Treats from Dairy Godmother. Instagram @thedairygodmom
Let’s face it: Sometimes, you find yourself at Christmas Eve Eve and still have yet to procure a gift or two for some loved ones on your list. No problem: These restaurants and cafes have you covered. Gift cards to the rescue – and your recipients will never know the difference. Buying restaurant gift cards also helps rescue the restaurants.
The Dairy Godmother, 2310 Mount Vernon Ave.
Is someone in your life especially deserving of a sweet treat? Let The Dairy Godmother sprinkle some magic on your behalf. From thick, rich custards to lighter sorbet to some decadent dairy-free options as well, there’s something for any elf on your list. A gift card will help you stuff stockings with ease. Egg nog custard, anyone?
Chadwicks, 203 Strand St.
Give the gift of hearty American fare with a certificate to Chadwicks. The stalwart along The Strand has faced 2020’s challenges head-on and pivoted – and pivoted again – as events warranted. To wit: Hosts and servers became delivery drivers when indoor dining was suspended; the restaurant’s outdoor dining space expanded by a good 100% to accommodate those looking for some more fresh air; and, like so many other eateries, curbside pickup has become the name of the game. With Chadwicks’ extensive menu, a gift card certainly wouldn’t go amiss with most any recipient.
Elizabeth’s Counter, 804 N. Henry St.
Get a card, give a card to help those in need – isn’t that what the holidays are all about? Along with purchasing a card from Elizabeth’s Counter for a friend, you can also buy one to support ALIVE, a food pantry and services organization that helps the city’s most vulnerable. This purchase helps two groups: The recipients at ALIVE and also the staff at Elizabeth’s Counter, which like so many cafes is struggling during the pandemic. With their card, your loved ones can splurge on an array of doughnuts and hearty plant-based comfort food (including fried chik’n and burgers).
Bagel Uprising, 2307-A Mount Vernon Ave.
For breakfast, lunch, dinner or even snack time, bagels get you where you need to go. And Bagel Uprising aims to keep the holiday season merry and bright with a selection of gift cards, which recipients can use to buy a baker’s dozen of bagels, order some sandwiches or even pick up a pizza bagel or two (or more).
Hope Nelson is the author of “Classic Restaurants of Alexandria” and owns the Kitchen Recessionista blog, located at www.kitchenrecessionista.com. Email her any time at hope@kitchenrecessionista.com.