December 13, 2011 by Mark H. Anbinder
You've gotten past Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and 14850 Dining is here to help you finish off your shopping list with both Hanukkah and Christmas coming sooner than we'd like to admit. Gifts of food are appreciated any time of year, and you'll put a smile on everyone's face with one of our local gift options.
Chocolate frogs from Lucienne's.Grab some fresh local fruit, wines, cider, crafts, or meats at the Ithaca Farmers Market, still open through Saturday the 17th. Or pick up accessories such as pint glasses from Ithaca Beer, or that elusive kitchen utensil from Now You're Cooking. Grab some handmade chocolates -- even sugar-free -- from Lucienne's. Or an Eco Mug from Collegetown Bagels is a $250 travel mug that comes with unlimited coffee, tea, and soft drinks throughout 2012. (Yes, they have more-affordable ordinary travel mugs, too, featuring your first drink free and a 25-cent discount on each drink after that.)
The clearance sale at Ludgate Farms, which is closing, runs through Thursday, December 15th, but they'll have Christmas trees and handmade wreaths available until the 23rd.
Or, instead of carting food around town or spending money on shipping, go the gift certificate route. Lots of local eateries and specialty stores offer gift certificates and gift cards, and some even have holiday season specials, like the Nines, where a $30 gift certificate costs just $25. Some local restaurants sell gift certificates on their web sites, so you don't even need to run around to buy them, and Restaurant.com has discounted gift certificates for some local eateries.
Bring the gang to Rogues Harbor or Mercato or the Glenwood Pines and treat your friends or relatives to a nice meal, or host a dinner party for a bunch of foodie friends.
Sign a friend up for the new wine and cheese CSA through the Finger Lakes Wine Center, or a particular winery's wine club. Bellwether Hard Cider is offering free shipping on cases through December. Don't forget gift certificates to Garden Gate Delivery, our very own local food delivery service.
For loved ones outside Ithaca, arrange overnight delivery of a special dinner from legalseafoods.com, or sign that cheese-lover up for the cheese of the month club at igourmet.com.
Don't miss our annual listing of who's open and closed for the upcoming holiday weekends. Best wishes for a happy and delicious holiday season from all of us at 14850.com!
