The Kitchenless Cook
What to give your cook for Christmas?
By Bill Knutson


Being an avid griller, I am often showered with barbecue-related gifts. In my gift arsenal is a nifty BBQ utility belt that would make Batman jealous, BBQ tools in a secret agent attaché case, a fork that extends so far that you can turn over your shrimp without leaving the table, and let’s not forget the endless stream of aprons with the lovely caricatures of men and their grills. I don’t want to appear ungrateful for any gift given to me, but what I really want is what any good chef would: a few quality knives, a sturdy set of spatulas and tongs, the best ingredients I can find, and a good flame.

I don’t make gift-giving life easy for my friends and family because I have a bad habit of buying whatever I really want immediately when it comes out. And in this era of eBay and Amazon, I think there a lot more people like me who go for that instant gratification high of getting the newest and hottest items available.

I have changed my approach this year. I will not be shopping online or at any of the major chain kitchen supply stores. Instead I will head out into the City and shop at a few of our local food and kitchenware shops. My gifts this year will be gift baskets containing a combination of unique but useful kitchen tools and consumables.
Here are a few of my favorite places to shop:

The Wok Shop
718 Grant Avenue (at Commercial), 415-989-3797, www.wokshop.com
If I were stuck on a desert island with just one cooking tool, it would be a well-seasoned wok. A wok is truly an all-purpose pan; it can be used quite efficiently for searing, sauteing, steaming, braising, or frying. At The Wok Shop, you can choose from their extensive selection to find the right wok for anyone’s need. The knowledgeable staff will steer you through the many options and give you the proper guidance to season and preserve your wok. The Wok Shop also carries a vast selection of knives, utensils and cookbooks covering the many Asian cuisines. The wok itself will make creative gift basket – just fill it with utensils, oils, sauces and spices and wrap it up.

Molinari Delicatessen
373 Columbus Avenue (at Vallejo),
415-421-2337
If you must give a fruitcake to someone this year, at least be kind and give a panettone from Molinari Delicatessen. They also feature their own locally made cured meats and large selection of imported cheeses. Their outstanding selection of imported Italian wines and pantry items can make this Christmas feel like a Tuscan holiday.

Z. Cioccolato
474 Columbus Avenue (at Green), 415-395-9116, www.zcioccolato.com
When strolling along Columbus, it is nearly impossible to walk by Z. Cioccolato without stopping in for a free sample of one of more than 65 flavors of house-made fudge. But once inside, you will get lost amongst the barrels of candy that will make you reminiscent of your childhood. Bags of saltwater taffy make great stocking stuffers or fill a basket with an assortment of treats to satisfy that sweet tooth on your gift list.

Cheese Plus
2001 Polk Street (at Pacific), 415-921-2001, www.cheeseplus.com
If you are asked to bring appetizers for a holiday party, don’t waste any time. Just run to Cheese Plus. With over 300 cheeses and smoked and cured meats, it will be a snap to create the perfect cheese platter. Their shelves are stocked with a bounty of local and imported foods that reflect care for the animals and the environment, and their wine selection focuses on small family producers who specialize in mostly old-world styles. The deli counter is a great place to stop for a quick healthful lunch in the middle of your busy shopping day.

Kamei
525–547 Clement Street (at 5th Avenue), 415-666-3688
Have you ever been out to dinner with a friends who have commented on how much they love the plate the dish was served on? And thought that it would make a great present if only you knew where to find it? Well, this is the first place I would look. Kamei is a housewares and restaurant supply house that mainly caters to the local Asian restaurants, but many chefs I know head here when they are looking for that certain plate to make their dish stand out. I really like the selection of sake and tea sets available. This is also the place to stop if your holiday dinner party suddenly grows larger than your collection of plates and silverware and you want to spare the landfill from more paper plates and plastic forks.

Finally, here’s a great gift idea that doesn’t involve any shopping:

Food Lovers’ Tours with GraceAnn Walden
415-302-5898, www.graceannwalden.net
Our beloved food writer and KGO personality, GraceAnn Walden, has been conducting tours of San Francisco neighborhoods for over 20 years. Gift certificates to her North Beach, Chinatown, Nob Hill, and Fillmore tours are $80–$100 and include a meal at a fine restaurant celebrating the food of each neighborhood. Her North Beach two-hour mini-tour includes a light lunch at Rose Pistola ($60; coming in January, but you can book in advance). Don’t be fooled by newcomers and imitators – GraceAnn’s tours are the only way to see these neighborhoods through the eyes of a true historian, and her dry wit makes the experience as entertaining as it is informative.

Happy shopping!

Cheers,
Bill

E-mail: bill@northsidesf.com