bar, which Phu just opened at 299 Divisadero in San Francisco.) The gorgeous book took years and a memorable trip to Vietnam to produce. Find it online or on the shelves at Booksmith (1727 Haight Street, SF) and Green Apple Books (506 Clement St. and 1231 Ninth Ave., SF).
Lake Merritt BBQ Gift Box by Oaktown Spice Shop
Oaktown Spice Shop is a mainstay in my kitchen, and mom and pop shop has got a wide array of gift boxes this year that include two or more jars. One of the more intriguing combos is also the most reasonably priced of the collection: the Lake Merritt BBQ Gift Box with St. Basil’s BBQ Rib & Chop Rub and Mexican Style Adobo ($20.75). Online holiday orders are accepted until Dec. 15 , and there are three locations in Oakland (546 Grand Ave.), San Francisco (2132 Fillmore St.), and Albany (1224 Solano Ave).
Gift card/VIP card to Gumbo Social
Who doesn’t love a restaurant gift card? Gumbo Social (5176 Third St., SF) is offering gift cards for 25% off through the end of the year, which makes a $25 gift card cost $18.75 and a $50 gift card cost $37.50, for example. The recipient can redeem them at the restaurant or at Gumbo Social’s stand at the Foodwise Ferry Plaza Farmers Market on Saturdays and the Outer Sunset Farmers Market on Sundays. There’s also the $125/year VIP card that offers a year of discounts and restaurant buyout opportunities if you’re balling like that.
Stocking stuffers from Bernal Cutlery
Chef Bruce Hill invented The Chef’s Press inside his former San Francisco restaurant Bix in 2004 in order to weight dishes for better searing, grilling, and more. Made in Oakland, it remains a thoughtful gift for both home and pro cooks. It really works! Though fairly heavy, it is featured in Bernal Cutlery’s list of Stocking Stuffer Best Sellers of the year, which all sound like pretty lovely gifts for $10 and up. Order online or visit one of two SF locations (766 Valencia St. and the brand new shop inside the Ferry Building).
Share an early holiday meal
Plenty of restaurants will be announcing special holiday menus and one-off events in the coming weeks. We recommend grabbing an early holiday meal with your giftee at the Mamahuhu x Loquat Chinese-Jewish Christmas kickoff brunch at Loquat (198 Gough St., SF) on Dec. 7 or the Gaza Through My Eyes Sunday Supper at Reem’s Mission (2901 Mission, SF) on Dec. 8.
Donate money/time in someone’s name
This would be a wonderful year to make a donation to a local nonprofit as a thoughtful gift for that loved one who cares about other people! Some ideas are to donate money or time to Food Runners, which distributes more than 20,000 weekly meals in San Francisco; to give to The City Eats, which makes beautiful holiday meals; or to help San Francisco-Marin Food Bank keep up with demand, since they have a waiting list.
Shop holiday markets
If you prefer to browse in person and pick out your own gifts on the spot, there are several holiday markets featuring local food makers happening this month in San Francisco, including the city’s ShopDineSF’s Holiday Pop-Up Shop (Dec. 6-7) at SF Centre; the Sunset Holiday Mercantile (Dec. 7-8) at the SF County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park; the Black Holiday Market (Dec. 7), SF Holiday Maker’s Market (Dec. 8), and the Holiday Open House & Wine Tasting (Dec. 11) at the SF Ferry Building; and the Saluhall Holiday Maker’s Market at Saluhall on Dec. 14-15.
Tamara publishes the California Eating website, newsletter, and zine.
