Best place to buy herbs/spices in bay area?

I think there is a significant contingent of SF Bay area foodies/cooks here - I'm seeking opinions on the best place to buy dried herbs and spices to assemble in a gift box for someone in the family. Looking for French & Mediterranean more than Indian or Thai, although a place that carries all of them would be most welcome. Any recommendations?

Thanks,

Christian

[Jenise]

I would guess you have a brick and mortar Penzeys there? The freshness and quality are incomparable.

[Robin Garr]

I'm only an occasional visitor to Baghdad by the Bay, but I'm thinking that in a cosmopolitan city like San Francisco I'd be more inclined to look for ethnic markets than even as admirable a franchise chain as Penzey's.

If they're still around, I recall being impressed by visits to Spice Ace in the Pacific Heights neighborhood, and, I think, a place called Rainbow Grocery. I can't remember what neighborhood the latter was in, though.

The Bay Area is a pretty big place. There's a Penzey's store in Montgomery Village in Santa Rosa, and a Savory Spice shop downtown across the street from Pedersen's furniture store. I prefer Savory by a small margin, but that's largely because it's in easy walking distance from home.

I'm only an occasional visitor to Baghdad by the Bay, but I'm thinking that in a cosmopolitan city like San Francisco I'd be more inclined to look for ethnic markets than even as admirable a franchise chain as Penzey's.

Nice Herb Caen allusion, Robin!

Mark Lipton

[Robin Garr]

Nice Herb Caen allusion, Robin!

Good eye!

Thanks for the replies. Unfortunately, it looks like the nearest Penzeys now is Santa Rosa, probably not within reach in my time window. Various ethnic markets are good, but its harder to gather a broad spectrum there, so I'd have to go to an Indian place for certain things, Mexican for others, etc.

Does anyone have any experience with spice/dried herb quality at Berkeley Bowl or Ratto's in Oakland?

CMM

Thanks for the replies. Unfortunately, it looks like the nearest Penzeys now is Santa Rosa, probably not within reach in my time window. Various ethnic markets are good, but its harder to gather a broad spectrum there, so I'd have to go to an Indian place for certain things, Mexican for others, etc.

Does anyone have any experience with spice/dried herb quality at Berkeley Bowl or Ratto's in Oakland?

CMM

Will the place in Santa Rosa ship to you, should be overnight if they will.

Oaktown Spice Shop in Oakland is highly recommended by several wine/food geeks. I'll check it out and post a note if it's good.
CMM

There's a Penzey's in Menlo Park. I googled.

Menlo Park, CA

771 Santa Cruz Ave
(650) 853-1785

Please do post on Oaktown if you make it over there.

Oaktown Spices did not disappoint. We got some really interesting aromatic Turkish Marash pepper, a nice Cajun herb-spice blend, an ultra foresty-shroomy porcini salt, and some excellent dried oregano (and I say that as someone who usually prefers fresh herbs). Remarkable collection of various black peppers. Very nice staff and the manager (owner/partner?) seems extremely knowledgeable. A great little store; and they will be selling online shortly.