Food gifts and experiences make for perfect holiday presents for just about anyone, whether they're the person who has everything or are someone who truly deserves to be spoiled.
Here are some thoughtful Bay Area options:
Philanthropic eating: Benevolence is sexy! Gift certificates in $50 increments from ShareTable.org can be used at acclaimed San Francisco restaurants such as Boulevard, Coi, Quince and State Bird Provisions; $5 from each is donated to partner organization The San Francisco and Marin County Food Bank, enough to provide 15 meals to people in need.
Cookbook it: Tony Gemignani's "The Pizza Bible" (Ten Speed Press) is an authoritative yet approachable testament to creating the wealth of pizza styles available at Gemignani's San Francisco restaurants Tony's Pizza Napoletana, Capo's and Slice House, the latter of which recently opened a location in AT&T Park. Learn the differences between pies made in Detroit, New York, Sicily and Rome and how to perfect them at home.
Dinner at home: A $50 gift card to Munchery can provide a healthy chef made and home delivered meal for four people, while a $500 one takes care of a family's dinners at home for a month; custom amounts are also welcomed. Check thte coverage map to see if your desired area can receive delivery; Munchery currently services San Francisco and some (but not all) of the North Bay, East Bay, Peninsula and South Bay.
Tasting tours: Give the gift of a food-centric walking/tasting tour of San Francisco, Oakland or Berkeley from Edible Excursions, the Bay Area's standard-setting culinary tour company. Options in San Francisco include craft cocktail and artisan chocolate walks, while the East Bay options focus on food hoods like Temescal and Uptown in Oakland and Berkeley's "Gourmet Ghetto." Tour prices range from about $68-119.
Sweets for the sweet: Speaking of chocolate, it's usually a safe bet as a holiday gift and Bay Area candymakers can compete with the best. Browse in person or order online from Charles Chocolates in San Francisco, Richard Donnelly Chocolates in Santa Cruz and La Forêt in Napa for unique as well as crowd-pleasing confections.
