Pop Up Mothers Day Gift Italian Style!

Celebrate Mamma the Italian way! This Mother's Day (Festa Della Mamma) CiaoDC has created a boutique box packed with Italian imported delicacies as a perfect escape to Italy.  Give the gift of Italy while dining al fresco with the family!  Festa Della Mamma Boutique Box:  The box includes: Olive Oil, antipasto, cured Italian ham, cheese, dessert, bread and San Pellegrino sparkling cocktails.  Italy in a box will create the quintessential taste of Italy for Mamma.  Now, that's Amore!  Gift boxes are $56.00, serves 2-4.  Order by May 3 to receive on or before May 8. Special personalized Mothers Day message included upon request. Order here!  

Virtual Tour of Raphael and His Circle at The National Gallery of Art!

The National Gallery of Art is offering a virtual tour of Raphael and His Circle.  CiaoDC will be hosting a live event upon the reopening of The National Gallery of Art.  In the interim, enjoy tour in the comfort of your own!  Start tour here.

Mias and Lenas Open for Curbside Dining and Delivery on King Street!

It was a gorgeous day in Alexandria, VA yesterday and my girls and I wanted to enjoy a jaunt around the water in Old Town  with some curbside flavors.  Luckily, our favorite pizza joint was open for business with creative bar; restaurant and carryout options for hungry folks like us!  Alexandria Restaurant Partners (ARP) have reopened Lena's Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap and Mia's Italian Kitchen.  The Majestic's menu is operating out of Mia's Italian Kitchen.  Customers were greeted on the sidewalk with lively music, mounds of toilet paper and eager to serve attendees offering Italian specialties; dinner-to-go options and pre-mixed bottles cocktails.  

The restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. ARP has been involved in a number of community initiatives during the coronavirus crisis. It is one of the participating restaurant partners in Feed the Fight ALX, which delivers meals to health care workers. ARP has also started a GoFundMe page to fund meals for guests at Carpenter's Shelter.

Restaurants must operate with takeout and delivery only through at least May 15 under Gov. Ralph Northam's order. During the closures of Vola's Dockside Grill, Palette 22, The Majestic and Joe Theismann's Restaurant, 50 percent of gift card sales go to an employee relief fund. Any purchase of $25 or more gets a 20 percent bonus gift card.

It was a relief to have access to these great eateries and enjoy the outdoor space of our beloved Old Town, Alexandria waterfront.  Masks, hand sanitizer and all we soaked up the sun, the wind and brave souls supporting these local stores and giving us all hope that this will soon end.  We're counting down the days until we can eat our pizza barside with a cuppa anyting Italian.  Until then, my friends, let's do enjoy life curbside. 

Spartans and Olympians Family Owned Greek & Italian Make Your Own Meal Kits to Go!

Pizza Kits include Dough, cheese, and tomatoe sauce
with pizza making instructions

The family owned duo Olympians (Kingtowne) and Spartans (Burke) is a trusted go to for family meals since its inception in 1995 by the Sarantis family.  Authentic Greek, Italian and American specialties are made to order daily.

Now you can pick up Easter Platters; Gyro Kits and Pizza Making kits perfect for family dinners and kids activities!  Everything you need is included in the kit.  Fun and delicious for the whole family!  Supporting this business means so much to my family personally as we have grown with their legacy - always promising great service and delicious food at affordable prices.  During the Covid-19 caution, both locations are offering curbside and Grab and Go service.   

Gyro Kits includes:
 Gyro Meat
4 Whole Pitas
Tzaziki Sauce
Feta Cheese
Chopped Tomatoes
Chopped Red Onions
Foil Sheets (to wrap your pita)
Directions to Make Your Own Pita
& a link to watch a video on how to build it!

Simply contact your desired restaurant and dinner will be served.  Buon Apetito!  Spartans: 9542 Burke Rd, Burke, VA  22015. Olympians: 6430 Landsdowne Ctr, Alexandria, VA  223145. 

Dolci Gelati Pints Curbside!

Springtime means one thing in Washington, DC - Gelato!  Now you can enjoy it in the comfort of your home with curbside pick up of Dolci Gelati Pints. Dolci Gelati is an artisan gelato company founded by our friend and Pastry Chef, Gianluigi Dellaccio in Washington, DC in 2006.  As a native of Naples, Dellaccio uses an authentic Italian recipe that has been in his family for generations using local ingredients to create seasonal magic flavors.  

Seasonal flavors include cherry blossom gelato and strawberry lavender sorbet.  Flavors vary every day but typically include sorbet, vegan flavors such as limone (lemon) and mango and standard gelato favorites like chocolate, salted caramel and vanilla.  Grab your authentic gelato pints for $8.88 and order online or call.  Available at two Dolci Gelati locations: Old Town Virginia at otdolci.com, 571-290-0684, 107 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA  22314 and Takoma Park at dolcigelati.net, 301-920-0804, 7040 Carroll Ave., Takoma Park, MD  20912.  Buonissima!  

Escape to Clifton for Italian Cuisine, Wine and Nature While Social Distancing!

Living just a short distance from Clifton, VA I love escaping to this countryside of winding, rolling hills, colorful barns and horses and old town charm. Just at the end of the journey you'll find a vintage main street treasure filled with antique shops, artisanal boutiques, cafes, restaurants, an old ice cream depot and an old town railroad station. When the world seems out of our grasp, a quick drive to this quaint town seems to reset everything.  

I was relieved to know that our favorite family-owned Italian restaurant in town, Trattoria Villagio is offering curbside pick up and delivery with amazing authentic dishes from Pizza Rustica (wood burning pizzas), main entrees to a fabulous Family Style Specialty Package including a choice of entree, salad and dessert serving 4-5 people for $59.99.  12-9 pm, 703-543-2030.  7145 Main Street, Clifton, VA  20124.

Top this deal with wine at a nearby vineyard, Paradise Springs with curb-side, on-site orders or delivery of their seasonal wines including white, blush and reds to name a few The Moment 2017 (Bordeaux,) Norton 2017 and Mentage 2019 Governors Gold Cup Case Winner, L'Orange D'Viognier.  Picking up curbside?  Take a moment to hike down the Bull Run Occoquan Trail just steps from Paradise Springs.  Enjoy fresh air, rocky terrain and water views before heading back home.  This respite while supporting local businesses will be sure to make you and your loved ones smile.

Dinner and Toilet Paper to Go Per Favore!

The Italian Place in Old Town has your back - literally, with dinner to go and  a roll of toilet paper (while supplies last) as an appreciation of your support!  Now, that's Italian!  Curb-side service will bring you everything from Italian subs, salads and pastas to lavazza coffee, soups, specialty dinners and desserts.  Order at outside kiosks, online or by phone and pick up at to go window.  The Italian Place, 621 Wythe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. www.Italianplace.com.  571-777-8981.