5 great bookstores for cooks

Sunset, Jan, 2008

DENVER

Tattered Cover Book Store At its historic central location, check out the section on Rocky Mountain cuisine, including high-altitude baking and ranch cooking. 2526 E. Colfax Ave; www.tatteredcover.com or 303/322-7727

LOS ANGELES

The Cook's Library Peruse selections from more than 8,000 cookbooks, including rare, foreign, and out-of-print titles. Book signings attract local and international chefs and authors. Closed Sun; 8373 W. Third St.; cookslibrary.com or 866/340-2665.

PORTLAND

Powell's Books for Home and Garden Seek out first editions by James Beard, Portland's native son, at this specialty branch of the city's iconic bookseller. 3747 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.; powells.com or 800/878-7323.

RENO

OldCookbooks.com It's not just a website: The store has some 10,000 rare and out-of-print editions, such as cookbooks with recipes from old railroad dining cars. In the Antiques & Treasures Building; 151 N. Sierra St.; oldcookbooks.com or 775/337-6477.

SAN FRANCISCO

Cookin' An eccentric treasure trove. Secondhand kitchenware shares the shelves with new and used cookbooks picked by the owner, a former literature professor. Closed Mon; 339 Divisadero St.; 415/861-1854.

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