Books to Give and Get

Sometimes when I review a book I keep it. Other times I give it away. Recently a couple of books that I reviewed fell into that second category.

First off a pocket version of Patricia Unterman's San Francisco Food Lover's Guide. This is the most handy guide to finding good things to eat. I've raved about earlier versions of the guide and this one is no exception. No reviewer is going to match everyones tastes perfectly, but Unterman comes pretty close.

The guide divides up recommendations by neighborhood and includes restaurants, cafes, bars, delis, markets, wine, cookware and more. Stash this slim volume in your glove compartment and you will never be at a loss for dining options ever again. While this book is not just for tourists, I couldn't help but pass my copy off to a visiting hungry eater/blogger who already used it to find the burrito of his dreams.

The other book that impressed me was Everyday Food: Great Food Fast. It's filled with 250 terrific recipes and photos to go with each and every one of them. The detailed prep and cooking times and generally short list of ingredients help to ensure success. While I gleaned some wonderful tips from this book, it is perfect for my friends, and there are several, who do not feel at home in the kitchen. If you are looking for a good gift for someone learning to cook or getting reacquainted with their kitchen, this is it.

READ MORE My full review and a sample recipe from Everyday Food:Great Food Fast is up on Bay Area Bites

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