Great Idea for the Holidays::Group Gift Certificates from Dine Originals Columbus

So. All signs point to this being a bit of a rough holiday season for lots of people. You might be thinking of ways to maximize your gift giving as much as possible. I received a press release about a great idea from Dine Originals Columbus. Dine Originals represents some of the best locally-owned restaurants in the city; there are over 40 restaurants in all price levels and in many different genres of dining (the restaurants are all listed below, with links if possible). 

The great thing about this year's gift card program is that you can purchase one gift card, and it can be used at any Dine Original restaurant. This means your recipient can buy 5 lunches and a bottle of extra virgin olive oil at Katzingers, or they can splurge on a dinner at the Refectory-it's their choice. I think this is a great idea for the current economy. 

If you do order gift certificates, help a waitress out and enter "restaurantwidow" when checking out - I will receive a small referral fee which will go directly to making RW better!

Here is the official press release; the restaurants included are listed at the bottom of the release, and I have added a link.

NEW GROUP GIFT CERTIFICATE CREATED TO SUPPORT LOCAL RESTAURANTS
Dine Originals Columbus now offering group gift certificates redeemable at 42 local, independently-owned restaurants.

COLUMBUS, OH – November 19, 2008 – Dine Originals Columbus was created to celebrate, promote and protect independent restaurants and unique local flavor.  The group of 42 restaurants is releasing a new product this holiday season to offer people in the community a simple way to support their local businesses.

A group gift certificate redeemable at any member restaurant is now available online at www.dineoriginalscolumbus.com/database/gc.php.

Community members can purchase certificates in any denomination through secure checkout, print them immediately or e-mail them to family, friends, colleagues and clients.  DOC group certificates may also be purchased over the phone by calling 877-870-3463 and they will be mailed to recipients within one business day.

"Now, more than ever, it's important to support local businesses," says Scott Heimlich, owner of Barcelona Restaurant. "We need to work together to keep money within our community."

The new program makes it easy for faithful restaurant enthusiasts to introduce people to Columbus' vibrant independent restaurant scene while infusing more money into the local economy.

"We believe that this is the ideal holiday gift," says DOC President and Katzinger's owner, Diane Warren.  "It takes the guess work out of gift-giving in so many cases."

Discount rates are available for local professionals looking to make large holiday gift orders.  Adds Warren: "It's perfect for corporate executives who don't know what to give their staff." 

DOC members include a wide variety of local favorites.  Below, please see a full list of member restaurants where gift certificates may be redeemed.

Group gift certificates are being coordinated through Giphter, an e-commerce firm that currently handles DOC's discount gift certificates.

DINE ORIGINALS COLUMBUS MEMBERS

Alana's Food and Wine
Banana Bean Cafe
Barcelona
Basi Italia
Betty's Fine Food and Spirits
Bexley Monk
Blackcreek Bistro
Bodega
Cafe Corner
Columbus Brewing Company
Due Amici
Elevator Brewery & Draught Haus
Figlio Wood-Fired Pizza (Grandview only)
G. Michael's Bistro
Granville Inn
Handke's Cuisine
Katzinger's Delicatessen
L'Antibes
Lascala Italian Bistro
Luce Restaurant and Cafe
Maca Cafe
Milo's Deli & Cafe
Pistacia Vera
Press Grill
Rigsby's Kitchen
Shaw's Restaurant and Inn
Spice Bar & Lounge
Surly Girl Saloon
The Burgundy Room Short North
The Clarmont
The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls
The Refectory
The Top Steakhouse
The Worthington Inn

Tutto Vino