Looking for Washington DC gourmet food shops selling gift cards

November 9, 2020 9:10 AM

I would like to buy a gift hamper or gift card to an upscale foodie grocery store in Washington DC for a friend. But I live in the UK and don't know what the cool shops are. Any suggestions? I'm doing the same for a friend in Philly and have gone through DiBruno Brothers. Anything comparable in DC?
posted by shibori to Food & Drink (12 answers total)

Can you give us any more detail on what your friend likes and what part of DC they’re in? Don’t want to send them to Maryland if they’re a northern Virginia person!
posted by Maecenas at 9:33 AM on November 9, 2020

Best answer: Here is a list that might help point you in the right direction https://www.washingtonian.com/projects/foodlovers/#.X6mCc5NKjOQ with the caveat that it might be a little out of date and several of the shops are in the 'burbs of DC (VA and MD) but that may not matter to your person.
posted by nkknkk at 9:58 AM on November 9, 2020

Response by poster: Thanks, friend lives in the city and likes many things. I was thinking Italian but am open to other suggestions....
posted by shibori at 10:00 AM on November 9, 2020

Best answer: I love Stachowski’s, which is in Georgetown and they deliver to MD, DC, and VA. https://www.stachowskisausage.com/

Wagshals also delivers locally: https://orders.wagshals.com/
posted by inevitability at 10:13 AM on November 9, 2020

Best answer: A. Litteri. It's more old-school than "upscale," but they are still going strong after 94 years so definitely are doing something right. It's a small independent place, so I don't know if they will have a standard basket, but if you contact them and give them a price range and describe what you want - whether a collection of oils and vinegars and wines, or meats and cheeses, or some combination - I bet they would be happy to assemble something for you.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 10:19 AM on November 9, 2020 [5 favorites]

Best answer: Vace has a similar vibe as Litteri's (which is an excellent suggestion)

Radici is not old school, but does have a nice selection.

Centrolina is a wonderful restaurant with a small market.
posted by jindc at 10:34 AM on November 9, 2020

Best answer: Can definitely recommend Cheesetique if your friend can get to Northern Virginia. They have 3 locations.
posted by mccxxiii at 11:21 AM on November 9, 2020

Best answer: Hard seconding of A. Litteri - they have definitely done gift certificates in the past, but you'd likely have to contact them directly. It's in the nearby suburbs, but Arlington, VA's Italian Store is also excellent.
posted by reedbird_hill at 12:35 PM on November 9, 2020

Best answer: Glen's Garden Market is located just north of DuPont Circle (in the district) and focuses on locally sourced items that run the gamut from produce to beer & wine to meat, cheese & smoked fish. Not sure about the gift baskets but they definitely do gift cards.

Otherwise, I second Stachowski's!
posted by CiaoMela at 1:18 PM on November 9, 2020

Best answer: If you think they would be willing to do mail order, or you would, La Tienda in Virginia has wonderful Spanish food, and will do gift cards or gift boxes of various kinds.
posted by gudrun at 7:33 PM on November 9, 2020

Response by poster: Thank you so much everyone! Really enjoying going through all these.
Looks like it might be Glen’s Garden Market for the win.
posted by shibori at 4:39 AM on November 10, 2020

If you want to go very very local, try Made in DC.
posted by oryelle at 12:54 PM on November 10, 2020