Festive Eats in San Francisco

For many of us, it’s just not the Christmas holidays without a festive weekend trek to San Francisco for the day.

But if you’ve already done Union Square to death, Cow Hollow’s never been your scene and you’ve rifled through every last Hayes Street store in the past, it’s time to rethink your priorities.

Ah, food. And wine. And spirits.

Focus your city sojourn on gifts for the foodies in your life and enjoy some snacks of your own along the way. Here’s where:

Alhambra Halal Meat Co.: An impeccably inviting butcher shop devoted to “ethical” meats, whether it be lamb, beef, bison, sausage or goat (its specialty), as well as a tempting selection of Middle Eastern sundries such as hummus, pomegranate molasses and more. The meat on display is grown without hormones, steroids, antibiotics or animal products in its feed, a conscientious main course at a holiday meal. 3111 24th St. at Folsom, (415) 525-4499, www.alhambrahalal.com.

Aroma Tea Shop: A colorful Chinese tea shop awash in gold and crimson with tin after tin of teas to try and to buy. Vibrant proprietor Haymen Da Luz or his wife, Ying Wu, will freely sample you through their wide selections of black, white, green, flower art, oolong and other teas from behind the tiny tasting bar, providing educational and hilarious commentary along the way. Also peruse through a beautiful bounty of tea pots and cups and while you’re there, pick up a tea remedy or two. The Pu Er Black Tea is said to be a digestive and nerve stimulant, helping with both digestion and detoxification. 302 Sixth Ave. at Clement Street, (415) 668-3788, www.aromateashop.com.

Bittersweet Café: Bittersweet Café San Francisco (sister shops are in Rockville and Danville) is a chocoholic’s dream in the heart of the Fillmore shopping district. Skip the hoity-toity stuff though and just head here. For you, you’ll find housemade confections, chocolate desserts and chocolate drinks — don’t miss the cinnamon hot chocolate cake, or if you’re truly jonesing, a hot chocolate flight. For your friends, an inspiring selection of high-end chocolate bars from around the world, as well as all kinds of chocolate-themed gifts and confections, from luscious hanging chocolate ornaments and peppermint swirls to bags of dark chocolate ginger and classic drinking chocolate. What’s more, Bittersweet will offer a “Guided Tasting” Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. for those craving inspiration. 2123 Fillmore St. between California and Sacramento, (415) 346-8715, www.bittersweetcafe.com/sanfrancisco.html.

Cask Spirits: From the guys behind dandy bar Bourbon & Branch, a retail outlet for cocktailians with myriad bar supplies and books in addition to a meticulous selection of great whiskeys, ryes, bourbons, vodkas, wines and beer, including limited-edition stuff you just can’t find anywhere else. Been looking for a 10-inch maple Mr. Mojito muddler? You’re in luck. Cask also offers an engraving service should your bottles warrant personalized sentiments. 17 Third St. at Market. (415) 281-6486, www.caskspirits.com.

Dynamo Donut and Coffee: A tiny street stand in the heart of the Mission District (next door you’ll find “Readings by Carmela”) with insanely imaginative donuts (and coffee) such as an organic maple glazed bacon-apple. Those traveling with kids will note the great playground a few doors down, ideal for burning off all that fat and sugar. Closed Monday. 2760 24th St. near York, (415) 920-1978, www.dynamosf.com.

Omnivore Books on Food: An airy, light-filled little bookshop in Noe Valley in a former butcher’s shop devoted to books for food lovers: Not only great cookbooks, but antiquarian, autographed editions of such classics as M.F.K. Fisher’s “Here Let Us Feast,” A.J. Liebling’s “Between Meals” and others by Julia Child, James Beard, Diana Kennedy, Craig Claiborne and others. No Rachael Ray allowed. The brainchild of Celia Sack, a rare books specialist and the co-owner of Noe Valley Pet Co. around the corner, the store has only been open since November. Closed Monday. 3885A Cesar Chavez St. at Church, (415) 282-4712, www.omnivorebooks.com.

Terroir Natural Wine Merchant & Bar: Opened by Euro-millennial trio Luc Ertoran, Guilhaume Gerard and Dagan Ministero, Terroir serves and sell “natural” wines, specializing in lesser known brands from Europe. The bar segment of the program hosts frequent free tasting events, too, like one recently held featuring biodynamic Champagnes. 1116 Folsom St. at 7th, (415) 558-9946, www.terroirsf.com.

Warming Hut: A roomy cafe and bookstore practically underneath the Golden Gate Bridge recently renovated (after an unfortunate fire) using all green materials. With tables inside and out, here you may snack, lunch, have a smoothie, some tea or, more to the point, find unusual gifts, like birdhouses made from recycled license plates, or purses once printed with the news. Chocolate bars, mugs, books, plates, cards, DVDs and calendars fill up the rest of the shelves. West end of Chrissy Field, (415) 561-3042.

Virginie Boone is a freelance wine writer based in Sonoma County. She can be reached at virginieboone@yahoo.com or visit wineabout.pressdemocrat.com.