Need CIA graduation gift ideas: San Francisco

[Lonnie]

My son is graduating from the CIA - Hyde Park - next week. My sister-in-law is in San Francisco for the next few days and wants to know what he'd like for a graduation present from there. He did his externship at Terra in St. Helena and had some wonderful times doing tasting menus ("think of it as tuition!") at various restaurants in San Francisco. Got any ideas? Thanks!

Lonnie

[SiseFromm]

Congrats to you and your son! Terra is a great restaurant and I'm sure the education was strictly top-notch. What is his knife situation? A really swank 12" chef's knife from a nice prducer is what I would have wnated at that age. Something showy, but definitely practical. A Shun 12" chef knife is my always go-to. it's impressive and can be kept surgically sharp with a little maintenance.

[annachan]

I would agree with knives. If that isn't something that he needs, maybe some other kitchen tools. A gift certificate from some kitchen store may be nice. Sur la Table has some wonderful stuff, though it's expensive. Another place to consider would be Economy Restaurant Fixtures.

[xdrixn]

how about dinner at danko's, aqua etc.

[twodogs]

a gift certificate to Kitchen Arts and Letters

[syrah girl]

Boulevard and Farallon are nice places for a gift certificate. Has anyone been to the new Ame in the St. Regis? Opened by the owners of Terra in St. Helena which we also love!

[Lonnie]

Boulevard and Farallon are nice places for a gift certificate.  Has anyone been to the new Ame in the St. Regis?    Opened by the owners of Terra in St. Helena which we also love!

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Our son did his externship at Terra - a great experience - and went to Ame twice to do the tasting menu. Couldn't say enough nice things about it. It was expensive but we chalked it up as tuition.

As for knives, I think he's good to go in that area but his chef/mentor from Job Corps suggested ice carving tools since he's just begun to do that.

Lonnie