Culinary Muse

Twelve Days of Gift Giving: Day Four

By now you have probably guessed that our Twelve Days of Gift Giving includes only chocolates and confections from our favorite chocolate folks. There is not anyone kinder in the confection business than Chuck Siegel. From the beginning of this site, he and his staff have been supportive of our chocolate endeavors. As a special treat to our readers, Chuck is offering you 15% off of your order. The deadline for ordering is December 17, next Monday. Hurry and send one of their very elegant edible boxes to your most important client. They will be impressed.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE CHARLES CHOCOLATES SITE.

SCOTCH AND CHOCOLATE?

A perfect winter's evening pairing. Our rainy and foggy weather in San Francisco for the last few days just begs to be enjoyed with a warming glass of scotch and a nibble of chocolate. When choosing a scotch to pair with chocolate, go for the smoother single malts or less assertive blends like Johnnie Walker Red. One of our favorites is OBAN, a West Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Being from one of Scotland’s six Malt Whiskey making regions, it blends the sea air character of the Island malts with the soft, fruity style of the Highlands. So smooth. We like to pair it with Guittard’s 72% cacao dark chocolate or a fruity Dagoba 59% cacao. The city’s best selections of scotch can be found at William Glen & Son, 360 Sutter Street, SF, 94108, 415.989.5458.

TRULY DIVINE CHOCOLATE GIFT GIVING

The first in our series of chocolate holiday gift ideas comes from our friends at Holy Orders. They are the exclusive purveyors of this truly divine Italian chocolate made by the Camaldolese Monks. For $22.00 you will receive two 150 gram bars of chocolate, one light, one dark. You will love ordering from HOLY ORDERS the answer to your gift giving prayers. They sell hand made gifts from monasteries and cloisters around the world.  If you are looking for gifts with soul and meaning this is the place.

EATING MY WORDS AT BRISTOL FARMS

Why do I love the new Bristol Farms grocery store downtown? Let me first say that I was skeptical. Who, I mused, is going to go grocery shopping downtown? How could a grocery store survive on the lower level of a shopping mall? Boy, was I wrong. Everyone is going to shop at Bristol Farms. This may not be the store to stock up on staples like dish soap or paper towels, but you buy those at Safeway on sale, right?