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December 22, 2011

Ferry Building Sweet Gift Ideas Under $10

It’s not too late to put together a great gift. The place to go? The Ferry Building. Here are a few of my favorite things, all under $10, that can fill Christmas stockings or be assembled into a basket for a foodie friend (hint..hint).

The Ferry Building dressed up for the holidays

G.L. Alfieri’s Egg Nog Almond Brittle $4.50 for 4 oz, $8.50 for 8 oz
Alfieri’s is one of my favorite weekly stops for the samples of their popular dark chocolate almond brittle. For the holidays they have an egg nog version. It has a nice flavor that reminds you of the festive drink.

Recchiuti S’more Bites- $8.00 for 4 SHOP
These are little heavenly squares of deliciousness. The marshmallow is light and fluffy and covered in a thin layer of chocolate. The thin graham cookie base has a nice crunch.

Miette Gingersnaps- $8 SHOP
Anything from Miette would look so cute in a gift basket, but for the holidays I like these generous-sized ginger snaps with scalloped edges.

Acme Bread Panettone- Small $4, Large $8
I love the petite panettone. It is about 6″ tall, the perfect individual size. The bread is dense and filled with raisins, golden raisins and pine nuts.

Happy Girl Kitchen Jam- 4 oz for $7.00 SHOP
Great to go with Christmas morning breakfast or for filling linzer cookies

Kika’s Treats Caramelized Graham Crackers- $7.50 for 5 SHOP
Stop by the La Cocina booth to support local small businesses. Kika’s caramelized graham crackers are a stand out and would taste even better if you made s’mores with them.

Ferry Building/Blue Bottle Shop Tote- $10.00 SHOP
An eco-friendly way to present your gift and also a nice way to share where everything came from. On one side of the tote is an illustration of the Ferry Building and the other is the Blue Bottle Coffee kiosk. (I’d say add a bag of coffee but that is $12 and goes past my $10 limit)

Ferry Building Marketplace
1 Ferry Bldg
San Francisco, CA 94111
Neighborhood: Embarcadero

Farmer’s Market
Tuesday: 10am–2pm
Thursday: 10 am - 2pm
Saturday: 8am-2pm (will be open Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve)

August 4, 2011

Julia said it best

Quote Cards from Napa Valley General Store

May 31, 2011

Spotted: On the Cover, Gwyneth Paltrow's My Father's Daughter

Over Memorial weekend I caught up on some reading, cookbook reading that is, and I browsed through Gwyneth Paltrow’s book, My Father’s Daughter: Delicious, Easy Recipes Celebrating Family & Togetherness. I have to say, the pop of color from the bowl on the cover caught my eye. It comes from Anthropologie.

Anthropologie inside out bowl SHOP
This mod-style bowl is part of a collection of four different patterns that are all equally beautiful. You can buy them separately so you can mix and match according to your liking.

The book is worth a read. I enjoyed reading about her relationship with her father and how he inspired her to cook. Each recipe has a little story to introduce it and I like her voice in the book. All the photos are styled but in an un-fussy manner so it all looks realistically doable and delicious-looking. I will be sure to post on a recipe as soon as I’ve tested one.

April 16, 2011

Where to get it: Giada at Home, Season 3

Perfect Endings Blooming Flower Pot Cake SHOP
Episode: Spring Has Sprung
This adorable springtime cake that Giada uses as her centerpiece can be bought through Williams-Sonoma’s website in the Spring/Summer. It is made by the Napa Bakery, Perfect Endings. While I have yet to try chocolate, I have had the vanilla bean cake and it was one of the best layered cakes I have ever had. Really moist and fluffy.

Read more →

January 11, 2011

Where to get it: Giada at Home, Season 2

Giada continues to use great set pieces for the themed episodes in Season 2. Must be fun to be the prop/set stylist.

Giada brings Hawaii to L.A. in a tiki-themed episode complete with an actual tiki bar, orchid leis and a menu that included delicious looking tilapia fish tacos with avocado and mango. I love this curved pitcher. Read more →

February 4, 2010

Second Visit to Bottega Ristorante

I had a great meal to kick off the 2010. The day after New Year’s I had a family meal at Michael Chiarello’s Bottega. My first visit was back in July and I got to taste the summer menu. I thought it was time for some heartier selections off his winter menu.

Again I have to say, I love the decor, from the pink sea salt reservation desk to the dinnerware, the whole place is rustic and comforting. I’m scarily observant sometimes, so I noticed the water glasses changed. They were nice heavy weighted, hammered cups. Love them. These Bottega Copper Tumblers are available online at Michael’s NapaStyle store.

Read more →

September 5, 2009

Where to get it: Giada at Home

I think of all the Food Network shows I keep up with Giada at Home the most. She kept a couple of things from her Everyday Italian show but mostly everything is new. The show emphasizes her California lifestyle so everything is the aesthetic is clean, modern, and eco-friendly. Not a bad view either with the ocean as the backdrop. Here are some of the great pieces from the set.

Ikea CELEBER canisters on her counter for flour and sugar SHOP
Ikea DROPPAR jars for storing her pantry ingredients SHOP

Glass & Brushed Aluminum Square Canisters SHOP

Anchor Hocking Emma Jars with Metal Lids SHOP
Anchor carries 10 oz, 20 oz and 30 oz but the ones I’ve seen her use are pretty small. I’m not sure if the smaller ones are discontinued.

Chilewich Ray Tray SHOP
Giada keeps this three-tiered stand on her back counter filled with fresh ingredients.

Cuvee Suede Oven Mitt SHOP
Giada’s used various colors including chocolate, purple, and gray. I remember seeing the purple for the first time I loved it. It was hard to see on the TV and was kind of sad when I found out the fabric was suede. Not sure how easy it would be to clean.

Anthropologie Egg Crate SHOP
Giada made this piece popular from Everyday Italian. The turquoise option is really cute as well.

Porcelain Measuring Set- SHOP
UPDATE: Giada’s version is from the shop, Anthropologie. They no longer carry it but Food Network’s website has it.
Another piece brought from her Everyday Italian set. I love the look of the set but knowing me I’d break them.

Crate and Barrel Triple Pour 2-Cup Measuring Cup SHOP
I like how the markings are clear rather than red like on a Pyrex

Keep checking back as I update with more great set pieces!

Where to get it: Giada at Home, Season 1

In Season 1, Giada incorporated her everyday life and activities into the show and I’ve noticed a lot of great items have been featured, many which are eco-friendly. Here are some of my favorites.

Monochromatic Green Flora Yellow Flora

Envirosax Reusable Tote SHOP
Episode: Father’s Day Party and Busy Day Menu
Giada picked up her loaves of bread from La Brea Bakery and cake from Vanilla Bake Shop in the black Monochromatic.

image from vanillabakeshop.com

Fleur de Sel Cake SHOP
Episode: Busy Day Menu
Giada picked up this cake from Vanilla Bake Shop for her and Todd (I’m guessing the crew finished the rest because that cake is huge) and dressed it up with raspberries to add her own touch.

Built NY Laptop Sleeve SHOP
Episode: Many Thanks
Her friend Sandra carried her laptop in the stripe version (swatch on right, no longer available)

Built NY Gourmet Getaway SHOP
I also remember Giada carrying this lunch tote in one of the episodes.

Thermos Hydration Bottle SHOP
Episode: Happy Trails
Giada took one for her and husband, Todd, for a hike. Great, unique piece because you can keep track of your daily water intake.

Poilane Loaf SHOP
Episode: We’ll Always Have Paris
Giada created a menu, inspired by a trip to France and to literally have a taste of Paris, she ordered this loaf straight from the famous Poilane bakery in France.

darrenquinn.com

AMORE Painting SHOP
Episode: Art House
Giada has this painting on the wall by the stairs. She then did an episode featuring the artist and friend, Darren Quinn. I thought they incorporated his story really nicely into the episode.

Three Red Flowers Painting SHOP
Episode: Art House
Giada has this one hanging to the left of the refrigerator. I love the bright red. Really makes the kitchen cheery.

MoMA Palette Serving Set- No longer available
Episode: Art House
To serve the Greek Salad Skewers, Giada uses this serving palette from Takeshi Asai. Below are a couple of other similar palettes.

Phoenix Art Museum Palette Plate SHOP
Similar in style to the original but with slightly different curve

Sur la Table Artist Palette SHOP
A great inexpensive piece to achieve the art theme

Sur la Table Knotted Bamboo Skewers SHOP
Episode: Art House
Giada uses these bamboo skewers for her Italian Fried Olives recipe.

L’Objet Tabriz Rectangular Platter SHOP
Episode: Moroccan Magic
Used to serve her Couscous Cakes

L’Objet Tabriz Dessert Plates SHOP
Episode: Moroccan Magic

Woodbury Pitcher SHOP
Episode: Moroccan Magic
Giada uses this square-shaped pitcher to stir her Hibiscus Tea

August 18, 2009

Wicked Good Treats

I can’t stop raving about Wicked the musical right now (seen 3 times in 3 different cities, in 1 year) and to get in the spirit of the show here are a few of my favorite foodie finds.

The Wicked Brownie
From Fat Witch Bakery, in Chelsea Market, NYC. The original fat witch brownie with mint chips and for the real Elphaba effect, green sprinkles. This one is not on the list of options on their site so I think it comes and goes at the store. I happened to see it in July.

Photo courtesy of mrchocolate.com

Wicked Hot Chocolate
Another favorite NYC sweet stop, Jacques Torres, carries Wicked Hot Chocolate. It’s not specially for the movie but how perfect would it be with the brownie? Double dose of chocolate. I have yet to try it but its supposed to be really good. If you’re not a fan of the liquid version, it is also sold as a chocolate bar.

Photo courtesy of broadwaycares.org

Wicked Good Cook! Apron
Perform a good deed by purchasing the Wicked Good Cook! Apron. All the proceeds go towards Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

May 4, 2009

Spotted: Sprinkles Cupcakes utensils

Found these at Anthropologie. They are the exact ones that Sprinkles has without the logo so you can have a Sprinkles party of your own. I’ll admit, a little pricey, but they have such a sweet, homey feel to them.

They even have ice cream spoons! This goes on my list of “things I don’t need, but are so cute I have to have.”

Anthropologie Wooden Utensils- no longer available