FOODIES ARE the easiest people on your gift list. You can go from low end to high, buying anything from the perfect Wüsthof paring knife at Kitchen Arts to a selection of chilies or salts from Christina's Spice & Specialty Foods to a private wine-tasting at BRIX, a weekend wine class at the Boston Wine School, or a series of Sunday afternoon cooking classes at Rialto. You can even put together a progressive dinner by giving gift certificates for several spots: drinks at the Liberty Hotel's Clink, dinner down Charles Street at Bin 26 Enoteca, dessert across the park at Finale, and a nightcap at Troquet. Or go for the gold and give your favorite foodie a white-tablecloth dinner with wine pairings- - $100 per person will cover the bill at most fine restaurants. Every restaurant in the city has gift certificates available in almost any denomination. Some, including Davio's and Avila, have fancy little plastic gift charge cards, but all eateries will be more than happy to help. And the best thing about a gift certificate? It's almost graceless for the recipient to use it unless the gift-giver is part of the party. >> Erwin Ramos and Ivan Torres, of Olé Mexican Grill fame, have just opened neighboring Olecito, a more casual restaurant featuring the street food of Mexico. >> Peter Eco is the new executive chef at STIX Restaurant & Lounge. Eco comes to the new post with plenty of experience; most recently he was involved with a culinary event company and also spent time in the kitchens of Clio and UpStairs on the Square.
