Restaurant Reporter
Jan Butsch Schroder
Unlike those scummy gift cards that have monthly fees because the issuing companies are more Mr. Grinch than Santa, or just flat-out expire in six months, restaurant gift cards usually have no expiration dates, and I’ve yet to see one with any of those bogus monthly fees. (But be sure to check expiration dates and alert your recipient if there is one.)
And many gift cards include additional value for your money. Here are just a few of those gift cards you may consider for the holidays. After all, no one returned a gift card because it doesn’t work, they couldn’t figure it out, it was the wrong size or it was just too plain ugly to take up space in their home. You can even order many of these right from home on your computer.
Buy the Ultimate Card at one of the Buckhead Life Restaurants and you get 20 percent added to your card. You even get free gift wrap for pick-up orders. The restaurants are Atlanta Fish Market, Bluepointe, Buckhead Diner, Chops/Lobster Bar, Corner Cafe, Kyma, Nava, Pano’s & Paul’s, Pricci and Veni Vidi Vici. www.buckheadrestaurants.com
Concentrics Restaurants has gift cards, with an additional $20 gift card for every $100 gift card you purchase. Restaurants are One Midtown Kitchen, Two Urban Licks, Trois, Tap, Murphy’s Lobby at Twelve, Room at Twelve and Stats. www.concentricsrestaurants.com
Buy $100 gift card at Dantanna’s and get an extra $10 for yourself. 3400 Around Lenox Drive, 404-760-8873, www.dantannas.com
Order a gift card from Fifth Group restaurants and you get 20 percent added to the card. Fifth Group restaurants are South City Kitchen Midtown, South City Kitchen Vinings, Food Studio, La Tavola Trattoria and Ecco. www.fifthgroup.com
Joel will give you an additional $20 added to a $100 card. 3290 Northside Parkway, 404-233-3500, www.joelrestaurant.com
Buy $100 in gift cards from Maggiano’s and get an extra $20 card for free. Buckhead: 368 Peachtree Road, 404-816-9650; Cumberland: 601 Cumberland Mall, 770-799-1580; Perimeter: 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Road, 770-804-3313, www.maggianos.com
Buy a $20 card from Moe’s and get an extra $5 card for free. www.moes.com for locations.
Buy $100 gift card at Mosaic and get a free $20 certificate. 3097 Maple Drive, 404-846-5722, www.mosaicatl.com